Park-Lane Tobacconist Orient Express (Scene 1)

This is another fine blend concocted by the very fine pipe maker Paul Bonacquisti. Paul prefers heavier English blends but sure knows how to make the lighter Oriental mixtures. OE Scene 1 is a real winner but too light handed for me to enjoy regularly. The Cavendish in the blend provides a little more body than most Oriental laden tobacco, and the Virginia here is a little on the grassy side. Still, a good smoke for those times when only something light will do and the palate craves Orientals.

Pipestud

Park Lane’s Oriental Scene One is an interesting mixture. I started smoking this blend a couple of years ago and put it aside after encountering Park Lane’s Turkish Mystery and Oriental Scene Two. Now returning it again my thoughts have somewhat changed. It comes at a moisture level that is just right. The pouch scent doesn’t reveal much of what’s to come. During the first half of the bowl, the Orientals offer almost a “cigar like” note. There is no cigar leaf in it, so I think it could be some Sokhoum leaf, but that is just a guess as I don’t know if something like that would be available. By mid bowl, the sweetness and flavor of the Cavendish starts to show up. But it has been really well done and those (including me) that might have a concern due to the Cavendish need not be too concerned. It just lightly enhanced the smoke with an extra dimension. The red Virginia adds a small amount of tang. I enjoy Oriental Scene One more than Scene Two, but I still find Turkish Mystery to be my favorite of the three. All of them are worthy of a try for lovers of Turkish blends.

This is one of five blends in PL's English Sampler #4.

Mildly sour buttery notes from the Orientals. Mildly sweet notes of citrus from the Virginias. Nice interplay between the two. This blend has more depth than I expected. Could that be coming from the Cavendish? I'm not terribly well educated on Cavendish, so I don't know. I do know that this all adds up to a very enjoyable smoke.