J. F. Germain & Son King Charles Smoking Mixture
(3.06)
A mixture of high grade Cyprus latakia, Oriental and Virginia tobaccos. Named after Charles the Second who took shelter in Jersey after the civil war.
Notes: A straight blend of high quality Virginian, Oriental and latakia tobaccos giving a smooth smoke robust in strength, there are no added flavors, just the pure taste of natural tobacco.
Details
| Brand | J. F. Germain & Son |
| Blended By | J.F. Germain & Son |
| Manufactured By | J.F. Germain & Son |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Shag |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 50 grams pouch |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.06 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 61 - 70 of 72 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 08, 2001 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This is a very good but very different English blend. There is a strange, not unpleasant taste through most of the bowl, one that I have never tasted in a tobacco before. Regardless, it is a very relaxing and satisfying tobacco. The smell in the sample bag is that of an English blend, medium in strength and not apparently flavored. The tobacco is varied in color, black and medium brown and lighter brown, with medium brown the largest component. The cut is unusual: the sample came as a soft "brick", held together but not at all like a pressed flake, with some extra loose tobacco at the bottom. The cut is varied, most of it very long, but some medium length and rigid and some hair-fine; this makes packing properly rather tricky. It does light easily, though, and it burns well, needing the average number of relights. The moisture level is also roughly average. I chose a 1/4 bent Savinelli bulldog for the first bowl of this blend. For the first third, the taste is that of a good English blend: Latakia first, supported by other tobacco flavors. The Latakia is not overwhelming, this being a milder blend than Dunhill 965 or Raven's Wing. Still, it isn't *mild*, and it is very English, the smell of the smoke reflecting that. The taste is different, though, than I am used to. There is an element of spiciness here, and of sour sweetness (if that makes sense!), that I haven't noticed in English blends before. It doesn't taste like a casing, so it must be from the tobacco itself. It is especially noticeable when blown out through the nose. In the second third, the strange taste is still present, and there is a bit of bite as well. The basic tobacco taste hasn't changed much, though, with Latakia still clearly noticeable over the lesser tobacco flavors. The flavor overall is not very dark, but fairly full and complex, and even the weird taste isn't unpleasant, just different. In the last part of the bowl, the unusual taste has diminished somewhat, mingling more closely with the English flavor. It has settled into a very relaxing, pleasant smoke that is full and complex, but not overly dark. The minor tongue bite has ceased, and there are no problems with moisture in the bowl. Overall, this is a very good blend. I would not put it at the level of GLP Renaissance, but in the realm of medium-to-strong English blends, this is certainly worth noting. It is a very relaxing, unusual smoke, and I plan to buy one or more tins of this in the future.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 2024 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This tobacco is a very fine ribbon / shag, and was very moist on arrival, much too moist for my tastes, so over the time it's taken me to smoke the tin I've dried it out a lot which really has improved it.
Aroma in the tin is delicate, woody, earthy, bready Virginias, with mild yeasty aroma. The smokiness of the Latakia is more than just a hint, but it's been used with masterful discretion.
As supplied I found it difficult to light, it needed a few relights and the smoke was disappointing, becoming somewhat tarry at the end as a result. It has a mild flavour with delicate sweetness, and in this wet condition it became very steamy and gurgled due to the moisture. It was clear that it was better than this, so I dried it out bit by bit and enjoyed it in a range of conditions.
When it dried out somewhat it came into it's own. I'm smoking the last bowl of it now in a Meerschaum, the leaf is bone dry as I forgot it for a while in a spring top tobacco tin which doesn't have any kind of seal. At the light the smoke is softly astringent, woody with a gentle cedarwood note and a very subtle hint of incense and spice. The Latakia smoke is a very delicate background condiment. As it progresses the astringency becomes a little more pronounced, the cedarwood and incense more pungent and
The drier it is smoked, the more the astringency of the Orientals overcomes the Virginia sweetness, which to be fair is delicate to begin with.
