Wilke Pipe Tobacco Wilke No. 111

When it comes to blends that I find to be very tasty, my poor English becomes even poorer and my vocabulary even smaller. As for No.111, I will definitely order it in pounds next time. A beautiful incense-like, herbal, citrus-shaped scent. Of course, it has the sweetness one would expect from Oriental and Virginia, but it is not sticky sweet. There is a smoky, beautiful Latakia bitterness. Burley has teamed up with Latakia to create this Spice mix. Latakia used as a spice always does a great job in my smoking experience. I found this blend to be of interest to pipe smokers without being boring throughout. Give it a try. You can't go wrong. In fact, you may end up ordering more!

The rather floral, herbal, woody, buttery sweet and lightly sour, earthy, moderately spicy Orientals take a little of the lead. The very nutty, earthy, woody, toasty sweet burley plays an important support role. The grassy, tart and tangy citrusy Virginia is between being a secondary player and a condiment. The smoky, earthy, woody, musty sweet Cyprian Latakia is almost a condiment, and the flavor push it provides rounds out the experience. The strength and the taste are a step or so past the mild level. The nic-hit is mild. No chance of bite or harshness, and has no rough edges. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with well balanced, nuanced, very consistent taste that is a little richer than expected given the strength level. Hardly leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a short lived, pleasant after taste and room note. Those looking for a stronger, more Oriental forward blend may find this to be a little light, but not only is this an all day smoke, it is a good starting point for the novice wondering what Orientals can do in a blend without being overwhelmed by their presence. And it’s complex enough to hold the interest of the veteran smoker all day as well. Four stars out of four.

-JimInks

Not the sublime creation of Beethoven’s Opus 111, nevertheless a pleasant, mild and harmonious blend. When young this a bit brighter, with more verve, but it was never a ‘wow’ blend. Now that I’ve just had a bowl in my Savinelli Punto Oro 122 dedicated to these Va-Tur type of blends, taken from a jar that has been undisturbed for two years, I’d say the blend has mellowed a bit and is more harmonious now. The young version 3.4 stars, the more mature version 3.6 stars. Not quite enough to pull itself up that last rung to join my four star favorites in this genre: Wilke Coronado and John Patton Oriental Dusk.

The good news is there are no off or artificial additive tastes – always a worry for me, and perhaps other Super Tasters among you (mine measured at 36, but – and possibly a blessing – this will probably diminish as I get older). There was very little Latakia in my batch, and it hardly even registers on the palate. It is the Turkish and Virginia that lead, with some support from the (light) Burley, and Latakia that is just a (parenthetical) condiment. You can look forward to pleasant flavors from the very first light until the very last draw. Whether young or mature the primary flavors are raw (untoasted) sunflower seed, white bread with a sprinkle of wheat germ on the crust, and faint bit of honey ginger that just barely reveals itself at the end of the bowl. The missing wow factor is, for me, a lack of interest in the retrohale. I found that adding a pinch of Perique helped in that regard. The younger version did have a slightly distracting nuance of sherry flora on the finish. When mature I get more mellow hay and malty character, with the tiniest bit of honey lemon, probably from flavor steering in the Virginia.

I do recommend all to try this and Wilke Coronado on your next order. See which you like better - both are well worth knowing!

From the breadth of the original Wilke Pipe Tobacco blends collection appears No.111. For your consideration this notable Oriental/English mixture presents an involved recipe that infuses a salient combination of plentiful Oriental/Turkish, assorted Burley, sweet Bright Virginia, and a reserved measure of smoky Cyprian Latakia.

No. 111 displays a deeply textured mass of ribboned and coarsely cut gratings that bridge a range of hues from golden tan, varying shades of brown, coppered strands, to solemn morsels cast in burnt umber. A keen flaunting of grained toothiness transmits exuberance of the leaves as a parceling of deeply blackened fragments lightly pepper its pleasing completeness. There is a bit of poetry at play here as the pilings stand in harmony with the striking peculiarity associated with Oriental varietals, rich, colorful, and gainfully charismatic. The moisture level normally dry making for a willing bundle of ready to smoke premier tobaccos.

Lifting the glass jar’s lid this bulk tobacco emits a gentle yet vivid air that thoughtfully touches the senses. Immediately a graceful and eased essence of assorted reticent spice rises up with a degree of alluring charm and subtle refinement. An obliging top-note of natural sweetness contains a low-lying sharper tart that seems to be emerging from arrestment on the bottom. Primarily the core fragrance models a swelling of earthy “nut-wood” and distinct warmer tea-like ambiences. This cultured nose reflects the festival of flavor that was soon to follow as I properly discovered.

