Chief Catoonah Tobacconist Princes Street Mixture

I was pleased to receive a good sized sample of this John Cotton's Throwdown Bell Ringer. Although extremely hard to get, I do enjoy the old John Cotton's blends whenever I can scarf a tin, and was eager to see what all the fuss about Princes Street was about.

A very nice rendition of the original John Cotton's 1&2, and I may actually like this better because the Latakia leaf has not broken down and presented itself well. Smooth and no bite, this one should please the low-key English blend lovers. Also similar to Rattray's Black Mallory, Iwan Ries Gourmet English & Frog Morton on the Town according to my old taste buds.

Pipestud

I was sent a sample from the Chief himself with a hand written note stating "hope you enjoy a few bowls". Many thanks Dick.

To start, I've never had the blessing to smoke JC 1&2 Medium, but if it's like this, I've missed out big time. The sample was a bit moist and needed a small bit of dry time. I could detect the familiar scent of Red Virginia (5100 maybe?) used as a base for the rest of the ingredients. Only a tiny bit of Latakia scent was noticeable. Visual inspection showed a dark red and black mixture speckled with very few tan coloured ribbons. Also noticed a few black pieces of Stoved Va.

At the match, the Red Va. and Latakia are first noticed. About mid bowl the Turkish (tastes a lot like McC BTR) and a small hint of Perique barely whisper along with the Red and black stoved Va. Smoke is smooth and a tiny bit sweet. The smoky Latakia is never strident,but always there throughout, playing along very well with everyone else. Bottom of the bowl was just as tasty as the top, with no muddled finish. Just a small bit of wet dottle (as always from 5100) in the bowl is all that's left after this wonderfully smooth smoke.

Princes won't be a bell ringer for those who thrive on mixtures such as Nightcap, SOTE, or Engine 99. Delicate and complex is rule of thumb here. Excellent first bowl of the day blend.

Very recommended for pipemen who appreciate subtle complexity in their mixtures. And, even for those who don't. 😉

The smokey, woody, earthy, musty sweet Cyprian Latakia takes a small lead. The dry, lightly buttery sweet and sour, earthy, herbal, woody, vegetative, mildly spicy Orientals are an important supporting player. The tangy ripe dark fruity, woody, earthy, bready, sugary red Virginia supports the fermented dark fruity, earthy, woody, bready sugary stoved Virginias are just behind the Orientals in terms of their effect on the blend. The raisiny, figgy, spicy, plumy, earthy, woody perique is just a little less obvious than the Virginias. The strength is almost medium. The taste is medium. The nic-hit is a notch below the strength level. Won't bite, and has no weak or harsh moments. It does have a few small rough edges. Burns at a moderate pace, cool and clean with a very consistent sweet and sour, savory campfire flavor from top to bottom. Requires few relights, and leaves little moisture in the bowl. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste, and room note. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

This is way too light for my liking. However, I recommend it if you are interested in what John Cotton 1 & 2 used to taste like. I was able to sample some from the 50s and Dick hit it out of the park with this blend. I would not be able to tell that Dick's blend was from freshly blended tobacco. They are VERY close.

A quality blend that is just too airy for my tastebuds as they have been seasoned to heavy englishes and orientals.

Don't hesitate to try it.

This is a great blend by the Chief. It was the 2012 Throwdown winner. I find that it lights well and burns slow and steady to the bottom of the bowl. It has sufficient Latakia to satisfy my taste, but it is not an overwhelming element of the blend. I find it to be a very pleasant and satisfying smoke that will become one of the blends that I buy and cellar.

Smoked a bowl of this blend and here are my thoughts:

A very good English blend. Nice balance of ingredients. Smoked well top to bottom. Very clean flavor with no strong aftertaste like most English blends. If you like a medium English blend then you should give this a try. Definitely in the rotation.

Very enjoyable from start to finish begins a little meek till about a third off the way down then the virgina sweetness and the orientals begin the magic show. Will be in the regular rotation