Bengal Slices Bengal Slices White

(3.79)
From P&C's website: Bengal Slices White is the newest entry in the Bengal Slices line. This is a flavorful and fragrant blend of fine Virginias combined with a fair amount of rich Cyprian Latakia along with some amazing Orientals that creates an exotic flavor and amazing aroma. Using the same crumble cake format as the original, Bengal Slices White is easy to prepare, and the blend is just a touch lighter than Bengal Slices and has no top note added. The finish is so clean that this can be smoked before a meal without interfering with your ability to taste your food. If you enjoy complex Latakia blends, this is one you'll love.

Details

Brand Bengal Slices
Blended By Russ Ouellette
Manufactured By Sutliff Tobacco Company
Blend Type English
Contents Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Krumble Kake
Packaging 50 grams tin
Country United States
Production Currently available

Profile

Strength
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.79 / 4
11

3

0

0

Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 14 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
May 17, 2019 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Tolerable
The smoky, woody, earthy, sweet, moderately musty Cyprian Latakia is the lead component. The zesty smoky, woody, earthy, floral, herbal, vegetative, buttery sweet and lightly sour, spicy Orientals play a strong support role, and here and there almost equal the effect of the Latakia. The Orientals are a tad more noticeable, and the Latakia a rung less so in this manufacture than they are in the regular Bengal Slices. The bright and red Virginias sport a bit of fermented, barbecue-like, tangy dark fruit and earth, a little slightly tart and tangy citrus and grass as they form the base for the other components. They definitely have their say in every puff as the third star in the firmament. There is no topping so you get a true tobacco taste. The strength is medium, and the taste level just steps over that line. The nic-hit is just past the center of mild to medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, but has a little of a rough edge here and there as one would expect from blends in this genre. The slices are thick, and easily broken apart to prepare to your preference. Burns cool, clean, and a little slow with a mostly consistent, fairly rich sweet and savory flavor from beginning to end. Leaves little moisture in the bowl. Requires some relights. Has a very pleasant, lingering campfire after taste, and stronger room note. A lightly milder version of Bengal Slices, this production packs enough punch and depth to stand on its own while being an all day experience for many smokers.

-JimInks
21 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Apr 16, 2020 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant
Bengal Slices - Bengal Slices White.

I always buy my tobaccos in the smallest available quantity first, then decide whether or not the blend suits. Well, before I'd got a quarter of the way through my first bowl, I ordered more of this!

As you can see here, this differs to the standard Bengal Slices as it isn't sliced! BSW arrives as one rather firm kake, not as firm as a plug, but not as loose as some kakes. It's easy enough to crumble but I find I get a slower, better, cooler, smoke if I just pinch some off and stuff it in. The aroma's one of a woody, calmer, English.

Ignition is simple, a few touches of the flame enables a good burn. Then, the flavour's 10/10. I get a lot of Latakia but not the harsh/incandescent kind. It's a lot more woody and nonchalant tasting. The Orientals have a definite presence, giving a herbaceous, flowered, verdant, character. I can't say my palate is expert enough to detect much of the Virginias, it's a smoke composed mainly of Latakia and Orientals; to me. After smoking this, solidly, all day long, I can say I've not had bite and it's behaved well in the bowl!

Nicotine: medium. Room-note: pleasant.

Bengal Slices White? A brilliant blend. Highly recommended:

Four stars.
Pipe Used: Peterson Kerry #03
PurchasedFrom: Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked: 1 year
13 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Apr 28, 2020 Mild to Medium None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant to Tolerable
If you never smoked Bengal Slices (BS) before, stop what you are doing, do not pass GO, you owe it to yourself to pick up a tin - it's fantastic. If you have, you may be wondering how the White version differs? Well before me I have both tins open and will try to answer just that.

Firstly, BS White looks like a plug... it's a single dense cube in which you pick off (crumble) hunks from this monolith. Regular BS offers several fat kakes (1/4" thick strips) that break apart with less effort. I prefer the original cut. As for initial tin aroma, BS White lets more of the Virginia's sour raisin smell through hiding the Oriental and Latakia which are easily detected in the drier charcoal forward original. Neither needs to dry and both can go right into the bowl. They spark up easily and smolder for a long time, with a possible relight here and there.

Well BS White surprised me, I wasn't expecting such a sweet finish for an English during the first few puffs (trailing off midway). The hearty Latakia is still evident, the Oriental adds a small enhancement (think a pinch of cinnamon in bakery), but the the total package is lighter than the original, which has a drier, smokey taste.

