William P. Solomon - Presbyterian Mixture pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
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Charlie Allnut	03/23/2012	Medium	None detected	Medium	Very Pleasant
I have a theory about this blend, to explain the disparity in reviews and the great Latakia schism in our congregation. When this blend is mixed, the Latakia, being somewhat heavier, sinks to the bottom, leaving the lighter Orientals on top. When tinned, some cans will have almost no Latakia, and the cans from the bottom of the batch will have a fair amount. Despite the occasional inconsistency from tin-to-tin, I love this stuff, especially on a sunny day on the boat. I smoke it all day long. Presby is good with Scotch or beer. Some folks even smoke it sober. I don't recommend that. Sometimes I go a little overboard on it, but the ladies do love the smell of Presby!
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jediokie	03/04/2012	Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable
I really, really wanted to love this blend. It's been highly recommended by several long time smokers whom I look to for tobacco advise. It has been reviewed well on this site. It was horrible. I opened then tin and the product was really dry. The orientals overpowered the Latakia and changed the complexity of what should have been an English into something unpalatable. It may just be my taste buds, but after half a bowl I was done. I traded it as soon as I found someone who wanted it. The experience almost ruined me on orientals for ever but several months later another tobacco came along to save the day.
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Stagecoach	02/09/2012	Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
They say this is one of the benchmarks of a classic English blend. I find it a great mild,contemplative smoke. Upon opening the tin your greeted by a plastic bag which has the tobacco inside, the sweetness of Virginias,tempered by a nice dash of Orientals and a smidgen of Latakia,it is a tad damp so I recommend you dry it a while and use a pipe fitted with a 9mm filter system. This is an easy to pack,light and smoke baccy that doesn't burn the tonge.if you take it easy. Not that easy to get hold of,so let's hope it doesn't go the way of Balkan Sobranie. O highly reccomend this blend as I think its quite true to the original blend.
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The German	01/25/2012	Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild	Tolerable to Strong
"It's a classic English blend" they told me, so I bought a tin. Opening which, a rather noticeable topping accosts my nose; something fruit-ish. Does not clash with the tobacco, but IMHO a topping--any topping--is rather misplaced on an English blend. The leaf looks pretty normal: bright (Orient!), yellow/red and black. Classical English ribbon cut, stuffs easily, lights easily and burns... er, a little too easily; this blend, unlike any other English I have had so far, actually burns hot. The taste, nevertheless, is mild, with very little sweetness (where's the VA when you need it?), some toast from the Latakia, and the good, clean (if weak) taste of the Orientals. The room note is nothing to write home about; pretty much typical English, not very strong, but certainly not conducive to social networking either. Throughout the smoke, I get a slight sour note that I attribute mostly to the topping. Burns down well, but for me leaves some dottle (I'm not used to that); I can see how people may like this blend and because of its mildness would recommend for beginners or Latakia newbies. For me, there is far too little oomph in there (the Latakia content is OK; I want more nicotine) and suggest gentle sipping. It might, IMHO, be better without the topping; I shall persevere throughout the second half of my tin, but won't buy again. Addendum 2012-02-28: I have to say that this blend grows on me a little. I had originally underestimated the Nic content; it is mild-to-medium for me. The taste is still OK, making it a candidate for an all-day smoke. Just not what my particular doctor ordered, but take your time with this leaf -- as said, it may grow on you. At the price it has where I live, it may be a bit of a sleeper. Not bad at all, just not what rocks my boat at this time... if you like gentle, sweet English blends, try it.
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palm springs piper	01/12/2012	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
Nice English, with nice virginias, nice orientals, latakia (really?). Starts mild and procedes to moderate inoffensively. Others have said the room note is similar to incense, but I don't get it. If you are looking for a doctinal statement or firm conviction look elsewhere. Perhaps it should be called Unitarian Mitxure. Pleasant enough for the work day, but not for a contemplative smoke. No revelations will be forthcoming, the age of miracles is past. This Episcopalian likes to get a chance to smoke a Presbyterian from time to time.
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elelion	12/07/2011	Medium to Strong	Strong	Medium	Tolerable
The only thing I do not like about this blend is the plastic bag inside the tin. It isolates the breath of the tobacco with the air. About the blend itself, it is a little dry and difficult to pack. It lights well however. The first puff shows the nice mixture of virginia and oriental. Regarding latakia, I prefer to say there is few: shows some existance but hardly noticable. It is a blend I would care not much when owning it, but will sometimes miss it when there is none left. Recommended.
