Sutliff Tobacco Company Lord Nelson #528

Taste does not generalize across the pipe-smoking community, and Sutcliff's Lord Nelson is exhibit A. Earlier reviewers seem to have been detesting a different blend than the one now burning in my Savinelli. I am on a mission quest for McClelland replacements, not just for the Frogs but for the treasured bulks Dark English 5110 and Coyote Classic 5215, once the heart of my rotation. Lord Nelson, with its hint of sweet, balanced off by lemony Orientals, gets Sutcliff squarely in the replacement park. The Lat and burley are understated but perform useful work in adding some hoofta hoofta to the weight of the smoke. My pipe rotation likes the blend, at any time of day, but it is now primarily a morning menu item. Burns well, stays dry, bargain priced in bulk.

Sutliff Tobacco Company - Lord Nelson.

In the pouch it's a fairly coarse mixture, containing one or two twigs. The moisture of the blend's good, and I don't find the nose indicative of a blend that's heavy with Latakia.

To my palate, the smoke's virtually monopolized by the Virginias and Oriental/Turkish. The Virginias are simply citrusy and fresh, but the Oriental/Turkish aren't as traditional tasting: the flavour from these is fragrant, floral, and a little aromatic. The Burley and Latakia are way down the scale, appearing to have been added with the lightest of hands. The burn from it's independent once lit, but isn't the coolest. And it bites me.

Nicotine: mild. Room-note: don't like.

Not my cup of tea. One star:

Not recommended.

American-English, or Light English, really doesn’t matter what you label it, Lord Nelson is damn fine smoke. More Virginia and Oriental forward, the burley give a hint of earthy nutty flavor while the hint of Latakia brings a smoky component to the mix. Moisture was spot on, takes fire well and requires few relights. Burns dry from top to bottom and flavor profile is consistent throughout the process. All in all a very good smoke. Repeatable and even could be an all day smoke. Not a Lat bomb or a nicotine heavy weight.

Opening the pouch/bag, distinct Virginia and latakia aroma. When lit, it is grassy/hay like up front. Not very complex, or rich as advertised. Tangy as it smokes. Overall, mild. Not a very impressive or memorable smoke. I wish there was more here. Makes want Frog Morton On The Town.......

Lord Nelson is a fragrant, smoky English that ships with the perfect moisture, unlike several Sutliff blends. Short choppy ribbons with only one "branch" I needed to pick out. It was the size of 2 matchsticks!

Packs well, initial lighting takes a few to settle in. Even though the Latakia is the top fighter for the pouch aroma, the Orientals really stand out in the smoke with their floral spiciness. The burley adds some backbone, some toasted nuttiness, and are balanced out with just a touch of Virginia Sweetness. Does seem a bit flat for my taste, it's missing that slight saltiness I enjoy in an English. Overall, a 2.5 star. Not a super star, but definitely not a dud either.

I ordered two ounces from SmokingPipes as this blend sounded interesting as it is an American Wnglish blend. My sample arrived slightly moist with large irregular cuts in varying shades of browns yellow and black chunks. At first light you get the lemon Virginia assault on your nose which quickly settles down and this lemon Virginia is what really sets this blend apart. I like the interplay between citrus and smokiness with a strong burley base. Very dry as in white wine dry with virtually no sweetness. Room note did not pass the wife test… a nice change of pace but not a favorite to make the daily lineup.