Peter Heinrichs No. 169

Although I have known of Peter Heinrichs tobacco blends for a long time and had a copy of their large glossy master catalog for the last several years, I don't remember ever possessing one nor finding anyone who offered them for sale. So when I found four tins of No. 169 for sale on ebay and knowing that it was an english blend, I bought them. I set one back for myself and offered the other three on my table at our 2013 NASPC show. From 9 AM to 5 PM I had one person who payed any attention to them at all and he complained that a German-speaking friend of his translated the German language in their catalog as being very different from the English language also in their catalog!

After the show I decided to open one of the tins to get some answers. I had a lot of trouble prying the paintcan-style lid off with a blade screwdriver and even more trouble getting it back on for a seal. What I found was a darkish tobacco with some lighter elements in it made up of some ribbons, some shags and a curious number of irregular rolled chunks that, when unrolled, looked like they had been cut (or torn) by hand. The mixture was adequately moist and only had to be dried for a short period of time. I agree with another reviewer that there was some form of topping but it was not heavy-handed and had either no noticable aroma or, at least, very little aroma. I also agree with the reviewer that it is probably a water-based solution of some sugar content.

So I loaded up and had at it. In keeping with its appearance of mostly dark elements with only a smattering of blond material, it smoked with a low register that was more broad than deep. The latakias were present at all times but not overpowering and the oriental was there in the background. The virginias are dark and stoved, which gives it the low register and makes it a very different english smoke than something like Magnum Opus or 965 or most other english blends that a lot of us have smoked. This blend smokes much closer to the old Bengal Slices that we smoked back in the old days, only not quite as latakia strong.

Although I can recommend this blend to english smokers in general; be prepared - this blend is strong in a way that might not be as familiar nor enjoyable to the average english smoker. Oddly,it might just be appealing to those of us who like a darker stoved-style virginia smoke. I am now enjoying blending with this tobacco and give it a solid three stars.

A fellow pipesmoker buddy of mine picked up a tin of this tobacco to try, (as we always sample each others new acquisitions), and gave me a bit to try.

I packed a medium bent pot and proceeded to light. Lighting was easy, (one re-light only), and the flavor from the get-go was slightly sweet on the palate. I could taste a mild fullness of the blend with a sweet note playing in and out as I proceeded down the bowl.

Virginia and the casing used seem to be the main characters, with the Oriental and Latakia components playing a background, secondary role

As for the casing? Maybe a simple sugar, nothing with a distinct flavor, pleasant, not overpowering.

The ash is grey and I did not encounter any 'gunk' in the heel upon completion. A nice change of pace that does not offend the household.

Full bodied, but on the medium side.

Smoking now:

A sample bag. Big leaves! Fun to pack as the leaves are gigantic. Smells like a Balkan/English blend. Sweet hay and smokey Latakia. Moisture seems fine, smoked right away.

Not too full flavored for an English blend, a buttery smooth mouth feel. The herbal spicy smokey Latakia is there but it’s not a lat bomb. It’s balanced out with the other tobaccos. Woody, spicy, sour, vegetative, hay, smokey. Not overly complex. The Virginias do add a bit of sweetness which I noticed half way though the bowl. It’s quite nice. However the leaves are so big maybe I hit a Virginia leaf. Either way it was enjoyable. The retrohale is pleasant. Smoked at a normal pace and behaved well. Few relights. Left a slight spicy aftertaste is my mouth like other English blends but it’s welcomed. Would smoke again.

Tin note of smoky sour, slight sweet and earth. Tobacco is a mix cut of ribbon, broken flake and course cut. Tobacco is mostly brown and light brown with some black and a little dark brown. Moisture content is great. Larger chunks may need a little rubbing. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and mostly consistent, with notes of smoky, herbal sour, wood, floral, spices, toast, butter orange peel, tart citrus, earth, incense, slight spicy, musty vegetation, leather, a mildly sweet, zesty lemon grass background note, and a very peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Virginia and Orientals supporting. Room note is tolerable to strong, and aftertaste is great.