Park-Lane Tobacconist An Aperitif

While going through the long process of my annual cleaning of my pipe room, I have come across a lot of blends that I either received as samples or just have forgotten about. An Aperitif from pipe maker/blender Paul Bonacquisti caught my attention as I have been smoking most of my remaining stash of Aperitif over the past few months. I bought two ounces of this about eighteen months ago and wasn’t bowled over at the time. But a year and a half later, it was time to give it another try. I am a lover of Dunhill Aperitif and at first light, An Aperitif comes remarkably close. However, as the bowl progressed, the differences quickly became more and more apparent. I think this is sweeter and while not bad, wouldn’t replace my search for the scarce Dunhill tin. With that said, I think it’s silly to think a perfect copy would ever be possible. Especially with tobaccos that come from other blending houses. So standing on its own, An Aperitif isn’t a bad blend and those seeking a mild to medium English blend with a little sweetness at a bulk price.

Paul Bonacquisti is certainly a great pipe maker, and after trying An Aperitif, I've decided he's not too bad in the kitchen either. His blending technique with this one showed a restraining hand on all of the elements. It was really spicy sweet in that Oriental sort of way and also gravitated toward the Orient in the strength department. I may enjoy stronger smokes (franky, without the inclusion of the Latakia I would, at times, think I was smoking hot air), but with a slow puffing cadence, the blender's hopes came alive. Nice stuff!

This is one of five blends in PL's English Sampler #4.

A nice light English. The Latakia and the Orientals have a nice balance. The Virginias as a mildy sweet base. Not sure what the Black Cav is doing other than hiding from me. Pleasant to smoke in the morning with a mug of hot black coffee.