Both Bengal Slices are exceptional and perform differently enough to warrant trying both. The original has more leather beef and still (sorta) reminds me of Frog Morton, but I found myself enjoying BS White for the ease of a milder experience.
PurchasedFrom: tobaccopipes.com
11 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jun 19, 2019 Medium to Strong None Detected Medium to Full Very Pleasant
Russ Ouellette magic again.

English crumble cake is actually thick easy to rub-out slices. Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia, no topping because not needed. Delicious.

Exceptionally balanced with no rough edges. The latakia and Orientals are of course more forward but the Virginia holds its own no doubt contributing to the overall balance, actually tastes like a tobacco that has mellowed with a lot of age even though this is a fresh tin … remarkable. Very smooth and rounded.

Taste is medium plus, strength medium to full. Nic hit may be just past medium. Moisture in tin perfect, burns to fine gray ash, no moisture. Could be a nice all day smoke.

Bengal Slices White still has the smoky campfire/BBQ taste and smell but not overwhelming. Best analogy is that instead of being right next to the campfire, it’s like you are a few steps away from the fire. Still there but the distance gives you some air. Lots of smoke, very pleasing mouth feel.

I am a fan of the original Bengal Slices (Black?) and am reluctant to say Bengal Slices White is just a lighter version. Bengal Slices Black, in addition to the Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia, has Black Cavendish, which results in a slightly heavier smoke with some sharp edges. Bengal Slices White stands on its own. A different smoke.

Absolutely no negatives to report. An exquisite companion to the original Bengal Slices. Highly recommended.

Smoked in Stanwell 407.
PurchasedFrom: pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked: Fresh tin
10 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 11, 2019 Mild to Medium None Detected Medium to Full Unnoticeable
Opened the tin to 2 plugs that break apart very easily . Moisture is great like most Russ Ouellette blends . No drying out needed . This is just great natural tobacco here ! The orientals take the lead with the Virginias right behind . The latakia is very subtle, the way i like it .the orientals are very tasty sweet and sour and fragrant . Very minor spice notes . The Virginias add a little sweetness and dark fruit and baked bread notes . The latakia is smokey bbq . Very delicious blend and no topping needed. I do also like the bengal slices original and the topping but i like this better ! I have taken the advice of other reviewers and don’t break this up too much or it will turn to dust . I leave it in good sized chunks and tamp very lightly . Outstanding blend 4 stars . Russ , you the man !!
Update 9/12/2020 - i am shocked only 5 people have reviewed this great blend . I just cracked open another tin as the weather is cooling a little bit . This is my favorite balkan blend without peer. I must order more before they end production for a lack of reviews or (gasp) sales? I hope that is not the case because I would be crushed ! This blend also contains Yendije by the way . ……update 10/23/21 .I have been doing a rather interesting experiment the last 2 months . Smoking bowls of BSW , Penzance , Margate , royal blend and Vintage Syrian . At least one bowl per night or two switching off each blend . The winner after all 2 oz of each tobacco is gone - Bengal slices white ! My last update , I will now shut up about how damn good this , no great this blend is . Cheers friends and smoke what you like !
9 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 20, 2020 Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Tolerable
When you open the tin, three ingots of dark tobacco appear, with the beautiful appearance of a piece of tree bark torn off after a rainy day. The darkness that latakia provides is punctuated by bright, ripe virginias, as well as oriental ones.

The cold aroma gives off a smoky but quite attenuated smell, very rich and pleasant. It is appreciated as the latakia is not going to be overwhelming at all. And indeed, during the smoke this ingredient appears very well compensated by the orientals and rounded by the virginias. The humidity of the ingots is perfect and allows the pipe to be loaded immediately and easily, since the crumbling of the cake is simple and fast.

Once lit, the tobacco burns really well, requiring very few re-ignitions, and it does not sting the tongue even when the smoke is rushed. I wish all tobacco mixes could be smoked with the nonchalance with which you can smoke this one. The flavor is delicate and the smoke has a silky to creamy character, with a mild flavor, with some reminiscence of milk chocolate.

