A & C Petersen Caledonian Melange No.466 Grand Reserve
(3.10)
A solid and classic blend with great character and a distinctive balance between Virginia, Oriental tobaccos and a slight touch of latakia from Cyprus. Truly a continental, mild mixture with an outstanding taste balance.
Details
| Brand | A & C Petersen |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | St-Group Assens |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Coarse Cut |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.10 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 21 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 2009 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I like this one a whole lot.
It was difficult for me to determine whether to give it three stars or four. I opted for three since I like to reserve four stars for my personal masterpieces. But even though I don't consider this one a masterpiece, it's one of my favorites. I mean, you just can't listen to nothing but Beethoven's last string quartets all the time, right? Sometimes you want something lighter and more simply entertaining but still quality.
That said, this is a manifestly pleasant smoke, with enough complexity and subtlety to maintain interest. It's very smooth and remarkably balanced, with the subtly sweet virginias sometimes coming to the forefront, other times the slightly tangy orientals or nutty burleys, with the latakia always gently lurking in the background. It's smooth, and delightfully and delicately spicy, mild, but not too mild.
As has been observed by others here, one peculiarity of this blend is the subdued opening. I won't pretend to understand how this can be, but the "flavor is almost undetectable", as fortezero says, when you light up, though there are some hints of what's to come: it's like a soft, shapeless ambient texture that, as you get a little further into the bowl, gradually blossoms and develops into a fugue of flavors. I don't know any other blend that opens up like this one does.
This has become one of my default blends, one I just naturally grab when I want a great smoke that's not a gourmet delight. It may not be a masterpiece, but it's perfectly satisfying. (Maybe I should give this four stars... no, not yet.)
It was difficult for me to determine whether to give it three stars or four. I opted for three since I like to reserve four stars for my personal masterpieces. But even though I don't consider this one a masterpiece, it's one of my favorites. I mean, you just can't listen to nothing but Beethoven's last string quartets all the time, right? Sometimes you want something lighter and more simply entertaining but still quality.
That said, this is a manifestly pleasant smoke, with enough complexity and subtlety to maintain interest. It's very smooth and remarkably balanced, with the subtly sweet virginias sometimes coming to the forefront, other times the slightly tangy orientals or nutty burleys, with the latakia always gently lurking in the background. It's smooth, and delightfully and delicately spicy, mild, but not too mild.
As has been observed by others here, one peculiarity of this blend is the subdued opening. I won't pretend to understand how this can be, but the "flavor is almost undetectable", as fortezero says, when you light up, though there are some hints of what's to come: it's like a soft, shapeless ambient texture that, as you get a little further into the bowl, gradually blossoms and develops into a fugue of flavors. I don't know any other blend that opens up like this one does.
This has become one of my default blends, one I just naturally grab when I want a great smoke that's not a gourmet delight. It may not be a masterpiece, but it's perfectly satisfying. (Maybe I should give this four stars... no, not yet.)
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 21, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This review has a bit of a story to it. I was in my local tobacconist's shop the other day, and on his shelf lay this dusty, single, elegant green tin. I pondered at it and looked at the reverse side for the blend components. As it suited my liking and the price was surely right $6.50 I purchased it. To my surprise at the counter, he told me his dating system on his labels, and as it turned out this tin was 8 years old. He also told me to enjoy it, as it was no longer imported to the U.S. I went home, packed a bowl in my Larsen, and was in heaven. The smoke was cool, smooth, and so well balanced I was taken aback. The virginas were up front and mild, the latakia chimmed in gently and fully. Mid bowl I could really taste the orientals, and it was so balanced of a blend. Smooth like a fine single malt Scotch, and full of comlex flavors. I can truly say, this would be my firing squad tobacco. If you have the means get your hands on some of this, particularly if it has been aged. Beginners stay clear (unless you're adventurous), and experienced English smokers savor and enjoy!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 24, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Ahh, I have good souvenirs of this blend; Caledonian replaced the good old, but sadly, discontinuated, Four Square series.
Very beautiful, dark green, classy looking tin. The bakkie smells of Latakia and VA, and is of long and broad cut.
Fairly easy to fill, same to lit up, smokes a bit slow. Tasty, pleasant, nice latakia and VA taste. Not too hard on the nicotine kick, rather smooth, but the taste compensates.
Becomes a bit stronger bad mid bowl, the orientals kicking in with the Latakia while the VA fades slowly away.
