Garfinkel's Orient Express

The very buttery sweet, woody, earthy, mildly spicy Oriental was the prominent component, and had a refined quality to it. The Virginia was grassy, with a burst of citrus, and formed the base of the blend as a secondary player. The smoky, woody sweet Cyprian latakia lightly overshadowed the Virginia. The nic-hit was a step past mild. The strength was in the center of mild to medium, and the taste level was a shade below medium. There was no chance of bite or harshness. Burned cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a very consistent flavor. Left little moisture in the bowl, and required an average number of relights. Had a pleasant after taste, and was almost an all day smoke.

-JimInks

Typical of Garfinkel's Orient Express series, #15 was Oriental forward with a nice background note of Virginia and Latakia. But, the Orientals are where this one separates from the crowd. Sweet, delicate, refined and with surprising depth. Slow sipping made the experience an super one.

I bought my first four pipes from Garfinkel's, and it was from there that I bought my first tobacco. One or two of their bulk blends. I'm sure looking back that at least one was relabeled from one of the national brands. It was after Garfinkel's closed that I bought two tins of Orient Express from Sherlock's Haven in San Francisco - mostly out of nostalgia. I wasn't much of a fan of English blends yet, and this was a heavier blend.

This was a flake-cut blend with a lot of Oriental leaf. The tobacco was ready to smoke directly from the tin. I still have a tin - as a keepsake. It is labeled Made in England.