Wilke Pipe Tobacco Wilke No. 10

I had purchased various PWW blends some years ago and decided that their #400 was the one I wanted to pursue. But I skipped this one, to my detriment. An internet friend sent me a small sample of this brown/black ribbon mixture and once I took a sniff of the contents, I couldn't wait to fire it up. It loaded easily and lit completely.

The orientals rule the roost here and this blend brings to light most smokers basic misunderstanding of what orientals can do. We're so used to the darker side of them when mixed with heavy latakia, that we forget their light side when used sparingly. This blend has a sweet side that's not all due to the Virginias. It's a non-aromatic aromatic sweetness, if that makes any sense. There's a McClellands Frog blend that is purported to be an English/aromatic crossover blend, and it's the inclusion of just the right oriental that is confusing many smokers. This one throws the same curveball. Overall, this is a light English, a mild latakia blend with bright VA and a host of masterfully executed orientals. Sweet but not Cavendish sweet with some baked bread and "sugar on toast" flavors. Not much in the way of bass notes but I think the intent here is on mildness but with rich depth of flavor. And it succeeds! Recommended for those that are looking for a lightly sweet blend that really shows off what orientals can do in the right blending hands. Well done, Carole! I'm getting a lot more of this for the cellar.

The Orientals are the stars; smoky, a little dry, earthy, floral, herbal, woody with some buttery sweet and sourness and spice. The Cyprian Latakia is smoky, woody, earthy, musty sweet as a supporting player. The tart lemon Virginia is a tart and tangy citrusy, slightly grassy base for the other components to play off, though it has a constant presence in a minor role. The strength is a step past the center of mild to medium, while the taste is a slot past that mark. The nic-hit is a shade less potent than the strength level. Won’t bite or get harsh, but has a few minor rough edges. Exceptionally well balanced, you notice every nuance in virtually every puff, and the very consistent flavor remains rich, smooth, fairly sweet (though not in an aromatic way) and savory until the last ember. Burns clean and cool at a moderate pace, and leaves just a little dampness, and some ash in the bowl at the finish. The after taste has a pleasantly lingering smoky sweetness with a little spice. The room note is a tad stronger. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

#10 is loaded with all kinds of goodies and I liked this one a lot. In some ways it reminded me of the classic Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture. Subtle undertones of exotic Oriental and Turkish leaf combined with a quality Virginia that provided the backbone.

If you enjoy Balkan style blends then #10 would be a good choice for you.

Pipeworks & Wilke #10 is currently my favorite Oriental/Medium Balkan blend. This is the kind of smoke that one enjoys while sitting out on their deck in the evening relaxing and perhaps enjoying a fine beverage or two. The allure of #10 doesn't necessarily lie in its strength, but moreso in it's complexity. Four different oriental tobaccos are used and each seem to take turns at the wheel during the first half of a bowlful of 10. Midway through, the orientals meld into one and the VA and Latakia come into the equation, letting their presence be known. Another thing I like about this blend is that the flavor lasts to the bottom of the bowl. The richness stays consistent throughout and the flavor just seems to get better and better. Highly recommended! I currently have several mason jars of #10 cellaring and will eagerly report back in a couple years when I crack one open.....this reminds me, it is time to get off here and go order some more.....some to cellar.....some to enjoy NOW!

Another wonderful tobacco by Pipeworks & Wilke. This is a kind of "oriental" blend, for the major part that leaf plays, latakia supports beautifully but it isn't too present, while Virginias support without an asserting role. Absolutely unbeatable when smoked into a meerschaum.

You can never go wrong with any P&W blend, but if you like mild but complex orientals, you must try this. Especially good when smoked in a wide bowl. I would recommend this to people who have never gone beyond Aromatics. It will convince you that you've missed a lot. BTW- Service is excellent. It's always a pleasure to support the small, highly skilled blenders, and P&W is especially excellent.

I always have this on hand. I think it is my go to english/balkab/oriental blend. It is smooth, tasty, non-bitey. Can be smoked with full deliberation but wont punish you if you smoke it inattentively. Good quality, tastey, I dont care too much about roomnote as I cant smoke in the house---unless she goes away for a few days lol

Outstanding Balkan. Burns well, tastes wonderful. The previous high ratings are right on the money.

Absolutely superb. Extraordinary.

Typical Wilke presentation: an array of browns from dark to very light in a thin, ribbon cut.  Sweet and savory orientals dominate the exquisite jar note. 

The charring light, and indeed the entire bowl, is an exercise in subtlety, as one might expect from an oriental blend. While my typical review is broken down into thirds of the bowl to capture the changing flavor profiles many types of tobaccos exhibit as the smoke progresses, oriental blends and Balkans tend to be very consistent throughout the bowl. Wilke No.10 is no exception. 

Smooth and soft enough to be an all-day blend for the experienced smoker, No.10 still delivers enough complexity to be smoked more contemplatively. Those who take their time will experience a broad range of classic oriental flavors: salt, delicate sweetness, pepper, and light herbal spice. Latakiaphiles should be aware that they will not find their fix here. Latakia is nearly undetectable, and quite purposefully a light condiment touch in this blend. Frankly, I don't taste it at all (though I trust Carole's description). 

Very fragrant, as a good oriental should be, with a delicate room note. I believe there to be a pinch of Wilke trademark Cavendish here, the taste of which largely burns off after the first third of the bowl and leaves the smoker with a classically dry smoke.  Mouthfeel is dry and salty, with subtle sweetness on the tongue. 

No.10 smokes cool and as with any quality oriental, this blend will not bite no matter what you do (which is a good thing, because you'll be tempted to puff this outstanding blend copiously.) Pack this thin ribbon loosely to ensure proper airflow and combustion and you'll enjoy one of the finest tobacco experiences available today.

The Wilke blends have such a distinct flavor profile that it's a fool's errand to compare them to this or that modern, tinned blend. At the turn of the 19th century rolling into the 19-aughts and teens/twenties, I suppose this was more-or-less what most high-end pipe tobacco tasted like. But today, Pipeworks & Wilke stands out as a novelty - a unique flavor that simply cannot be compared to (or matched by) any mass produced brand. Don't get me wrong - I am a huge fan of many of today's blenders, and several of today's mass producers. But Carole's blends, inspired by the original Wilke sisters', stand proudly and uniquely among today's finest tobaccos.

Update 2020: I am just coming back to the digital pipesmoking world after taking a few years off to simply enjoy and smoke through my cellar. And, my lord, Wilke No.10 has been discontinued. What a loss to the pipesmoking world. A real shame.