Boswell Pipes & Tobacco Imperial English

Smoking now:

Bag note is very musty Latakia, some vinegar tang, and a slight sweet aroma. Very nice.

Packed and lights just fine. The flavor immediately on lighting this is a sour, tangy, musty, herbal English Latakia blend. I get a decent dose of sweetness, from the Virginias most likely and I suspect this is topped or cased with a sweetener. I do not detect a specific flavor. This is far from the aromatic qualities of Military Force. Imperial English reminds me of PS Luxury English (that it’s slightly sweetened) but much much better with much more depth and character. The added burley probably adds depth and a smoothness adding an interesting twist imparting a woody earthy flavor in the background and smoothing the blend out. The red Virginias are sweet and tangy, along with the fruit of the perique and the “Turkish burley” this is like a slightly sweet Balkan blend. The retrohale is lovely and full of musty herbal sourness. No pepper spice from the perique.

Complex and flavorful. A slightly sweet and sour American English blend. Not an aromatic English at all, but a slightly sweet American English. Did burn a bit fast, no bite or harshness. Present short lived after taste. Well done. Love it.

This relatively new addition to the Boswell line reminds me of some other blends (like Altadis Lord Nelson) which all have a pervasive soapy note. If you've ever had a wine glass that was washed with soap and not properly rinsed you know the taste. The unpleasant soapiness is most evident when first set to flame, then slowly subsides as the bowl progresses. If you can get past that there are some flavors of toasted pinoli, baked sun-dried tomato paste, pan-scorched butter, and some Lebanese-like spices. Medium-bodied and burns fairly cool.

Doubtless this went through extensive trials before release, but apparently none of their core tasters have this sensitivity to soapiness. Based on how infrequently this is mentioned in reviews it would seem that it is a small minority of us who complain about blends with a soapy taste. Some have suggested that it may be the chemical taste of humectant that bothers some people. Maybe it won't bother you, but why not just stick with a blend that has a nice clean taste?

If you're looking for a medium-bodied English I suggest Dunhill/Peterson London Mixture, or try some of Boswell's more distinctive offerings like Northwoods, Majestic, or Titus.

Tin note of a wonderful American English. Aroma of a slight topping is detected. Minimal sourness from the Perique is noted.

Thin ribbon cut, One stem found in my 2 oz. pouch. Great moisture content, even though my package was delayed in arrival close to a week. This blend packs well!

Initial flavors are just a bit sweeter than Railroad Station. Slightly bready Virginia, nuttiness from the Burley, and a touch of sour spice from the Perique. The Latakia is probably the most subdued leaf in this blend, offering just a touch of smokiness to the overall mix. As much as I am reluctant to say, this blend seems a bit flat and monotone. I am a huge fan of Boswell's, both English and aromatics. But this one falls short for me unfortunately.