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quantumboy	11/12/2011	Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
An absolute favorite. Medium-full english with a beautiful balance of all the components. Nothing vies for attention, but everything adds. I have a stack of tins in the cellar. Probably oughtta get more...
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Kokinhenik	10/09/2011	Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I've smoked loads of Balkans and love the blend genera. It's hard to pinpoint how, but Presbyterian has a subtle flavor, though not unique in a Balkan, somehow smokes uniquely. Though it is similar to many of the other blends, it consistently delivers just the right amount, of one particular note from the Balkan taste profile, that appeals to me (the front note of olive/smokey butter). It doesn't dry your mouth out due to the Latakia, as some of the really tasty Balkans can. It bites a bit if you are on a short pipe and/or puffing hard. The nicotine is medium and I have it marked as a daytime Balkan. I enjoy the fact that it's a classic and if treated right, has a very satisfying taste.
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PTpipe	09/27/2011	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
3*
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mo	09/16/2011	Mild	Extremely Mild	Medium	Tolerable
Hi all, I have been smoking this blend for the last few weeks and have to say i enjoy it. I find it easy on the palette and very easy to smoke. Never before have i ever experienced a blend where the Latakia is so muted. This confused me greatly as i do not know what to compare it to nor how to class it. Whatever it is, i do enjoy it as a change of pace, all day smoke. It behaves very well in the pipe after lots of drying and the base tobaccos are of good quality. EDIT. Never before has a blend grown on me like this blend has. I have grown to really really enjoy it and find myself smoking this all day, everyday. I would go as far as saying that 8 out of 10 bowls i smoke these days is Presbyterian. This blend is the least pipe picky of any blend i have smoked. Its always consistently brilliant. As the day goes on, i get pipes with wider bowls. This gets the strength up. Ok, after many many bowls in many different pipes, i am confident that there is no Latakia in this mix. The Orientals and High Quality Virginias are masterfully blended, my highest compliments to the blender. The marriage of these tobaccos in this blend makes for a delicious mixture. This blend reminds me of the real Balkan Sobranie in that it leaves a scent in the room that is incense like. Fantastic stuff. Bumped from 3 to 4 stars. Mo, South Africa Helderberg40@gmail.com
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Tripjoker	09/08/2011	Mild	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
The problem with reviewing this tobacco is that if you have had Red Rapparee from Rattrays, you will be disappointed with Pesby. The flavors here are all subtle and smoking slowly is the best way to achieve satisfaction. The blend tends to be understated in that the component tobaccos do not weave in and out as gracefully as they could. I believe that the strength of the blend takes away from the whole. If more substantive and character driven tobaccos were used, it would be terrific. As it is, there is no reason to smoke this if RRR is available to you. On the other hand, if you are a smoker who prefers the light blends that have some nice flavor, and you are not a fan of nicotine, then you are in business. This would fit the bill for beginners in the english genre as well. The blend should be respected though, so do not smoke quickly, or hot. This will bite like a pit bull if you abuse it. Not to mention that it will lose all character if smoked hot. Cheers!
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Darth Vader	09/05/2011	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
Opened the tin with the usual hiss of air going into the vaccum but the contents were dryer than the Simpson desert. How could the moisture escape if the seal was still good? The plastic bag inside was not sealed so it wouldnt do much. Must have been sealed ultra dry. Couldnt really taste much of the pipe i smoked. Will rehydrate some and hopefully up the score (minus 10 for quality control though). Very disappointed. Would return to retailer if they werent on the other side of the planet. This is in the hall of fame??? I'm assuming that the german writing inside the tin says something along the lines of that i'm a dumb foriegner and not worthy of such good tobacco so we took it out, laughed as we smoked it and then put this rubbish in instead. Enjoy! My tin says made in the EU. Update: rehydrating and then siting for several months has brought this back. My opinion now is that of an reasonable balkan but not as good as many such as GLP Kensington. I would probably rate this three stars normally but due to the completely dry nature from the tin i'll give it two.
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SteelCowboy	08/23/2011	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
I really wanted to like this blend! It lacks in complexity, it's too wet even after sitting months in an unsealed tin. It's only claim to fame is that it fools a lot of folks into thinking there is Latakia in the blend. There's nothing wrong with an English blend lacking Latakia, but the rest of the tobaccos need to really stand out and that just doesn't happen in PM. Two stars for historical relevance .