In a pre-summarized word, Wilke No. 111 projects an expressively complex character that is categorically medium in both strength and intensity. This mixture imparts a classic Oriental/Turkish-forward experience that is flushed with a brilliance of coloring and nuance. Given the dominant footprint that this element occupies within the overall taste profile, naturally it bears equitable focus in defining the blend’s wealth.

If I were to classify this key feature in general terms, my impression would lean towards an encounter that centers on a decided woodiness and modestly sweet floral vitality. Nonetheless its celebrated seasoning places considerable emphasis on both the darker and brighter aspects of Oriental spicing. This tasteful complexity is further compounded by the addition of moving subtleties and affluences that are induced with the lively interchange of the complementing strains.

Base/Forward Element: Most certainly the Oriental content within blend No. 111 is of mixed variety. Essentially the flavorsomeness of its remarking embraces range of timbres. As previously stated, these chief facets encompass, a predominant run of parched wood tones, herbaceous/evergreen floral tinges, and bouncing aromatic lemony sweetness. Some ancillary zeal is offered by a meld of exotic zest defined by hints of variable kitchen-type spices such cinnamon, allspice, and curry. Additionally, there is an abiding thick buttery pungency, must, and gentle sulfuric tart/sourness that further deepens its character. Finally, within this mixture I found a decent stream of coloring that was highly evocative of the spirit of Earl Grey tea.

Being a well-balanced blending, the three supplementing strains within No. 111 seem to move in random fashion bringing some very fascinating intricacy. Because of this particular dynamic, decoding this blend was an interesting challenge to say the least, one that necessitates more than average tasting trials on my part. Of these standard varietals, some of the inherent native flavor traits were readily self-apparent while others required more concerted focus on my part. A contest I thoroughly enjoy by the way. These complements are so well proportioned that their confluent meld awards the piper with an enhanced layer of perplexity within the total registration.

Dependent Elements: Since the Oriental/Turkish is of such a big magnitude within the mix, the other recipe varietals seem to assume a more tributary or accommodating position, neither overly distinctive in presence nor consistently anchored by any means. It seems to me, however, that of three it is the Burley and the Virginia that joust for proper junior spotlight recognition. The degree of forwardness of both swings fairly evenly throughout the entire smoked bowl. Maybe the Burley is a half-step ahead if I am forced to choose. Incidentally I sensed a little evidence of a weaker sugar-based casing as well.

With the earthy Burley, No.111 gives a mixed assemblage of natural appeal. This contribution tends to be more on the soothing almond nutty side all be it there is a slighter attendance of developed woodiness that rings true as well. The principal accenting is configured by a good level of familiar molasses/brown sugar flair, a bit of muted cocoa, an herby tinge, and a hint of bitter/salty anise.

Circulating in tandem influence the Bright Virginia endows a softening sweet tang much like a tangerine actually. Mainly the push is countered by a patch of fervid grass that is held within a contained and well-trimmed frame. There is ornamentation to this base Virginian registration in the form of lower toasted caramel and a dash of additional floral/tarty spice.

Accenting: As to the Latakia, it peeks through with an especially tethered hurrah from within the remote background. Principally the leaf poses a modest and weaker supportive effect overall. I found the note so often suppressed that discerning its common characteristic a bit demanding, not necessarily a ding. When the Cyprian shows true, the profile brings out a decided tarty smokiness enfolding high notes of charred ambers, a reasonable suggestion of leather, musty hard woods, and just a trace of sweetened fruit.

Additional Observations:  As an Oriental/English blend, No. 111 demonstrates strong qualities toward the essential leaf-specific attributes. The mix of Oriental strains only served to enhance its overall depth and consistent nuancing. All other complementary leaf varieties were a little better than average performers on the spectrum their base traits.

 Scored exceptionally well on base mechanicals, flavor properties, and standard for the genre achieving 94% performance on average.

 Really smooth mellow texture and soft tone that is flavorful but not brash. Has a very smoky base undertone that is quite savory. No.111 tenders a relaxing persona that accentuates its inherent complexity. A nice representation of base Orientals, their natural charisma and extensiveness.

 The burn is consistent with an enjoyable moderate pace excursion. It is respectfully cool and dry in constitution.

 Nicotine is a non-factor with this blend. Most likely the combination of elements and their ratios do promote a more docile impact. No bite and minimal harshness in sum.

 Very rich clouds of thick grayed smoky vapor constitute an experienced room note that is dominated by the tart softly sweet pungent/blended Turkish spice. Not overbearing in magnitude but distinguished, buttery, and vibrantly colorful in its character. The brevity of its permanence rather surprised me, nonetheless.

 Smokes well in both briars and cob pipes, although it tended to favor my Savinelli 673 KS.

 The more I smoke this blend the more I relish its captivating nature!

Objective Scoring (based upon standard attributes, mechanicals, and cost) 2.8 measured assessment, cumulative @ 87.5% rating.

Personal Subjective Ranking: 3.4 Pipes