I have to say it rather reminds me of Dunhill Durbar mixture which I do miss. King Charles mixture is perhaps a little milder and in a finer cut, but it's the same holy trinity of Virginia, Oriental and Latakia with the emphasis on the Orientals: my favourite type of English Mixture.
Aroma in the tin is delicate, woody, earthy, bready Virginias, with mild yeasty aroma. The smokiness of the Latakia is more than just a hint, but it's been used with masterful discretion.
As supplied I found it difficult to light, it needed a few relights and the smoke was disappointing, becoming somewhat tarry at the end as a result. It has a mild flavour with delicate sweetness, and in this wet condition it became very steamy and gurgled due to the moisture. It was clear that it was better than this, so I dried it out bit by bit and enjoyed it in a range of conditions.
When it dried out somewhat it came into it's own. I'm smoking the last bowl of it now in a Meerschaum, the leaf is bone dry as I forgot it for a while in a spring top tobacco tin which doesn't have any kind of seal. At the light the smoke is softly astringent, woody with a gentle cedarwood note and a very subtle hint of incense and spice. The Latakia smoke is a very delicate background condiment. As it progresses the astringency becomes a little more pronounced, the cedarwood and incense more pungent and
The drier it is smoked, the more the astringency of the Orientals overcomes the Virginia sweetness, which to be fair is delicate to begin with.
I have to say it rather reminds me of Dunhill Durbar mixture which I do miss. King Charles mixture is perhaps a little milder and in a finer cut, but it's the same holy trinity of Virginia, Oriental and Latakia with the emphasis on the Orientals: my favourite type of English Mixture.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 08, 2023 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a very solid light English blend. Very nice bouquet of flavors, although a bit on the subtle side. Difficulty in finding it and price (I think I paid about $28 for a tin) are the only factors keeping me from giving it 3 stars--as it is this is more in the 2 1/2 star range for me. Certainly enjoyable, and burns very well without getting too hot. Not out-of-this-world, but a good smoke nonetheless.
Pipe Used:
Chacom Maigret Morta
PurchasedFrom:
Rem's Pipe and Tobacco, Grand Junction , CO
Age When Smoked:
6 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Although no individual Germain tobacco is necessarily an absolute favourite of mine, Germain is rapidly becoming my favourite producer and one that I keep going back to when I can find the stuff! I have been outside their premises on the island of Jersey on a couple of occasions – maybe I should knock their door one of these days… Everything Germain I have tried is of a very high quality and quite unique in flavour; King Charles Mixture is no exception to this.
Subtle is the keyword in this blend. It produces a delicious light, sweetish/caramelised but distinctly Virginia tobacco flavour. This is backed up by subtle woody and smokey flavours (lightest touch of Latakia probably) with a little spice and some floral notes. But intriguingly, it has an almost salty, dry and tea-like finish which is particularly moreish. None of these flavours could be counted as strong, so my only concern is that if you are used to Latakia-heavy or very dark, strong blends ‘King Charles’ may seem a little flavourless to you, although it is anything but; the flavours are just subtle (or possibly esoteric...).
I’m even starting to appreciate their shag cut: when it is packed right it will burn to bottom of the bowl on a single light, leaving just a little moisture and if smoked normally there isn’t a hint of ‘bite’. As you might expect for such a blend the nicotine level is a little below moderate.
When finished, you are left with a proper tobacco, slightly floral/woodsmoke and very agreeable room note, a pleasing aftertaste, and a desire to have another bowl. Excellent.
Subtle is the keyword in this blend. It produces a delicious light, sweetish/caramelised but distinctly Virginia tobacco flavour. This is backed up by subtle woody and smokey flavours (lightest touch of Latakia probably) with a little spice and some floral notes. But intriguingly, it has an almost salty, dry and tea-like finish which is particularly moreish. None of these flavours could be counted as strong, so my only concern is that if you are used to Latakia-heavy or very dark, strong blends ‘King Charles’ may seem a little flavourless to you, although it is anything but; the flavours are just subtle (or possibly esoteric...).
