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Post by AJ on Feb 16, 2019 21:44:27 GMT -5
During this past week a P&C had a sale on pouch tobacco. I rarely buy from P&C due to there lack luster and rude customer service a few years back. I ordered some blends I have never smoked before like Erin Go Bragh, White Atlantic, Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic , and John Bull. These are my thoughts and observations about John Bull.
Upon opening the pouch I observed ribbon cut tobacco with both light and dark ribbons. The aroma was mainly that of Latakia but not like a Lat. bomb. There was a strong hint of smoke and sweetness, both are what I want in an English blend. The moisture was a little more than I prefer but acceptable.
Loading my pipe was easy. The pipe I used was the first that my wife gave me and it’s a favorite. It’s a smooth a Design Berlin billiard with a straight saddle stem. I chose this pipe because I know how this pipe smokes and can do a good comparison to how a blend will smoke when compared to other blends. I put the pipe into the pouch and filled it using my thumb to load the chamber. Once satisfied with the loading I gave the tobacco a light. The tobacco took the flame immediately and at the first puff I tasted a nice mild, slightly smokey sweet taste. As I continue to smoke I notice some nuttiness from the Burely and a bit of sweetness from the Virnias and cavendish. Though mild the Latakia takes the lead role. Made of several types of tobacco I was afraid there might be a clash between different types of tobacco. I needn’t have worried because as the smoke progressed all of the blends played nicely together with the Latakia taking center stage with the other tobacco in support. The tobacco burned at slightly fast rate but never got hot and there was no harshness or rough edges. One might believe this should be a complex blend due the many different types of tobacco. If this is what you want in a blend then search elsewhere. Nicotine level is just above mild and the taste remained constant to the end of the bowl. I experienced no tongue bite even when pushed. The tobacco burned all the way to the bottom of the bowl leaving no dottle and just a bit of moisture. This required only a couple of relights. The manufacturer labels this blend as light English blend and I agree. This is the type of blend I like to smoke when reading or watching TV. It doesn’t demand any attention or detract one from whatever they are doing at the time. It provides an easy enjoyable smoke while you are doing other things. It leaves a sweet taste that lingers for only a few minutes after finishing the bowl. Though not a 4 star blend it does rate a solid 3 stars.
AJ
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Post by Yohanan on Feb 16, 2019 21:46:35 GMT -5
Good review, Thanks for posting.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2019 21:47:16 GMT -5
It is indeed a mild and friendly English. An all dayer if need be.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Feb 16, 2019 21:55:23 GMT -5
Nice review AJ. I just got a pouch in the mail from a member here. Your review makes me want to dig in.
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Feb 16, 2019 23:04:34 GMT -5
...AJ...my thoughts about John Bull, exactly...
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Post by qmechanics on Feb 17, 2019 1:23:20 GMT -5
I think that was solid review AJ, well stated. In brief, I found John Bull to be unique due to the burley forward nature of the Latakia blend. John Bull while not the most complex blend I have tried, did not strike me as being one dimensional either. At least our palates are similar enough that I would rate John Bull around 3 out of 4. If I take into account the value, bump the rating up by another 0.5, definitely cellar worthy.
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Post by Legend Lover on Feb 17, 2019 11:43:45 GMT -5
Nice review AJ. I like the detail.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Feb 17, 2019 19:49:32 GMT -5
So, is John Bull kind of the Carter Hall of English blends? It's been on my list for awhile, but I haven't bought any yet.
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Post by McWiggins on Feb 17, 2019 19:49:48 GMT -5
Good review for a great pouched blend. It quickly earned a place in my cellar as a simple, no fuss blend good for pretty much any time. I havent smoked it in the spring or summer but I see myself smoking many bowls of this while sitting outside for hours making BBQ.
A few quick notes from my taste... - mildly sweet - some nuttiness - great as an intro for a person into the world of latakia
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Post by McWiggins on Feb 17, 2019 19:53:35 GMT -5
So, is John Bull kind of the Carter Hall of English blends? It's been on my list for awhile, but I haven't bought any yet. Maybe? I think Carter Hall is OK but I dont grab for it often. John Bull though I like a lot more. I'll make sure you get to try it next time we meet up.
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Feb 17, 2019 19:57:17 GMT -5
I remember thinking this is a really nice English in a pouch. I went through the pouch relatively fast. Its a very economical option right now. 3.25 for a 2 ounce pouch, I think.
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Post by kxg on Feb 17, 2019 19:58:43 GMT -5
I too bought several pouches from that P&C sale. I wanted to try a few that my grandpa used to smoke, PA, SWR, in particular. The surprise of the batch was the John Bull. I agree fully with your review. A rather nice English that isn't overly complex, just a solid smoke.
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Feb 17, 2019 19:59:00 GMT -5
So, is John Bull kind of the Carter Hall of English blends? It's been on my list for awhile, but I haven't bought any yet. CH and JB are both GOOD tobaccos that are sort of on the economy end of the pouched market. There's a John Bull brand of cigars that is out there, too. Supposed to be pretty tasty.
