Wilke Pipe Tobacco Wilke No. 524

An overwhelmingly smooth take on the old Balkan Sobranie. It lacks that classic's flavor burst and clarity, but the taste is very close to my taste buds.

The tobacco color is interesting in that there are medium brown pieces and dark black pieces - it almost reminds me of a chessboard - and nothing in between. That's not in any way very meaningful; I just thought it was interesting. It comes just a bit too moist in the bag but 10 minutes of drying time was plenty, and where it performed at its best for me.

The Syrian latakia smooths this out and, while it was a good smoke, I found myself wondering what Cyprian would do to the mix. As it was, this blend was well balanced with nothing jumping to far to the fore. A nice "set it and forget it" smoke, not terribly complex but of obvious high quality and good flavor. If I didn't smoke so many similar blends, this one might be repeatable, and that's my one issue. It doesn't assert itself as more preferable to any number of balkan blends. A nice effort, with good flavor and a pleasing aroma (if you like latakia!) and nothing even close to a fault. Recommended if you enjoy balkan blends. But not a reference for me.

There is something akin to GLPease Renaissance in No. 524 (though it is understood that No. 524 has been around much longer, so perhaps there is something akin to No. 524 in Renaissance).

Both of these examples of classic English pipe smoking blends are tweaked toward the Turkish tobaccos. Renaissance is a tad more complex in this department, but No. 524 nails an aria with the Yenidje. It might not be a chorus, but it is pure.

I would say there is a bit more Virginia in Renaissance and more Latakia in No. 524. Therefore, they are not interchangeable. Both are sweeter than most Balkans I've tried, but neither blend compared here is really "sweet." 524 and Ren. are English-style, not Balkans (Try P&W No. 10 for a sensuous, easy Balkan). SG's Squadron Leader belongs in this comparison to No. 524, however much it tends toward that acclaimed acridness (which I like) absent from No. 524 and Ren.

Find a pipe that this smokes well in (perhaps a classic pot with shallow bowl and wide mouth?) and then smoke a lot of it before coming to a decision. It might not be love at first light, but it will likely be a lasting affection if you take time to know her.

Keeping this cool is feasible with minor attention, and not to worry about gurggles.

This represents for me a more mild-mannered approach to an English blend. Although the description includes the terms "rich and full" I would be hard-pressed to use "full" as a descriptor, but that's not a criticism of the blend overall. It contains the classic Virginia, Latakia, Oriental (Yenidje) components plus one of Wilke's Black Cavendish tobaccos for some added sweetness. The taste is clean and smooth with absolutely no harshness; there's more flavor than strength in the blend. I would place the strength at approximately the middle of mild-to-medium range, but the strength does build slightly as you progress through the bowl--I just don't feel that it ever attains that medium threshold. I find It at its best in the latter half of the bowl where both the flavor and strength are at an optimum. I recommend a "Pot" shaped bowl (broader and more shallow) for this blend to bring out the most and best of what this blend has to offer. The Latakia content is about right for my palate--not too much and not too little. I feel that most of the taste is delivered from the Virginia and Yenidje tobaccos and of course there is that ever-present subtle sweetness from the Black Cavendish. Worthwhile,

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P&W 524 is a very fine English blend. This is the first tobacco that I have smoked that contained Yenidje, which must be what makes it differ from other English blends that I have smoked. Very good taste and no bite. No problems keeping lit. Highly recommended.

Do a word search on Google and Yahoo and see how many blends out there are using both the hard to come by Syrian Latakia and the Oriental Yenidje tobacco. This is one unique smoke that starts out like a normal english would with sweet overtones but by mid bowl you are treated to something all together different and it is quite entoxicating! Be sure to dedicate a pipe to this stuff because it will leave its unique essense behind. I think its a blend that Cigar snmokers in particular would be fond of, not that it has any Havana or Cigar leaf in it, It has a rounder, darker wood,taste from the Syrian Latakia and one heck of a kick from the Yenidje although I would say the nicotene is not overwhelming but is present. It will be in my rotation from now on. Great tobacco!

This is probably the finest English mixture I have ever enjoyed, so far. It has a captivating taste that is very satisfying without a high nicotine level. The latakia content is moderate without overtaking the other components. It has a natural sweetness that keeps you coming back for more. For those, like myself, who have given up on English/Balkan blends, this could be the one.

As a smoker of Wilke tobaccos for a very long time I think I can say with some authority that this is some pretty good stuff.I feel that Wilke's forte lies in the aromatic world ,but this is really very good.A very rich and flavorful mixture with a strong Turkish element to it.It is like Nat Sherman #536 kiced up a few notches with extra Latakia and a different Turkish leaf. A very good after dinner tobacco. 3 of 4 stars

For me this is strictly an after-dinner smoke, preferable with something to help “wash it down.” In general I like to start my day more gently, build with a crescendo, and save the biggest, boldest bowl for last. Unless you are the type of person who wakes up with a Parodi cigar in his mouth, I think most of us have a similar tendency to save the heavy blends for later in the day. Actually, I do know of one person on the forums who enjoys 524 first thing in the morning, but I’ve also heard he sleeps on a bed of nails!

Generally, I think a true four-star blend should be more versatile than that, but there are some iconic blends that are highly regarded that are targeted for Early Morning or as a Nightcap. This blend is not fussy or overly idiosyncratic, but the flavor profile simply lacks the kind of focus that I would give four stars to.

The savory jar note on this is most enticing. The pan-fired Virginias and Yenidge are enough to make the mouth water. The Latakia is of the soft-focus type, typical of every Wilke blend I’ve tried. The black Cavendish does somewhat muddle the mid-palate and mute overtones. My first impression is always of savory roast meats, with some roast celery and carrot, and the meat with some sort of slightly sweetening glaze (but not balsamic – no tangy notes here – possibly brown sugar and clove). Sometimes, at the end of the bowl, I get a note of crispy charred Cocoa Puffs. What I don’t care for in my mid-morning or mid-afternoon sessions is the overt flavor of dirty grill scrapings. What I do enjoy in my after-dinner sessions, with a hearty glass of Aglianico red wine, are the palate-coating flavors of dirty grill scrapings! Yep, a time and place for everything! But, I do think having something to wash down the charred fat is critical here. Any big red would do, preferably after a nice steak dinner.

This is a good English blend. Its easier to smoke than many and just as rewarding. A Medium cut, well cured blend with just the right amount of Latakia, and the sweet virginia. A good smoke comprable with many other English blends.