While English No. 7 is heavily flavored and a tongue scorcher, No. 8 is a very decent smoke, with no tongue bite and a mild flavoring (similar to No. 7, something like red wine, cocoa and a hint of vanilla). The absence of many different tobaccos in the mixture is another positive note (Orientals + Virginias + Latakia + Burley + Perique + casing = big mess, as demonstrated by No. 7).

Not something to smoke every day, but a nice change of pace if you don't have an open tin of Epiphany or SG Perfection).

Lets review the second one.

At the opening you don't meet the same "old winery" aroma. In spite, a faintly chocolatey-musty-winey smell. Something quite milder in comparison to no. 7.

The cut is mostly medium length ribbon with traces of some pressed leaves, I cannot say coming from a rubbed flake.

The colour is as contrasted as no. 7, just a bit brighter.

Also it's moist not wet (after a couple of week after opening), perfect for smoking out of the pouch.

Lighting is very easy and no problem to keep it burning. Smokes dry to the bottom leaving medium-light ashes. No gurgle, no goop.

The smoke is mild-to-medium, chocolatey-musty-sweet, the Burley having the main role, counterbalanced by the Virginia and spiced by the Syrian Latakia. The body is also mild-to-medium, sometimes boring and a bit ashy. It seldom happens that it develops a mild cigarish note, which I appreciate.

I cannot do without thinking this is something one can blend his own at home, mixing for example Skandinavik Regular or Amphora Original (regular) with some Latakia. Of course Planta does it better...

I certainly do prefer no. 7, which I find a more original and "bodied" American English mixture.

Packing and Lighting: This was easier to pack than #70 and was less moist too. Lit well after 3-4 lights.

Initial Flavor: The anise topping is noticable from the get go, but the leaf is richer flavored than #70. Yes, the Syrian latakia is noticable.

Mid-Bowl: This is truly and English Aromatic. The topping still gives me a slight headache, but it is still a tasty blend. Everything is nicely balanced. the room note is pleasant even to non-smokers.

Bottom of Bowl: Aahh! No perique tartness like #70. I much prefer this blend over #70, but #60 Preludio is still my Fav. Brebbia Blend inspite of the perique finish of that blend. This one ends with a little moisture at the heel of the pipe and leaves the topping flavor in the pipe, consider yoursself warned.

Overall: This is a all-day, smooth, crossover English style blend. If you like "And so to bed", you will like this blend. I don't travel the crossover blend territory much anymore, so I won't be purchasing anymore tins of this blend. That being said, this is a very good one and will recommend it to those who's palate prefer to wander in this direction.

Not typical English due to the added burley, this blend has plenty of body and taste for the natural smoker.

In flavor somewhat akin to Robert Lewis' 123, but this is smoother, and no mention is made of any cigar leaf here. Must be the burley that gives it its sweet potato nuttiness aided by sweet virginias to create a round full taste. Not sweet in the aromatic or fruity sense at all (unlike it's lighter brother, #70).

Ribbon cut of various tobaccos including Syrian latakia again. This stuff is available in Europe I here, just not the same grade that Pease used. Again, I do not taste much latakia at all, except as a hint of spice every so often. It must serve to cool the robust burley-virginia combo.

Cool, dry, and full but not too rich; a good evening smoke. Recommended for the straight smoker who wants something more or less full bodied but shy of a full English or balkan.