J. F. Germain & Son King Charles Smoking Mixture

I think it's unfair to compare this blend to Lat bombs. It obviously was not intended to smash you on the forehead with any one of its components. It is a balanced blend and, IMO, a very pleasant one. It it very similar to Squadron Leader except it is shag cut which makes it easy to light and keep lit. I will likely keep some in my rotation and I can recommend it.

Try this and you may find your all day tobacco. My first impression was that this was far too mild and no flavor, but after the first 1/4 bowl it really starts to develop. A nice Virginia/ Oriental mixture with no bite and a constantly developing flavor. Allow the new tin to breath and the tobacco to dry a bit. I've been turning to this when I just don't know what I want. You can smoke this one bowl after another. I'll keep this around. A solid 3 stars. I have to agree with Zulujerk and Daniel reviews below with reference to EMP. I think that is a good comparison but this has a touch more Latakia and less "N" and might burn a little hotter.

This is a perfectly serviceable blend, well balanced and tasty, every component registering on the palate. I picked it up at the local B&M, after a good half hour of compromises continually calculating in my head. I confess that I love the nostalgia of walking into the shop, but it's difficult to rationalize many purchases with the inflated prices and limited selection in comparison to our favorite online counterparts. It's that guilt that brings me to settle on blends I wouldn't normally go for, such as Germain's King Charles mixture.

It's not a bad purchase, yet, with a wealth of highly potent English blends out there (and in my smoke drawer) King Charles will inevitably find lonely company. I do love the cut of Germain mixes--stringy, condensed bricks of tobacco that fire easily, burn well, and to fine ash. The presentation is top notch, the beautiful assortment of tobaccos ranging from light blondes, darker browns, to the black strands of finely cut Latakia. The Virginias play the dominant role in this mix, bright and sugary, with the smokey leaf always in the background but never hiding. This will appeal to those who enjoy light English's, no doubt...something akin to Early Morning Pipe. And to those who prefer something heavier...smoke this first, as moving down from a full bodied blend will dull your senses. But, in sum, King Charles is high class, all the way.

Three and a half of Five.

N.B. Not from Mike Butera's Esoterica as this website says about the brand. According to the label, it is direct from J.F. Germain & Son.

Packaging:

Rectangular tin with a paper label. The tobacco is wrapped in folds of mylar and comes in ribbons pressed into a cake. The ribbons, neither dry or moist, are easily separated and no trick loading.

The blend is made up of mostly brown tones with spots of bright and dark tobaccos, with a supple aroma of rich Turkish and high-quality Latakia (Cyprian?). Promising indeed.

Taste and aroma:

The best Turkish tobacco begins the ensemble, leads and remains in the first chair. These are very rich, tangy, subtle and hardly acrid Orientals. They are sweet like a flower and just as floral scented.

The Latakia plays second in line, with, for me, just the right touch of smokiness (subdued, contributing), maybe a touch nutty and creamy.

Unlike other fullish English blends, the Virginias in KC sounds in and out throughout the smoke, providing welcome relief with natural sweetness, weight, and richness.

KC is hardly monotone. This is complex, behaved, clean, and smooth. One light brings this blend to the bottom of an ODA sized pipe. Do savor every whiff of smoke.

Profile:

While not full like Margate, Mississippi Mud, Bow-legged Bear, Nightcap, Solani 779, Penzance, etc., this is on the full side of medium English blends. It is wonderful, unique, delicious and excellent. It could be harsh and hot, but is not.

This is in the category of blends that I will age a half-dozen tins at all times (along with Squadron Leader, 965, Nightcap, Dorisco, EMP).

N.B. Not from Mike Butera's Esoterica as this website says about the brand (see other listing for this blend). According to the label, it is direct from J.F. Germain & Son.

Packaging:

Rectangular tin with a paper label. The tobacco is wrapped in folds of mylar and comes in ribbons pressed into a cake. The ribbons, neither dry or moist, are easily separated and no trick loading.

The blend is made up of mostly brown tones with spots of bright and dark tobaccos, with a supple aroma of rich Turkish and high-quality Latakia (Cyprian?). Promising indeed.

Taste and aroma:

The best Turkish tobacco begins the ensemble, leads and remains in the first chair. These are very rich, tangy, subtle and hardly acrid Orientals. They are sweet like a flower and just as floral scented.

The Latakia plays second in line, with, for me, just the right touch of smokiness (subdued, contributing), maybe a touch nutty and creamy.

Unlike other fullish English blends, the Virginias in KC sounds in and out throughout the smoke, providing welcome relief with natural sweetness, weight, and richness.

KC is hardly monotone. This is complex, behaved, clean, and smooth. One light brings this blend to the bottom of an ODA sized pipe. Do savor every whiff of smoke.

Profile:

While not full like Margate, Mississippi Mud, Bow-legged Bear, Nightcap, Solani 779, Penzance, etc., this is on the full side of medium English blends. It is wonderful, unique, delicious and excellent. It could be harsh and hot, but is not.

This is in the category of blends that I will age a half-dozen tins at all times (along with Squadron Leader, 965, Nightcap, Dorisco, EMP).

If mild to medium English blends ring your bell, then this is a very fine one. The Virginias used are superb, the other leaf lends a condimental spice and character.

Well worth a sample, and it may become a favorite.

This has more Virginia's in it, along the lines of Esoterica's "And So to Bed" but without the flavoring. I like it. Nice smokey English with the Latakia a bit more balanced in the mix. When I first opened the tin I could really smell the Virginia element as opposed to heavier Oriental/Latakia blends such as Pennzance. It was rather moist as well. A Germain characteristic. A little airing and it was good to go. Thin ribbon cut, tightly interwoven in the tin. Quick light. Nice change of pace now and then.

Appearance: Nicely variegated in color, traditional British ribbon cut. Goodly proportion of dark leaf evident here.

Aroma: Very rich English/Balkan aroma. The Latakia, Oriental and Virginia all are readily detectable.

Packing: Packs easily into almost any pipe. You may want to tear the ribbons when loading a small bowl. Lighting: Starts burning readily, just tamp and relight.

Initial flavor: Just as promised by the aroma, lots of condimental flavors on a good Virginia background. Nothing stays in the background here, all the elements come out to play immediately.

Mid-bowl: If asked to pigeon-hole this blend, I would have to call it English with Balkan tendencies, not a Balkan per se. The Virginias are still slightly dominant.

Finish: Burns cool and dry all the way down. There is a fairly strong mouth feel here, but not overpowering. Summary: An excellent blend from Germain. I wish it were offered in larger sizes, as is the Esoterica line. That?s my only complaint.

Pretty good, nice natural flavor. Can't say that it's among my favorites so far, but definitely a notch above Brebbia's Preludio blend.