Owl Shop St. Johns

Back in the day, Joel Lintine was highly regarded for his blending abilities. And his Owl Shop creations were often written about in the old Pipe Smoker's Ephemeris. St. Johns was wonderful and I recently was able to revisit this classic when a friend sent me a sample of some he had been aging in a Mason Jar for many years. Simply outstanding! The Latakia was still very pungent and leathery, and the Burley, Orientals and Perique shone brightly. It brought back memories of the old HOW classic, Barking Dog. As relaxing a smoke of this kind as there is out there in puffer land.

Pipestud

I really like this blend. I spent a Saturday afternoon a few years ago smoking several of the house blends the Owl Shop in Worcester, MA has to offer. Mr. Photakis was great to talk with. The knowledge and experience this man has to offer is invaluable. I'm lucky to live so close to the shop. If you're looking for a nice English blend, this is one.

My second of the Owl Shop blends. This more mellow in tone than Harkness Tower, but being English Latikias they are not entirely dissimilar. I suspect more burley in this as it does smell more more of toffee and is generally sweeter and creamier.

If you are unsure of Balkan-like blends or are coming from aromatic tobaccos, I can see this as a good fit. If you are close to either of the shops in Worcester, MA or New Haven, CT. Not quite for me, but otherwise I cannot really fault it.

I've got 3oz. of this tobacco from a friend living in New Haven. This is a very well balanced english smoke, all ingredients are in perfect harmony. I'm predominantly a virginia smoker, but this is something I enjoy smoking anytime, mostly in an Ardor Panel or in a bent billiard by Gilli. A bit pricey, but worth it.