Peter Stokkebye Proper English (No.52)

I have been a long time fan of Balkan Supreme (BS), so I had to grab some Proper English last time I was in the Tinderbox in Santa Monica (worth a stop just to look at the paraphernalia on the walls!). Not sure how long their bag had been open, but my four-ounce baggie-full was on the dry side, just the way I like it.

Proper English has become an all-time favorite. It's more earthy than BS, which is expected from the high percentage of Latakia. Nevertheless, it remains smooth as silk, full of flavor, a big mouthful of complexity that retains the Virginias in the background. This blend is very temperature dependent, meaning you can get differing experiences in the same bowl-full by firing it up then backing off on the temp.

The first three minutes are not so impressive, but once the bowl warms up and the flavors begin to meld, it turns into a fantastic experience that I don't want to end. I guess I need to get a pipe with a bigger bowl! When one considers the great price, I think there is no better value available in high quality english/balkan blends.

One of the better English bulks on the market. Well balanced, plenty of Latakia and rich in flavor. Widely available in bulk and reasonably priced. One of Stokkebye's finest achievements for sure. Knowledgeable smokers of English blends should enjoy it. Novice smokers maybe not so much.

I found this in bulk at my local tobacconist, as I very much enjoy latakia blends I thought I would give this a try. In the pouch it smells like pure latakia, and once it was lit, it was rather one dimensional. Somewhere between Early Morning Pipe and 965.

Not nearly as spicy or as strong as 965, but quite a step up from EMP. Recommended for those who want a daily latakia smoke that you can smoke and forget; which is not, what I usually smoke English blends for.

This is a good effort by a Danish company to produce an English blend, so I will give them an A for effort, but only a C+ for execution.

The blend is a fine cut ribbon, with a fairly high percentage of dark lead. The aroma that is of a medium english/oriental blend. Moisture level is OK for a bulk blend, but the tobacco stays mopist for a very long time; ergo must contain PG.

The flavor is typical of many similar tobaccos found in bulk in B&M stores, some Latakia, some Turkish, but just not exciting. There are too many great English blends out on the market to waste time and money on a mediocre one.

I have smoked perhaps 4 pounds of this in the last 24 months. This either means that I am pedantic, or it is good.

I prefer the second option, as my pride might be wounded by the first.

If one wishes to know how good a tobacco is, one must do two things.

First, connive to have a novice smell the contents of the jar. Have them breath deeply, and do not warn them.

Second, one must smoke the tobacco. These two things, the reaction of the novice, and the experience of the smoke, are the two principle things that form the true basis for any analysis of a tobacco.

If the novice hates it, and I enjoy it, it is good. If the novice retches, and I desire an immediate second bowl, it has achieved sublime greatness.

This method has never failed me. This tobacco is good.

This takes me back to the late 60's early 70's. A tiny bit reminiscent of BS 759.That "Blue Mountain Latakia" taste". Whatever that is. Just a little bit. Of course that's just me . The tobaccos melding is like a well balanced secret marinade. No ingredient dominates. The main dish though is Latakia. Everything else just enhances it's smokiness with an added nuance to a consistent theme. No unexpected shocks behind those mad blender's doors. Midway, the smokiness gets heavier but not at all overbearing. A campfire not a college barn fire. A sweeter BBQ sauce taste is here but not spiced up. More molasses/brown sugar than heat. But a pinch of black pepper. A smi-dry feel to the mouth. The mustiness comes through the last 1/3 or 1/4 of bowl. Not old celler more earthy mushroom. Never gets harsh for me. Never gets boring and always delivers a smooth, full smoke. What I expect from a Proper English these days. Ha Ha. I've been smoking this for years and will continue to until...... The dottle never disappoints. I try to smoke it like a happy dog chewing on a bbq bone. Chew... Yum.... Chew... Yum... Chew.... Yum. Stokkebye's best English.

This English blend was a well balanced smoke. I'd say a basic, standard English. The latakia was up front, but not over powering. It smoked well in both a longer stem and shorter stem pipe. No tongue bite or anything unpleasant. Taste was consistent with a oriental touch. Very nice.

Has a very smoky campfire-like taste to it, which is exactly what you want out of an English blend. Burns very cool and evenly, with lots of flavor. Definitely going into my rotation.

A good middle of the road English. Quality tobaccos without a lot of stems and hard pieces. I find this as good or better than many much more expensive tinned selections. At a very good bulk price, this hard to beat.