John Middleton, Inc London Dock

I am somewhat surprised that I have not reviewed this famous old delicious classic. I've smoked both the Middleton and Kentucky Club versions but never had a shot at the old American Tobacco Company production. As good as it gets regarding "drugstore" type blends and certainly right up there with Walnut as an English style "Druggie." High quality, rich and smoky Latakia, fine, tart and spicy Orientals, and Virginia leaf in short ribbon cut form and as naturally sweet as one will taste. Combined, the presentation was sinfully delicious, cool and dry from first puff to last. Again, IMO, one of the all-time great "drugstore" blends.

This was my first pipe tobacco ever - over 35 years ago. It had a very "pipey', old-world smell to it and very comforting. I enjoyed its taste and ease in smoking. I wish it were not discontinued as I would visit it regularly. I smoked it on and off until its demise. Recently, I won a 50+ year old all metal tin (with a key attached to its bottom) of Half & Half. Immediately upon opening that tin, I was reminded of London Dock. I would have to say that the 50 year old content was better than any Half & Half that I started smoking in the late 80s. It was very reminiscent all around of London Dock and brings back pleasant memories of it. London Dock surely was a very good OTC blend and I am sorry it is gone. I agree with one reviewer's opinion that Middleton should have discontinued their Apple blend and kept London Dock on the shelf. Recommended - if you are lucky enough to find an old pack or tin from an estate sale.

UPDATE 3-28-18: Some time ago I purchased a 1 oz promotional tin of this on ebay (Kentucky Club produced). Still a very good smoke for me. Today I just purchased a sealed 14 oz tin produced by the American Tobacco Co from Pipestud. Once I get that I'll have a smoke and update.

UPDATE 3-31-18: Got my 14 oz sealed tin. Baccy mostly black and surprisingly fresh considering it was in a cellophane bag. There was a slight hole in the cellophane and what I smelled after popping the lid was Latakia! Never was that smell present in what I remember. The smoke was a good one, but in a blind test I would never say this was the London Dock of what I'm familiar with - which was a Middleton production. Interestingly, my small 1 oz tin that is labeled Kentucky Club smells and tastes like the Middleton version I reference, however this 14 oz Kentucky Club is a different bird entirely. No rum, no rose, no Perique, no Turkish, no coumarin...just Latakia. I'm wondering if whenever this tin was packaged (60s, 70s?) they put the wrong tobacco into it! Good, but not what I was expecting. For me the original is 4 star and this version is a 2 as I'm not a Latakia fan.

This was my very first pipe tobacco when I started in 1960 (yeah, I'm that old!) and my liking of this tobacco is affected by a lot of nostalgia. The package note was rum, but the Perique added a pleasant, papery balance to the smoke. It lit easily, but often reduced to a slight goo at the bottom of a bowl. The rum casing was evident throughout much of the smoke, but the Perique and Turkish balanced the sweetness. I miss it. It was very popular. I do not understand why Middleton discontinued the blend in favor ordinary run-of-the-mill aromatics (maybe it was some mindless accountant's justification) and I wrote them and requested, begged, and pleaded for its continuance. "No way", I was told.

The Milan version is only an attempt. While it's not too bad, it is affected too much by the "baked cake/cookie" casing that seems to be found in so many tobacconist blends of today. That sweetness overrides the rum/Perique nature of their offering. I can say this with some certainty because I still have three unopened canisters of London Dock carefully laid away and the one that I finished a short time ago was uniquely London Dock, Milan's doesn't compare.

Eventually, I will finish all three canisters. I'll be very sad, but maybe Middleton will take pity by then. But I doubt it.

Sigh.

I loved it years ago and wished middleton dropped the apple blend and kept this one . This ones been gone a while .If I remember it was like a crossover type blend ....maybe I'm off, hell , I haven't seen this blend in decades . this was a fantastic blend . There is a blend available in Mexico with the same name and a similar packaging ... however , it is nothing like the original blend , sadly . I would try to describe it but theres nothing like it . I've had most of the current " match " blends out there and they are a few solar systems away but at least theyre closer than the opposite side of the universe [ if there even is an opposite side ] . really it was a great unique crossover that was quite complex . It smoked flawlessly with no moisture at the end of the bowl to speak of

This review is also for the Milan Tobacconist version "Our" London Dock. I used to smoke this mixture years ago when Kentucky Club made it and always liked it. Middleton took over the brand and eventually drop it from their line.

IMO, this is one of the best rum tobaccos you can smoke. Turkish burleys and perique make this an mild English aromatic. This is a pleasant change from most rum tobaccos which usually are burley & VA. The rum flavor stays in the background and is not overly sweet, and the perique adds a little spice to the flavor. No bite or goop. The room note is very pleasant.

Renee at Milan even offered to send me a sample before I ordered and 1/2lb. They are an excellent company to order from. My shippent arrived in 3 days.

I agree with the other reviews that it's hard to beleive that Middleton drop this blend from their line, considering some of the tobaccos they did keep. This one was a winner!

I tried to post this review on the Milan tobacco list, but "Our" London Dock would not come up.

Highly Recommended