D & R Tobacco English Hoopla

The Cyprian latakia is smoky, woody with a mild sweetness. The Oriental is woody with a slight sour note, a little earth, and toward the finish, seems to have a spice note in a support role. The Virginia is grassy, citrusy sweet, and acts as the base for the other components to play off. It’s the least noticeable of the three tobaccos. Even though the latakia takes the lead over the other ingredients, it doesn’t over take the Oriental and Virginia. The anisette and vanilla toppings are lightly applied, with the former being a little more obvious than the latter. Both are smooth with some creaminess, and they do not detract from the flavors of the tobaccos. Won't bite or get harsh. Has a moderate nic-hit. Well balanced, it burns at a reasonable pace with very few relights with a cool consistency, and leaves virtual no moisture in the bowl. Needs few relights. Has a nice after taste, and is an all day smoke.

-JimInks

The Lat is the most notable tobacco, but the Orientals and Virginias are easily tasted. The topping is a little more anisette than vanilla. I would prefer the opposite and that's my only complaint. It's a smooth and enjoyable smoke that has a nice creaminess to it. A solid three star smoke.

Mild to medium in body. Medium in taste. Flavoring is mild. Burns very well.

This full English blend is probably the best introduction English blend I've ever run across. Make no mistake, it is a full English! But the tin and smoke note would never make you guess it. Mark Ryan has created another delicious traditional pipe tobacco blend with the help of some creamy, dark, and rich Latakia and Virginias lightly cased with anise and vanilla. These casings do not make it an aromatic, nor do you really even taste them. They balance the hearty amount of Latakia and orientals into a smooth and delicious blend with a slightly sweet "room note". There is never a tongue bite, nor do I ever get board with it.

I would highly recommend this to a brand new English smoker, or to anyone who prefers sweet over smokey complements to their English blends.

This is a delightful English Blend. I have found it to be delicious and dependable after fours months of smoking this. I would recommend this to English smokers looking for a reliable all day tasty smoke.

D & R Tobacco - English Hoopla.

Not as dry as some of the D & R blends I've had before. The ribbons are coarse, but not too coarse, and it appears to include about a fair amount of each leaf. The aroma from the tin is quite sharp.

I find 'Hoopla bizarre. On one side the tobaccos taste nice; rich Latakia, dry Orientals, and a spot of freshness from the Virginia. There's no doubt in my mind the tobaccos have been blended well. But sadly, on the other side sits the toppings; these spoil it, for me. The anisette outweighs the vanilla, easily, tasting strident, asperous, and bitter; although not 'strongly' flavoured, there's enough to envenom my palate! It burns well enough, fairly cool, even, without any bite.

Nicotine: just below medium. Room-note: not good.

English Hoopla? If it weren't for the toppings I'd recommend it, but considering these I feel it warrants just two stars:

Somewhat recommended.

Just opened up a tin today from a Christmas gift. The weather is cold, wet and I am feeling like home. Mild in taste. Not much to it.