Paul Olsen No. 7000

I picked this up about 2 weeks back and have since smoked 10-12 bowls of it. Both in a Peterson full bent and a cheap ebay meer. EXCELLENT in both pipes, but very different.

The briar comes across as more subtle and soft, but the meer allows this baccy to taste the way the tin smells...smoky and earthy. I wish I knew what percentage of Latakia this contained, because I get the feeling that is what I like best in this blend.

Upon opening the tin moisture is as near perfect as I have come across. I don't need to try and dry it before smoking. It burns to a clean dry grey ash and the tiny bit of dottle is always dry, making it a low pipe maintenance blend.

Any bite I have gotten has really been my own fault and the result of my being an impatient smoker.

Update Jan. 2006: This is extraordinarily similar to Peter Stokkebye Balkan Supreme bulk blend. If there is any difference, this is a touch sweeter. Both are delicious. Further, Balkan Supreme seems to me identical to Balkan Sasieni. Hmmm, all three blended by PS....

Update Feb. 2005: After smoking this for nearly two years, it is in my Hall of Fame of full English or medium-full Balkan blends.

It is not as full as Caravan, but fuller than Margate and Renaissance. Much fuller than McClelland's Balkan's.

The Orientals are scrumptuous, with tanginess, floral, herbal and woodsy essences. 7000 is less edgy than Red Rapparee (which Orientals I find even a bit sweet) and McClelland's Syrian Full and Super Balkans.

The Latakia is killer and generous; robust, but in complete balance with the Turkish.

I think the leaf cut requires a bowl with 3/4" or larger bowl opening diameter. The oxygen will help keep this lit and require lighter drawing. Add fairly tight packing for all three layers (if that is how you load your bowl), and tongue bit should reduce.

I ordered Stokkebye's Balkan Supreme and will compare it with 7000 and Balkan Sasieni in a future review.

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Presentation is a large tin with a pop-top, not the twist top variety (kind of like a can of Quick). Tobacco is on the dry side, yet packs easily, burning fairly cool, thoroughly and with little dottle.

I cannot find fault with this blend, but much in the way of pure pleasure. Nice complexity and smoothness. Taste is upfront, plentiful and steady throughout the smoke.

Initial tin aroma led me to think "late evening." Instead, I enjoy this throughout the day and after a hearty meal.

I am considering cellaring many tins of 7000. Over the internet it can be had for a bargain. I will try 3005, too. If you like Dunhill's 965, this is a must. If you want a great, world-class English style blend, go for 7000.

This being my first review, I am not sure it should be considered a fair one...... the reason is that my particular tin of 7000 was opened about 3 years ago. Perhaps it has worked positive wonders for this tobacco blend; perhaps it has destroyed some of the better qualities it once had...... It is beyond me to positively know. As with rifle barrels made on the same machine, each barrel will shoot differently....... so be it with pipe tobacco.

Surprise originally greeted me 3 years ago upon opening the tin, I did not expect such an overall dark colored tobacco. I have forgotten how it packed then; it packs very well now. I do not use the 3 layer method anymore, I simply pack thin layer after thin layer with light and judicious tamping. Very gentle.

Upon light up, the flavor is full and thoroughly enveloping. I am overcome with the thought of please let this continue to arrive in such a wonderful, full, surround sound. Samsun certainly does play its part and does play it well, but the symphony is made complete and full by the orientals...... such a sweet symphony in perfect note orchestration. Strong, full, yet plesantly sweet...... no tongue bite for me, though I am terrible about smoking a pipe too quickly...... too anxious to enjoy the feast. Even if smoked too fast, this will not turn into a rocket sled on the end of a stick.

It did leave a plesant taste in my mouth and that most wonderful of feelings...... wanting another bowl immediately. Fully and cleanly burned to the bottom of the bowl, this one has earned its way to the top of my favorites list. I will stockpile this one..........

As simply a side observation, I found this now to be sold as My Own Blend....#7000..... only a thought.

RIPDUNDEE

I love this stuff and have been smoking it exclusively since I bought my tin about three weeks ago. The addition of Turkish Samsun really makes this blend unique. Folks who enjoy other English styles like I do (e.g., Penzance and the many Dunhill offerings),will probably like this too.

This blend has definitely one of the best Oriental parts on the market and it would be worth smoking just for that, but it has many other good characteristics. The packing and lighting are easy due to the perfect moisture level and almost shag cut, the latakia used is one of great quality and smokiness, the Cavendish sweetens a little the mixture but it isn't very detectable in the amount of flavour generated by the orientals and the latakia. The body is light enough to consider it an all day blend. The fast burning can cause some problems to your tongue if you don't pay attention at your smoking pace, but nothing compared to the majority of Virginia and aromatic blends.

I have gone on record before saying that, in my opinion, a marriage latakia and cavendish is never a good idea. With this blend, I think I should reconsider.

There is a significant (but not overwhelming) latakia presence and, yes, I can detect the cavendish as well. However, instead of the bland, murky flavour that I've noticed with other famous latakia/cavendish blends (no need to name names here), this one really seems to come alive in a pleasant sort of way. I also did not detect any dry-mouth for which latakias are famous (at least in my estimation), and tongue bite was non-existent.

Smoking this is pure pleasure.

This blend has made it into my daily rotation for many reasons: Visually it is a mostly dark ribbon cut with an occasional red and brown when you look closely. Tin odor is delicious! One is almost tempted to bite in! Packing is easy due to the ribbons not being too long. Lighting is an easy two vesta affair. Upon first light, you are instantly presented with a bright, zesty flavor which settles down to a delicious mellow smoke to the bottom of the bowl. I have to say that the oriental leaf in this blend is particularly tasty! This is an all day blend with enough complexity to keep you interested, but not too busy to overload your senses. This one is in the same class as Rennaisance, Margate, Penzance, etc...This is the first "Danish" attempt to make an "English" and they have succeeded wonderfully, 5 out of 5 points, a true "TULIP" blend.

I smoke a lot of English blends and sometimes I find myself in a rut. This tobacco was a refreshing change. My Own Blend 7000 is a unique blend of Latakia, black Cavendish, Orientals and Turkish Samsun. When Latakia and Cavendish are belded properly, the result can be a welcome variation for smokers of English blends. I love a little bit of sweetness mixed with the smoky richness of Latakia. However, with this blend the subtle and velvety sweetness comes from the Samsun. I find this blend to be elegant, rich and smooth. It has the flavor of a full-bodied, Latakia-based blend but it's not too stout. The Cavendish and Samsun add complexity to the blend and impart a touch of flavor. This is one of my new favorites and I will keep some on hand with my other favorite English blends.