This tobacco comes packed in plastic, a la Prespytarien. Aroma is that of a good Va mixture with the presence of Oriental also detected, but predominently Va. Appearance is of a ribbon cut blend of Va tobaccos and a small amount of darker tobaccos which after smoking, I believe to be that of a (Va) Cavendish rather than that of Latakia.

Campanile may have undergone some variation during its transformation from a James Fox blend to that of its present German blenders. But as we know, this period can sometimes lead to blends losing its original identity if the blenders do not stick rigidly to the original source and recipes. My current tin however is representative of everything the makers say it is. An English Oriental with no black tobacco other than what I take to be that of a Va cavendish. Certainly I detect no latakia present in this blend

Moisture is fine and the tobacco packs and lights very easily. I was impressed with the Va blends which are the dominant flavours of this smoke, although as the smoke progresses, the spicy almost peppery flavours of the orient leaf become more apparant. I find this blend to be an easy smoking, slightly bland English oriental, not great, but also not bad at all. For the smoker who likes English blends but is not over fond of latakia I would recommend Campanile in its present manifestation. Medium in both taste and strength with a substantial Va body and peppery Turkish undertones, This blend shouldnt dissappoint, its not meant to be a strong latakia English blend, more of a slightly spicy English Oriental. On the value for money scale I would say that Campanile does itself justice and represents good value with good quality leaf providing a mellow yet slightly spicy and rewarding smoke. Recommended

I found this tobacco unmemorable. The virginias seemed moderately interesting and there was a wisp of muted orientals that showed up from time to time but the predominate flavor was latakia... not that it was very prominent at all. The trouble with this blend is that there was not much flavor at all. It was mainly the proverbial "warm air" smoke. I never got to smoke the original but I'm guessing it was a richer blend in the past. This is forgettable, and I intend to forget it now that I finished about 2/3 of the tin. The room note was decent but nothing to get excited over. Admittedly, I overpuffed a few bowls to get some flavor to develop and paid the price with a bit of tongue burn. When I puffed normally, there was very little flavor to be discerned. Recommended only to those who like very light-flavored tobaccos with no complexity or "color" to them. Not a bad tobacco by any means but certainly nothing I'd care to repeat when there are so many other more deserving blends.

Recommended for thee but not for mee.

However, after reading many reviews distinguishing between the "old" one and some "new" versions, I checked the tin (which otherwise looks the exact copy of what is displayed here...) only to notice that it bears a "Petersen & Sorensen" logo (???). Anyone can tell me - am I missing something here?

Such was the destiny for Campanile. I must admit that the last time I smoked a tin was one I purchased in the shop in Grafton Street, Dublin; it was a red labeled tin. So when I purchased a few tins in London recently, without realising that Kohlhase had entered the arena, I was so dis-appointed that I brought back two un-opened tins for refund. Luckily, the manager happened to be in the shop at the time and as a long-standing customer, she spent an hour with me explaining the circumstances under which a complete transformation of their blends has been undertaken.

While I was reassured that the blending of my all-time favourite English oriental is still undertaken by them, and there are no plans, at present, to transfer blending to Kohlhase, there is a certain enevitably about the eventual loss of this great oriental that has been around since 1904.

today's Campinile is a different cut, a different aroma, a different flavour and an altogether different tobacco from the founding original: It is blended from medium cut virginian and Turkish leaf (no black at all); it's smooth and sweet to the last, but it lost its classic English character.

I reviewed as 'somewhat recommended' purely from a perspective that some, not familiar with the original blend, might still find it appealing, but be under no illusions - another classic English destined for the annals of history!

When I first popped the tin, I was greeted by a briny, olive-like aroma and I thought I was going to be in for a great ride. But after that promising start, the tobacco turned into...well...tobacco--neutral, dull, uninspired. It's very clean tasting, I suppose. But if tobacco had its neutral midpoint--the equivalent of distilled water on the pH scale--it would be this stuff.

It's easy to pack, lights and burns well, smokes cool, and I suspect that it will become my go-to tobacco for breaking in new pipes. No ghosts here. That's the only reason it reaches the "Somewhat Recommended" level.

Delicious, rich and creamy oriental taste. Contrary to the description there is obviously some very dark tobacco in the K&K version (the original Fox version had no black tobacco indeed). However, taste is still great!

