English blends, which should I try?

ApexAZ · 11-19-2011, 01:33 PM

So I have a couple blends I've tried.

I bought some Mac Baren Virginia #1 and some Altadis B20 black cavendish, which I blended together about 50/50. It tastes a lot like raisins to me. It's not bad, but I'm not a huge raisin fan. I may try adding more of the virginia to get it closer to 70/30.

I also got a sample of 5 star gold from Sterling, which tastes okay, but seems to give me bad tongue bite.

The 3rd, which is my favorite so far, is the Peter Stokkebye Proper English. I was wondering if some of you more experienced smokers who like english blends could recommend a few of your favorites so that I can go sample some new blends. Something that's similar to the Proper English, but better? I like that it has a good balance between full flavor and sweetness. Plus, it doesn't seem to give me any tongue bite unless I really overdo it.

Thanks in advance!

Emjaysmash · 11-19-2011, 02:31 PM

I'm not a bigt english smoker any more, but I like Dunhill's My Mixture 965. Also, as one that is a spin off of an English, I like MacBaren's Plumcake. It is topped with a rum sort of flavor and blended with latakia for the smokiness. It reminds me a lot of the smell of a shipyard. Give it a try if you want to be a little adventurous.

Zanaspus · 11-19-2011, 08:50 PM

My short list of faves:

GL Pease Meridian
GLP Lagonda
GLP Chelsea Morning
McClellands Wilderness
McClellands Legends
Rattray Red Rapparee

That should give you a good start.
Chelsea Morning is a light english
Meridian, Wilderness, and RRR are medium english/oriental heavy blends
Legends and Lagonda stray more toward the full english

And, should you decide you really like Latakia (that component that tastes like a campfire) then try Cornell & Diehl Pirate Kake. The biggest lat bomb around.

ApexAZ · 11-19-2011, 09:54 PM

Thanks for sharing! I will be sure to try them out! Have you had the Peter Stokkebye Proper English?

Zanaspus · 11-20-2011, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApexAZ

Thanks for sharing! I will be sure to try them out! Have you had the Peter Stokkebye Proper English?

I have. It's good bang for the buck, but I find the ones I mentioned more complex. YMMV

ApexAZ · 11-20-2011, 09:24 PM

Thank you, Tony. I realize that everyone interprets things differently, which is evident by by browsing the reviews on tobaccoreview.com, but would you classify the Stokkebye blend as a medium english?

Thanks so much for your insight. I can't wait to try some different tobaccos from your list.

Subvet642 · 11-21-2011, 06:45 AM

Ashton's Consummate Gentleman and Artisan's Blend are some easy English blends That I like.

Zanaspus · 11-21-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApexAZ

Thank you, Tony. I realize that everyone interprets things differently, which is evident by by browsing the reviews on tobaccoreview.com, but would you classify the Stokkebye blend as a medium english?

Thanks so much for your insight. I can't wait to try some different tobaccos from your list.

I would probably call it medium. The latakia is definitely up front, but not overbearing.

RevSmoke · 11-21-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApexAZ

So I have a couple blends I've tried.

I bought some Mac Baren Virginia #1 and some Altadis B20 black cavendish, which I blended together about 50/50. It tastes a lot like raisins to me. It's not bad, but I'm not a huge raisin fan. I may try adding more of the virginia to get it closer to 70/30.

And if you don't like that, you've simply thrown away more tobacco to a blend you do not like. I'd say cut my losses and throw it away - or suffer through it till it is gone - or send it to someone who likes raisins.

I also got a sample of 5 star gold from Sterling, which tastes okay, but seems to give me bad tongue bite.

Then don't smoke it (see above options).

The 3rd, which is my favorite so far, is the Peter Stokkebye Proper English. I was wondering if some of you more experienced smokers who like english blends could recommend a few of your favorites so that I can go sample some new blends. Something that's similar to the Proper English, but better? I like that it has a good balance between full flavor and sweetness. Plus, it doesn't seem to give me any tongue bite unless I really overdo it.

Thanks in advance!

Other English blends? OK, here goes.

Two Friends - Deacon's Downfall (made and distributed by Cornell & Diehl)
Cornell & Diehl - Bow-legged Bear, #416 Plantation Evening
Esoterica - Penzance
Gawith & Hoggarth - Mixture #12

Many like Dunhill - 965 (personally, never been a big fan)

And my suggestion is to try stuff, just to see what you like. A call to Cornell & Diehl Craig & Patty Tarler Tel: (800) 433-0080, could get you a sample of three I mention above, and I am sure they'd gladly recommend others.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

RevSmoke · 11-21-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanaspus

My short list of faves:

GL Pease Meridian
GLP Lagonda
GLP Chelsea Morning
McClellands Wilderness
McClellands Legends
Rattray Red Rapparee

That should give you a good start.
Chelsea Morning is a light english
Meridian, Wilderness, and RRR are medium english/oriental heavy blends
Legends and Lagonda stray more toward the full english

And, should you decide you really like Latakia (that component that tastes like a campfire) then try Cornell & Diehl Pirate Kake. The biggest lat bomb around.

I cannot speak to all these suggestions, but the Rattray Red Rap is also an excellent choice.

