W.O. Larsen 1864 Perfect Mixture

This is a blend that comes very close to "old Fashioned" (same company) only it has more pronounced (mostly chocolate) aromas that make it slightly more heavy in terms of casing.

A fault that I found, was that as it aged (in proper conditions of course) its taste became more tangy and left an unpleasant bitterness on the palate. I find it unlikely that I shall return to it again (in light of having the option for "Old Fashioned") but it may offer nevertheless a decent aromatic smoke.

When you open the tin it has a delicious smell. Of the aromatics that I know, it is one of those that stands out in this regard, especially if you like coffee, since it is the smell that I would say is the one that predominates, in addition to caramel. The problem is when it reaches the pipe and from there to the mouth. Anything that was great before you struck the match will be lost very quickly afterwards. In addition, you have to smoke it slowly or you run the risk, quite likely, that it bites you. On the other hand, the tin (very nice, yes) is 100 gr., So I don't see the moment when I can finish it to keep the lighters in it, since not enjoying it I smoke it very sporadically. The truth is that I would like to give it a higher note because the cold smell is very very rich for me, but unfortunately it has the aforementioned defects of other aromatics. I will try it again to see if I can find reasons to raise it one more star, but for now I give it two stars (one for the cold smell and another for the room note) since right now I think that I will not buy another tin. In a subsequent smoke, the bite issue was resolved using a 9-millimeter filter and a slower-cadence smoke. The rest of the perceptions remain.

There are almost no fans in China, but people will buy it because of curiosity (Larsen's Chinese translation is very foreign). It has been forgotten in the warehouse for many years.

The tobacco leaves look beautiful and of high quality. High humidity, dry before filling.

It smells sweet when burning, but the fragrance is not my favorite. Nicotine is rare, and if you like, you can smoke all day. After 1/2, the aroma is exhausted.

Worth a try.

This review is based on a free trial sample of this blend I picked up at my local tobacconist.

General impression: Smells nutty and very sweet before being smoked. Not nearly as sweet when smoked, though, which came as a bit of a surprise. Overall, a pleasant blend that is made from quality tobaccos. Reminds me of a higher-class version of the many "standard" aromatics that are sold in bulk by Altadis or Lane. Can produce bite if you puff it too fast, but not any worse than your average Danish aromatic. Nice room note that will probably get you compliments. The tin is very attractive too.

Who should buy this stuff: You want an aromatic tobacco that does not have such cloying sweetness and does not have any weird, overly artificial-tasting casings.

Final notes: Although this is good stuff, I can't say I found it so amazingly delicious or unique that I was compelled to purchase some of it at its premium price. Its most original quality is its low sweetness. You could probably get a bulk aromatic from your local pipe shop for less with almost comparable taste.

IF one happens to buy this, they would do well to rub it and let it sit for at least a month. Then rub it again and let it air for about an hour or so before even thinking about smoking it. Otherwise you get an overly sharp, biting, candied taste that will put you off smoking for the rest of the day.

Let's go through this step by step. You buy the stuff, and assuming you like aromatics (I, for one, don't) you will probably greatly enjoy the candied fig/prune smell. Then you rub some of your newly purchased tobacco out, and let it dry for half an hour or so. Now you've packed your bowl and about to enjoy your first pipe of this stuff. It starts out mild enough, you rather enjoy the taste of it. Then you get to the 3/4 point and things start to go horridly wrong. It starts to feel as if you took briar shavings and started smoking them. It tastes horrid, it bites no matter how carefully you've backed it and how slowly you puff. If you, perchance, finish the bowl, then your mouth and throat feel as if you had been inhaling campfire smoke for the last hour or so.

No, let's set the date back a month or so from the date of purchase. You rub out enough for a bowl, and let it sit an hour or so. Pack the pipe, and start puffing away. It has a very pleasant, almost cool, taste. The room note is splendid especially for those who don't care for stronger pipe smoke. The taste does very as the bowl progresses, however it is far from unpleasant. Not something I'd care to smoke every day, but if you are smoking around those would would rather have you smoke out side in the snow rather than smell it, it will please both of you.

On the whole, a pleasant european aromatic blend. Very mild with a pleasant room note. This is my experience, so take from it what you will.