Smokers' Haven 20th Anniversary Mixture

20th Anniversary is one of the Smoker's Haven's blend that are often overlooked, along with Select Mixture, Cognac, and In-N-Tween. The current version tastes very much like a Germain-made blend and seems similar to me to And So to Bed. It is a light English with a topping that does does not detract from the fine balance of the Virginias, Oriental and slight Latakia. It is a fine ribbon and smokes dry and cool. Worth a try.

I agree with Jiminks that this is about a 2.5 star blend, particularly to my tastes, so I am rounding it up to 3 because it is still a well done blend. This one is a little sour to my tastes probably as a result of the orientals used.

The blend seems to be dominated by both the Virginias and orientals with the lat present in a condimental sense. It lacks the creaminess that more latakia rich blends tend to have and is more tangy. The Virginia component is pretty sweet as should be expected as it is made by germain, who seems to age their vas extensively. Like all Germain blends it is a high quality product thus making it a recommended blend for those who enjoy the type of Balkan that this is.

For me, I enjoy more smoky and creaminess in these types of blends.

In the pouch this smells of smoky Latakia, so I had high hopes. Once lit it was an odd mixture. I could taste some sweetness, maybe Black Cav. or a light casing. It would make a very good transition for those who enjoy aromatics and would like to try an English blend that doesn' t taste bland. This tobacco has some real flavor to it, I could taste the Latakia throughout the entire bowl.

I will revisit this blend in warmer months, as I tend to enjoy a sweeter tobacco in the summertime. Recommended.

I recently recieved a sample of this from the fine folks at Smokers Haven. To my knowledge , I have never smoked a tobacco blend produced by J.F. Germain & Son. If they are all this pleasant, I should try more of them! This is a VERY smooth, relaxing and flavorful english blend. I have smoked many English blends in my time, and this one gets very close to top billing. The only thing I did not care for is the cut of the tobacco, very difficult to pack into the pipe. Other than that, top notch stuff. NO tonguebite, required few relights, very mild in the nicotine department ( Just my humble opinion ), and a non-offensive room note for those around you....this is the FIRST english blend my partner has not wrinkled his nose at! Give this one a try, I think you will be glad you did! Three out of four stars. Recommended!!

Received a sample from Smoker's Haven today. Sample was just about the right moisture. Aroma from the baggie was not as good as I was expecting (since Syrian latakia is present). Loaded a seasoned dunhill with a nice pack and proceeded with the char. Tobacco lit and burned very nicely without one relight necessary for the entire bowl. Initial flavor and smoke aroma was reminicent of Squadron Leader with the exception of a stronger sweetness from the Virginias. Midbowl the smoke obtained a nice smoothness that was relatively satisfying. Bottom of bowl was just as smooth and burned down to a fine white ash.

I started smoking pipes again recently and missed out on GL Pease's Syrian latakia blends. I wished I could have tried them so as to make a better comparison. I do have on hand however an 8 oz tin of Balkan Sobraine 759 aged about 10 years and have rationed a couple of bowl fulls recently. This tobac is not 759 nor close to Sullivan's "00" (my beloved blend), but IMHO it is better than SL. It does not have the complexity of Margate but it is an interesting smoke. Will update after a few more bowls.