Lane Limited LEO
(3.40)
Winner of the People's Choice Award at the 2012 John Cotton #1 and #2 Medium Throwdown. An initial burst of latakia gives way to the sweetness of Virginias. Cyprian Oriental adds a subtle hint of spice.
Details
| Brand | Lane Limited |
| Blended By | Leonard Wortzel |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| 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
|
3.40 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 23, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
The tin description above says this blend won the contest but I believe it won the People's Choice award, which I guess means that we "non-experts" chose it as the best of the bunch. Can't comment on that since I haven't smoked the other two, but this one is definitely a winner in my book!
Mostly lighter colored with some mottling from a bit of black latakia, this has an enticing latakia/oriental tin nose. Lightup does indeed highlight the latakia but it quickly retreats to the rear. I've read/heard that this is an oriental-forward blend but I don't agree. To my tastebuds, the virginia is front and center at all times save for the very bottom of the bowl, with the orientals riding shotgun. A beautiful naturally sweet blend with about a whiff-and-a-half of spice, similar to my admittedly foggy recollection of the blend it's emulating. Using my "good memory", this is the Highland Targe/Davidoff Royalty type of "balkan" rather than the Charing Cross/Sobranie type... mellow, nuanced, creamy, with a lightly sweet baked bread flavor. The ribbons burn perfectly and the nic is fairly low but there. When overpuffed, it brings the tingle but never gets piqued enough to snarl. Smoked at normal cadence, this is a very worthy blend and is highly recommended. Whether it properly mimics the John Cotton, I can't recall. Whether that matters is up to the individual. This is good enough to make that comparison irrelevant to me. And folks, one last thing... this stuff is cheap, cheap, CHEEEEEEP! For now!
Mostly lighter colored with some mottling from a bit of black latakia, this has an enticing latakia/oriental tin nose. Lightup does indeed highlight the latakia but it quickly retreats to the rear. I've read/heard that this is an oriental-forward blend but I don't agree. To my tastebuds, the virginia is front and center at all times save for the very bottom of the bowl, with the orientals riding shotgun. A beautiful naturally sweet blend with about a whiff-and-a-half of spice, similar to my admittedly foggy recollection of the blend it's emulating. Using my "good memory", this is the Highland Targe/Davidoff Royalty type of "balkan" rather than the Charing Cross/Sobranie type... mellow, nuanced, creamy, with a lightly sweet baked bread flavor. The ribbons burn perfectly and the nic is fairly low but there. When overpuffed, it brings the tingle but never gets piqued enough to snarl. Smoked at normal cadence, this is a very worthy blend and is highly recommended. Whether it properly mimics the John Cotton, I can't recall. Whether that matters is up to the individual. This is good enough to make that comparison irrelevant to me. And folks, one last thing... this stuff is cheap, cheap, CHEEEEEEP! For now!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 04, 2013 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is one of my favorite blends to come out recently. It has settled into the "comfortable old friend role" where no new or giant adventures are needed, just a good peacefull time.
It starts out with a nice medium latakia flavor, then settles into a sweet spicy phase as the Virginias and Orientals take center stage, with latakia providing background support, and pretty well stays that way till the end. Its hard to categorize this one, it really is just a nice Medium blend, providing good flavor, without ever getting too hot, bitter, or strong, and maintains and clean flavor profile.
Since I first tried this, every time I order tobacco I add a tin or two of this to the order, its just that good.
It starts out with a nice medium latakia flavor, then settles into a sweet spicy phase as the Virginias and Orientals take center stage, with latakia providing background support, and pretty well stays that way till the end. Its hard to categorize this one, it really is just a nice Medium blend, providing good flavor, without ever getting too hot, bitter, or strong, and maintains and clean flavor profile.
Since I first tried this, every time I order tobacco I add a tin or two of this to the order, its just that good.
Pipe Used:
Ashton Pebbleshell Billiard, GBD Rhodesian
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2013 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
When I first opened my first tin of LEO, I was greeted with a sweet and sour scent that I sometimes associate with some of the Dunhill blends and for me that's a good thing. The ribbons are mainly tan with just a small smattering of Latakia. In appearance it reminds me a lot of GH's #25. I agree with DK below that this is more of a Virginia forward blend with the support tobaccos IMO being added masterfully. Being such, I did find it to burn a little hot when forgetting to remember a proper cadence. LEO is sweet and slightly smoky. I don't recall it being as sweet when introduced at the Chicago show but the sample was small and it was a smoke fest! I am going to buck the trend a little and say that I think there is a tiny amount of manually added sweetness to LEO, and for me that just adds to the wonderful flavors that come from this blend. Lane has created a great blend at a great price!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 01, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Being a fan of the lighter side of the English blend spectrum, I was anxious to try Leo. It has a lot more flavor than Standard Mix Mellow and much milder than Early Morning Pipe. Being Virginia forward, the latakia and oriental components are there in a supporting role. But each plays their part well. This is a very flavorful and satisfying mixture of quality tobaccos. A great all day blend for those who like their pleasure on the milder side. Be careful, as this blend tends to burn a little hot. Well done!
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 27, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
Though I liked LEO quite a bit my first go around, a year and a half of age on this VA forward tin has resulted in a magnificent blend; sweet, citrusy VA forward with the smooth spice of the orientals and the quiet backbone of a touch of Latakia; terrific stuff! Put a tin away for a year or two and see for yourself. Given its price, LEO is one of the best deals out there. Highly recommended.
Age When Smoked:
1.5 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 20, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
I purchased a tin of LEO from a local B&M tobacco shop. They recommended it based on my personal preferences; I think I mentioned Penzance and Squadron Leader for guidelines.