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Post by McWiggins on Feb 17, 2019 20:04:38 GMT -5
I remember thinking this is a really nice English in a pouch. I went through the pouch relatively fast. Its a very economical option right now. 3.25 for a 2 ounce pouch, I think. At P&C it is $3.25 right now because its the Tobacco of the Week and either today or tomorrow the deal ends. Regular everyday price is $4.99 I believe. Either way, cheap price for a good blend.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Feb 17, 2019 20:13:20 GMT -5
Alright, I just ordered 2 pouches. I'm kinda really excited about it.
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tr
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Post by tr on Feb 17, 2019 23:11:54 GMT -5
I got in on that Pipes&Cigars pouch sale and got a pouch of John Bull, but haven't tried it yet. I got to get into this tomorrow! Thanks for the reviews.
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Spartacus
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Post by Spartacus on Feb 18, 2019 9:36:07 GMT -5
I picked up a pouch as well. I smoked it this weekend. I wasn't as impressed as some. There was something I didn't like about the taste between puffs. To me it was a middle of the road English. Not bad, not great. I think there are better options out there. As far as value goes, the price for the pouch was well worth the tobacco inside. I have smoked a lot worse that cost a lot more.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2019 9:38:57 GMT -5
AJ, excellent review, I could not have described the blend any better 👍
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bouwser
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Post by bouwser on Feb 18, 2019 9:55:18 GMT -5
So I've had an un-opened pouch of this for a few months. The thread prompted me to crack that bad boy. Delightful pouch note. Yay, there is latakia. I let it dry for about 10-15 minutes on paper towel. The smoke itself was quite enjoyable. I didn't over pack in my cob which I'm learning is very helpful. It stayed lit the whole time and burned all the way to the bottom. Some great flavor but nothing overpowering. I could puff while doing some odd jobs and didn't have to struggle with anything. I'm glad I opened this. I could smoke this a lot and probably will.
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Feb 18, 2019 9:59:13 GMT -5
So I've had an un-opened pouch of this for a few months. The thread prompted me to crack that bad boy. Delightful pouch note. Yay, there is latakia. I let it dry for about 10-15 minutes on paper towel. The smoke itself was quite enjoyable. I didn't over pack in my cob which I'm learning is very helpful. It stayed lit the whole time and burned all the way to the bottom. Some great flavor but nothing overpowering. I could puff while doing some odd jobs and didn't have to struggle with anything. I'm glad I opened this. I could smoke this a lot and probably will. Sometimes it reminds of 965, sometimes it reminds me of Elizabethan, sometimes it reminds me of FMC. Its an odd tobacco, but a good one.
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puritana
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Post by puritana on Feb 18, 2019 11:04:00 GMT -5
I grabbed it when P&C had the vacation sampler on sale for a dollar last year.
The European Vacation Sampler includes: 1 - 1.5 oz pouch John Bull Pipe Tobacco 1 - 1.5 oz pouch C'est La Vie Pipe Tobacco 1 - 1.5 oz pouch Erin Go Bragh Pipe Tobacco
Not a bad deal for a buck with free shipping.
I just opened the John Bull a few weeks ago, it's pretty good, burns nice all the way down.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2019 15:02:54 GMT -5
Been wanting to try it for some time. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Post by sperrytops on Feb 18, 2019 15:43:36 GMT -5
Fantastic review. Thanks.
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jackdiamond
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Post by jackdiamond on Feb 18, 2019 21:08:40 GMT -5
Dammit, AJ!
Now I have to buy some.
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atison
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Post by atison on Feb 20, 2019 11:42:44 GMT -5
Very intriguing. If I didn't already have Davidoff Royalty, which I think is a great gateway blend to the english world, then I might pick up some. Also, I got too many other blends I haven't dipped into yet.
Great review.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Feb 20, 2019 12:32:38 GMT -5
Just saw the mail truck go by, which means my John Bull should be in the mailbox. I will report in shortly...
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Post by sperrytops on Feb 20, 2019 12:34:04 GMT -5
Just saw the mail truck go by, which means my John Bull should be in the mailbox. I will report in shortly... I think we are all keeping our fingers crossed for you.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Feb 20, 2019 14:01:39 GMT -5
Straight put of the pouch, some good no fuff tobacco. Definitely Burley forward. I'm smoking it in my Kaywoodie Super Grain, which has a fairly restricted draw. I can tell you right now, that I'll much prefer it in something with a more open draw. I was sort of expecting there to be at least a light topping, like most pouch blends, but there is none. It's just a nice codger of an English blend. It's light enough that I can see smoking it in warmer months without it feeling too heavy. It's just a nice smoke, that is interesting without it being overly complex. Thanks for the review AJ! Glad I picked some up.
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booknpipe
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Post by booknpipe on Feb 20, 2019 14:28:41 GMT -5
Off to experiment with a big pinch of JB and a smaller pinch of Five Bros. Wish me luck! After that I need to get the snow blower out; about 4 new inches on the ground and some drifting.
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Post by qmechanics on Feb 21, 2019 4:41:03 GMT -5
Very intriguing. If I didn't already have Davidoff Royalty, which I think is a great gateway blend to the english world, then I might pick up some. Also, I got too many other blends I haven't dipped into yet. Great review. You should try John Bull. It is a different experience compared to Davidoff Royalty. On cbid a 1.5 oz pouch typically sells for 1-2 dollars plus shipping. The site has a ~4 day rotation of 4 pouches with an additional 2-3 pouches during a 1 day auction. PS I only mention this as you frequent cbid.
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