John Middleton, Inc Prince Albert Choice Blend
(3.48)
Similar in look and taste to regular Prince Albert, but smoother w/ no bite.
Notes: Discontinued by Altria after purchase of John Middleton, Inc.
Details
| Brand | John Middleton, Inc |
| Blended By | John Middleton, Inc. |
| Manufactured By | John Middleton, Inc. |
| Blend Type | Burley Based |
| Contents | Burley |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 5 ounce zip-lock plastic bag |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.48 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 23 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
First of all, let me say that I love the standard Prince Albert tobacco. Choice Blend is a stronger and more natural form of the classic. The pouch aroma is musty and nutty like any good Burley should be. The cut is more ribbon than the regular Prince, as well. On first light, the taste is dark and mellow. This tobacco lacks a topping so the natural tobacco taste shines through. It does brighten up a little when you cruise down the bowl, however. The aroma is about the same as the classic, but with more of a cigar feel to it. The nicotine level is a bit heavier and the ash is not quite as fine. I will still smoke the heck out of regular Prince Albert, but this one will have a permanent place in my rotation. Any true Burley lover needs to try this one. It is better than most of the Burley offerings from the more expensive groups of tinned tobaccos. And, even the Burley offerings that might be better will still find a worthy opponent in Prince Albert Choice Blend. By the way, the only place I've found this stuff is at Lil Brown Smoke Shack. I think I bought their last pouch myself! They have promised to be ordering more so check back with them often. For under $4.00 for 5 ounces, you can't go wrong.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Just smoked this back to back with PA. I have no doubt the two are different. This has more body which I noticed immediately. This is slightly different in flavor, it's missing the slight cocoa note I got from PA and is a little sweeter. Unlike PA where the flavor started mild and increased in strength as the bowl progressed, this starts mild to medium and stays that way. I like both, but this gets an extra star for the extra body and strength of flavor. That increases my pleasure factor.
Mild to medium in body and flavor. Moisture is perfect as is the burn. This is good stuff.
Mild to medium in body and flavor. Moisture is perfect as is the burn. This is good stuff.
Pipe Used:
MM General
PurchasedFrom:
http://wvsmokeshop.com/
Age When Smoked:
fresh bulk
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 16, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I found this at Lil Brown Smoke Shack (nice folks by the way) and decided to try it. My observations:
1. PA has a nice wine smell, this is more natural.
2. Little difference in cut, it depends where you get your sample from, top of bag is ribbon, bottom is dust.
3. PA is moister, this is dry.
4. Side by side in two cobs they are not the same. This is smoother and will not bite. Even heavy smoking will not turn it bitter. It has a much more natural tobacco flavor than the cased PA. It also seems to have a more mellow strength.
5. Smoking two bowls back to back is the most telling. Start with PA and this will seem weak but pleasant. Start with this and PA regular will seem bitter and harsh.
In the Florida summer heat I am always looking for a tasty smooth sweet burly. This is it.
It also makes a great mixer. Try 50/50 with Balkan Sasieni. That is what the pros do when they make a bulk buy and find out it is crap, mix in some burly and call it great, tin it and sell it to the fools.
1. PA has a nice wine smell, this is more natural.
2. Little difference in cut, it depends where you get your sample from, top of bag is ribbon, bottom is dust.
3. PA is moister, this is dry.
4. Side by side in two cobs they are not the same. This is smoother and will not bite. Even heavy smoking will not turn it bitter. It has a much more natural tobacco flavor than the cased PA. It also seems to have a more mellow strength.
5. Smoking two bowls back to back is the most telling. Start with PA and this will seem weak but pleasant. Start with this and PA regular will seem bitter and harsh.
In the Florida summer heat I am always looking for a tasty smooth sweet burly. This is it.
It also makes a great mixer. Try 50/50 with Balkan Sasieni. That is what the pros do when they make a bulk buy and find out it is crap, mix in some burly and call it great, tin it and sell it to the fools.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 06, 2009 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This is a very nice burley, smooth and dry all the way to the bottom of the bowl. The difference I noticed between this and regular PA is that this is all natural in smell and taste where the regular PA has a sweet top note. If you like a smooth nutty burley that burns cool and dry this is a good bet.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 31, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I'll echo the chorus of 'this is different than original PA', and I believe it is.
It's exceptionally smooth, burns evenly all the way down the bowl and I've never experienced any bite from it whatsoever. Like many have said, it's not extravagant, but rather a very consistent, tasty smoke. I took the advice of another poster and have enjoyed a bowl or two with morning coffee or tea, almost daily.
I will continue to order and cellar this as long as I can find it. It never disappoints.
It's exceptionally smooth, burns evenly all the way down the bowl and I've never experienced any bite from it whatsoever. Like many have said, it's not extravagant, but rather a very consistent, tasty smoke. I took the advice of another poster and have enjoyed a bowl or two with morning coffee or tea, almost daily.
I will continue to order and cellar this as long as I can find it. It never disappoints.
