Croft's #5 is a hand-blend from Bob Crofts at the Antique Pipe Shoppe in Houston. It's a mixture of Virginia and Oriental ribbons, with big chunks of fresh Perique and Cyprian Latakia. When packing, I generally try to avoid getting the big chunks on the top to make a consistent light easier.

This tobacco is probably the holy grail for Pelican/Sullivan's smokers -- it tastes very much like Pelican-on-steroids; seriously, I thought Pelican was mild-bordering-on-tasteless, but this stuff is potent indeed. It's got a little sweetness from the Virginia, but its dominant flavor is the pungent spiciness from the orientals. The Perique helps round out the blend, while the Latakia is present sparingly, and then mostly in the aroma.

It's certainly not my favorite smoke -- I tend to fall in the Sobranie White/Penzance camp myself, but IMHO it's much better than Pelican and Dunhill Standard Mixture Medium. Even though it's not quite my cup of tea, it's still an amazing blend (and it's the foundation for Crofts #7, which is one of my favorites).

Highly recommended for Pelican/Sullivans/Std Mxt Med lovers.