This is the second Fox I have tried, and just as with Provost, this one has instantly become a favourite of mine. If anything, this tobacco proves that Orientals need not be harsh or rasping to provide a very tasty, refined and subtle flavour, and when skilfully combined with the proper Virginias, produce something very close to an all day smoke.

Campanile (an Italian word meaning bell tower, the one in the bright red tin depicting that of Trinity College, Dublin) is an apparently simple mixture of mild Virginias and Oriental leaf, mainly Turkish, with no Latakia or dark Cavendish. The quality of the Virginian leaf used here is quite similar to the ones used in some Dunhill mixtures (especially in Standard Mixture Medium and London Mixture), which means that their sweetness is not sugary, but more natural and subtle. In turn, the Turkish provides a very tangy and slightly sour undertone which, combined with other condimental leaf, produce a mellow yet flavoursome smoke, similar to Early Morning or Skiff, without the Latakia.

However, as you indulge in the fresh tartness of this blend, the interplay between Orientals and Virginias gathers strength, and becomes a livelier tobacco than the other two. It burns cool and clean, and the natural taste of the leaf pleasantly lingers on for a while. IMO this an excellent tobacco to start the day with, especially if planning to carry on smoking stronger Orientals later on. It is great with a cup of black coffee, just after breakfast, and prepares the scenario, and the mood, for more adventurous English blends. As with Provost, my only objection to this blend is the high degree of moisture in the tin. But airing for a couple of days solves the problem.

UPADTE:

I regret to inform on the demise of the much beloved Campanile. Gone is the distinguished bright-red covered tin, and gone is that exquisite and delicate blend of Virginias and Orientals. What we are now being offered is a very bland and innocuous blend.

It is so similar to the current version of Early Morning Pipe, that I?d swear it is now being produced by Orlik. I recently ordered some from Martin MacGahey, in Exeter, G.B., thinking I would still find some last tins of the original Fox. When I wrote to him afterwards, he told me he thought Campanile is now being produced by Kohlhase and Kopp, in Germany.

It may be. But if so, this stuff has NOTHING to do with the previous version. It?s not that this blend is bad, but it simply isn?t Campanile.

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Campanile is truly a unique tobacco in that there are not a lot of Virginia-Oriental blends made that do not include the dominating influence of Latakia. Even so, there is a slight smokiness in the tin aroma from the other tobaccos.

Though primarily a Virginia, the Orientals give it a lot of character. It differs from Cairo (another good V-O blend) in lacking the latter's distinct, but not unpleasant, sourness. Instead, more of the Virginia's inherent sweetness is present. As the description says, "smooth and sweet"-- but in a natural, unflavored way.

Were it not for the relatively high cost, I could smoke this every day.

Campanile is a great tobacco and for at least 4 years I smoked one bowl of it every morning, almost religiously. One year ago I decided to start a change of pace and take the opportunity to try new things and see if I can find something better, but I´m returning to my Campanile. That says it all.

I always try to provide comparisons for the reader to know what to expect. This is a tough one, but the closest I can think of is Davidoff Royalty, without the top-dressing (Campanile is unflavored, as far as I can discern).

Astringent but flavorful.

I think a better bet is McClelland 221b Arcadia or Presbyterian Mixture. These are both better balanced for contemplative smoking.

All the same, this is top quality stuff, and worth a run. It blends very nicely with softer Virginias, like HH MAture from Mac Baren.

What I do taste and smell are remarkable matured VA's striking a wonderful chord with some of that incense-like Basma, some rich Macedonian leaf and sweet spicy Turkish.

This is a complex smoke that smokes remarkably well right out of a moist tin, and even better when aired for a time. The ribbon cut is easy to pack and takes one char light very well. In fact, often, I only light once until the bottom of the bowl (with gentle tamping).

Marvelous stuff Cheers, VC

Amazing tobacco. For the last two months I have started trying many oriental tobaccos. It looks that Campanile has a maturity that makes it particularly tasteful. Creamy and sweet flavor from a combination Oriental and Virginia. I firstly tasted it in the evening and I didn?t want to smoke anything else before I sleep. Substantial tobacco. You can smoke it easily and pleasantly also in the morning.

His fault is that it warms up - in the beginning only ? the bowl, but afterwards you can smoke it cool and dry till the end. I will surely order enough of Campanile. It has the perfect humidity and does not need any drying. I will agree with most of the reviewers that it does not contain any Latakia. It gives a very nice smell in the room.

PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT ...........