Wessex English Mixture

I just popped open a can and packed a bowl. Once lit, my palate was hit with a delightful floral note which turned sweet and mild, then slightly spicy/creamy and finally back to a floral element. In other words, there's a lot going on here. I'm a little disappointed by the above listed reviews. This is a nice blend which reminds me of Sutliff's Country Doctor. I find the flavor in the Wessex to be far more consistent. Wessex English burns well, as long as one remembers not to puff too hard. Non-aromatics are generally more potent than the run of the mill virginia/burley types which tend to be drowned out by their casing. It's best to give your pipe a good cleaning before delving into this one. English blends seem to work better in briars. I often wave the bowl under my nose while smoking this one (akin to sniffing brandy before sipping) and it really enhances the experience. In short clean pipe, pack well, light up and sit back and take your time with it. You won't be disappointed by the flavor or subtle room note. English mixtures are meant for the more experienced smoker. If you are new to pipe smoking you'll want to ease your way into the non-aromatic genre. This coming from a guy who doesn't care for English blends in general. Another blend I highly recommend is Rowland Platinum, which might be a good alternative if the Wessex doesn't suit your taste.

This blend is good enough to be sold in tins, but for whatever reason it is available in pouch form. The blend is very similar in flavor and consistancy to the now discontinued Dunhill Aperitif. However, it lacks the natural sweetness of Aperitif and isn't anywhere near as good in general. That being said, it definitely is a decent blend and worth the coin. It burns slow and smokes cool. The moisture content from the pouch seems to be perfect. Nothing really to complain about here, but nothing stands out as spectacular either. Worth purchasing for those who prefer this type of English blend. Three stars.