J. F. Germain & Son King Charles Smoking Mixture

KCM is A fine tobacco perfectly described on the tin description. For that alone it's a 4 star blend. I don't find this to be as mild as so many reviewers do. I smoke full English and Balkan blends ( nightcap, sobranie, artisans blend etc ) yet I still find this satisfying and robust when packed tighter than normal in a very large bowl. It's not monotone nor is it super complex, however it needs a little attention to pick up on the nuances. I think it is on the flavor profile of squadron leader. Canning jar with a small space atop with air helps the tobacco mellow out as with almost any English tobacco I've ever had. Room note is pretty good compared to my usual smokes of heavier Latakia blends. Not a lat bomb but it's there and it's good. The blend is rich and actually seems to be a nice one to neutralize some of those ghosts left over from lat bombs. I've been smoking this in my big Dutch oven viprati. leaves no bad aftertaste and no film on your teeth.this is not going to knock any socks off or turn anyone into a unicorn, but it's a good one from a good blender without being a " hey, look at me " blend.

Another great tobacco no longer distributed in Italy and it's a great pity. King Charles had a very reasonable price for a typical english mixture, perfect for a novice or for an all day smoke, because the generous portion of Latakia doesn't undermine the balance of this blend. 4,0/5 in my personal rating system.

Not bad, but I am not sure the shag tobacco appearance would be my cup of tea. With sour candy fruit and Oriental undertones, the tin note is somewhat similar to Squadron Leader. Not a latakia bomb by any stretch of the imagination though. It is rather the Oriental tobacco that gains special prominence here. Because of the shag cut it tends to smoke hot in your bowl, but you can improve your smoking experience by slowing down your cadence. Because of its mild nature, you might erroneously think that this could as well be a morning blend, but I'd say this is not a tobacco to smoke when you are busy. In a manner of speaking, you need to get the knack of this tobacco to be able to enjoy it, which is all down to having a timeless sit-down and patience. The shag cut demands it. Just let your pipe sit for a while, light up again, take a sip of your favourite drink, and repeat this process over and over again, so don't expect to smoke it all in one go. It will get somewhat stronger the more you progress with your smoke, but not to that extend you will reach full taste anyway. This is a modest and timid mixture in that you can't expect her to lay down and spread out in front of you with her legs wide open. Rather, you will have to inquire and look for what she will be willing to offer you, so don't desperate. Because of the fact this tobacco can be quite challenging, it is going to get a 3 stars rating.

Edit 19/04/2017: treat this tobacco like you are smoking a vaper and it won't disappoint you. Just don't try to produce as much smoke, find your own pace, sip and sip again, and don't be demanding.

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.

If you like big bold blends, Latakia mixtures that make folk check to see if there's a nearby forest fire, you will likely dislike this tobacco. The Latakia is in the forground, but it is a mild Latakia with supporting Virginias and just enough Orientals to make it interesting (to me at least) without really being quite identifiable. I find this a relaxing, pleasant experience. (correctly moved here instead of the Esoterica label)

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).