Lane Limited LL-7

As with aromatics in general, the flavoring(s) overpower the tobaccos in the blend...That's not to say that this is in any way an unpleasant smoke...it's just not an interesting smoke...For an all day, pay me no mind smoke, it could be better; it could be worse...one thing in its favor, I found that it's not too wet and requires minimal to no drying time.

Don't get me wrong. For a sweet aromatic, this is one of the better ones. It is more coarse cut, burning slower and allowing more tobacco taste to come through. It is not too wet or over flavored either. I would compare this to a premium version of Captain Black. Many reviewers say that about Lane's RLP6, but I think the opposite. (Read my review on RLP6 if you wish).

The one thing that kept this review from being better is that the taste seems very common to me. It reminds me of some of the drug store blend tastes that take me back to the amateur days. Sure, this is a better tobacco, but I'm not exactly searching for a premium version of Captain Black. After all, a high end Hyundai is still a Hyundai - a good vehicle for the money but still a Hyundai, not a Lexus.

Lane Limited - LL-7.

The pouch contains a blend that looks about 75-25% brown to black, smells sweet, and is a little too moist. But, being fair, it's still smokeable from the pouch, just a touch damp.

The flavour's quite a basic, sweet, aromatic one, giving more caramel than vanilla. Where the tobaccos are concerned I don't really find it has anything to shout about: honey-Cavendish and Burley, with a little Virginia. Mechanically LL-7 does well: a good burn, no tongue bite, and a thick/cool smoke.

The nicotine feels mild, and the room-note's nice.

LL-7? It's pleasant enough, would suit beginners and aromatic fans, but any more than one bowl bores me.

It seems like any other sweet aromatic out there. Somewhat recommended.

Two stars.

Like most Lane tobaccos LL-7 is not something you smoke for the nicotine. This is a very mild aromatic comprised mostly of Virginias and then topped with a mild chocolate flavoring. The chocolate is present but it doesn't stand out either in the jar or while it's smoking.

If I want chocolate this probably isn't the one I'd go back to regularly, I save that for 7 Seas. But this is a nice cheap tobacco that can be used to tone down stronger blends.

A delicious smoke that I find myself craving, especially on hot days. It has a good lighter tobacco taste that isn't too overly cased or flavored in the smoke. It does however give you just enough of the aromatic side to know you're smoking an aro by the actual smoke entering your mouth, not just the room note. Never bites even puffed hard until the end, leaves a pleasing aroma that my wife doesn't bitch about... both on me, around my mouth, or in the car etc. Many other tobaccos (even aros) she says I "stink". I do sometimes find it a bit light in the tobacco flavor department but if I want one to smoke while I mow or dink in the garage this is it.

DINGED IT ONE STAR DOWN... TOO MUCH HUMECTANT

Received as part of the customer appreciation pack from P&G. Smelled very good in the pack. Taste was sort of hit or miss when I was smoking it. Was sitting outside a hotel smoking when some other smokers and non smokers came out and commented on how good it smelled. One asked if it was captain black, so it might have a similar room note. Overall I find the blend o.k. I will smoke out the sample, but will not order more.

Update 6/04/10: Can't stand it anymore, just to sweet and smells like a strong potpourri. Guess my tastes are changing.

Pouch: Moist, smell of chocolate and vanilla. Contains mostly cavendish with some virginia and some burly.

Flame: Burns well, medium body, smooth, no harshness. No tongue bite. Taste of chocolate, vanilla when the cavendish lights. Nice initial tingle which goes away quickly.

Nose: Smooth, creamy steamy chocó vanilla. Smells like the bag. Nice easy to like flavor. Like 1Q but chocolate not vanilla, bit more body and flavor.

Down Bowl: Stays somewhat dry, no bitterness. Flavor uniform as bowl progresses, mild N, no bite, slight nose tingle, no mouth tingle at all.

Aftertaste: Smooth chocolate, little tobacco taste, no bitterness, slight tingle in mouth. Flavor in nose is chocolate.

Conclusion: Mild strength, mild moist smoke, tasty but not like tobacco, nose smell is chocolate and pleasant. Try PS Nougat if you want more tobacco taste. LL-7 is a tasty morning treat with ice coffee flavored with cream liquor. Nice in hot weather.

If you like Lane's aromatics, this might make a nice addition to your repertoire. It is very moist, sweet, and smells lovely. Makes a nice potpourri too. I store this sort of think in my handkerchief drawer. None of Lane's blends hold my interest for long. But some folks love them, and for what they are they aren't bad.

One of life's great mysteries to me is why the same people who rave about this blend also dislike Lane's 1-Q. To me, if you let 1-Q dry out for a day, what you'd get is very similar to this. They both have the same saturated sweetness.