Blatter & Blatter Blatter Reserve

Funny how preferences can change, I personally have become quite tired of this one and find that the perique or maybe some other ingredient leaves an unpleasant sharp tingling sensation in my mouth sometimes (not quite tongue bite)The Cavendish is too abundant, leaving a long aftertaste and some excess moisture. I have come to the conclusion that this blend is more of a stepping stone from Aromatics to English, and once you fully enjoy a good English blend, I suppose this mixture loses its appeal.

This is a very soft, mostly dark tobacco with a rather mixed cut that makes pipe loading easy. The pouch aroma is definately one of Latakia, but it is rather sweet and subdued as compared to the smokiness of say ... Frog Morton. This burns very well but does have a bit of residual moisture. The flavors are quite rich, but not overwhelming in any aspect. They also seem to gain in strength as you progress further down the bowl. I can honestly say that I've enjoyed each bowl I've smoked ... whether it was first thing in the morning, after lunch or in the evening. Another big plus is that my non-smoking wife really enjoys the room aroma. This is a winner for me and one that I would recommend highly.

This is an interesting hybrid: English, aromatic, Virginia. Something for everyone, and I find it dangerously, deliciously addictive. The pouch aroma is heavy with latakia--almost off-putting, but there is some sweetness to the aroma. It packs easily and burns like a champ with minimal relights necesssary. I have smoked it in large and small bowls, all briar, and have the same result in all. The first third is sweet and flavorful; cool burning with no bite. You can taste the English/orientals but there seems to be some Cavendish to make it this pleasantly sweet. The middle third is slightly stronger as is the bottom third. The nicotine kick is very light until the bottom of the bowl when it becomes moderate. It burns to a dark ash with minimal dottle. Clean, very dry, and the fastest cake builder I have ever smoked. This has quickly become my favorite and my all-day smoke. My office staff tolerates it well and I can smoke it bowl after bowl, anticipating each one. A masterpiece!! Highest recommendation.

I was looking for an out of the ordinary english blend and was recommended this one by my local pipe maker and tobacco retailer. I was not disappointed and am smoking it regularly now.

Sweet and sugary at first light. Smooth smoke with S'more cookies taste (roasted marshmallow+dark cracker+chocolate). I attribute this to the Black Cavendish that seem to be the main component of the blend. Then, passed the first third of the bowl, the Perique slowly starts to come ahead and the taste transforms itself into a mild and clean peppery one with some grassy leathery tones to it. This second voice becomes dominant as you keep on smoking and happens to be solid and refreshing. I hardly taste Latakia. Will ghost your pipe.

Mr. Blatter also told me that they can no longer blend tobaccos (something concerning the Canadian law), so they now ask Lane ltd. to make their recipes. That means that house blends now come in tins, which is a plus for me.

Okay.... Where do I start?

This baccy comes bulk in a ziplock pouch bag and smell beautiful, creamy and rich, earthy and like leather I find it best to let sit for an hour to dry. Smoking as is caused for the leaves to burn too hot. Even dry, I found that I had to smoke this as though I were smoking straight Virginias. It does bite a bit if you get greedy, and will taste bitter. Just kiss this one and it'll reveal itself. The retrohale is lovely. I'm not picking up any perique. That zing in the nostrils usually caused by perique isn't present.

I smoked this a year ago and it seemed sweeter then.

I don't know if this one compares to Balkan Sobranie as advertised...Because I haven't tried it!

This mixture is rather dark and has, yes, something similar to cocoa in it...

Smoking is slow and cool, with the presence of Latakia, VA and some unsweetened black CA. I am not sure I make out the Orientals in this one, though...

Overall, a good smoke. But you have to smoke it fast because it turns rather bland after a couple weeks.

This is a very nice smoke. Mild English in aroma and the perique only dances a bit on the tongue...not in your face like the Mild English is.

Too moist...let it air before smoking. Quality tobaccos. The cavendish adds a mellowing impact to the smoke. Lots of billowing white smoke full of aroma.

My wife and I have found that mixing this 50/50 with Blatter's London rounds it out to a fuller and more robust smoke but still mild enough to be enjoyed.

I have never smoked Balkan Sobranie type blends so I cannot compare this to any.

We love it. My wife places this second to Squadron Leader in her preferences. Personally, I put this third in my preferences, giving Squadron Leader first place, Blatter's Oriental Pleasure second.

Its a good smoke none the less and should be tried.

Yea, Blatter Reserve, another of their popular blends.

Yes, I also wonder why they compare it to Balkan Sasieni, it is totally different!

Nevertheless, we are in presence of a very decent bulk blend, with notes of Latakia, mainly, and a cacao aroma, secondly. Then, when smelling repeatedly, the VAs and orientals will become discernable.

I've finished the bag every time I've bought that blend. It has a tendency to become smoother after a week or so, and maybe loose a bit on the taste side, but it still retains some character.

A good effort for a bulk blend. It's worth a try, boys.

If I had read the description of this blend before trying it, I would have been disappointed. I have no idea where they get the idea that it bears any resemblance whatsoever to Balkan Sobranie. I?m glad my experience with Reserve was not prejudiced in this manner, and I tried it on its own merits.

Reserve is an English blend with Cavendish, but not in the way of 965. This Cavendish makes its presence known in a much bigger way. In fact, the last third of the bowl, which was the richest part of the bowl, was heavy on the Cavendish. Surprisingly enough, that was my favorite part of the bowl. The Latakia was still there, and the sweetness of the Cavendish added to it for a very unique flavor experience. It could almost be called an English to Aromatic crossover blend. It?s light on the Virginias and Oriental/Turkish style leaf. Perique, if it really is there, is in minute quantity.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable smoke. I may have to bite the bullet on the excessive taxes and all, and buy some. The bag I got was from a friend who had bought it some years ago. He recently found it in the back of a closet, unopened, and shared it. If you?re looking for a replacement for Balkan Sobranie, keep looking, this isn?t it. But if you want something full in flavor, cool smoking, and with a hint of sweetness, this could be the answer.