I’m even starting to appreciate their shag cut: when it is packed right it will burn to bottom of the bowl on a single light, leaving just a little moisture and if smoked normally there isn’t a hint of ‘bite’. As you might expect for such a blend the nicotine level is a little below moderate.
When finished, you are left with a proper tobacco, slightly floral/woodsmoke and very agreeable room note, a pleasing aftertaste, and a desire to have another bowl. Excellent.
Pipe Used:
Peterson 304, City de Luxe Bulldog, Carey billiard
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 19, 2012 | Strong | None Detected | Extra Full | Strong |
When I first opened a tin of this, it was a bit harsh on my throat. After letting it sit for a few weeks it mellowed out considerably, and I find it to be a great example of a full English blend. The Latakia really comes out in this, and it is a good choice if you want a true English blend with no non-tobacco flavors to spoil the experience.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 26, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This was probably the best mixture I have tried so far from Germain.
Good descriptions have already been made, so I will not be long. i must say there is a unique taste to this one that I have yet to identify.
Very pleasant smoking experience if you are seeking a gold english blend that is not too strong.
Good descriptions have already been made, so I will not be long. i must say there is a unique taste to this one that I have yet to identify.
Very pleasant smoking experience if you are seeking a gold english blend that is not too strong.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 25, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
While contemplating a very low supply of Early Morning Pipe I stated searching through my cellar looking for something with a similar blend. My first pipeful was ok but a little uninspiring. There is something a little inadequate to the mixture even though it appeared to have a good blend of Virginia, Oriental, and Latakia. I am not a fan of the cut. On my second bowl I decided to use a Stanwell with a wide bowl. While waiting for it to dry for a bit I pondered the shag and decided to mix it with some Esoterica Tilbury, about 5-1 KC to T. What a nice smoke!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 28, 2010 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This mixture is good, but not good enough to repeat (IMHO)
It is quite distinctive, mixing different and good tastes, but Latakia is not enough noticeable and Orientals can be more alluring than here. Best players: quality Virginias.
Aftertaste is a little bit dry; a characteristic I find in EM and Balkans I like, but not enough. I just do prefer a chewing sensation in aftertaste. As I prefer the never ending aftertaste of a classy red wine or a superb whisky or cognac.
Tobacco prones to dry out with tin opened. I do not like this (I am not for dry tobaccos)
Good as a light English... but I am more for heavier ones.
Rdx score (10 pipes): 87.80
It is quite distinctive, mixing different and good tastes, but Latakia is not enough noticeable and Orientals can be more alluring than here. Best players: quality Virginias.
Aftertaste is a little bit dry; a characteristic I find in EM and Balkans I like, but not enough. I just do prefer a chewing sensation in aftertaste. As I prefer the never ending aftertaste of a classy red wine or a superb whisky or cognac.
Tobacco prones to dry out with tin opened. I do not like this (I am not for dry tobaccos)
Good as a light English... but I am more for heavier ones.
Rdx score (10 pipes): 87.80
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 30, 2009 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
As a Dunhill E.M.P. refugee, I have been looking for something to fill-in the void until E.M.P. returns, supposedly in Autumn 09. King Charles is a mild english blend where the latakia is the first among equals with the virginia and oriental tobacco. It arrives wetter than you want to smoke it out of the tin. I am going to order more, as that gentle dose of latakia is very addictive. An interesting tobacco worth a try if you like light english mixtures.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 17, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
I find this to be a true classic among English Mixtures. The interplay between Orientals and Virginias is Wonderful. The expert use of Latakia makes this a wonderful and rewarding smoking experience. It is light, flavorful and leaves you wanting even more. Good as an all day English smoke. Try it.
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