Unlike most tins that I purchase, when I opened LEO, it was already at a decent moisture level. Most tins require a few day dry out period but I smoked my first bowl of LEO the day I opened the tin.
There's little remarkable about this smooth blend. No flavors are overpowering. However, every bowl I smoked was a pleasant experience. As I got further into the tin, I found that I was always excited about smoking LEO. Is it a Penzance? Is it a Squadron Leader? Absolutely not. But it is most definitely a wonderful smoke.
If you're the guy that's never happy with ordinary and is always looking for a new and more exciting experience, maybe LEO isn't for you. There's nothing flashy about it. However, if you've learned to enjoy the long-lasting joy of something that fits just right, give LEO a try. You just might find a life-long partner.
Unlike most tins that I purchase, when I opened LEO, it was already at a decent moisture level. Most tins require a few day dry out period but I smoked my first bowl of LEO the day I opened the tin.
There's little remarkable about this smooth blend. No flavors are overpowering. However, every bowl I smoked was a pleasant experience. As I got further into the tin, I found that I was always excited about smoking LEO. Is it a Penzance? Is it a Squadron Leader? Absolutely not. But it is most definitely a wonderful smoke.
If you're the guy that's never happy with ordinary and is always looking for a new and more exciting experience, maybe LEO isn't for you. There's nothing flashy about it. However, if you've learned to enjoy the long-lasting joy of something that fits just right, give LEO a try. You just might find a life-long partner.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 17, 2014 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
(I am a newer and irregular pipe smoker. My reviews are subject to my preferences and tastes and pipe smoking habits)
The description is pretty spot on for this blend.
Opening the tin, you find a bright ribbon packed tin of yellow, orange and some mixed black. The tin note is a soft but noticeable Latakia, smoked meat aroma. Not as strong as any other English/Balkan blend I have purchased. Packed it light and tried to smoke it slow. The initial taste of BBQ Smoke is encased in a nice somewhat rich and Sweet flavour. The Latakia appeared to disappear within the first few minutes and was a mostly Sweet and Spicy blend. The spice was something along the lines of cinnamon or allspice, somewhat distinct but then again muddied. I kept searching for the flavour and would start puffing too hard. This blend can get a little bite to it. Overall, there wasn't anything 'stand out' flavour wise for the overall smoke, but it had these great starting moments of interesting flavours, then settled into a medium bodied, sweet and earthy tobacco. Left a little smokey/ashy after taste, but not too strong. If I was an everyday, several bowls a day pipe smoker, I could see this being an all day blend. I may think about cellaring a few tins, and at the price currently, there is no reason not to. A nice, Virginia prominent, mild English Blend. Could be a great place for those curious about English blends but only wanting to dip one toe in safely.
The description is pretty spot on for this blend.
Opening the tin, you find a bright ribbon packed tin of yellow, orange and some mixed black. The tin note is a soft but noticeable Latakia, smoked meat aroma. Not as strong as any other English/Balkan blend I have purchased. Packed it light and tried to smoke it slow. The initial taste of BBQ Smoke is encased in a nice somewhat rich and Sweet flavour. The Latakia appeared to disappear within the first few minutes and was a mostly Sweet and Spicy blend. The spice was something along the lines of cinnamon or allspice, somewhat distinct but then again muddied. I kept searching for the flavour and would start puffing too hard. This blend can get a little bite to it. Overall, there wasn't anything 'stand out' flavour wise for the overall smoke, but it had these great starting moments of interesting flavours, then settled into a medium bodied, sweet and earthy tobacco. Left a little smokey/ashy after taste, but not too strong. If I was an everyday, several bowls a day pipe smoker, I could see this being an all day blend. I may think about cellaring a few tins, and at the price currently, there is no reason not to. A nice, Virginia prominent, mild English Blend. Could be a great place for those curious about English blends but only wanting to dip one toe in safely.
Pipe Used:
Estate Pickwick Arms Briar Billiard
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
new/Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 28, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Good medium Balkan Blend...To my taste, none of the individual ingredients over rides the others...Nothing here to make your eyes pop...A good satisfying medium Balkan Blend which should do yeoman's work as an all day smoke...Very dependable...Would definitely buy again.
Pipe Used:
various to fully test
PurchasedFrom:
Smokkingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
just purchased, did not cellar
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
It believe that it is good to challenge one's prejudices. Some time back from the description of the contents I may have not held much interest in such a blend. However since I feel in love with Presbyterian Mixture after finding this tobacco and noticing it's incredibly low price I had to order some and give it a go. What a treasure of smoking pleasure this surprise offering provided. I find myself smoking it daily. Leo is not too strong but delivers an intensity of satisfying flavor and is mild to the tongue. Savory sweet and slightly spicy with a consistent seasoning of sophisticated smokiness this golden ribbon cut with streaks of dark brown tobacco is a current favorite. I don't like tobaccos with an overpowering dose of nicotine and while the N is present it is in proportion and unobjectionable. I've tried it in a number of pipes and seems to consistently smoke dry with little exception. Too bad that I never had the opportunity to try John Cotton, the mixture that it emulates. I'm ordering up more of this wonderful smoke as my tin is quickly evaporating. Very highly recommended. Four stars plus.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 06, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
There is a lot of taste here; however, it doesn't smell like anything special until it's lit - so do not be put off if at first the tin note does not impress you. Leo seems to smoke well, burns pretty fast and evenly in the bowl. Like the previous reviewer stated, there is a bit of spice in this, gives Leo a unique character that I personally appreciate. I have paired this blend with coffee in the morning and very much enjoyed the combination.
Pipe Used:
Britannia - Straight Billiard
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
Newly Opened Tin, then again aged
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