Just like to add that I find none of the negatives of other reviews. But I guess we are all different, and that's what makes life interesting. I will say it is slightly moist, but I don't see that as a negative. It means I can easily dry it to my preference.

PS: I thought this was going to me the same tobacco that Altadis sells in bulk as 965 Match - which I have now smoked a half pound, and enjoy. BUT the moment I opened the tin of Sutliffe Blend 5, I was surprised to find that it doesn't look the same - nor does it taste the same! To me, this is clearly a cut above. This is the one I'll be buying from now on - in the 8 oz. tin.

I opened the tin and was met with a pleasant aroma. The latakia was the dominate aroma, but the virgina and burley could be detected as well. Not bad at all.

I chose a medium bowl pipe to try this out in. A trusty Savenelli pipe of mine. I loaded it to the top and fired it up.

First impression was that this is very much NOT 965. Not even close. I don't understand how anyone could make a comparison with the Dunhill 965. However, it isn't bad. I feel bad giving this tobacco only 2 stars, it really deserves to be rated a little better, but I can't give it 3 stars. That would be giving more than deserved.

The Good: This tobacco burns even, doesn't bite, tastes pretty decent, and isn't too expensive.

The Bad: Well, there really isn't too much bad outside of the taste just not being nearly as good as so many others available. To be honest, this is a decent smoke. It just isn't ringing my bell. There are simply too many other blends that I will reach for before I'll consider this one. I've already used it to introduce a few new "pipe-curious" smokers to english style blends and have done so with positive responses.

If you see this in your local tobacco shop and you are needing a good smoke while waiting for your "order" to arrive, then I recommend it fully. It will do the job.

For the record. 2 1/2 stars.

It burns clean and slow if sipped, and I detected no bite at all, so this is a candidate for an end of day smoke after i've burned vaper's all day. It may become a part of my rotation before it's over. Anyway, it's a tobacco with a pleasent flavor which burns well, and the price is very attractive as well. 3 stars.

At the bowling alley, I got compliments from the other smokers on the smell of this, although as they were all cigarette smokers, their judgement is already somewhat suspect. I put a "mild" flavoring in because I can definitely taste a full-formed Latakia and, in addition, there seems to be an underlying earthiness that I have not yet figured out exactly how to describe, but is not unpleasant. Midway through, I begin to taste a sour note underlying the Latakia, then towards the end there is an overall nuttiness (I believe someone else noted that below).

The tobacco is moist, and sometimes requires one or two extra charring lights, so that may prove evidence of topping, but it is certainly not to the level of a MacBaren's. There is a slight bite to this tobacco, but as I am usually a fast puffer, it is something that I have come to expect simply from my method of smoking, so, your own mileage may vary. So far, the dottle has ranged from simple powdery black ash to a relatively heavy (but dry) dottle, and again, that may be due to my method of smoking.

What it does not have, and what I often crave, is the nicotine slam that I'd get from 965 or Nightcap, but all in all, I'd say that it is a passable English blend that I will finish, and may keep on rotation - depending on local availability. It actually reminded me of London Mixture more so than the aforementioned other two Dunhill blends.

In conclusion - and at present, I'd call this "an all day smoke", according to my own fast and loose rating system.

I see a lot of negative stuff about this blend. I can't agree with those reviews. I've become a bit of a latakia junkie, occasionally smoking it by itself when the urge strikes. This blend has plenty for me. Also doesn't bite in the least,which is a plus since I tend to puff a little harder than I should.

Got 3 tins at a heck of a price, have nearly finished one, and am trying to force myself to let the other two age for a bit. IMHO, this is one of the better that I've had and am a bit scared to improve it!!

If Dunhill 965 is actually better than this, I MUST get thineself to the store for the "real deal".

Long story short... GOOD STUFF...GREAT VALUE!

No real complaints; a well behaved tobacco. Try it!

Good thing too.

Upon opening the 1.5 .oz tin, it seemed promising. A nice smokey tin aroma. Easy to pack, and that's where the good stuff ends.

No offense to anyone who likes it, but this is garbage.

It burns wickedly hot, tastes like wax and is hard to keep lit.

If my calculations serve me correctly, I can get 2 .oz of Voodoo Queen, also by Altadis, from P&C for 1.72 more. I think I will gladly make the sacrifice to get something I really enjoy. Plus Voodoo Queen is a bulk blend and Blend No. 5 is a tin. I guess it's for puffers on a budget who want the satisfaction of a tin.

BTW, they claim this is a close match to Dunhill 965. If this is ANYTHING like Dunhil 965, I don't want to try it. I know better though.

EDIT: I let this baccy sit for a few months and came back to it. The waxy flavor has disappeared completely, and it is a wonderful tobacco, please disregard the above statements.

Dunhill is again selling the original "965" (as of May 2012). The taste of Blend no. 5 is very similar. I do detect a hint of burley in the no. 5 that is not there in 965, and the no. 5 is not quite as smooth. The big difference is in the appearance and cut. 965 is all ribbon. The latakia and cavendish in 965 are brown, not black. The black bits in no. 5 are hard and chunky. The no. 5 does not burn as well for me so far. Maybe it needs to dry out some.

So the takeaway is that no. 5 is an okay smoke for folks who like a full-bodied, slightly sweet latakia blend. It is not as fine a tobacco as Dunhill "965", but in the bulk it is much less expensive.

My view has changed somewhat since receiving a free sample tin of this from Sutliff themselves. The tin note smells of just an ordinary medium-bodied English blend. But upon lighting I was shocked by just how good this stuff was. I would easliy put this up there with Squadron Leader or Margate as far as taste goes. But what really stood out, for me, was how smooth and cool this stuff smokes. The smoke had an almost "silk" like smoothness to it that made smoking it an absolute joy.

Still not a fan of many of their other blends, but I'll give credit where credit is due. Blend No.5 is outstanding!

Soli Deo gloria!

Didn't smoke it for a bit, and had a slight cold when I did get around to it. Not sure if it was the head cold, the cold air outside or what, but it was the worst experience I've had to date. I only kept it because I figured I'd give it another round one day, but it left such a horrible taste in my mouth, coupled with that smell, that I haven't brung myself to go back to try it yet. I will one day, horrible at first try.

Cheap, artificial plastic like flavoring that is absolutely off-putting. Just don't do it. Next to Borkum Riff, this is the worst tobacco experience I have had in my 15 years of pipe smoking.

I don't think this will be a daily smoker for me, but a good every now and then smoke for sure. It would probably be a decent intro to English blends from an aro because of the sweetness in the tobacco.