I promise to comment again after a few bowls - or after I finish the tin. (Which might take some time: "Ultimate Luxury", as the blend series title goes, perfectly describes it. Hence one should indulge sparingly - just out of reverence for the high quality!)

Quality tobaccos in a light, oh so light blend. But a good one at that.

The slightly bitter chocolate taste mentioned in the other reviews is there, alternating with a lovely, toasted (tea-like?) taste and a morning-coffee-like aroma (I personally don't like the taste of coffee, but its aroma suits me fine - like here). This one won't overpower your palate, quite the contrary.

The tea-room feeling comes to the fore quite often and proves equally enjoyable to the more candy-like aspects.

When outdoors, the more earthy notes come through much more pronounced, so this blend provides some variety there, too.

I'd say this is a perfect mixture for contemplative after-dinner moments. Makes a good compliment to a Christmas dinner too. Relax and smoke easy. (I.E. focus on the taste, and you'll get a great bowlfull out of this one).

Since it is very mild and light you need to check your puffing, as tongue-bite is just around the corner when going too fast.

I smoke it on occasion and would recommend this as a sidekick to an after dinner espresso.

UPDATE: For some reason or another, this one was left on the shelf for a while. And I only got back to it now in the Summer (04) time. I've been neglecting this one! A nice, finely refined quality tobacco. When the mood's (or the food's) right, this is superbly agreeable, and has that very relaxing "air" to it.

Most of the tobaccos in this range are very mild and sweet, and have not much in common with the Selected Blend or the Master?s Blend range. I believe the former are designed for intermittent smokers who rarely light up a pipe, and then mainly to aromatize their surroundings or create a nice room atmosphere. The tins, on the other hand, are very attractive, useful to keep coins, pens or small papers inside, and collectable (they look great on a desktop or on a coffee table).

Personally I don?t like these tobaccos because I find them rather bland and lacking in character. However there are two exceptions: Old Tradition, and Old Fashioned.

Old Fashioned is a delightful mellow blend, very rich and tasty, with a hint of a hazelnut topping, rather discreet, which does not interfere with the tobacco taste. A traditional composition of Virginias, Burleys (some ready rubbed, others in flake or broken cake form) and some Cavendished leaf, it can deliver a fine smoke if puffed slowly and carefully. Remember, this is a very mild blend, but the taste and the richness of the composition is worth the effort.

Perhaps the tobacco that most resembles this excellent blend is Robert Mc Connell's Special London Mature (mixture), though even McConnell´s seems to me milder than Old Fashioned. The taste, texture and aroma, however, are quite similar. A quiet smoke, very nice, with a nutty Burley presence underlining the smooth Virginia sweetness. If every now and then you fancy a light aromatic smoke with enough tobacco flavour to enjoy it, give this one a try. You won't regret it....(and if you do, at least you get to keep the tin!) 03/05

This blend is a very mild aromatic blend which burns well and has a flavor with notes of raisins, fruitiness and vanilla, but these flavours are unobtrusive, very light and fleeting. It does not overwhelm and because of its virginia composition, I do find it satisfying as a real smoke, when compared to many other heavily cased aromatics. As other reviewers here have mentioned, it can burn hot unexpectadly with the careless strong draw. I would rate it an HPH 1.5. Burns down to a salt & pepper ash,

I would gladly keep some of this around, though it is not available readily around my locale. It doesn't stand out as an archetypal tobacco, so I won't be searching through the hills for a tin.

Very pleasing tobacco.