James Fox The Banker's Mixture
(2.80)
The incomparable aroma of this fine tobacco is due to the superfine pure Havana leaf which has been skilfully added to give the flavour of a fine Cuban cigar.
Details
| Brand | James Fox |
| Blended By | Kohlhase & Kopp |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Cigar Leaf Based |
| Contents | Burley, Cigar Leaf, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.80 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 13 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2008 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
When I first tried some of this tobacco 2 years ago, it was still Irish-made: sweet, round, full bodied but not overly strong or aggressive. It had a delicious balance between the Virginias, the Latakia and a marvelous cigariness (withouth the harsh or heavy overtones of bad cigars). It was simply unique.
Then some months ago I had a tin of the "new version", which is German-made by Kolhase & Kopp (makers of the Rattray line)... It definitely had changed, in worse... The cigar aroma was less rich and delicious, and the whole blend seemed lighter in taste, more undistinguished. It was still fresh, absolutely not bitey, and quite enjoyable... but the magic had gone! It still is probably the most balanced of all the Cuban leaf blends (GLPease Robust is equally good, but as the name says it can be robust and spicy), athough I also feel that the nicotine content has increased: not untolerable, but I have to smoke it in a bowl which is no more than medium sized or the room starts spinning...
UPDATE: I have just opened a tin of the K&K version which I had let age for 5 years since buying it... not bad at all! It has become smoother, rounder and tastier than my previous experience with a fresh tin. The Cuban leaf has gone to the background even further, leaving a very rich, sweet and thick Latakia-heavy flavour. I am definitely enjoying this! Not as great as the first version I had tried, but certainly recommendable.
Then some months ago I had a tin of the "new version", which is German-made by Kolhase & Kopp (makers of the Rattray line)... It definitely had changed, in worse... The cigar aroma was less rich and delicious, and the whole blend seemed lighter in taste, more undistinguished. It was still fresh, absolutely not bitey, and quite enjoyable... but the magic had gone! It still is probably the most balanced of all the Cuban leaf blends (GLPease Robust is equally good, but as the name says it can be robust and spicy), athough I also feel that the nicotine content has increased: not untolerable, but I have to smoke it in a bowl which is no more than medium sized or the room starts spinning...
UPDATE: I have just opened a tin of the K&K version which I had let age for 5 years since buying it... not bad at all! It has become smoother, rounder and tastier than my previous experience with a fresh tin. The Cuban leaf has gone to the background even further, leaving a very rich, sweet and thick Latakia-heavy flavour. I am definitely enjoying this! Not as great as the first version I had tried, but certainly recommendable.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 03, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Apart from The Bankers the only other mixture containing cigar leaf that I have smoked was the Balkan Sobranie Virginia No 10, and that only occasionally. I have from time to time mixed the wrapper from the snipped-off end of a Cohiba to enliven an insipid tobacco, but I do not, as a rule, turn to cigar leaf in pipe tobaccos.
On opening the tin The Bankers exudes an aroma reminiscent of Durbar or Royalty, but in a much more muted way. The cigar leaf makes its presence felt in the mildest, subtlest, weakest form.It certainly adds something to the mixture, and I suppose it is an introduction to this type of tobacco. The usual virtues of Fox - impeccable cut, perfect moisture etc - obtain. My tin had some indeterminate age on it. It said made in the EEC: so it was probably made in Ireland.
On opening the tin The Bankers exudes an aroma reminiscent of Durbar or Royalty, but in a much more muted way. The cigar leaf makes its presence felt in the mildest, subtlest, weakest form.It certainly adds something to the mixture, and I suppose it is an introduction to this type of tobacco. The usual virtues of Fox - impeccable cut, perfect moisture etc - obtain. My tin had some indeterminate age on it. It said made in the EEC: so it was probably made in Ireland.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The cigar leaf leads by just a touch lending woody leather and earth backed by the Burley/Virginia combo giving this smoke a very nice earthy, sweet fruitiness. Lastly the Latakia and Orientals provide a mild smoky woodiness. Overall it's a very nice and tasty smoke. Has a smoothness to it that's very pleasing. Has enough strength to satisfy. Better than 3 stars, but closer to 3 than 4.
Mild to medium in body. Medium in taste. No added flavoring. Burns very well.
Mild to medium in body. Medium in taste. No added flavoring. Burns very well.
