W.O. Larsen 1864 Perfect Mixture

As stated, it is mostly a blend of bright VAs, Burleys and Black CA. The B CA represents about one fifth of the total.

Rather mild at first, the nuttiness and creaminess of the burleys will build up progressively. Not a very complex tobacco in taste, it is still pleasant.

The casing reminds me of Calumé which I have tried ways back and enjoyed.

The nicotine level is low but the quality of the leaf compensates.

A perfect balance between added aromas and the real taste of the excellent tobbacos contained.

Of all the aromatic tobaccos available on the market, this is one of the best. It is not too sweet so you don't have a reason to call this a powerful aromatic. The unlighted tobacco has a pleasant smell of walnuts but it is not overwhelming. Once you light it up, you can sense the flavor from this one: chocolate, walnuts and a slight hint of whiskey. It has one of the qualities for a good tobacco: it burns slow, easy, it smokes quite dry for an aromatic, it doesn't heat the pipe and it doesn't bite the tongue if smoked properly. The room smell is very enjoyable, so it is good to smoke in public, with your friends. It is not the best aromatic available but it is a good quality tobacco which has to be in every pipe smoker's collection, especially those who love aromatic tobaccos.

While I enjoy the occasional aromatic, I was still hesitant to approach this blend because I suspected a overly sweet taste and tongue bite from these Larsen Danish blends. My prejudice was unfounded.

I had no problems with the burning characteristics directly from the remarkably handsome packaging. Again, no bite, and I am suseptible to bite from Mac Baren products and many Virginias. With this blend I had no problems.

The tobacco taste is smooth, natural, and pleasant, albeit somewhat mild - the Virginias were most noticeable to my taste, followed by the cavendish and a hint of the burley.

The flavoring is restrained and balances nicely in strength with the base tobaccos. I taste orange and chocolate and maybe something else. The combination will likely be unlike anything else you've smoked.

Obviously, those who restrict themselves to the heaviest blends, or only those untainted by added flavorings will not name 1864 their desert island smoke, but should broaden their horizons some and give it a try none the less.

I highly recommend 1864 to those who enjoy aromatics.

If I was an aromatic smoker, I would smoke Larsen's tobaccos most of the time, and this would be one of them. The flavor is mild and peculiar, sort of a mix of chocolate, whiskey or rum and some citrus.

What I know is that flavoring is mild enough to let the underlying tobaccos shine through, and very fine tobaccos they are. Burley is in front, backed by Virginias and Cavendish, and they are all very enjoyable.

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.