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HunterTRW	08/23/2011	Medium to Strong	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant
To paraphrase "The Most Interesting Man in the World" who appears occasionally in television commercials for a certain brand of beer, "I don't often smoke English blends, but when I do I prefer Presbyterian Mixture!" To me, it epitomizes the phrase "classic English pipe-tobacco." The aroma in the tin is delicious: wet leathery, smokey, late fall-woods musty sweet, and cow-barn-like ripe. It's one that, if it could be transubstantiated, I would happily chew on for hours in the same manner that my dog worries her favorite marrow bone. Presbyterian Mixture's appearance is pleasing, too. Remove the cardboard cover beneath the lid, peel back the clear plastic inner wrap, and you will find substantial strands together with ponderous pieces of light-to-dark brown Virginia leaf, intermixed with Latakia tips that are almost black. It's typically moist, not overly so, but does benefit from some drying prior to use. This is a hefty-looking amalgam that promises solid smoking pleasure. It does not disappoint. Using the Frank method to fill the bowl of a favorite Savinelli Oscar, it provides me with a good hour of English ecstasy. I find that this tobacco is at its best when smoked SLOWLY, but then aren't they all? I don't mean that you should sip it. Rather, take a deep draught every minute or two and let it drizzle out of your mouth. Take your time as you contemplate its manifold charms and it will reward you. Become distracted (or simply give in to gluttony) and puff too fast, and it will both bite and kick. Nicotine is here in abundance, but will behave if you treat this mixture with gentleness and respect. Without drying I typically need only two pipe-cleaners per bowl; with drying only one. This tobacco reduces to a fine grey-white ash with little dottle. The room note is comforting in the same manor (pun intended) as that of an old, familiar, and favorite hunting lodge, cabin, or library. This is a fine English tobacco mixture, and I give it my highest benediction. Amen.
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krg1000	08/21/2011	Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I find this to be a very good blend. It lights well, stays lit easily enough and burns down to a nice ash at the end of the bowl. I find this has a very nice room note. It doesn't knock you on your behind with too much Vitamin N, but is just right. Highly recommended.
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bish777	08/12/2011	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild	Tolerable
Mild, sweet virginia with a hint of tart latakia, very pleasant tobacco, easy to light, easy to keep lit and no bite at all.
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Taipanmamba	08/10/2011	Mild	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant
This is a wonderful blend and it is obvious why it has stood the test of time. Very similar to Dunhills EMP but I find this smoother with the orientals a shade less prominent.Unusual presentation in a plastic bag in the tin- I found this really helped keep the moisture level perfect. Room note is not unpleasant. I could smoke this all day very easily. I can see that it may not be strong enough for some people and the flavour is pretty uniform throughout but this is not trying to be an overly complex blend. It leaves a delicious taste on tongue and always leaves me wanting more at the end of the bowl. Perfect with a glass of cold beer when watching newsnight and contemplating issues of state ! Highly recommended.
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DrDyson	07/31/2011	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
Each to his own; I see that some people love Presbyterian Mixture. Personally, I can’t see much in it. It’s a very bland English mixture, and I found that it burned hot and quickly: the flavour is so bodiless that you can’t help puffing hard to try to find some substance in it. I’m not a Latakia freak by any means, but a decent English mixture ought to have more in it than this. Tobaccos are sometimes described in these reviews as one dimensional. This one doesn’t have any dimensions at all to speak of. Stanley Baldwin smoked it? Yes: it sort of puts me in mind of the dull, dreary and respectable 1930s. I guess I’m just not a Conservative. If our American friends don’t quite get what I mean, think Calvin Coolidge: ordinary and incurably bourgeois. It’s an old blend that has survived the horrors of extermination to which so many old blends have succumbed. If only for that reason, it must be worth a try, and palates more subtle than mine clearly enjoy it. Not for me, but I’ll give it two stars. It’s not horrible; just rather dull.
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rattdogg	07/29/2011	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
Didn't care for this at all. Harsh, hot and what little flavor I found reminded me of smoldering rubber. I know many love this blend and I'm sorry to trash it but these are my honest impressions of this one. Horrid.
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Trippwire	07/24/2011	Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is a good one. The orientals are spicy and delicate, if smoked too fast you miss out on the 'niceness'. There is a perfect level of nicotine, but I did notice it seems to burn a little faster than everything else. I couldn't taste any latakia, but the virginias seem to compliment the rest of it. This gives me the impression of a posh smoke, like what the queen's husband would smoke with a white glove and a top hat. I had 'one of those smokes' with Presbyterian on my back verandah..... I like this and I will buy more.
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