Newminster No. 17 English Luxus

Part of the latakia lovers load from P&C, this one and Larry's blend came away the winners in my book. I really like that Luxus contains the burley and perique, and keeps the latakia subdued. It's more than a minor player, mind you, but it's reigned in and smoothed over a little. So not only is this more of a old-time traditional English format, but it's just smooth enough to be able to enjoy all day if it strikes you to do so. There is plenty of flavor to go around --I get mostly burley and perique with steady latakia backup. But like GentlemanZombie pointed out, somehow this blend puts off occasional oriental vibes. How they do that with no orientals included is beyond me, but I noticed it from the first smoke. In fact, I thought it did have oriental in it before researching a little more. One more point to add...this one, unlike most my English blends, seems to benefit greatly from aging. I've smoked it from fresh to about 18 months and there is considerable development I'd attribute to the burley and perique mellowing and melding. Smokes really well, not too wet, not too dry, and no tongue bite to speak of. Love it.

Although it is stressed "non-aeromatic" in the product description, the bag note is very much like a light aeromatic and oriental. However no bad flavour leaves in the bowl and my nose, seems quite a natural blend to me.

The smoke is quite dominated by burley at the beginning, very surprisingly nutty and earthy. The latakia enhances gradually at the second half bowl. Relighting doesn't make the smoke harsh or bity and the flavour keeps constantly nice. Virginia almost does not exist. For a moment I think i taste perique....Overall it is a balanced blend, very rounded, mild and smooth.

It burns well and leaves few moisture in the bowl.

At the first bowl, I noticed my mouth and throat became very dry, which seldom appeared to my other natural blends, and it did not bother me then because the flavour was so nice. But after 5 bowls, i have to say the mouth touch is not good. It keeps your mouth and throat very very dry like drug store blends do to me. Side drinking is a must.

At one point I believe the description of this tobacco here said it was comparable to PS English Luxury. Sitting here comparing the two side by side, and there isn't much similarity between the two at all. Luxus has a sweet, almost vanilla aroma. Even though it states this is a non-aromatic, I can't believe that sweet vanilla aroma comes from the cavendish. Still, the pouch aroma is intoxicating.

This blend ships a bit moist, but not a sticky humectant type moisture. It packs quite well, and the initial moisture amount doesn't seem to hamper lighting nor smoking qualities. There is one issue that can, and does hamper the burn quality: the large chunks of Latakia. They definitely need to be broken up to proper size, lest your bowl burns very uneven.

Upon lighting, the first thing I notice is the vanilla sweetness that comes forward. The burley offers a bit of strength to this blend, also bringing on some raisin bran sweetness. The perique is noticeable only when exhaled through the nose, or slightly in the room note. I have always enjoyed sweet English mixtures in the springtime. Perfect balance, and all 5 tobaccos get along very well without fighting one another. Not as complex as some blends that contain this amounts of various leaves, but it sure isn't boring!

Great transition blend from strong, rich and heavy Latakia blends in the deep of winter, to VaPers and burley in the spring summer. This fits the bill perfectly!

Not too many reasons not to give this one a go. Price point is very affordable. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor piping. Just a great all-around blend from Newminster.

Wife enjoys the room note of this indoors, so that's a win-win for both of us!