Pipe Used:
MM Little Devil Cutty, Little Devil Acorn, Marcus
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 01, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have been smoking The Bankers Mixture on and off over the past 6 or 7 years. The tin scent is musty and reminds me of an old book store for some reason. It burns dry and smooth, with the cigar leaf making itself known from the beginning, although it isn’t too much. I don’t get the sweetness from Bankers like I do with other cigar blends like Lewis’ 123 Mixture or my favorite, Compton’s Cuban Style Cigar Blend. TBM is earthier in flavor with a moderate amount of smokiness too. Considering the number of component tobaccos in TBM, I don’t find it very complex. Bankers is a solid edition to lovers of cigar leaf blends, although it would be mid-way down my list.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 18, 2011 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
I'm not sure I can distinguish the Havana in this medium-English mixture. I do have some McConnell's Havana in my collection, and have found that when I add it to blends, it simply blends in rather than creating a strong cigar taste. I am no expert in cigars, as I do not smoke them. That said, I myself rate this as a good middle-of-the-road English blend. This style is not my favorite: I like my Latakia either strong or just a touch, and the average English is something I can smoke and enjoy, but not buy a lot of. I have to rate this as recommended, though, as it is quality tobacco well-blended. My tin is definitely the new version.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 05, 2010 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
I was afraid at first to try it in my favourite Latakia pipe, as I was afraid it will catch the Havana leaf smell, so I smoked it first from my test pipe and liked it (now I smoke it from my latakia pipe with greater pleasure and no "fear"). It is a very interesting blend and I will keep it in weekly rotation definetlly.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 17, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Strong |
This blend surprized me with its elegant and smooth smoke. Besides the Latakia touch it has also a fine cigar taste.
Packs and lights well. It doesn't change its taste, gets a bit stronger after the first half of the bowl. It has a rich and ferm smoke with nice cigar flavor enriched with a hint of Latakia, offering a delightful English Mixture smoking experience.
It can't beat my favorite Virginia, Perique, Burley and Oriental blends but for sure it is a good English blend and would satisfy the fans of these blends.
Packs and lights well. It doesn't change its taste, gets a bit stronger after the first half of the bowl. It has a rich and ferm smoke with nice cigar flavor enriched with a hint of Latakia, offering a delightful English Mixture smoking experience.
It can't beat my favorite Virginia, Perique, Burley and Oriental blends but for sure it is a good English blend and would satisfy the fans of these blends.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2009 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
My "version" of the tin is different from those pictured above - it is plain white label with black inscriptions and green Fox... and it is from Germany (blended by certain R. L. Will from Buende).
However, the blend itself is quite pleasant. Cigar leaf note is not dominant, so one may smoke it without fear that others will fall down because of heavy smoke. It burns easy and during smoking it does not change taste. Recommended even for Summer (evenings).
My rate: 4.0.
However, the blend itself is quite pleasant. Cigar leaf note is not dominant, so one may smoke it without fear that others will fall down because of heavy smoke. It burns easy and during smoking it does not change taste. Recommended even for Summer (evenings).
My rate: 4.0.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 28, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Thirty-some years ago, I used to enjoy an occasional pipeful of Balkan Sobranie's Virginian No. 10. I set out to find a similar type tobacco that's currently available-- not necessarily a duplicate of the Sobranie offering of yore, but something that had the same components and character-- primarily Virginias flavored with some good cigar leaf. This was recommended to me, and, although it isn't exactly what I anticipated, Fox's "The Bankers" is quite good. Old No. 10, as I remember it, packed a lot more of a punch and the cigar flavor was much more pronounced. The Bankers has the character of a decent medium English mixture. The emphasis is on the slightly sweet Virginias, with a little Latakia for seasoning. The cigar leaf is well in the background, not at all assertive-- along with the Latakia, it's more of a seasoning. Nicotine level is in the middle range. Tin aroma is light English with a hint of cigar; the room note is much the same-- almost as if someone smoking a cigar walked quickly through a room where a pipeful of an English mixture was being smoked. If you're looking for a nicotine powerhouse, or a big blast of cigar flavor, this isn't it-- but it's nevertheless an enjoyable smoke, just different enough to be a change of pace from "regular" English mixtures.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 08, 2006 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I agree with others that this is a very subdued English blend in all respects: it is a most gentle, exceedingly smooth, sweet and mild English yet largely one-dimensional. Regardless, I found it different than many other English blends I have smoked that are all too similar. I will call The Bankers a ?unique? English blend. The Havana leaf in this blend must be in the most, minute proportion as there are several other 'cigar' blends that present more cigar notes than The Bankers. Although hard to detect, I have no doubt that the presence of the Havana leaf is what makes this English blend unique. I also swear that this blend actually ?soothes? the tongue making it an ideal end of the day smoke that will cure ?tongue weariness.' ?CHECK' it out! BANK a few tins of this in your tobacco VAULT!
A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.
I rate this blend 8.8 out of 10.
A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.
I rate this blend 8.8 out of 10.
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