Peter Stokkebye English Oriental Supreme (No.306)

After reading most of the reviews here, I decided to give this blend a try. The aroma seeping from the unopened bag was wonderful - and when I opened the bag, I let it stay open for awhile, just to fill the room with the marvelous, complex olfactory delight. There is little connection, however, between the aroma of the tobacco in the bag versus once it is burning in the pipe. It lights well and stays lit to the end of the bowl with minimal relighting (I used the 3-stage packing recommended by another reviewer). Nothing left but clean greyish-white ash at the end. The first word that popped into my mind when I took the first few puffs: "soapy." After reading all the glowing reviews here, I must say I was slightly disappointed. On the positive side, there is no bite, and the flavor did improve about halfway through the bowl; however, it was nothing to really get excited about. It is an okay smoke, and one I will probably have once in awhile until my supply is gone. You cannot complain about the price though - it is cheap enough. Who knows? Maybe I will grow to love it and reorder. I doubt it, though.

UPDATE: This one has grown on me. After trying several other "English" blends, I found myself appreciating this Stokkeby's blend more and more. A plus is that it costs much less than the others, although that has nothing to do with my increased regard for the blend. It is definitely better than many others in all categories, and I have increased my recommendation from two stars to three.

While tempted to previously place reviews in this wonderfully useful database, I've chosen -- until now -- to wait until I've developed further as a pipe smoker.

I'm still quite new to pipes, having smoked cigars on a regular basis the past three years up until about two months ago, when I rediscovered my pipe collection with heretofore unrealized fervor.

Anyhow, I picked my pipes back up as I'd left them: quite fond of English blends and not crazy about aromatics and "lighter" blends. And, as of this initial writing, I still favor more bold flavor and more nicotine kick. I managed to track down a local tobacconist with a little remaining Dunhill Early Morning Pipe and Nightcap (Orlick, yes, but it still does the trick for me). Despite experimenting with other blends in the same ballpark -- Abingdon and Squadron Leader, most notably -- I remained true to EMP and Nightcap.

And then I picked up an ounce each of Stokkebye's Proper English and the subject of this review -- English Oriental Supreme -- at another local tobacconist. I found I immediately enjoy both immensely. But especially EOS.

As a recovering cigar hound, as previously stated, I'm more fond of bolder blends and with more depth of flavor. And this does the trick nicely. It successfully combines the traditional tobacco flavor profile with a nice, subtle sweetness. And, while I'm still too new at this to expound on the relative levels of the Latakia, Virginia and whatnot, I can certainly appreciate a quality flavor.

I've frankly struggled as of late to find a blend that provides the level of flavor, puff for puff, that I crave. So far, this is the best I've found. I'm very tempted to rush in and give this FOUR STARS, but -- once again -- being relatively new, I don't feel I should rate this one "top of the pops" just yet.

But it's currently tops with me.

Will it stay as such? Stay tuned...

This review is based on one bowl, my first.

The overall flavor is IMHO Squadron Leader "lite".

There is a very nice overall oriental tone to the smoke. It is ethereal, not heavy. The flavor does build a bit to the bottom of the bowl but never becomes overwhelming.

I did not notice any perceptible amount of nicotine.

I believe there is some flavoring to help tie everything together, but is not obvious, it stays in the deep background.

I give this three stars for now.

(My four star tobaccos are Squadron Leader, Westminster, Full Virginia Flake.)

I like this one. Sweet, smokey and grassy. Very close to the 'campfire' smoke that I have been searching for. It's my favorite at the moment. My first English blend. Nice aroma in the pouch and burning. I'm looking forward to exploring the worlds of English, Latakia and Oriental blends further. I got a few ounces of Stokk's English Luxury at the same time this was obtained. They both seem very similiar to me. A solid 3 stars.

One of my "go to" tobacco's. When I've had my fill of trying new blends. This is what I turn to. I experimented with 220/220 aging (2 hour and 20 minutes at 220deg). Gave it a much mellower and rich smoke and melded the flavors, much more evenly.

A superb and unique mixture of tobaccos has my mouth watering. I'm quite astonished at the complexity and sheer voracity this tobacco evokes when smoked.

I am reminded of savage mohawked indians rushing into battle against horribly outnumbered Spanish regiment on the dusty plains in the Texas panhandle on an overcast autumn day after a torrential downpour of rain.