Robert McConnell Latakia Mixture 1848

I have never tried the Dunhill original, so I can't compare this clone with it.

It's a very dark mixture with quite a lot of broken flake and a generous presence of Latakia. But it's only Virginia (several grades) and Latakia, no other Orientals: a bit like Commonwealth, but less intense, less "fat". And it's actually lighter in body than one would expect from such a dark mixture. The lack of Orientals translates into a lower complexity: it's a quite monodimensional blend, very tasty but not "juicy", dry-tasting and a bit lacking in body. Very pleasant, but not as satisfying as a true EM with Orientals can be.

As a change of pace, in spite of its flavour palette which is quite monochromatic, it's tasty and good, anyway. Made with quality leaf and enjoyable for a casual smoke. Recommended to lovers of Latakia-heavy mixtures not looking for extra complexity.

An English blend, without oriental tobaccos. With the same composition as Samuel Gawith's Commonwealth but softer and with less latakia. A pleasant and recommendable tobacco. .

Wow this is a tobacco!!! When it comes to the term "complex" people brush aside blends with less than 3 components. This tobacco is complex by being just VA/LAT . I do not come across a freshly opened tobacco with that much flavour. I can taste fruit,leather,wood, hay,sugar,resin and so on...and there is not a hint of artificial flavour. I am surprised in a way I came not across yet. And best of all: it has some strength. There is a good portion latakia in but never overshadow the virginias, which are of multiple kinds . I think here are red , bright , dark and some stoved in. Together it becomes a really entertaining smoke which do not need attention that much.Simply delicious and my surprise of the year