Nick · 11-23-2011, 02:25 AM

Check out tobaccoreviews.com if you haven't already I think you may find it helpfull, and possibly a little overwhelming at first. Oh so many tobaccos to smoke.

Zanaspus · 11-23-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

I cannot speak to all these suggestions, but the Rattray Red Rap is also an excellent choice.

Todd, if you love RRR like I do, then run out and get a tin of Meridian. I constantly wiggle over which one is better.

ApexAZ · 11-23-2011, 03:32 PM

I ordered a tin of Dunhill nightcap and smoking my first bowl. It seems to smoke smoother, but not as smokey as the proper English. I plan to try some of the glp stuff after I've gone thru more of what I already have.

Slow Triathlete · 12-20-2011, 01:56 PM

I just started in with English Blends and here are my favorites so far:

Rattray's Red Rapparee
GL Pease - Quiet Nights
GL Pease - Westminster
Presbyterian Mixture
McClelland - Blue Mountain
Stokkebye bulk - English Luxury
Gawith & Hoggarth - Balkan Mixture

11-19-2011, 02:31 PM	#2
Emjaysmash The Hebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: M.J. Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 7,025 Trading: (76)	Re: English blends, which should I try? I'm not a bigt english smoker any more, but I like Dunhill's My Mixture 965. Also, as one that is a spin off of an English, I like MacBaren's Plumcake. It is topped with a rum sort of flavor and blended with latakia for the smokiness. It reminds me a lot of the smell of a shipyard. Give it a try if you want to be a little adventurous. __________________

11-19-2011, 08:50 PM	#3
Zanaspus Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Tony Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 492 Trading: (3)	Re: English blends, which should I try? My short list of faves: GL Pease Meridian GLP Lagonda GLP Chelsea Morning McClellands Wilderness McClellands Legends Rattray Red Rapparee That should give you a good start. Chelsea Morning is a light english Meridian, Wilderness, and RRR are medium english/oriental heavy blends Legends and Lagonda stray more toward the full english And, should you decide you really like Latakia (that component that tastes like a campfire) then try Cornell & Diehl Pirate Kake. The biggest lat bomb around. __________________ If you're gonna be a lamb, you might as well be a sheep.

11-20-2011, 09:24 PM	#6
ApexAZ Wandering aimlessly Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Brian Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 1,299 Trading: (10)	Re: English blends, which should I try? Thank you, Tony. I realize that everyone interprets things differently, which is evident by by browsing the reviews on tobaccoreview.com, but would you classify the Stokkebye blend as a medium english? Thanks so much for your insight. I can't wait to try some different tobaccos from your list.

11-21-2011, 06:45 AM	#7
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: English blends, which should I try? Ashton's Consummate Gentleman and Artisan's Blend are some easy English blends That I like. __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

11-23-2011, 02:25 AM	#11
Nick Feeling at Home Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: That's confidential Location: Cali Posts: 623 Trading: (4)	Re: English blends, which should I try? Check out tobaccoreviews.com if you haven't already I think you may find it helpfull, and possibly a little overwhelming at first. Oh so many tobaccos to smoke. __________________ "Kid Pipe" -Thanks Moo "A wise woman never separates a man from his pipe", Laurette Taylor

11-19-2011, 01:33 PM	#1
ApexAZ Wandering aimlessly Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Brian Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 1,299 Trading: (10)	English blends, which should I try? So I have a couple blends I've tried. I bought some Mac Baren Virginia #1 and some Altadis B20 black cavendish, which I blended together about 50/50. It tastes a lot like raisins to me. It's not bad, but I'm not a huge raisin fan. I may try adding more of the virginia to get it closer to 70/30. I also got a sample of 5 star gold from Sterling, which tastes okay, but seems to give me bad tongue bite. The 3rd, which is my favorite so far, is the Peter Stokkebye Proper English. I was wondering if some of you more experienced smokers who like english blends could recommend a few of your favorites so that I can go sample some new blends. Something that's similar to the Proper English, but better? I like that it has a good balance between full flavor and sweetness. Plus, it doesn't seem to give me any tongue bite unless I really overdo it. Thanks in advance!

11-19-2011, 09:54 PM	#4
ApexAZ Wandering aimlessly Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Brian Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 1,299 Trading: (10)	Re: English blends, which should I try? Thanks for sharing! I will be sure to try them out! Have you had the Peter Stokkebye Proper English?

11-23-2011, 03:32 PM	#13
ApexAZ Wandering aimlessly Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Brian Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 1,299 Trading: (10)	Re: English blends, which should I try? I ordered a tin of Dunhill nightcap and smoking my first bowl. It seems to smoke smoother, but not as smokey as the proper English. I plan to try some of the glp stuff after I've gone thru more of what I already have.

12-20-2011, 01:56 PM	#14
Slow Triathlete I Need A Beer!! Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 369 Trading: (11)	Re: English blends, which should I try? I just started in with English Blends and here are my favorites so far: Rattray's Red Rapparee GL Pease - Quiet Nights GL Pease - Westminster Presbyterian Mixture McClelland - Blue Mountain Stokkebye bulk - English Luxury Gawith & Hoggarth - Balkan Mixture __________________ The police never think it is as funny as you do!