Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation 1882 Founder's Blend

After the screw-up with "1855," I was cautious about the manufacturer's description. What if the Danish have their own understanding of the "English blend"? The description read, "Latakia, sun-dried Orientals, mature Virginia and full-bodied Kentucky leaf are blended together to create this old-fashioned English tobacco."

The 8 digits on the round 50-gram tin referred to June 2020. I opened the tin. The tobacco was cut in fine ribbons, well mixed, different varieties easily distinguishable, from dark lemon Virginia to almost black CYPRIAN Latakia. The latter turned out to be quite a lot, which gave some hope of meeting the expectations. There was a small amount of light colored Virginia, mostly ripe, milk chocolate varieties.

The flavor of the tobacco was fully consistent with the understanding of "English blend". The smoky, woody Cypress latakia provided the main note, enhanced by the Kentucky smoke and complemented by the subtle herbal sweetness of Virginia with a slight citrus sourness. The Orientals in the whole bouquet gave a hint of tan leather and an almost subtle aroma of incense. I did not detect any flavorings. The tobacco is quite dry despite its freshness, puffs easily, but does not crumble or dust. Naturally, you can light and smoke it very easily.

The taste of the tobacco did not let me down either. It has considerably less sweetness than, say, the Boutique Blend that I have reviewed before, but the bread note is more noticeable. Plus there is a slightly astringent nuttiness, a bit of woody flavor, a smokiness of the latakia and some white pepper. The flavor is harmonious, but a little dry. It changes in the process, taking on a slightly more defined sweetness. The tobacco does not bite, burns warmly, but does not burn the pipe. The strength is medium, unchanged through the smoking process. No nicotine hit. The smoke is warm, but does not burn the tongue and does not bite. The ash is gray and loose, the tobacco leaves almost no moisture, there is no need for a filter.

The smoke has a woody, toasty note with a light scent of incense. It does not irritate people around you, it is easily dispersed.

Bottom line: despite the presence of Kentucky, the tobacco is a great English blend for every day. I hope it stays on our shelves long enough.

Erik Stokkebye - 4th Generation 1882.

Over the past few years I've bought and cellared a few of the Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation blends. Because most of them are aromatics or flavoured blends I'd grouped them all together. So this one wasn't as I expected; not a false tasting aro', but a stalwart smoke.

This tin's dated 06/16 so a few years have gone into the aging. Sadly, the aging has also included a spot of dehydrating, I wouldn't reject a bowl for being too dry but nor would I like to lengthen its cellar stay. It's badged coarse cut but it's no coarser than a lot of ribbon cut blends.

The smoke: the Latakia's the most potent of the tobaccos, having an obvious smoky, woody, flavour. The Orientals compliment this character nicely, with a similar style. The Virginia takes more of a 'back seat', and the Kentucky ruins it; for me, that is. It just makes the smoke 'too much' for my palate, and causes an acridity which I find quite unpleasant. Because of the hydration being a touch too low it can be brisk with the burn. However, it requires hardly any relights!

Nicotine: above medium. Room-note: not nice.

1882? I don't like the smoke, it's too much for this sissy from England(!), and I wasn't too pleased with the hydration. That said, I feel two stars is justified. Many pipers will disagree, though.

Somewhat recommended.

I was hesitant considering it's Orlik made, there's not many English blends I've enjoyed from them especially the Dunhill blends. This one is very tasty: gently sweet, a bit of tanginess, some herbal notes, well behaved Latakia, a touch nutty at times, with a buttery mouth-feel. And rather temperate in the bowl: flavours intact all the way down no sick-spots, cool and dry, has a moderate combustion rate, decent smoke production too.

All in all one of the better all-rounder's I've enjoyed, mellow, round and rich. It works well anytime of day or night with enough chutzpah to follow an evening of Scotch and cigars. Highly recommended and cellar worthy.

It's been a while since I smoked a Latakia blend. The Latakia is finely balanced with the virginian leaf and the fruity depth of Cavendish is also present. It's the first time I have ever smoked the "4th Generation" brand. I am very pleased with it. I'm not a full on Latakia person, but this is just the right amount here, and provides that characteristic European Church incense aroma, slightly of Frankincense, but only slightly! It's a meditative cool and slow burner, and does not run too hot. The quality of the vacuum tin has enabled me to smoke straight away, the tobacco just the right side of not being too dry but not too moist either. I immediately placed in a good glass jar though and two twigs were removed! However the rest of the tobacco is a ribbon and flake composition and finely presented.

As you continue to smoke the taste gets into a slightly deeper woody taste, but it is not overpowering, the virginian leaf keeps the tobacco from becoming too deep in taste I think. This would ideally suit a good coffee! I am not sure if any flavouring has been added but something else is in the mix which is either a very small plum like after taste, its is not off putting at all - it could be down to the oriental added and the kentucy sweetness. A slight peppery spicy floral taste emerges mid bowl, slightly Perique like. I can understand why many say it's an English like blend, akin to say Dunhill mix but milder in taste perhaps to the Dunhill's I have in rotation. It is a lovely tasting smoke, and the vapour is a white light blue and is quite smokey in taste too.

This is a grand tobacco then and mixed very well. Would recommend to any experienced pipe smoker for the taste. Delightful.

The Kentucky is a nice change of pace. Burns well. Doesn’t bite. I thought the original tin design was classy, but they changed it for some reason. If you’re looking for an English with a punch, try this out.

UPDATED: Jan/6/2022 I guess the tins are now Grey, and say “Now with Full-bodied Burley.” Haven’t tried the new version.

Very well composed smoke. Fresh you get more oriental spice, less sweetness, and maybe a couple more relights. Smoking some from 2013 and its very smooth and creamy with a dry mouthfeel. The Latakia is definitely leading the Kentucky and Virginia while the Orientals seem to make the Kentucky presence more pronounced. Notes of sweet dry camphor, leather, wood, and smoked nuts over sweet dates that loose discernability as the Kentucky builds strength. Burns easily to a fine grey ash. Well done, highest recommendation.

This is an excellent tobacco if you love English pipe tobacco. Which I do. It's great right out of the tin. It smoke's cool and tastes great. My normal pipe tobacco guy ran out because I smoked it all. He never restocked but his other location has plenty. Well worth the drive.

Since I've only had a few bowls so far I'll come back and update this review later. First impressions: Very nice ribbon cut. Tin scent is amazing - lots of sweet smoke, and crisp fermented fruit. Takes to fire fairly well right from the tin but then again this is a tin that's been sealed since 2016. Initial tastes are spearmint, smokey peat, bright virginia tobacco sugars with citrus notes, dark fruit, earth and a slight vanilla bean note. This is one of those rare combinations of a tobacco that you want to stock up on and just so happens to be readily available. Highly recommend.

Tin note of sour fruit, sweet hay and smoky. Tobacco is a coarse cut of brown, black and tan. Moisture content is great. Burns moderate with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and moderately consistent, with notes of smoky, spices, incense, sour peaty vegetation, orange peel, leather, nuts, herbal floral, tangy citrus, toast, spicy, dark dry fruit, wood, earth, molasses, cocoa, a mildly sweet lemon grassy background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Kentucky, Oriental/Turkish and Virginia supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.