A smooth English blend that can be smoked all day, every day.
Pipe Used: Sigmund Poker
PurchasedFrom: Smokingpipes
Age When Smoked: Unknown
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Oct 04, 2020 Medium None Detected Full Pleasant to Tolerable
I'm old enough to have smoked the last generation of Bengal Slices. There were two versions, the regular one and an aromatic one (same tin, just had an "aromatic" sticker on the corner). The regular Bengal Slices was very similar to Balkan Sobranie White. Bengal Slices had more sweetness and less saltiness, and more of a BBQ flavor, which at the time I chalked up to the extra sugar as it burned, and was much more creamy than Balkan Sobranie which I chalked up to all the cavendish. These two tobaccos were my mainstays for many years, when I heard rumors they were going away I went around to all the tobacconists in my city and bought out their stock which I carefully rationed out over the years as I waited for someone to recreate this wonderful blend. Eventually I gave up and moved on to McConnell's Oriental and Dunhill Durbar.

I tried the re-release of Bengal Slices and was disappointed, it didn't remind me of regular Bengal Slices nor the aromatic version with its lakeland perfumed note, but was a good smoke nonetheless, and underneath that anise flavoring was regular bengal slices waiting to get out. So when I noticed that a "White" version was released without the flavoring I jumped at it.

What is in this tin is damned near a dead ringer for the non-aromatic Bengal Slices that I remember and loved. Except for the round tin. Flakes are supposed to come in a pocketable square or rectangular tin.

Edit: I was pretty sure I still had one tin of my old bengal slices left, so I went through my boxes of tobacco and found was was indeed my last tin of the old Bengal Slices, and decided it was worth cracking it open to compare. The tin was the old black rectangular tin, James Russell, Made In England, no aromatic sticker. Both the new and old version smell and taste like pork ribs with texas style bbq sauce on them, but the James Russell version is ribs drenched in bbq sauce while the remake is ribs lightly coated in sauce, if that makes any sense. Some of this may well be due to a difference in age. It confirmed my opinion of the remake Bengal Slices White, it's a truly outstanding remake and I'm planning to pick up a dozen tins or so. I guess I can transfer the contents to an old F&T or MacBaren Navy Flake tin when its time to smoke them...
Pipe Used: Pioneer Gourd Calabash
PurchasedFrom: smokingpipes
Age When Smoked: fresh
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 19, 2020 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
The oriental tobaccos take up the central position in the flavor profile of Bengal Slices (White). They are spicy and slightly sour—melding effortlessly with the cedar-smokiness of the Latakia. The Virginias are sweet and grassy. Overall, I enjoy the oriental forwardness of Bengal Slices, though I do not think the blend quite reaches perfection.

*This review is based on a small sample and limited life experience.
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Feb 28, 2022 Mild to Medium None Detected Full Tolerable to Strong
I've had orgasms less pleasurable, less memorable, and less meaningful than smoking a bowl of Bengal Slices White--and with real women too!

This is a phenomenal heavy-bodied, Latakia-forward English blend. Latakia is by far the dominant flavor, but you can detect some of the Virginias and other Oriental varietals as well.

The tin note is overpowering, but in a good way if you love Latakia. I inhaled it like potpourri, although my mother and my son both turned their noses up at it. But do you really care what others think when this smokes so well?

The sliced krumble kake cut is nearly perfect. It allows the tobacco to burn slowly, but still allows for easy packing and a nice draw when smoking. It lights well , needs few relights, and burns very dry.

But onto the smoke: anytime I find myself whimpering "mmmm, mmmm" like a puppy when I smoke a tobacco, I know it is a keeper. I purr like a walrus when I smoke this. It burns so coolly, yet produces a rich, luxuriant smoke. And the flavor! It is like inhaling an incense bazaar in the Levant! It won't stop when you put your pipe down either: it has a wonderful aftertaste that lasts. And that wonderful Latakia smell lingers on your hands and mustache as well.

This is definitely not an all-day smoke. This is a once- or twice-a-week smoke for me. But after a heavy meal on a Saturday or Sunday, there is nothing better for dessert than a bowl of this tobacco. I will be ordering several more tins to have on hand.

I have smoked very few tobaccos that give me the level of contentment as Bengal Slices White. I cannot recommend it enough.
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 24, 2023 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
Jim’s review is spot on. While I don’t taste all of the components he usually mentions I’ve no doubt he does. This white version of Bengal Slices is excellent. It is milder than the original but has plenty of flavor. I’d suggest it is a tastier, more complex English than, say, Maltese Falcon or Father Dempsey or 965.

Breaks apart easily. Could use a bit of drying time.

Overall this blend deserves a four star rating.
Pipe Used: IMP Meerschaum
1 person found this review helpful.
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