John Patton Oriental Dusk

The first bowls from the sample I had I mostly got the cigar leaf overpowering everything, the remaining saw the Orientals peeking through in an interesting way and the three stars are based on the latter. Not for those who shy away from the taste of cigars! Since I know there are many tobaccos out there I would rate a 4, the question arises would I rebuy this particular tobacco, assuming my tastes don't change much more. In this case, the answer is no.

Wanted to like this one...but the blender's penchant for cigar leaf is a mite too heavy-handed for me. Deserves a shot...'bout all tho.

This was different. It had a bit of everything and not too much of anything. Initially tasted the cigar leaf (it seems to be the first tobacco I always taste) then went to an earthy (Burley) slightly sweet taste (the virgina coming into play) but there was this slight salty taste as well. I assume this came from the orientals John has added but it was all very good and it all worked together beautifully. This tobacco burnt well but did not have any bite at all and smoked to a fine ash to the bottom. Some tobaccos nearing the end of the bowl taste acidic but this was nice to the end. When I did inhale by accident and exhaled through the nose the orientals left a tingling sensation and it was very pleasant. I was going to DGT this bowl for the next day but it was such a great smoke I finished the bowl, maybe next time 🙂

From the markets of Istanbul to the streets of Dubai, the orient gives rise to certain unique, not always pleasant, aromas. East of Suez, generally, the tobacco of choice is Marlboro, but occasionally you get some Egyptian Cleopatras or shisha scents.

To the flavours of the orient I would add JP's Oriental Dusk. Having lived in this part of the world for almost 20 years I can attest to having smelled something very like Oriental Dusk in places as far apart as Jeddah and Jerusalem. Somehow, they all came together in Ohio. This blend achieves an amazing combination of Turkish (?), plus indefinable ingredients. I think I tasted burley, Virginia and cigar leaf -- perhaps none of them. Like the orient itself, Oriental Dusk mystifies and enthralls, occasionally, again like the orient, sharp and flagrant while at other times quiet and well behaved.

I have tamed this particular blend in several pipes, and found it the most consistent of JP's blends. Sometimes the Turkish is a little stronger and comes to the fore; at others, the mystery components are more powerful. But it inevitably settles down to a kind of average of eastern variety.

This is not the oriental of the Balkans; this is altogether from somewhere farther south and east, and less well-trod. Best smoked sitting on a carpet in a tent while reading Seven Pillars of Wisdom or watching Lawrence of Arabia, drinking Turkish coffee.

Another winner here, proving that the sum total of the quality of a tobacco is far greater than its individual components.

The thing I really like about this one is the percentage of Oriental leaf, which is absolutely perfect. Many blenders tend to get carried away by this component, much to their peril. In this case, Mr. Patton has got it near-perfect.

The only downside, for me at least, is the strength. I smoke extremely strong flakes and ropes generally, and may pump this one up a bit with a little more Dr. Nicotine..

A very interesting blend. Tasty, flavorful, with good taste of Oriental leaf in the back. A nice mix of baccy's mixed and blended together to create a hint of sweetness.