Hermit Tobacco Works Co. Captain Earle's - Reflections

This is a krumble kake that breaks apart as easily as one could want. The burley is nutty sweet and a little toasty, while the dark fired burley adds light spice, wood and cocoa. The cavendish is naturally sweet with a touch of honey in a minor role. The Cyprian latakia is a subordinate player, smoky and woodsy sweet. The Orientals/Turkish provide a woody smokiness with sweet and sour notes, and some floralness. Izmir appears to be one of the star Orientals; obvious in every puff. The stoved red Virginia is lightly sugary, dark fruit and citrus sweet with a little earth and grass base. An exceptionally well balanced, a little Oriental forward blend with complexity and consistency of flavor, it burns cool at an even rate with no harsh or dull spots and little moisture left in the bowl. Needs some relights. Produces lots of smoke, and leaves a pleasing after taste. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

This was my first Captain Earle's blend and I really enjoyed it. It is an everything but the kitchen sink blend to be sure, but all the elements work well together to offer a pretty smooth smoking experience that offers multiple flavor profiles.

Of all the things in this, Perique is about the only thing that is missing. It is hard to really pinpoint any flavor as dominant as is usually the case with such blends. In many cases this would add up to a boring smoking experience. And to some maybe this is, but not to me.

Too much Latakia, orientals or DFK can really clobber the tastebuds. Reflections has just enough of these components that you can appreciate their presence, yet not be discouraged to pack another bowl of the same to follow up. While not dominant, the Virginias are apparent the whole time and do carry all the other elements along beautifully. To me, this is a nice all day blend and I used it as such a few times and never tired of it.

I felt it worth adding that this really puts off a nice sidestream. I would put this somewhere between 3 and 4 stars and will let it settle on three as it is not a blend I feel I need to immediately replenish, but it is very good. Anyone who enjoys these type of blends should not be disappointed smoking a tin of this.

Without being too winded, and I lack that refined of a palate, this a complex English that smokes with a full flavor and smoothly.

The various leaves don't overpower one another as another reviewer said. They just weave in and out. The Latakia is enough to make you feel this is an english blend, but you can taste the other players.

This is a good selection manufactured by C&D. It hasn't been ruined by copious Burley and is not harsh.

A wonderful balanced blend in a nice bake form. the flavors and delightful with a touch of Latakia and Orientals which give the smoke. The orientals come first followed by the Viginia and a hint of Latakia rounding out an excellent blend. A wonderful blend in the morning with a cup of joe.