Sillem's London Blend
(3.54)
A blend of latakia, cavendish, perique, burley and some Kentucky leaf make this a rich and full flavored blend.
Details
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.54 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 28 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 13, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Nothing tricky, weird or even remotely dangerous going on in this round can 'o ribbon, and precious little in the way of fermentation. In other words, Sillem's London Blend is NOT a more approachable version of Sillem's prodigal Commodore Flake (more's the pity...). Instead, LB smokes like a well done but garden variety, lat-forward, medium English blend. The Burley is tamed here, and the Perique and Cavendish manage to soften the Latakia while calling little attention to themselves. Either that or the Latakia makes the other tobaccos "smoky" enough to obscure them. One does get a certain roundness from the Burly that is not often gotten from Virginias. The taste has the requisite "smoke", and there are "nuts", but the thing I like most about this blend is the sour note that starts past 1/2 way and goes on to create a smoke/sour aftertaste that lingers a l-o-n-g time and winds up making me want another bowl, not because I'm not satisfied, but... just because more "sounds good". As far as the quantity of smoke delivered, there's plenty while it's burning, but you will have to figure out how to keep it lit...
Basically, there's little to not like here, it is just as expected, and as long as you're good with the genre, you might even like it a lot. Like I said in my review of COG's York Full Mixture, the English League is tough these days. As for comparing the LB and YFM, they are two well-formed peas in a fairly crowded pod.
Over time I'll re-visit the LB I put in the cellar.
Basically, there's little to not like here, it is just as expected, and as long as you're good with the genre, you might even like it a lot. Like I said in my review of COG's York Full Mixture, the English League is tough these days. As for comparing the LB and YFM, they are two well-formed peas in a fairly crowded pod.
Over time I'll re-visit the LB I put in the cellar.
Pipe Used:
medium briars
PurchasedFrom:
Liberty Tobacco
Age When Smoked:
young to years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 03, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Prior to taking up the pipe, I smoked Partagas cigars, having been attracted to the peppery nature of their taste.
While I typically smoke aros, this was a wonderful reminder of all that is good in a truly good cigar.
Truly wonderful, particularly with caffe normale (or otherwise) on the side.
I did not dry the tobacco, and may well do this next time as two relights were required; might also advise a slight rub as some of the blond bits are rather large.
A beautiful smoke.
While I typically smoke aros, this was a wonderful reminder of all that is good in a truly good cigar.
Truly wonderful, particularly with caffe normale (or otherwise) on the side.
I did not dry the tobacco, and may well do this next time as two relights were required; might also advise a slight rub as some of the blond bits are rather large.
A beautiful smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 11, 2012 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Full | Pleasant |
Love this blend. The latakia takes the center stage in this one giving it a very peppery flavor. The tin I bought was just perfect, not too dry, not too wet. Packed well and took a light right away staying lit through the bowl. Dense cool smoke from start to finish. Will be buying more of this in the future.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 08, 2011 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable to Strong |
It's hard to find information on any of Sillem's blends save for 'Black.' I was hesitant to try this one out due to the dearth of informational reviews.
Having said that, this is a great tobacco, albeit one that doesn't have a distinct identity. It has the entire kitchen sink thrown in, so you'll find it showing you different notes during smoking and variations during subsequent smokes.
There's nothing to disappoint here, but little to make it a standout. I compare it to Peter Stokkebye's 'Proper English' save for the Oriental component, which smooths that tobacco out slightly. Nice Latakia component.
Very nice, if not slightly underrated, English blend.
Having said that, this is a great tobacco, albeit one that doesn't have a distinct identity. It has the entire kitchen sink thrown in, so you'll find it showing you different notes during smoking and variations during subsequent smokes.
There's nothing to disappoint here, but little to make it a standout. I compare it to Peter Stokkebye's 'Proper English' save for the Oriental component, which smooths that tobacco out slightly. Nice Latakia component.
Very nice, if not slightly underrated, English blend.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02, 2011 | Strong | Strong | Extra Full | Pleasant |
This is a very underrated blend, it just goes to show you that people are very influenced by brands and names. I don't know about you but I don't care who's name (brand) is stamped on a tin, if it's good than it's good! What we have here is an excellent English blend that, in my opinion has surpassed Dunhill or any popular blend you have out there. It's complex, full flavored and very satisfying. Go ahead and give this blend a try, if you love your English blends, than you'll love this.
-Essential.
-Essential.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 04, 2023 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
The fairly sweet Cyprian Latakia provides plenty of smoke, earth, wood, floralness, some incense, leather, and mild spice as the lead component. The dark fired Kentucky offers a lot of earth, wood, spice, vegetation, some sourness, nuts, floralness, mild sweetness, and barbecue as a strong supporting player. The perique produces a lot of pepper, earth, wood, and sweet plums in the third position. It’s a slot behind the Kentucky. The rugged burley is earthy, woody, bready and nutty. It’s just above the condiment line. The aspects of the bright Virginia cavendish are a little tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, sugar, vegetation, sour lemon, floralness, spice, and a touch of acidity. It accents the proceedings. The strength and nic-hit are a step past the medium level. The taste is a notch past that mark. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. it does have some rough edges, which is typical of blends in this genre that aren’t topped. Well balanced and complex, it burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a very consistent sweet and sour, floral, smoky, spicy, savory flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is pungent. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Not quite an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Three stars.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 27, 2017 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
I found this to load, pack, and light well. It burned well w/o getting hot and I found the taste and strength to be complex and it seemed to change every few puffs. This was a very enjoyable smoke and will be a regular of mine from now on. Highly recommend this especially for new pipe smokers looking for something different that isn't too strong.
Pipe Used:
Sav. Ontario,Chacom Canadian. Pete Killarney
PurchasedFrom:
Tobaccopipes.com
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
My goodness, what a great tasting blend this is. Very smooth and smoky Latakia whose flavor has been enhanced and complimented by the Kentucky. The Burley adds a mild underlying nuttiness. The Cavendish adds a little toasty sweetness. The Perique adds a little spice and a faint hint of fruit. A sublime and complex treat for the taste buds.
Needs a little drying time. Mild to medium in body. Very nearly full in flavor. Burns very well and even. A must try for English lovers.
Needs a little drying time. Mild to medium in body. Very nearly full in flavor. Burns very well and even. A must try for English lovers.
Pipe Used:
MM General, MM Country Gentleman, MM Mark Twain
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 20, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
This was quite tasty. Had it dried out to nearly bone-dry and it loaded and lit well. Plumes of smoke, nice gentle peppery, nutty smoke (slightly salty too). This is a great medium English and I'd like to get my hands on some more of it. Good job fellas!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 26, 2012 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Objective: This tobacco was still somewhat moist when I got it. This was gifted to me from a friend, and I don't have any idea of availability and/or price since I have not researched it.
Subjective: This packed well, lit easily and stayed lit well through the bowl. Copious amount of cool smoke, which I really appreciated. The Latakia and the Kentucky seemed to be the stars with the perique not really making its presence known, except in the most subtle way. A great tobacco for not having any Orientals, which I favor greatly. Will enjoy the rest of the pouch I have, and may make a purchase for more.
Subjective: This packed well, lit easily and stayed lit well through the bowl. Copious amount of cool smoke, which I really appreciated. The Latakia and the Kentucky seemed to be the stars with the perique not really making its presence known, except in the most subtle way. A great tobacco for not having any Orientals, which I favor greatly. Will enjoy the rest of the pouch I have, and may make a purchase for more.
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