Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) John Bull Royal English

Just finished up a pouch of John Bull. It was my first shot at an English blend having smoked mostly Virginias and Cavendish. Good stuff. The operative word here is mild. The Latakia takes center stage but in the meekest way possible. The first couple of bowls didn't leave much of an impression at all but once I got toward the end of the pouch subtle nuances of different flavors began making themselves known and I found myself interested in another bowl over the aromatics currently in the lineup. Although I did like this smoke, I probably won't be buying any more John Bull because the requisite Kick of Nick is just shy of acceptable. I will, however, be trying other English blends because of the favorable introduction to the genre.

Update 2021--upgrade to 4 stars. It turns out I like my English blends mild. My favorite blends are burley based but I always have John Bull on hand for a chance of pace. Of all of the tobaccos I've smoked only Prince Albert and John Bull are always in the cellar.

My experience was like the others: this is a good introduction to English blends. It has the correct notes of a good English blend without the volume that might scare off someone who isn't used to Latakia. It burns well, won't get too hot unless you really puff hard and doesn't tear your mouth up. It makes lots of smooth, creamy smoke and doesn't burn the back of the throat with too much pepper. It doesn't develop deep flavor like a British Woods (McClelland) and it's not as peaty as a Sobranie-style blend, but it's a solid tobacco and it's very surprising to find such a good value in a pouched tobacco.

Highly recommended for those looking to get into English blends but it's also a good blend for those experienced smokers who need a simple but easy blend as an everyday smoke.

JOHN BULL ROYAL ENGLIEH .Have'nt wanted to smoke anything else since I stuck my nose in the pouch . Moisture content ready to smoke . Cut kind of Cavendish . Packing not a problem . First impression after char reminded me of Dunhill Nightcap . Second impression middle of bowl thought I was smoking Elizabethan . I must say this is one of the best pouch tobacco's I've ever smoked . If your a English tobacco lover don't miss this one . For this endeavor I used an estate Dr. Grabow Sculptura . (Fine pipe if there ever was one ) . Smoked almost half the pouch using the Doctor and my taste buds were rewarded the same way with every bowl . Does it need to be said always use your slow smoking technique for tantalizing results . I'd also like to mention using different pipes smoking the same blend can uncover hidden qualities . So now I tried J.B.R.E. in a ALPHA Burl Briar freehand Israel . To my surprise somewhere at the top a new but familiar old taste presented itself . Have you ever used Balkan Sasieni ? What a treat that John Bull is providing me . There are no words I can use. I know this is not much of a review but it's my way to describe the taste of a tobacco such as J.B.R.E. or any tobacco , is to compare it to other blends . Try it you'll like it ! LAST WORDS : SMOKE SLOW , TRY DIFFERENT PIPES .

Finally ordered a pouch of this from Russ and am glad I did. This is the perfect all day mild English for me. An excellent blendation (Funn Dictionary) of tobaccos, in that no one stands out IMHO. Brings to mind an extremely mild Dunhill 965. Ribbon cut makes in perfect for packing and burning. Tastes fantastic when DGTeed as well. If you are looking for an all day mild English, it doesn't get better than this. This is something you can smoke all day and enjoy. Only drawback is it only comes in a pouch. I'd love to get a pound of this. You will not find a better pouch tobacco at this price. Smoked in a huge calabash shaped meer and a small briar. Those of you who need a breaking in tobacco for an English pipe...this is it. Highly recommended

What a great surprise! This is my first English pouch tobacco that I got in a great deal from P&C online. I never thought myself a tobacco snob but I guess this proves otherwise as my expectations were low. Man am I glad I threw this pouch in my pack when out for a late season hunt. After a successful day in the stand I lit this baby up in a cob on the hike back to the truck. The nose from the pouch was all latakia forward and a sweet raisiny smell. It was quiet nice and I left my nose in the bag for a few minutes (actually warmed my nose up as I breathed it in). It smells cased but I cannot identify with what, but it is very nice. The flavor profile for a very inexpensive pouch tobacco is astounding. Latakia forward, I have read other reviews suggesting it skimps on lat flavor, I did not see it that way in my pouch. And for the record I am not a one bowl and review it guy, I smoked 2 more small bowls and it 3peated nicely. I do not mean to suggest it is a lat bomb but I got a nice smokey sweet woody smoke with the Virginia's as a solid base. The Virginia's are sweet and bready with some toasty notes that come and go throughout the bowl. I think the characterization as a mild English blend is fair. The only down side to this tobacco for me was that it can bite. I have never had an English of any kind bite me and this may be the humectants used in the pouch presentation. I may also shoulder the burden on this as I was so eager and surprised with this tobacco that I am sure I can do better as I finish the pouch. Highly recommended based on the flavor and price point.

A daily favorite of mine, a bowl every morning. Also quite nice after a savory dinner. This baccy comes in a nice compressed block of black & tan tobacco. A shade on the moist side (if you buy this and it is dried out, you bought old stock). Upon opening the pouch you get a nice, smokey English scent. Very similar to the old Drum rolling tobacco. This is a Burley forward blend with a sprinkling of Latikia. It has also been sprayed liberally with natural smoke flavoring. This gives it a nice illusion of being a much higher quality blend. Overall an excellent baccy. It will bite because of the Burley and it does burn hot as well. Still, for the price and quality (considering that it is an OTC pouch blend); a highly recommended blend IMHO. Cheers..

This is a great tobacco. I was strictly an aromatic smoker until I found the love of latakia. This was the tobacco that changed my mind on tobacco.

If you are not from the UK or Australia, this review might confuse you a little bit. The smell and taste remind me of marmite/vegemite. It has a very thick taste and on the "salty" side. This might turn a lot of people off, but it is a great taste. There is hardly any tongue bite and a long smoke.

John Bull Royal English is mild with a very mild nic-hit. The tobaccos are very good quality. The Latakia is a tasty presence and adds a light sourness. The pouch note is English, or Baltic, or maybe somewhere between. I can't taste the cavandish. A pleasant smoke from beginning to end. My wife says the smell is OK, but not something she wants in the house.

Is it a keeper? Darn straight! Good year round but excellent in cold weather. This tastes the way I wished tobacco had tasted when I was a young man.

It's gone to the top of my rotation. Slightly compacted in the pouch and rubbing it out is a nice tactile experience. Top ratings!

Light, slightly sweet English. Overall smooth, non biting. Tobaccos nicely even in proportions. Nothing stands out over another. The description is exactly what it says it is. I found my all day smoke! Very good.