James B. Russell Monarch

(1.67)
A distinctive English Mixture, rich with the finest smoky Latakia, fragrant with Orientals, very smooth.
Notes: Released circa March 2002.

Details

Brand James B. Russell
Blended By McClelland Tobacco Company
Manufactured By  
Blend Type
Contents Oriental/Turkish, Latakia
Flavoring
Cut Ribbon
Packaging 50g Tin
Country United States
Production

Profile

Strength
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

1.67 / 4
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Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Apr 02, 2002 Medium None Detected Medium Tolerable
I can think of a dozen or two other Latakia blends I would prefer to this strictly by-the-numbers one. A rather rough finish, with a salty undertaste. Weak at the bottom too. Since I am not convinced that aging does anything to tinned pipe tobacco, I cannot say that putting this aside will round out its rather raw-boned character. I really wanted to like it. I just don't.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 22, 2006 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild Tolerable
I recently visited a tobacco shop while travelling and found a tin of JBR's Monarch for only $5.00. So, I brought it home, having never heard of it and curious to find out more. I opened the tin to a very pungent latakia heavy aroma, I had high hopes. Once lit the latakia must have sneaked out of the bowl when I wasn't looking. It had almost no latakia flavor, but I swear it was in the tin!

This turned out to be a very middle run English and I can see no reason to ever purchase it again, there are way too many great English blends to bother with blandness.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Oct 23, 2005 Very Mild None Detected Very Mild Tolerable
If leather sprinkled liberally with salt is a taste sensation that you crave, then Monarch is for you.

Light in flavor with musty overtones, and a coarse cut that doesn't really stay lit all that well, Monarch just didn't do it for me. On a positive note, it is cheap compared to other tinned blends.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jul 23, 2004 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild Tolerable
Monarch is supposed to be a middle-of-the-road English blend. Well, I guess I was on the wrong road. I found it to be flat and utterly lacking in character and depth.

The Latakia is weak, but then so is everything else in this one. Way too mild for me I?m afraid. Sometimes it tasted more like unflavored Black Cavendish than an English blend.

Nothing here to get or hold my attention. Might be OK for somebody?s first English blend though, but don?t get too hung up on it ? there are so many others out there that are so much better.

It is a smooth smoking mixture, and I guess if you tried really hard, it might bite. But I doubt it. It burns down very well.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 09, 2003 Medium Extremely Mild Medium Tolerable
This blend seems to be from the house of Mc Clelland which means that it will be of High Quality. It reminds me of "Frog Morton", "Old Dog", "Chesdin Mixture", but still has enough of a little twist in the flavor to distinguish it from the others. My can was from 1-13-2001 so this review may differ from "fresher" tins. Upon opening of the tin, you are greeted by a medium-short cut of mostly dark leaf with an occassional mohagany and yellow leaf peaking out here and there. The leaf will benefit from airing as it is a little moist. After airing, packing and lighting are easy with two lights enough to get you to the end of the bowl.Initial flavor is of a good, smooth "English" blend. About mid-bowl you taste two distinct flavors: Some turkish condimental leaf which spices things up nicely and some topping or casing that did not sit well with me (It gave me heartburn!!!). Toward the bottom of the bowl, this casing goes into the background (Thank God!) and your finish is fairly smooth. This is a good blend but is not exceptional. At $11.50 a tin, save your money and buy bulk "Margate" or "Penzance". As I smoke more, I am more convinced that a beginner can start with a exceptional blend and learn its nuances rather than spend a lot of money on this type. All in all, this is a better blend than many tobacconist's "bulk" blends, but not enough for me to come back to. Rating 3 out of 5 points. Enjoy...
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Aug 07, 2002 Strong None Detected Medium to Full Tolerable to Strong
Monarch is a good English blend that has somewhat of a unique hint of flavor that is difficult to describe. The tobacco is somewhat coarsely cut, but packs, lights and burns well. It is fairly middle of the road as English blends go in terms of strength and aroma. I recommend this tobacco for a try because it is somewhat different in flavor, but be advised that it is on the expensive side, retailing for around $11 for 50g.
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