Fribourg & Treyer Wingate Mixture

My favorite in the F&T line as it is a sweet Latakia blend with strength and a smidgen of Perique that lends to rather than overwhelms the tobacco. I would call this one very similar (except with much more flavor depth), to Iwan Ries's Gourmet English if you included a little Perique. I enjoyed my tin and the tobacco (from 2003) was extremely well aged and I am sure that added to the enjoyment.

Pipestud

I really like this blend and wish it came in Bulk. The blend is a mild, smooth, and an all day, Balkan ( not Latakia forward) with that easy to use "Dunhill like" ribbon cut. The taste is surprisingly full for such a mild blend, with perfect balance between the Virginias, Perique, Latakia and yes, I detect other Orientals.

It's very interesting to read the other reviews, as we ALL seem to be all over the place with this one . Reading reviewer, " Deleted Account" 2013-12-31 ,it seems there may have been a change in the blending a few years back. Older reviews indicate a much stronger and spicier , English style blend, this blend now is not that way.

I've tried Wingate as a replacement for my first pipe of the day, which is usually EMP, but I find that it doesn't have the kick I need and would rather smoke it with my "second" cup of coffee. It doesn't have that "Lemon Pucker" of EMP, maybe closer to "Germain's King Charles Mixture" in behavior. I do detect hints of split oak , cinnamon and nutmeg when "mouth breathing", similar to Dunhill's London Blend , But no real topping.

All in all, a great blend for between heavier offerings . ( let this breath and dry for about two weeks in the tin to bring out its best. )

I cannot tell F&T's Wingate and Fox's Dorisco apart by smell, appearance or taste, so I am giving them the same review. This is not to say they are the same tobacco because this might just reflect the limitations of my abilities. What differences, if any, there are between these tobaccos, apart from price (Wingate is about 20% less expensive at time of writing), I will leave to better noses.

Both Wingate and Dorisco seem to be variations on Presbyterian. That is they are a light English mixture of Orientals, Latakia leaf tip and fine Viriginias, to which has been added a generous hit of Perique.

Visually, the tobacco is a short ribbon cut of many colours, from grey green to black. The tin note is predominantly pine needles and a gentle caramel with some spiciness.

This tobacco packs and burns easily. Altho the presence of Perique here has the effect of amplifying everything else in the blend, it is still a well behaved, moderate tobacco.

Latakia predominates from the first light, but unlike Presbyterian, shares the show with the peppery Perique. As the bowl progresses the Perique overtakes the Latakia. Between them some lovely Virginias add sweetness and Orientals add lightness and aroma.

This tobacco won't be for everyone but is a first rate blend in my opinion.

I found Wingate to be an especially well balanced English blend with lots of complex notes but not too heavy on the biting side. I would recommend this blend as a solid replacement for the original Dunhill's Early Morning blend because it has a bit more zest but still comes across mild and soft. Could easily be an all-day smoke or a punctuated experience if you rotate between pipes and medium bodied cigars during the day. Room note is a distinct Balkan-style Latakia blend but still frangrant somewhat like wood resin incense in heavier blends. Never biting on the tongue. Perique seems to be slight or missing or just a condiment dash but the niccotine charge is still there. Not a particularly thick white smokey experience even mild Latakia blends can produce but manages to satisfy nonetheless. The Virginia's add a nice friendly contrast towards the end of the bowl. Wonder if anyone has ever tried this blend before it went to German production. I would guess it was infinitely stronger. Yet the presently manufactored product is not too soapy like some German reinventions / interpretations can be.

Wingate Mixture is not in the Dunhill tradition. If the tin description leads anyone to expect something like Nightcap, a surprise is in store. The Latakia and Perique are expertly applied, not ladled in. I found it to be a complex and interesting mixture for the mornings and afternoons.