Robert McConnell Latakia Mixture 1848

I have never tried the Dunhill original, so I can't compare this clone with it.

It's a very dark mixture with quite a lot of broken flake and a generous presence of Latakia. But it's only Virginia (several grades) and Latakia, no other Orientals: a bit like Commonwealth, but less intense, less "fat". And it's actually lighter in body than one would expect from such a dark mixture. The lack of Orientals translates into a lower complexity: it's a quite monodimensional blend, very tasty but not "juicy", dry-tasting and a bit lacking in body. Very pleasant, but not as satisfying as a true EM with Orientals can be.

As a change of pace, in spite of its flavour palette which is quite monochromatic, it's tasty and good, anyway. Made with quality leaf and enjoyable for a casual smoke. Recommended to lovers of Latakia-heavy mixtures not looking for extra complexity.

An English blend, without oriental tobaccos. With the same composition as Samuel Gawith's Commonwealth but softer and with less latakia. A pleasant and recommendable tobacco. .

Wow this is a tobacco!!! When it comes to the term "complex" people brush aside blends with less than 3 components. This tobacco is complex by being just VA/LAT . I do not come across a freshly opened tobacco with that much flavour. I can taste fruit,leather,wood, hay,sugar,resin and so on...and there is not a hint of artificial flavour. I am surprised in a way I came not across yet. And best of all: it has some strength. There is a good portion latakia in but never overshadow the virginias, which are of multiple kinds . I think here are red , bright , dark and some stoved in. Together it becomes a really entertaining smoke which do not need attention that much.Simply delicious and my surprise of the year

Rich but not overpowering, very mellow from start to finish. Even when its first opened it requires very few relights if your using a deeper bowl. An Enjoyable smoke for anytime of the day.