The Smoker Easy Chair

Based on about a 1 oz sample from an internet friend (thanks, friend!). This is a coarse ribbon cut of basic brown color that came just a bit more moist than I prefer. But I soon discovered that the feel was deceiving because it was best at bag strength. The aroma was of latakia first and supporting tobaccos.

Nice strength with this one and in some bowls I actually tasted burley. There was a nuttiness that I don't associate with the tobaccos in this blend, and it was quite enticing. But in other bowls it didn't show. Obviously, that was an impression that doesn't hold with the facts, as this contains no burley. But I enjoyed the flavor burst of latakia with Virginia riding shotgun. I didn't taste a lot of perique but it was there. Provided a peppery and slightly briny finish. English blends without a huge amount of Turkish aren't usually my thing but there are exceptions, and this is one. I probably would not have purchased this, so I'm pleased to have had the opportunity to try it... I may just buy more! This should be sampled by any English fan, as it has it's own verve to it that makes it somewhat unique.

The Virginias are grassy and citrus sweet as the base of the blend. The Cyprian latakia is smokey sweet, and lightly woody. The latakia is perhaps the star flavor, but it never drowns out the other tobaccos. The Oriental/Turkish is woody and smokey, and is just a little more than a background player. The perique is more pepper than plum, and though it's a minor component, you'll consistently notice it. Has a mild nic-hit. Won't bite or get harsh. Burns cool an clean at a reasonable pace with a consistent flavor. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and needs an average number of relights. Has a pleasant after taste. It's a typical English and though it's enjoyable enough, it does nothing to distinguish itself from other mixtures in this genre. Not quite an all day smoke.

-JimInks

I just finished a nice sized sample of this given to me by Mr. Inks. This one slowly grew on me. I was not too excited at the early prospects of another lat blend with perique added as none of these has ever done much for me in the past. Nightcap immediately comes to mind.

My first impression of this was that it was pretty heavy on the latakia and maybe too much for my own preferences, but there is a nice sweetness that accompanies this heavy smokiness. It turns out to be a pretty creamy smoke. Like many below have mentioned, the perique is very light in this. I am not sure I can distinctly pick it out, but it must be adding to the flavor which is somewhat unique. I liked it better than I did nightcap, but I think it has a lot less complexity than that blend. It is a pretty good smoke if you want a lat blend while your mind is preoccupied by other things than what is in your pipe.

This is probably one of the better lat blends that I have had that includes perique as an ingredient. I recommend the blend, but it does not rise to the level of four stars for me. But it is better than a 2 star to my tastes as I would be happy to smoke it.

I have always appreciated the strength (backbone) of Mel Feldman's blends and while Easy Chair sounds laid back enough, it is actually another fairly stout Smoker blend.

One of the previous reviewers indicated his tongue failed to find any Perique. Perhaps Mel forgot to slip some into a batch or two, but it sure found its way into my tin. Traditional English with some power and a little pepper from the Perique pretty much sums up Easy Chair.

My tin was about five years old and I am not sure whether this blend is even produced by Mr. Feldman anymore due to the Cyprian Latakia shortage.

My favorite amongst The Smoker blends I tried in my sampler. A very good latakia blend that has a complex flavor, not overwelmed by the latakia. The flavor starts out more smoothly than many latakia blends and builds nicely to the bottom. Several of The Smoker blends I tried had that aromatic sweetness like Frogmorton, but that is missing here, just a straight English mixture.

This one will not be a regular for me, but I will keep some around for a change of pace.

This is a medium to full strength English blend. The description of the blend includes Virginia, Turkish, Latakia and Perique. If there is Perique present I failed to detect it so please do not be put off by this description if you dislike Perique. My overall impression is that the Virginia, Latakia and Turkish produce a very smooth, sweet smoke that burns fairly consistent to the bottom of the bowl. The mixture picked up in strength slightly towards the end however this was not enough to make the tobacco bite. A well balanced English blend that won't send you reeling from an overdose of Latakia.