Wilke Pipe Tobacco Red Oriental

I find this blend to be an exceptional blend largely because it is so harmonious, balanced, moderate and different. There is simply no conflict between the components to establish which one is in charge—everything works cooperatively together. I can pick up this blend at any time (or multiple times) during the day and know that I’m going to enjoy the smoke.
In this relatively new Wilke line of Oriental blends (Vice Cat, Mediterranean Nights, Dark and Red Oriental) Red Oriental is the least flamboyant, less Oriental forward (so less spicy), more subtle and a bit less complex. I certainly don’t mean to imply that Red Oriental is a bashful, shy or retiring blend lacking flavor, strength and substance. In my opinion it’s almost a medium all around—about 4.5-5 out of 10. It’s just that I find the flavor to be less complicated and less forceful than the other three Orientals in the collection. (I am excluding Royal Admiral (even though it was introduced at about the same time as the rest in the Oriental collection) largely due to its Latakia content which really alters the flavor profile and smokes quite differently.)
Another has dissected this blend in detail—I’ll avoid that exercise. My palate readily identifies the Red Virginia followed by the Oriental element then the Maduro leaf along with a hint of butter toffee from the Royal Scot. I emphasize the importance of approaching this blend in its all-together, it’s a blend after all, so focus on the tobacco interaction. And everyone is going to identify and react to things in their own individual way. It’s rather subjective and personal and we each enjoy different things in different ways.
I’ve been smoking pipes for over 5 decades and I’ve smoked hundreds, perhaps not thousands, but certainly hundreds of different blends, mixtures, flakes, coins, ropes and twists. And I have to say that this Wilke collection of Oriental blends is noteworthy, worthwhile, novel and quite different.
I believe that this blend deserves more than a 3-star rating (maybe 3.6), but it doesn’t actually quite attain a 4. However, due to the limitations of a whole number 1-4 rating system, I’ll be awarding a 4.