Wilke Pipe Tobacco Wilke No. 78

I’ve been smoking latakia blends since 1968 (old codger)....used to frequent the Wilke store in NYC.....I get this now from the Wilke website....to me...and I’m no expert....this blend is perfect...Great burn...great taste.....I do smoke it all day including the first smoke in the morning...highly recommend if you enjoy English blends as much as I do...

This is a rich blend, which can smoke hot if not sipped slowly. However, with that in mind, this is a great tasting tobacco with a lot of character. It is not a subtle brew; it is similar to Sonza Bitches, but perhaps packs more punch. I suspect that many would find this blend too strong, but I really enjoyed the complex flavors. A great smoke indeed.

Over the last months I have smoked a fair share of this wonderful blend and in fact I am smoking it right now as well! What sets this blend apart from so many Anglo-American tobacco's is that it is always a highly satisfying smoke. This is due to the fantastic interplay of the four tobacco's used in this blend. It has been referred to as having a "hot ball" effect in the mouth and this is correct. This is due to the Perique and the way it interacts with Latakia, they really reinforce each other IMO.It packs easily enough in a not too large bowl and burns nice and evenly to a fine grey ash.

This blend will not leave you wanting in the strength/nicotine department but is not overbearing either. I would especially recommend it as a great after dinner smoke, perhaps with a nice malt whisky to accompany it

The blenders description is pretty accurate. A fuller English with a lot of flavor, but without the harshness I have experienced with some blends of the same strength. I don't have the expertise to analyze the tobacco content, other than to say it is about 60% dark, 40%lighter tobacco of numerous cuts. A very nice English smoke, with no excessive heat or bite.

It was a dark and stormy night and this blend would suit the mood for a shadowy English-style blend perfectly. Though #78 contains no other Oriental tobaccos aside from Latakia, some would argue that it is not a proper English--I would simply disagree. The blend might benefit from a bit of Mahalla, for example, but I don't think that it is necessary. And since #78 adds Burley and Perique to go along with the Virginias and Latakia it might more accurately be described as an Americanized-English. This is a sturdy blend leaning toward the stout side of things--it displays a bit more guts than what I would classify as medium-bodied. The blend comes in at about 6-6.5 out of 10 for strength and 7-7.5 for flavor. It is expertly blended--not too much of this or too little of that and the tobaccos go together and compliment each other quite well. #78 offers plenty of depth, density, flavor and complexity while maintaining a very smooth texture. There is ample Latakia (just enough really) with its characteristic charred wood and a hint of creosote (the Latakia is obvious, but not dominant.) The Virginia and Burley tobaccos in the base are responsible for providing most of the rich tobacco flavor with suggestions of dark baked goods along with some nuttiness. The Perique contributes hints of black pepper and the occasional flash of dark fruit (maybe figs), but it strikes me as being only a bit more than a condiment.

An exceptional blend that might appeal to those who enjoy the taste and aroma of Latakia, but not so much the flavor and smell of other Balkan tobaccos.

This blend works best for me in a medium-to-large Meerschaum--it seems to be somewhat fickle and finicky with some briars.

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De-Lish. This is the perfect mid-afternoon smoke: when my head starts bobbing rhythmically and I’m riffing when I think nobody is around, then I know I’m over the slump and have a couple more hours of productivity before dinner! So, yeah, a little bit of nicotine here! Earthy and nutty Burley leads the way, followed closely by Latakia, then Perique. Not much Virginia in evidence here. Flavors of savory gravy, dinner roll, toasted almond, and charred chicken skin/fat. Supplemental nuances of toasted poppy seed and a very mild bit of a (white) floral note. The note of charred fat gives way to a distinctive vegetal note that strongly suggests grilled green zucchini. Although no cigar leaf is present, the flavors do sometimes suggest a mild, creamy cigar (like an Ashton Cabinet). Some delicious pan-seared brown sugar comes and goes. I really enjoy the panoply of flavors here and have already ordered more to set aside in the cellar. Should age nicely if I can keep enough on hand for my current enjoyment! This is a definite four star favorite for me.