Brebbia Preludio (Mixture No. 60)
(2.93)
A fine blend consisting of Virginia tobaccos from the US, high quality Macedonian tobaccos, and Syrian latakia. An exclusive aristocratic pipe mixture - Classic English Blend.
Details
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.93 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 14 of 14 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a high-quality, unflavored English blend with a focus on the unique qualities of Syrian latakia.
With that out of the way, let me say that I don't think there's any way this blend has perique in it; I'm extremely sensitive to perique, and I finished the tin quickly and with nothing but pleasure. I'll also add that I didn't experience any of the moisture problems others here have noted. I was smoking a recent, 2007 tin, though, in case that's a factor in terms of current quality control.
Beyond those amendments, I don't have any poetry to share about this one. It isn't as deeply "Syrian" as some blends -- particularly GLPease's discontinued Syrian line -- but the distinctive sweetness and hint of floral qualities that come with Syrian latakia are still there. I like my Englishes best when they lean more toward latakia than Virginias, and this one complies. The orientals tie it together neatly, without ever dominating enough to swing this into Balkan territory.
I'll just add that I followed this tin with a five-year-old tin of GL Pease's Raven's Wing. There are distinct similarities between the two blends, although Raven's Wing exhibits, in my opinion, richer Virginias and a more flavorful Syrian latakia. But RW is no more, and Preludio is still with us. If you miss RW and are looking for a *similar* replacement, Preludio might well fit the bill for you. But regardless: Preludio is an enjoyable blend all on its own merits.
With that out of the way, let me say that I don't think there's any way this blend has perique in it; I'm extremely sensitive to perique, and I finished the tin quickly and with nothing but pleasure. I'll also add that I didn't experience any of the moisture problems others here have noted. I was smoking a recent, 2007 tin, though, in case that's a factor in terms of current quality control.
Beyond those amendments, I don't have any poetry to share about this one. It isn't as deeply "Syrian" as some blends -- particularly GLPease's discontinued Syrian line -- but the distinctive sweetness and hint of floral qualities that come with Syrian latakia are still there. I like my Englishes best when they lean more toward latakia than Virginias, and this one complies. The orientals tie it together neatly, without ever dominating enough to swing this into Balkan territory.
I'll just add that I followed this tin with a five-year-old tin of GL Pease's Raven's Wing. There are distinct similarities between the two blends, although Raven's Wing exhibits, in my opinion, richer Virginias and a more flavorful Syrian latakia. But RW is no more, and Preludio is still with us. If you miss RW and are looking for a *similar* replacement, Preludio might well fit the bill for you. But regardless: Preludio is an enjoyable blend all on its own merits.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 17, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
This was the first English mixture I ever purchased in a tin. I loved the scent upon first opening, but dang this stuff was moist. I had to leave the lid off for about two days to get it properly dried. However, once that was done it lit and smoked great, only ever ocassionally going out on me.
I'm not sure how well I really like this blend. It's robust, but there is just the slightest hint of flavoring that comes through. I'm not sure what it is, but it reminds me a little of fermented fruit or plum wine (perhaps it's perique?). That bugs me, because it really does not strike me as a natural taste of the tobaccos, being more artificial in nature. It only comes through when you pull a little hard on the draw, but at least it doesn't bite you. Another irritating factor is that the Latakia really fades out about halfway through the bowl, leaving only sweetness and that weird fruity sensation.
I think that this would be a better blend if they would just somehow tone down that fruitiness. I still like it, just not as much as a lot of other English blends.
I'm not sure how well I really like this blend. It's robust, but there is just the slightest hint of flavoring that comes through. I'm not sure what it is, but it reminds me a little of fermented fruit or plum wine (perhaps it's perique?). That bugs me, because it really does not strike me as a natural taste of the tobaccos, being more artificial in nature. It only comes through when you pull a little hard on the draw, but at least it doesn't bite you. Another irritating factor is that the Latakia really fades out about halfway through the bowl, leaving only sweetness and that weird fruity sensation.
I think that this would be a better blend if they would just somehow tone down that fruitiness. I still like it, just not as much as a lot of other English blends.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 13, 2005 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This blend was really moist upon opening the tin so I had to let it air out for a few days before smoking it. It packs easy, lights easy and burns clean and even. No dottle and no lingering on the pallate. The Syrian, oriental and VA play well together for a very sweet and creamy, buttery smooth experience in taste and aroma. While all the leaf in this blend is of quality, The Syrian really pulls the VA and orientals together. A wonderfuly balanced blend. The only catch is, you must let this dry out before smoking. 4 solid Stars nonetheless.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 31, 2003 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
This is a surprise contribution that will earn its place as a benchmark English blend along side My Mixture 965, Red Rapparee, Squadron Leader and Penzance to name an important few.
Packaging: Wide round tins, which I appreciate, though I like printed tins rather than the paper labels popular today.
Presentation: The tobacco cut is short and medium thin ribbons of light, but mostly brown and black colors.
Preludio comes very moist and requires a significant reduction in moisture. The initial moisture really hampered lighting and taste. I gave this months to set up properly- it was well worth it.
Packing: Packs easily into small and larger pipes.
Lighting: This almost needed only one light once it dried out to a proper humidification.
Burn: Easy burn requiring infrequent tamping. Rate of burn is on the quicker side, but slow enough for economics. It smoked excellently in my most unforgiving pipe.
Taste and aroma: Herbaceous, creamy, smokey, spicey, rich, complex, rounded, slightly sweet building in richness and complexity all the way to the end, though starting out flavorful, too. Smooth and clean burning, as is the palate during and afterward.
There is an expert balance of the Virginia base to the condimental use of Oriental and Syrian Latakia. This may be the tastiest Syrian Latakia I have yet to encounter.
Hard puffing could nip the buds, but it would take some effort. I have yet to smoke any English blend that left my palate so clean and uncoated.
Ash: Puffy, white, fine ash with no dottle.
If you give this time to reach lower humidification, it will prove itself an amazing treat for the lover of pure, unmolested English blends. Bravo!
Packaging: Wide round tins, which I appreciate, though I like printed tins rather than the paper labels popular today.
Presentation: The tobacco cut is short and medium thin ribbons of light, but mostly brown and black colors.
Preludio comes very moist and requires a significant reduction in moisture. The initial moisture really hampered lighting and taste. I gave this months to set up properly- it was well worth it.
Packing: Packs easily into small and larger pipes.
Lighting: This almost needed only one light once it dried out to a proper humidification.
Burn: Easy burn requiring infrequent tamping. Rate of burn is on the quicker side, but slow enough for economics. It smoked excellently in my most unforgiving pipe.
Taste and aroma: Herbaceous, creamy, smokey, spicey, rich, complex, rounded, slightly sweet building in richness and complexity all the way to the end, though starting out flavorful, too. Smooth and clean burning, as is the palate during and afterward.
There is an expert balance of the Virginia base to the condimental use of Oriental and Syrian Latakia. This may be the tastiest Syrian Latakia I have yet to encounter.
Hard puffing could nip the buds, but it would take some effort. I have yet to smoke any English blend that left my palate so clean and uncoated.
Ash: Puffy, white, fine ash with no dottle.
If you give this time to reach lower humidification, it will prove itself an amazing treat for the lover of pure, unmolested English blends. Bravo!
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