Nice clean, dry finish.
Very beautiful, dark green, classy looking tin. The bakkie smells of Latakia and VA, and is of long and broad cut.
Fairly easy to fill, same to lit up, smokes a bit slow. Tasty, pleasant, nice latakia and VA taste. Not too hard on the nicotine kick, rather smooth, but the taste compensates.
Becomes a bit stronger bad mid bowl, the orientals kicking in with the Latakia while the VA fades slowly away.
Nice clean, dry finish.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 05, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I'm not a big Latakia fan but this is one of the better such blends for me since as advertised, it has a slight touch from Cyprus. It doesn't overpower the smoke and even doesn't get much more intense near the bottom of the bowl. The VAs are sweet and I found the overall balance enjoyable. Packing and lighting were easy and relights not required even though the ribbon cut is rather coarse. That may have helped to cause a cool smoke without a hint of bite. It's getting hard to find these Caledonian blends but give this one a try if you prefer an English that's not so rich and heavy.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 09, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Like Ratcat, I tend to think this is a pretty wicked mix. Big chunky pieces mixed with ribbons. Not the most powerful dose of Latakia, but a nice spicey blend that doesn't leave your mouth coated for weeks. Solid medium English.
It took awhile for me to enjoy this mixture, but after a pipe or two, I found that the tin emptied steadily.
It took awhile for me to enjoy this mixture, but after a pipe or two, I found that the tin emptied steadily.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 22, 2006 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Full | Pleasant |
This is my second favorite Latakia blend.The cut of the this tobacco is very rough, I need to break apart into finer pieces before loading. The oriental and the viginia is very very sweet. It is very woody nutty and both blend together in a very subtle way. So what more can I say. The reason it is not on the my number one, it tends to burn a bit hot.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 23, 2003 | Mild | None Detected | Medium to Full | Strong |
This is a fairly lightweight (flavour-wise) "Modern English" style blend. It does what it sets out to do well, but didn't have enough character for me to come back for more. I like my Englishes to be clearly English: rich and heavy. This one's more middle-of-the-road. It's a bit coarse too so it doesn't pack as easily as some tobaccos. Other than that there's really nothing to criticise in this tobacco.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 04, 2003 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
As I opened the tin, a full latakia aroma told me what it was. No surprise under the match - a rich latakia blend shows character. It is a bit harsher and less balanced than my favorite dunhill latakias - london mixture and night cap, but still a nice bowl.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 17, 2002 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Tended to smoke a little hot for me . The taste was a bit bland , though not all together bad . I plan to try this one again soon and should I feel it necessary I will revise this review . As it stands I find it uninteresting .
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 27, 2001 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This blend is one of my personal favorites for an "eye-opening" tobacco to be smoked on the walk to class.
Phase I: Opening of the Tin upon first inserting the pipe tool/coin/knife/whatever, under the lip of the can and giving it a twist, one is greeted with the re-assuring "ssspop!" of a broken vacuum seal, and a bit of a latakia aroma rush. Removing the tin, the commonplace "coffee filter" and paper brand tab are found tucked carefully inside the tin, and when removed, reveal a very attractive, variated tobacco. Caledonian 466's tin aroma is again, very mild, but with a hint of the nutty earthy aroma of the latakia, and a bit of the sweet aroma of a finely chopped virginia, ready to be pinched and packed.
Phase II: The packing Since I smoke this traditionally while walking to University classes, I smoke it in a smallish (group 3 sized) meerschaum pipe (surprise!), and found almost no problems with the pack in those groggy times of morning. The feel of the tobacco is quite nice, almost like a soft carpet, with nary a shag-cut, or rough cake peice in sight. No rubbing is necesarry since, like I said, its perfectly prepared from the tin. Just take a pinch, let it fall into the bowl, and repeat. A simple gravity feed with a bit of finger tamping will suit this one just fine, and will get you ready for pleasure to come.
