John Cotton John Cotton's Number 1 Mild (re-release)

In the pouch, it is mostly tan and brown in the pouch with a few strands of black latakia. The pouch note is fresh hay and a little smoke and spice. It came at a good level of hydration for me, and I loaded it right out of the sample baggie. It might have been slightly on the dry side for some.

There is a great combination of flavors in this one, and while it is in the same camp as EMP and the various clones, I think it works better for me. The latakia is a mild presence - always there with the campfire woodiness, but it is just condimental kicked up two notches maybe. You can always taste it in the flavor profile, but it has more of a sour, spicy oriental signature to me. It has a sweet grassy Virginia as the foundation. I do not get any citrus or detect a topping.

I will admit I have an appreciation for orientals, and this was a very satisfying blend for me. It may have been all the more so because I was expecting mild from the name, and it is closer to a medium in terms of flavor. There is a somewhat thick quality to the smoke and the flavor seemed to be come a little fuller as the bowl progressed.

I don't quite think it merits a 4 (everyone should try this), but it is a great smoke. Depending on the pricing, I could smoke a lot of this.

I really liked DK's review of John Cotton's Number 1 Mild as he sure nailed where it fits among the various Cotton classics. I was not as impressed though with the overall presentation. I think an attempt (and a successful one), was made at getting a higher quality Virginia leaf for this one and the Latakia was very pleasant. Unfortunately, the fact that the blend was a little "fresh" tasting, keeps me from giving it more than a half a thumb up. The name John Cotton's on the label is really as close as this one comes to the original.

There are a number of blends under this name that have recently been reintroduced to the pipe smoking community. I never had the opportunity to smoke the originals, so there won't be any remembrances of days gone by here. I think Russ is a first class blender of tobaccos and I would think that these are as close to the original as possible. With that being said, I find this blend to be at the right moisture level straight out of the tin at first opening. The components come together quite nicely to produce a very fine blend. Everyone seems to play well with the other components and there seems to be a very nice room note and tin note as well. All in all, a very good addition to this updated version of a classic tobacco blend. Can't wait to try some of the others. Definitely recommended.

Pretty nice smoke. The Virginias lead with the Orientals not too far behind. They create a little sweet and sour woody hay thing that's nice. The Lat is ample enough to bring a constant woody smoke to the background. I think some of the sweetness might be an addition. It's a smooth smoke that burns cool.

Mild to medium in body and taste. Added sweetness is extremely mild. Burns very well.

I was looking for an oriental blend with just a little latakia, and this fit the bill. No bite and produces enough smoke. A good morning smoke that I enjoyed in my new Scorpius pipe, carved by Portuguese artisan Joao Mandail, that I got at the 2016 Chicago Show. A very nice combination! Although I generally prefer a more flavorful blend.

As others have noted, for a "mild" blend JC #1 packs a lot of flavor. Depending on my palette at any given time, the oriental dominance can either delight or sting. The latakia is present but mild. I think there is a slight topping (which is enjoyable) but that might be my imagination. I have blended this with some muted blends in the cellar with success (Briar Fox to name one.) On some days this is the perfect breakfast blend. Confidently recommended.

Tin note of sour, spices and mild smoky. Tobacco is yellowish tan ribbon with a little brown and a smidgen of dark brown/black mixed in. Moisture content is good, though some want to dry it out a bit. Burns moderate with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is mild to medium and consistent/inconsistent, with notes of herbal sweet, spice, tangy, lemon grass, mildly acidic, wood, bready, floral, orange peel, musty fermented vegetation, dry sour, mildly spicy, incense, a tart citrus zesty background note, and a moderate peppery retro. Virginia is leading with Oriental/Turkish supporting. Latakia is supporting from afar. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.