Pipe Used:
Don Carlos 2-Note bent Dublin
PurchasedFrom:
Lil' Brown Smoke Shack
Age When Smoked:
Fresh out of the bag to 18-months' cellared
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 25, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I ordered the whole Prince Albert collection from Milan and found that Choice blend was a close second to the original in the red tub. A little more rough cut and lacking the Cocoa aroma, I did find that it reminded me of Granger, just a simple Burley blend that is perfect for putzing around the house or on the computer. I gave the original 4 stars and this is close at 3 but I do prefer the Cocoa taste and aroma that Choice was lacking. At $2 an ounce these are very good values and since John Middleton has been around forever they have access to excellent tobacco crops and their recipes have been enjoyed for over 100 years.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 29, 2014 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I buy Prince Albert this way, in the bag. If it's different from the boxed version then it's different. I've not tried this "back to back" against the regular PA but it seems that others have, and the conclusion is that Choice IS different.
Regardless, I love this stuff when I'm looking for an old fashioned burley smoke that's not acidic, sharp or "flat". Flat is my own descriptor for when a tobacco doesn't have any redeeming qualities. Burleys tend to be flat and PA has a nice "roundness" to the smoke. Whatever, PA or PAC is great burley.
Regardless, I love this stuff when I'm looking for an old fashioned burley smoke that's not acidic, sharp or "flat". Flat is my own descriptor for when a tobacco doesn't have any redeeming qualities. Burleys tend to be flat and PA has a nice "roundness" to the smoke. Whatever, PA or PAC is great burley.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 06, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Certainly among the best pure burley blends you can find anywhere.
I always did like PA but this refinement kicks things up a notch.
I think it is richer, more buttery, than normal PA and perhaps I should have rated it "medium".
There are certain negative qualities OTC (i.e., drugstore) tobaccos often seem to share: ashy taste toward the bottom of the bowl, annoying unnatural toppings, a plastic/chemical aftertaste. This has none of those. It is rich, gently and unobtrusively cased (all burley is cased) with excellent smoking properties.
Two negatives: 1)extremely hard to find; 2) Deserves to be put in something better than a cheap plastic bag.
I always did like PA but this refinement kicks things up a notch.
I think it is richer, more buttery, than normal PA and perhaps I should have rated it "medium".
There are certain negative qualities OTC (i.e., drugstore) tobaccos often seem to share: ashy taste toward the bottom of the bowl, annoying unnatural toppings, a plastic/chemical aftertaste. This has none of those. It is rich, gently and unobtrusively cased (all burley is cased) with excellent smoking properties.
Two negatives: 1)extremely hard to find; 2) Deserves to be put in something better than a cheap plastic bag.
Pipe Used:
Nording highgrade, tall narrow bowl
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 12, 2008 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I guarantee if you ever smoke PA's Choice Blend you will never go back to regular PA. I was originally turned off to the original due to the amount of PG in there. With Choice Blend you don't have to worry about that. It also tastes A LOT better than the original.
You think that the original tastes good when mixed Half and Half with Carter Hall? Wait until you try it with Choice Blend!!
It's great as an everyday smoke and cheap to boot.
It is hard to find but it is well worth the search.
You think that the original tastes good when mixed Half and Half with Carter Hall? Wait until you try it with Choice Blend!!
It's great as an everyday smoke and cheap to boot.
It is hard to find but it is well worth the search.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 11, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Prince Albert Choice Blend is almost identical to regular PA, with just a couple of differences. Cut, burn rate, and room note are pretty much the same. It packs easy, stays lit, and can be enjoyed with a minimum of fuss.
Top note, or pouch aroma, is one thing that is totally lacking in PA Choice Blend. It posseses an almost cigar-like, pure tobacco smell in the bag, not the chocolate aroma I detect with regular Prince Albert. Overall taste is nearly identical to the regular blend, yet a bit more robust, with absolutely no tongue bite.
Room note is traditional, old-time "pipe" aroma. The tobacco selected for PA Choice Blend seems to be of a higher grade and quality, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful smoke. The taste can get a little "ashey" towards the bottom, typical of straight Burley tobacco, but it's not too bad.
Personally, I feel PA Choice Blend is one one of the smoothest straight Burley pipe tobaccos available. Because of it's basic tobacco taste, it also blends well with other tobaccos.
PA Choice Blend can be a bit hard to find, but it's well worth the search.
3 out of 4 stars
Top note, or pouch aroma, is one thing that is totally lacking in PA Choice Blend. It posseses an almost cigar-like, pure tobacco smell in the bag, not the chocolate aroma I detect with regular Prince Albert. Overall taste is nearly identical to the regular blend, yet a bit more robust, with absolutely no tongue bite.
Room note is traditional, old-time "pipe" aroma. The tobacco selected for PA Choice Blend seems to be of a higher grade and quality, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful smoke. The taste can get a little "ashey" towards the bottom, typical of straight Burley tobacco, but it's not too bad.
Personally, I feel PA Choice Blend is one one of the smoothest straight Burley pipe tobaccos available. Because of it's basic tobacco taste, it also blends well with other tobaccos.
PA Choice Blend can be a bit hard to find, but it's well worth the search.
3 out of 4 stars
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