Two Friends Deacon's Downfall

Rich with Latakia? Yes! You open the sealed plastic pouch and that is what assaults your senses. It packs and lights very quickly. The predominant first note is of very well aged Latakia. It is sweet and yet, slightly spicy. The Latakia doesn't overwhelm as the initial pouch aroma would make one think. It smokes cool and smooth - incredibly so for so rich a blend. These two friends have gotten together and put a superlative blend out there for all to try. The VAs and ther Perique are slightly noticable, giving this a wonderful spicy sweet and piquant flavor. As a clergyman, this might yet be the downfall of many to whom I have wholeheartedly recommended it.

Somehow my original review has disappeared from TR.

Oh well, thedstnguishdgntlmn got this one right. I consider this something of a Scottish blend due to the deceptive Cavendish, which adds some initial sweetness only to lead one into the den of Latakia's smokey iniquity, where the scourge of nicotine awaits.

Let's hope the deacon's downfall remains only potential from this seductive blend and is not indicative of the sad sinner's stumbling.

As with the rest of the Two Friends blends I can recommend this one. I am a novice pipe smoker and enjoy a bit of Latakia but not when overpowering. This one is a bit strong in that respect for my taste but will undoubtedly be relished by a more "seasoned" smoker.

Wet, wet, wet. Used over 5 pipecleaners to get the moistness out of this mixture. Taste, as described by the 1 star reviewers. I had terrible luck with this stuff, but not rank as others described. Reminded me of Squadron Leader, but, without the taste and dry smoke. Do not recommend this at all. Sorry, really wanted to like it, but it also bit me irreconcilibly.

I suspect that I will have to dry this out and blend it with a poor English to get my investment back!

I agree with distinguishedgentleman: good, though not great. I did like it better the second time I tried it. The blend had been shpritzed with distilled water and left to air out a few days. A lot more interesting flavor and aromatic piquancy resulted. This is in the vein of Valle Crucis & Cordial, though I find the former a bit nuttier and the latter more flavorful & altogether intoxicating. Still, Pease & Tarler produce some of the most offbeat blends. Deacon's smells wonderful in the pouch upon first opening. It's even enjoyable picking out the flavors in the bowl before you light it. Definitely top quality, and an enjoyable ride in the car.

Three of five stars

If you like offbeat English blends try this one! There are so many ingredients in the mixture that no one flavor dominates. Latakia is a major player in this one though,so be forewarned.The best description I can give is if C&D"s "Bow Legged Bear" had actually been good,it would have become this.A real assortment of potent tabacs in here so eat first. Not great,but actually good. Let it breathe in the pouch for a day after opening and you will find the flavor is much better. For the adventurous only!

Akin to Pirate cake, the latakia in this blend is the meat and potatoes and there is nothing subtle about it. While the latakia is premium grade no doubt, this one is for those that love to mainline latakia and use it as mouthwash and toothpaste. If you love latakia you will love this. If you dont like latakia stay away.

Deacon?s Downfall is very nice looking. Plenty of dark coloration, with some bright highlights. And the aroma is full and interesting. It packs well. It lights well. It burns well. And the taste? Excellent.

This is certainly not one for the newcomer to English blends, simply because it is so rich and full. Deacon?s Downfall is creamy-smooth. The smoke is thick, just begging you to blow a few smoke rings. It does, in fact, produce excellent smoke rings. Had it not been for the distraction of watching me blow rings, I think I would have been invited to go look at the porch while I smoked this. I think that little diversion kept my wife distracted long enough for her to get accustomed to the room note, which is petty rich and full too!

Deacon?s is somewhere between Dunhill?s 965 and Nightcap for Latakia strength. But for complexity it is a few rungs up the ladder from either of these.

The Tarler/Pease combo has shown that a two-man band can indeed come off like a full orchestra. Take some time with Deacon?s Downfall and get to know it. You?ll find that a blend can be at once full and rich, while still being subtle and complex.

Another winner from the Two Friends.

John Aylesbury (Tinsky) bulldog, Two Friends Deacon?s Downfall. 60F, moderate humidity. A full dose of Latakia is quite evident, plus some sweet Virginia tones and enough Oriental T for nuance (but not taste, vs. Latakia). Med-thick smoke, cool smoking but with a bit of bitter aftertaste (not as much as Valle Cruces, though). At ½ bowl, has a ?toasted? nuance, some caramel tones; Latakia backs off a bit (though it still dominates the blend), and I think I feel/taste Perique, though well-used so I can?t be sure if it is here. But I think it is. What I call bitterness may be minutely soapy, but not completely unpleasant. Second half is shows some yellow VA sweetness, but it can't raise this blend above "not quite as monotonous and Latakia-happy as I first thought." Easy burn throughout, fine white ash remains.