The Smoker Legacy

The Cyprian latakia is smoky, woody sweet, and while it's the most obvious component, it leaves room for the other tobaccos to have their say. The Oriental/Turkish is lightly floral, dry and woody, always in the background. The perique offers plum and pepper, and is slightly more noticeable than the Turkish. The five Virginias are slightly grassy, mildly earthy, and has some citrus and minor dark fruit notes. The nic-hit is just past the mild level. No chance of bite or harshness. The strength threshold falls a tad shy of being medium. A well balanced blend that burns at a reasonable rate; cool, smooth and mildly creamy with no harsh or dull spots. There is a hint of sweet topping that I can't identify, but it don't detract in an way. Smokes to a gray ash with hardly any moisture left in the bowl, and needs an average number of relights. Has a pleasant after taste. Not quite an all day smoke.

-JimInks

Over the years, I have purchased a few pipes from Mel Feldman ("The Smoker") but never had the opportunity to sample any of his blends, due primarily to his hassles with the State of New York. So it was with great anticipation that I awaited the arrival of this re-created blend at my door. Legacy is a marvelous blend that is dominated throughout by some very flavorful Latakia. What makes this such a great smoke is the combination of Turkish (specifically Yenidje) and Perique tobaccos, and their success in 'taming' the rich Latakia component. There's a bit of sweetness present in the form of what I take to be yellow Virginias. (Contrary to one or more reviewers, I found no hint of Cavendish-process tobacco in the mix.) Taken together, this blend is a treat from start to finish.

I disagree with the previous reviewer, I think this is a delicious blend that is well balanced and smokes well in every respect.

You old timers (of which I am one), know that Mel Feldman ran the famous The Smoker Shop in Albany, New York for decades before finally retiring around fifteen years ago. He was an extraordinary blender and had world renoun house blends such as this one, Legacy. I always enjoyed visiting with Mel about his blends and he was very compassionate about this one. A very full flavored and rich English blend that poured smoke out of the bowl like an old time locomotive. In addition to the Cyprian, Mel used his expert hand to add just the right proportions of Perique, Virginia and a bit of Oriental leaf to make Legacy exactly what its name implies.

I would have to recommend this particular smoke. There is a very mild foretaste, almost undetectable, but halfway in there is a very delicious middle ground. Unfortunately, this blend has a very, very nasty aftertaste. Might want to bring some gum along. However, I have received numerous complements on how great it smells, so I suppose that is one good thing to say for it.

Another English with a hint of aromatic cavendish, similar to Frogmorton. A quality tobacco, but no better than most of this breed. I find that I tire quickly of the cavendish element.