Phase III: The Smoke Ahh, the most important (and satisfying) part of the piping experience... the smoking part! Once the tobacco is packed neatly into a pipe, I like to suck a couple breaths throught the pipe for some reason. This serves two purposes; to elilminate the in-tin moisture of many blends, and also to prepare the palate for the flavor of the same stuff burning. Anyway, after the initial char-light, the tobac is lightly tamped and lit again. This is the last time you will need a fire for the duration of the smoke (unless its raining, or windy, or you like to drool in your pipe bowl.) At first, the flavor is almost undetectable, but its still there. The latakia is the first thing to hit the palate, my theory on this is that your tastebuds are still 'waking' up in the morning, so they detect deeper, richer flavors first (of course, I may also be completely wrong, but it helps me understand), and the sharper, 'higher' notes of oriental and virginia later, mid bowl-ish. As I've stated, moisture isn't a problem with this one, so constant relightings won't be necessary at all. By the time you hit mid-bowl, the flavor will begin to mix in your mouth, and the joy of a dead even mix of virginia, latakia, and oriental will take you in its hold. After the introduction with the small, subdued taste during the top-bowl, you glide smoothly into the mid-bowl, and then to the plateau of the end of the pipe. The flavor, unlike most tobaccos, doesn't get much stronger when you get near the end of the bowl, instead, it stays rather steady from mid to finish.
This is, by all means, a wonderful wake-up tobacco to get you all happy about being alive for another day. I've noted the room aroma as 'medium' only because that is the flavor and aroma I get from the burning tobacco. Like I said, I smoke this while walking to class, so I honestly have no clue whether this one will please or offend, but I can't imagine it would be too different from any other VA/Latakia/Oriental blend. Another thing I recommend for this is a dedicated pipe, which for me, is no problem (not because of many pipes, but because I love this blend so much!).
Phase I: Opening of the Tin upon first inserting the pipe tool/coin/knife/whatever, under the lip of the can and giving it a twist, one is greeted with the re-assuring "ssspop!" of a broken vacuum seal, and a bit of a latakia aroma rush. Removing the tin, the commonplace "coffee filter" and paper brand tab are found tucked carefully inside the tin, and when removed, reveal a very attractive, variated tobacco. Caledonian 466's tin aroma is again, very mild, but with a hint of the nutty earthy aroma of the latakia, and a bit of the sweet aroma of a finely chopped virginia, ready to be pinched and packed.
Phase II: The packing Since I smoke this traditionally while walking to University classes, I smoke it in a smallish (group 3 sized) meerschaum pipe (surprise!), and found almost no problems with the pack in those groggy times of morning. The feel of the tobacco is quite nice, almost like a soft carpet, with nary a shag-cut, or rough cake peice in sight. No rubbing is necesarry since, like I said, its perfectly prepared from the tin. Just take a pinch, let it fall into the bowl, and repeat. A simple gravity feed with a bit of finger tamping will suit this one just fine, and will get you ready for pleasure to come.
Phase III: The Smoke Ahh, the most important (and satisfying) part of the piping experience... the smoking part! Once the tobacco is packed neatly into a pipe, I like to suck a couple breaths throught the pipe for some reason. This serves two purposes; to elilminate the in-tin moisture of many blends, and also to prepare the palate for the flavor of the same stuff burning. Anyway, after the initial char-light, the tobac is lightly tamped and lit again. This is the last time you will need a fire for the duration of the smoke (unless its raining, or windy, or you like to drool in your pipe bowl.) At first, the flavor is almost undetectable, but its still there. The latakia is the first thing to hit the palate, my theory on this is that your tastebuds are still 'waking' up in the morning, so they detect deeper, richer flavors first (of course, I may also be completely wrong, but it helps me understand), and the sharper, 'higher' notes of oriental and virginia later, mid bowl-ish. As I've stated, moisture isn't a problem with this one, so constant relightings won't be necessary at all. By the time you hit mid-bowl, the flavor will begin to mix in your mouth, and the joy of a dead even mix of virginia, latakia, and oriental will take you in its hold. After the introduction with the small, subdued taste during the top-bowl, you glide smoothly into the mid-bowl, and then to the plateau of the end of the pipe. The flavor, unlike most tobaccos, doesn't get much stronger when you get near the end of the bowl, instead, it stays rather steady from mid to finish.
This is, by all means, a wonderful wake-up tobacco to get you all happy about being alive for another day. I've noted the room aroma as 'medium' only because that is the flavor and aroma I get from the burning tobacco. Like I said, I smoke this while walking to class, so I honestly have no clue whether this one will please or offend, but I can't imagine it would be too different from any other VA/Latakia/Oriental blend. Another thing I recommend for this is a dedicated pipe, which for me, is no problem (not because of many pipes, but because I love this blend so much!).
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