Smokers' Haven Select Mixture

A very moist mix of ribbons and shag, ranging from blonde to black. Tin aroma of orientals and Virginia with some added topping, and a smidge of latakia in the background, Syrian variety. Drier was better, but not too dry or this will turn to dust quickly.

The 20th Anniversary I smoked recently had a pretty heady alcohol topping, which is muted here but still noticeable with each puff. That diminishing elevated this blend over its cousin. This is a Virginia-forward oriental blend and it had a sweet and spicy quality but this is for those that prefer sweetness with an extra soft punch. Less of a crossover than 20th but also lighter tasting overall. Light but fairly rich - a combination I always find enjoyable. However, there are certain tobaccos who provide an experience that is difficult to quantify. This is one of them - just not much to say about it. Compared to some other SH blends, this one is kind of boring, but I think the point of this is to be an all-day type of thing, at least until the evening. Not very complex at all, as it never seemed to change its flavor. If a light-bodied but more medium flavored blend is something you're after, this is one to try. No more for me, but still a reasonably strong 3 stars.

Another from the BoB bombardment I recieved. Light English blend.

Not bad at all. The cut is ok, I wouldn't say great bc the shag portion of it is kind of long and can clump up while loading the pipe. Tin note is a bit smokey, and kind reminds me of a peaty kind of smoke like from a good scotch. Smoked nice and slow, easy to pack and light. Has a sweetness to it that pokes it's head up from time to time. Mellow taste, smokey and rich. More oriental forward than Latakia.

Probably not a good one for in the house if other people don't smoke English blends. Could be an all day smoke without burning out the taste buds. Good blend for a newer English smoker or someone who appreciates them more.

Update: 12/16/15 I finished off the rest of the jar I had today. I have decided this is worth another half a star, bringing it up to 3 1/2 total. Has a earthy richness to it I didn't appreciate fully before. Also, the strength is appropriate to be a good all day smoke. I say this bc I literally smoked this all day today haha.

SM is the lightest of smoker's Haven's Germain-made recreations of their original blends made by Sobraine of London. It is a very light English, with delicious Virginias. While there is the presence of both Orientals and some Latakia, the Virginias are dominate and give the mixture an overall naturally sweet flavor. SM is not familiar to many who love Our Best Blend and Exotique but it fills a place in my rotation, especially for the first pipe of the day. Recommended.

UPDATE 11/20 As I had hoped once left to dry out and age, this tobacco is MUCH better. I have to say up front that I am a huge fan of Oriental forward blends so the reduction in Turkish/Orientals, but with that said they are present and welcome in this smoke. The largest improvement in the smoke is the taming of the casing. I think it is a fruit flavored brandy and some chocolate, but that is a guess. It is still very strong in the jar note but it is almost unnoticeable in the smoke. Woody and slight lightly spicy from the Orientals, some earth and sweetness from the Virginia's and a hint of creosote and creaminess from the Latakia. This may be the largest improvement in a tobacco I have experience with a little age. 2 star upgrade

Another review that I will come back to after the tobacco has some time to age... Tin note is similar to SH 20th anniversary, but with less tobacco permeating nose. This is almost all topping. It is some type of liquor or liquors and it is very strong from a very fresh tin. I let this dry for an hour and then packed the pipe and let it sit for another 20 minutes. I then did some unlit pulls on the pipe and that is when I realized that the topping is either a chocolate liqueur or there is chocolate mixed in with a brandy. The topping more or less drowned this one out. I smoked 3 bowls of this and tapped out. My taste buds were coated with tobacco topping varnish and it was not very pleasant. The tobacco quality is first rate, like all things Germain, and my guess is that this tin is just too freshly made to be smoking. I only decided to write this review now in the hopes I may save someone the trouble and that they let their tin age 6 months or so before popping it open. There were some notes of sour from the Orientals and some sweetness from the VA's but the rest of the smoke was sweet topping, mostly chocolate but also an apple brandy, fruity/flowery flavor to it. Not my cup of tea as it stands now. I will revisit in a 6 months or so and see what blossoms.

I purchased this as I was looking for a good, warm weather English. I tried this in a short clay, to get the full taste. The Virginia is slightly sweet, yet toasty, the Latakia is present, but is a bit in the background. It smells more of Latakia than it tastes, which is what was intended. The Turkish adds just a hint of spice, which grows stronger towards the bottom of the bowl. It arrived a bit moist, and would probably benefit from drying. Go slowly at the end, as it gets a little bitey. I suspect drying would help this as well. It leaves a nice, natural, tobacco aftertaste. I don't believe the room note will win you any new friends. My only quibble is it is a bit pricey. But as I only smoke a bowl or two a week, eight ounces will last me a long while. Definitely a top quality blend.

Addendum: I let this stuff dry out a couple of days, and what a difference! Although not a heavy blend, this is surprisingly rich. The Smoker's Haven site hints this could be a morning smoke, but I couldn't imagine using this as a wake up blend. I find it a little too full. There are hints of unsweetened cocoa, fennel, and black walnut. It is still a little nippy at the end, but slow smoking will thwart tongue bite. This stuff is much better in a briar. It reminds me of a milder version of Black Mallory, which is one of my favorites.

Another fine all-day smoke!

Appearance and Tin Aroma: Comes in a bulky large tin with a plastic bag inside. It is a bit moist, will benefit from some drying time before you pack your pipe. It smells very rich with the orientals prominent, there is a note similar to "And so to Bed" by the same blender. Visually it is a fine ribbon cut of mostly browns to dark with the golden Va ribbons here and there.

Packing and Lighting: once dried out a bit, easy. 3 lights typical.

Initial Flavor: "And so to Bed" light? This blend definitely has the Germain's signature flavor which I love.

Mid-Bowl:Aah! delicious! This is a perfect mid-strength English blend with the top note at the perfect level. "And so to Bed" gives me a whopper of a headache, this blend did not, even after several bowls in a row. None of the leaves stand out, everything is in perfect harmony.

Bottom of Bowl: A slight build up of strength and all you are left with is dry mottled ash. Which pipe shall I fill up next?

Overall: I was pleasantly surprised by this blend. It will not overtake my favorite English blends, but will be in my rotation pretty regularly. As a side benefit, the room note is liked by some of my non-smoking friends. To me, this blend fits between Royal Jersey Latakia and King Charles Mixture by the same blenders. Very well done indeed!

It is Hi Time to visit my August tobacconist, will you join me in the pipeline?