Opening the tin, the Cyprian Latakia is leaping out at you, as it will do with any blend it is a component of. But it isn't overwhelming; I'm guessing about 10 per cent or less here. The Orientals are quite prominent in the tin, but rather weak for that; I'll have to admit I would expect more (or better) Orientals from a blend whose tin liner names Orientals in first place.

That's it for the downsides. This is a very straight English, with only a touch of the DFK and Orientals. The leaf is a varied, almost careless cut which, probably because of that, is very easy to stuff and light. Burns well, but -- one last niggle -- for an English produces too much condensation. The taste is creamy-smooth (the Latakia...) with less sweetness than I would expect from a Balkan blend (so this is not a Balkan... says it's not on the tin already).

It still is a decent tobacco for the English-blend smoker IMO; I can't understand how this would be relegated to 1-star status. It simply is not that bad; actually I find myself enjoying it. There are, of course, many better blends out there. But this is not a throwaway; it is an enjoyable blend to me. Not a beginner's choice, nor a quality leader. Still decent.

(Pipestud's hand is raised high.)

Rough cut and rather dry in the tin, the blend is natural tasting, but the presence of the Eastern tobaccos is almost anecdotical. Mild and easy burning, it unfortunately lacks in strength and density, even if measured by the lightest Latakia/Oriental blends (think of S. Gawith's Skiff). On the other hand, the presence of the Black Cavendish is not intrusive at all or annoyingly sweet. On the contrary, it is this leaf, rather than the Orientals, the one that provides some body and structure to the blend. Room aroma is not that heavy and I think it would be feasible to smoke it in public with no mayor consequences.

This could be a nice introduction to natural tasting tobaccos, as well as very polite way of getting acquainted with Latakia and Oriental tobaccos. But if you are already used to blends such as Squadron Leader, Early Morning or even Larsen's Selected Blend No 20?not to mention My Mixture 965 or 7 Reserve? this Scottish concoction will not do much for your palate.