Sillem's London Blend

I'm not entirely sure why there is no label (as was the case with their Copenhagen blend), just a blank tin with the info sticker on back. The guts inside were certainly full of life... the English vapors came at you immediately. Not as much charcoal as I was expecting, a decent amount of Oriental spice, and just a whole lot of bloody beef. Together it was certainly intense.

The blend was pleasantly moist, thin cut with some larger bits tossed into the slurry of several leaf types. The lit product was incredibly deep, not excessive in nicotine strength, but very heavy in body (think molasses vs honey). In keeping with the tin aroma, there was not the drying charcoal taste I associate with other English blends (ie. Nightcap), nor the anestitising sharp sparkle of an Oriental, just a robust smoke.

As a whole, I may be getting a little burned out on English blends, but London here is easily on the upper shelf.

I had a bowl of this for breakfast this morning – the first time in 5 years since I last smoked it – and it’s been hiding in plain sight for years (literally) in a jar, on a wall shelf (not in deep isolation, in a darkened cellar), right above my briars. I looked at this blend and thought “Hmmm – I haven’t tried this in quite a long time – I think I’ll take it for a spin this morning, see if it's still any good.” Well, it was an amazing smoke, and I was blown-away when I came back inside and re-read the notes on this blend. If someone had given this to me in a blind taste test, I would have totally flunked it. First of all, had you told me there was Burley and Perique in this English blend, I never would have guessed and/or detected it. Secondly, as I sat puffing away on my porch, I’m thinking: “Wow, I love the Latakia, but the Virginias really sing nicely in this.” Well, there are no bloody Virginias in this blend, at all – none. So, either my palate is completely off-kilter, or this blend is a master of disguise – a real trickster, a shape-shfter – and it is downright amazing in taste. This blend screams “English” – not Scottish, not American, not Balkan (IMO) – but English . . . And yet it contains Burley, Kentucky, Perique, and absolutely no Virginia. Mind-blowing. (I was new to pipes when I first bought this, and I was seeking/in search of big, bold, overly-robust, high-nicotine tobaccos at the time -- so I didn't pay much attention to this blend). I would have to absolutely agree with SteelCowboy: “Sillem's London Mixture is one of those overlooked gems”, for that statement has indeed been my very own personal experience (quite literally). Very highly recommended. 4-stars.

Given the addition of Kentucky and Burley I was expecting this to be a hybrid or American English, but the front and centre character of the Black Cavendish puts this more in the Scottish Mixture category in my book

The tin note and the beginning of the bowl is marked by Latakia but this quickly settles back to allow the other tobaccos to be in play.

The BC gives this smoke a pronounced sweetness throughout, but this is not cloying at all and is well balanced by the Oriental sourness. There is a plum or berry character that might be from the Perique but is possibly an additive. Perique is here but in no great quantity and contributes, in addition to the fruity notes mentioned, a mild pepperiness on the tongue and lips.

I don't get the DFK notes promised but there is some burley bitterness and a certain ashy quality as the bowl enters the last half. Not a deal breaker by any stretch but enough to keep it from 4 stars from me.

I was a little turned off when I opened this for the first time, but boy what a difference once you smoke it. I am new to the pipe so I still have a lot of learning to do. The initial smell to me was a peppery rubber / tar smell, although I recently bought some Dunhill 965 and it smelled nearly identical, so that must be the Latakia. Anyway, have not tried the 965 so cannot compare the two, but this is a very well balanced english blend that delivers both thick smoke and a good taste. Interestingly enough, the aftertaste is similar to the tin note, despite not smelling or tasting this while it is lit. I recommend giving it a try. I will post an update after I finish the tin.

It was a very different, soapy, hard- texture Flake, that often causes heavy ghosting in your pipe. It was very different from all the other tobaccos, with a good dose of Latakia. It was a smoky- soapy- english... slap in your face. It is a completely different Blend. It is a crumble cake, which is very nice for itself. The moisture is really perfect, dry enough to smoke. And it has a very different aroma. It smells and tastes a little bit like almonds, very smooth and soft, only little soapyness. The Latakia is well embedded, but in the background. Main roles are played by the Virginias and the aroma. It burns very, very well. Well, it is of course a good blend. But not compareable to the old one. This one is much friendlier, easy, and well behaved.

Absolutely atrocious blend. The combination of latakia and Kentucky should, in theory, be pleasant for those looking for a fuller blend. However, all I got was harsh, acrid smokiness with no flavor but a resounding mouth coating that feels like the aftereffects of eating toast that is overly burnt. I couldn't get this stuff out of my pipe fast enough.

As an aside, I should mention I noticed the tin note outside the canister before opening my tin. This leads me to believe I could have gotten one with a bad seal.

Having tried both Sillem's Black and Green and not much taking to those either, I am convinced this blender may just not be for me.

This is certainly not your typical English blend, not even what we might call a “Dirty English” that uses Burley instead of Virginia, because there’s also no Turkish in it! I think of it more as an American blend with Latakia. I’m not sure what that has to do with London. Whatever you care to call it I am now loading up the cellar with this jewel!

Don’t be discouraged if it tastes a little rough when first set to flame; let it settle in to a steady pace and then enjoy the sumptuous feast of savory delights (especially vivid on the retrohale). Jar note is super savory, almost like one of the tobaccos has been pan-seared in salted butter. On the palate I get a deep earthy nutty foundation from the Burley, with additional flavors of celery seed, a little fennel and celery salt, toasted poppy seed and pine nuts, and pan-scorched au jus. Aroma is like a bowl of toasted pine nuts, with wafts of cedar wood. This is a full-blown gourmet course, folks!

Compared to some unobtainable blends by Germain and Esoterica this is readily available at a comparative bargain! No reason not to try this!