Seeking opinion(s) and Experience

KABUL07

Hello Pipe and Tobacco Aficionados, hope all is well. I hope everyone is enjoying these cooler days along with you're special blends and pipes. I wanted to share that I finally had the opportunity to try some "Sutliff" Bengal Slices for the very first time. I first tried it in a clay pipe in order to get a true taste of the blend and during my next smoke I tried smoking it in a Savinelli, 606 KS. For those who are not familiar with this blend it is a crumble cake, so I rubbed it out and it was a NO-GO in this particular pipe during three attempts. It kept caking up do matter how I packed it. However as I tried to figure things out and looked around the room I spotted the answer, it was a "Custom-built" pot that I had punched years ago. I once again rubbed out the tobacco and loosely sprinkled it in the large deep bowl and "YEP" this was the answer for me. The latakia jumped on me like a cheap shirt and mid way through the smoke I did pick up on some sweetness. The entire smoke mellowed out as we moved forward with very few relights, the latakia really mellowed. I apologize for the long story, but I had to tell somebody :-) I think it would have been even better if I would have cellared it for awhile. If you tried this blend what are your opinions and experiences Thanks for reading and remember, Smoke what you like and like what you smoke, take time to contemplate.

mapletop

This tobacco requires an easy touch when breaking it up; so your not trying to smoke moist dust.

If it seems overly moist, and many time it will be, after you gentle break it up, spread it out and let it dry for 15-20 min, of course you can always just leave a slice out for a while.

When you go to break it up (rub it out) squeeze the slice between your thumb and forefinger to gently force it apart and  break it up.

KABUL07

Hello mapletop, yes I agree with your advice and assessment of this blend. I forgot to mention that I did let this blend dry out for a few minutes and I was also careful when breaking it up. I will smoke this blend because I do enjoy Latakia however this is not an all day blend for me.

mapletop

@KABUL07   Agreed, I don't think this would be an all day smoke for anyone.

If you like that Style ( there are many that are better) you might try SPC Wildman or Plum Pudding Special Reserve Flake But better choices are in the crumble cake and plug styles.

All most all the Captain Earl's blends, emphasis on 10 Russians,  GLP Gaslight and Quiet Nights, etc.........

KABUL07

Got it and thanks once again. 

Montecristo

According to a recommendation on TobaccoPipes.com, one should lightly rub out a flake of Sutliff Bengal Slices pipe tobacco to get a limestone pebble-like consistency. Rubbing out before drying will result in less unsmokable powder being produced. Dry to your preference. The dryer this tobacco, the less you will notice the topping and the more pronounced the tobacco flavor will be. I hope that helps!

KABUL07

Thank you Montecristo and I hope all is well. With the change of season “cooler weather” coming about this blend may play a bigger role with the heavy  Latakia. Even then it will not be a daily smoke for a guy like me and I may enjoy more by having a little here and a little there. :-)

Montecristo

The only Latakia blend I regularly smoked was Balkan Sobranie, back in the day. These days I reach for Balkan Sasieni. It’s not a Sobranie match blend at all, but it satisfies.

KABUL07

I have heard so much about the “Balkan Sobranie” which I’ve never had and it is very difficult to find in todays world. Like so many blends of “yesteryear” it was here just for a moment. :-)

KABUL07

Monticristo & Mapletop, let’s go old school. Would you both agree that you can’t go wrong with “Presbyterian” ?

Balisong

I can't get past the cherry casing in Presbyterian. 

Montecristo

Nope. I’ll stick with the Balkan Sasieni.

Balisong

Pease offers a lot of good choices. I stick with the Latakia, Oriental and Virginia only blends. There are other offerings that include Burley including Dark Fired and Perique. My favorites include Abingdon, Charring Cross, Kensington, Odyssey, and, Westminster. 

KABUL07

Hello Balisong, great to hear from you as well. Thanks for sharing and you have mentioned some blends that I am not familiar with, something more for me to look into. Tell me what is your thoughts on the J.M. Boswell's english blends. Thanks.

Montecristo

My two cents on Boswell English blends

Northwoods
Countryside

Balisong

I've never tried any of Boswell's blends. 

KABUL07

Hello Monticristo, and yes sir I would agree along with "Railroad Station". They make good blends over there. :-)

Montecristo

I’ve enjoyed every Boswell blend I’ve tried, English or aromatic. I especially favor Christmas Cookie and Bear Blend (a sort of crossover blend). BTW, I find Boswell’s Best to be a better version of 1-Q.

KABUL07

:-) :-) I must say you are hitting the nail on the head and as stated they are really good with their products and services. Private Stock is another good blend from them. Balisong you should give them a try.

Montecristo

@KABUL07
I’m not familiar with a Boswell called Private Stock. What is it?

KABUL07

The blend is a Virginia/Perique, ready rubbed and I fine it very easy to smoke. 

Montecristo

@KABUL07

Thank you, sir.

KABUL07

It’s what we do, “smoke what we like and like what we smoke”. We share Pipe and tobacco information, ideas, knowledge and wisdom. I thank you as well.

mapletop

I would struggle to call Presbyterian. an English, I have some, but I rarely smoke it, preferring true Englishes and Balkins.

Montecristo

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/12601/boswell-pipes-tobacco-private-stock/

From Boswell:
<< J.M.’s Private Stock Virginia Perique (VaPer) - J.M.'s has been blending this for 15 years his own mix of a Virginia Slice and perfect amount of Perique to make one of his favorites to smoke in the Lounge. This special mixture was only available in the stores for the longest time due to the time it takes J.M. to blend this one. However due to demand for the Private Stock we just had to offer it to everyone.>>

On the alphabetical English list at Boswell, it begins with a J. 

I was looking for it to begin with a P.     D’oh!

https://boswellpipes.com/boswell-tobacco-list/

KABUL07

Hello Montecristo, just wanted to send out a hello and to share that It's a pretty nice day here and I'm heading out doors to enjoy some J.M. "Boswell's Best" as you have previously mentioned. It has been a minute since I've fired some of this blend  up and from my discussion with you and others I felt this was the blend for today. Thanks. :-) 

Montecristo

@KABUL07
Nice weather here too, although I’m under the weather myself today. I am glad you are enjoying it.

KABUL07

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, I hope you have a speedy recovery because we need you back in the game :-). Rest well and take care, hope to hear from you soon.

PappyJoe

We're finally getting a touch of fall in SE Louisiana. The forecast high for today is 89f.

RockyMountainBriar

Yes, fall seems near here as well, I think the high yesterday was around 60F-65F.  It got down around 50F overnight.

Montecristo

 A better night’s sleep is achieveable at autumnal temperatures.