| Would Mr. Holmes like this if he tried it? I think so. It's obvious from Conan Doyle's writings that the detective would have smoked Orientals or Virginias, definitely not the aromatic of the Peterson variety bearing Mr. Holmes' name.
Quite frankly I was pleasantly surprised when I tried my first bowl of this blend. I was a bit apprehensive, Sherlock is quite a name to live up to, but Sherlock's Reserve does this quite well. This is quite good for a mild English tobacco and I didn't have to dry out my bag at all. Fairly nice smell, but not a "wife pleaser" I'd say. Latakia and Virginia very apparent in the flavor, the casing is slight, perhaps an alcohol which is fine by me and nothing to detract from the essential "tobacconess" of the taste.
For English smokers this might be a good all day smoke, for aromatic smokers this could be a Lat to get your "feet wet" on without being blown away. I think I'll be buying it again when I use mine up, and that won't be too long in coming. Why I don't give it a perfect four stars? I'm still searching for that perfect tobacco, I might be inclined to upgrade my rating in the future.
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| This "London Mix" is obviously English in style, but has enough Latakia to give it a kick. Might be a sprinkling of Perique in here, but it's hard to tell. There is this agreeably pungent attitude to the overall experience that has an old "oak barrel aged" Scotch Whiskey reference, but is so subtle, it's hard to say if it's a Perique spicy touch, or an alcohol topping, or both.
I was told that the smoke left the room pleasant enough, but without any dramatic characteristic, except it's deeper than a straight English blend, has a good old-fashioned rich tobacco aftersmell.
To me, the taste was "meaty" and satisfying and you'll be encouraged to smoke it fuller for more flavor, but that will lead to a bite from the Virginia, so work the bellows with caution. You'll also get a nicotine hit if you're working it too much.
I didn't find it over moist, but would be obviously improved with some judicious drying. I did find the last clump at the bottom didn't stay lit near as well as the rest of the bowl, and there was a bit of goop I found upon cleaning.
All in all, I'd say this could be someone's everyday smoke, or one you'll feel is good for any occasion, but the particular flavor might not be for everyone. Sherlock's Reserve might be taken better in small doses, than a real sit down where you'll reduce a bowl all at once.
(The Website's description is a bit misleading, for you Sherlockians out there know that Holmes keep his dregs and dottle from the previous day in his Persion slipper for the purpose of smoking that the next morning and was probably the nastiest baccy in London...)
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