Rich's Old Fashioned 759

(3.86)
A replica of the old Balkan Sobranie Gold. A potent mixture of latakia, Virgina, Oriental, and perique. Extremely full, rich, and cool smoking.

Details

Brand Rich's
Blended By Steven Books
Manufactured By  
Blend Type Oriental
Contents Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Shag
Packaging Bulk
Country United States
Production Currently available

Profile

Strength
Strong
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable to Strong
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Very Full
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.86 / 4
6

1

0

0

Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Oct 25, 2010 Strong None Detected Extra Full Tolerable to Strong
This tobacco packs a wallop! I just finished my first bowl and I have to say this is a wonderful blend by Steve Books. A very full English that has flavors of green tea, brown sugar, baker's chocolate and a creamy base that is very tasty indeed.

This reminds me lot of Steam Roller by Russ Oulette - as the the Latakia plays a tag team in my mouth. The spice builds and builds only to recede and then build again. Wow! Don't smoke this on a empty stomach. This is strictly an after dinner smoke - that is if you have eaten a steak, baked potatoe with all the fixins,etc. etc.

Vegatarians need not apply. Highly recommended.

4/7/2015

After letting this age for 5 years - this blend has mellowed but it's even better now. The blend is smoother and the Latakias are softer. Still one damn good smoke. Highly Recommended
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jul 05, 2007 Very Strong None Detected Extra Full Very Strong
This is a really potent English/Balkan Blend!It actually is very similar to Nightcap in flavor with the addition of extra orientals. The Perique does make it self known early on in the bowl. The Latakia is of a very unusual sort. The flavor is a hybrid of a Syrian/ Cyprian variety. Maybe it has the 2 types present? Regardless, this is an after dinner full English smoke. Only for the seasoned pipe smoker. This is a very complex English/Balkan blend. It falls in the realm of GLP blends and the Dunhill mixtures of yesteryear. This is rapidly becoming a favorite.I am told by friends the oriental component is quite strong.I cannot fairly judge as I love orientals. A true masterpiece of English blending! 4 of 4 stars!
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jun 18, 2009 Medium to Strong None Detected Full Pleasant to Tolerable
This tobacco is a little too full for my summer rotation so I will put this away until Fall. This one is a great tobacco and according to Steve Books, is his fullest English style blend. Steve also states this one has Syrian Latakia AND Cyprian Latakia making this the only blend in which he adds Cyprian Latakia.
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Aug 02, 2007 Strong None Detected Very Full Tolerable to Strong
I agree with thedstnguishdgntlmn that this is a powerful and rich English/Balkan, though it reminds me more of 965 than Nightcap. It is an almost-faithful recreation of the black & gold tinned original.

The first whiff of this says "Latakia. Lots." just like the original. Like Nightcap, but unlike 965, this has Perique, although a very minor proportion. This distinguishes this from the original blend, while adding a bit of spice and helping to mellow the latakia?s influence. Per Mr. Books this uses Egyptian virginia leaf and Syrian latakia (only), along with several oriental tobaccos. (the sheer potency and pungency of the latakia in this blend may mimic the smell of Cyprian latakia, but it does not have that leaf?s mouth-coating unctuousness)

The first 1/3 of the bowl is massively latakia with supporting hints of the other tobaccos. Past that the latakia is still assertive but the virginia, perique and orientals begin to emerge and round the flavors. By the bottom third the latakia is more subdued and the virginia and orientals come to the fore. The finish is clean and dry. The entire bowl is a rich, complex, and delicious experience, but one I save for the end of the day.

For those who appreciate a smoky, latakia-rich, experience I highly recommend this blend. While I enjoy latakia as a condimental tobacco I infrequently smoke the powerhouse blends (e.g. Odyssey, Penzance, HH Vintage Syrian) which incorporate it as a major component. This blend is just at the limit of what my taste buds can tolerate yet still enjoy.

Overwhelming in anything but briar or a calabash. Too much of a good thing is exactly that, though your mileage may vary.

**update**

I recently opened a jar of this which had nine months of age. The latakia is more subdued and better integrated and I find much more enjoyment in smoking this. Buy some and cellar it.
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Aug 11, 2009 Very Strong None Detected Very Full Very Strong
Wow! Is there a stronger, fuller English blend anywhere in today's market that can rival this outstanding blend? Fuller than full, OF 759 is a taste explosion that really does test my limits. Practically over the top in all categories (including price!), sensory overload comes to mind. Burns ultra cool and is extremely satisfying - you won't need another bowl after your first one. The room note is Latakia and incense - the PC crowd and family will be running for the door but you'll savor every whiff. Nightcap is mild in comparison, but if you like Nightcap, then you'll love this blend. Forget the steep price - this is a bargain! Beyond Highly Recommended - OF 759 is Mandatory for anyone who appreciates a classic Full English mixture. Truly outstanding!
0 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Feb 16, 2009 Strong None Detected Very Full Pleasant to Tolerable
Outstanding blend. Rich oily latakia, toasty orientals, virginia and enough perique to give the blend a Night Cap feeling. I found the latakia to be in the forefront at the first light then about a quarter of a bowl later the oriental came on full. Smokes dry with no tounge bite. Very full blend and one of my favorites.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Feb 11, 2009 Medium to Strong None Detected Full Tolerable
I liked this. I?m not sure I want to compare it to other blends; it?s a slippery slope with so many similar groupings of tobacco. Nice quality Orientals, slightly sweet, Lot?s of smoke in my wide open draw pipes. I bought a few ounces along with an L?antra Canadian. Broke the pipe in with this stuff. Recommended, bit pricey, as it was explained to me it?s because SB makes and sells it, not Richs. I?m sure that?s true but an odd explanation. It?s a good solid smoke.
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