Bengal Slices Bengal Slices (re-release)

When I opened up the tin of Bengal Slices, it smelled smoky and sweet. I could also detect some sort of added flavoring, but I'm not sure what it is. I rubbed out the cake, carefully mixing in a few small chunks. When I first lit Bengal Slices, it seemed stronger than it actually is, but it is really a medium tobacco. There is a slight sweetness from the Virginia tobacco and sweetness from the added flavoring. This is a smooth smoke and I enjoy it. I didn't get any bite and the strength stayed about the same from beginning to end. I would definitely smoke this again.

Is this the holy grail? I think so. The tin aroma is so perfect, that I often waste a portion of my time to smoke just breathing it in.

The smoky Latakia, the sweetness of the Black Cavendish, the fullness of everything coming together.

Right from opening tin it was a good moisture level, but a week or so later it was better. I noticed right away the unique qualities of the Crumble Cake. I break it up quite lightly, letting the larger pieces sit at the bottom while I lightly pack any spare crumbling on the top. Lighting was easy, though I did require a few relights. I did avoid that a little better when I broke up the cake a little more thoroughly, but I'm not bothered by relights unless it becomes excessive.

The flavor is out of this world. The only tobacco I remember enjoying this much was Solani Gold. I could barely resist breathing it in my nose, or directly inhaling it. I'm sitting here writing this review one day after I smoked my last bowl on hand, and my chest is buzzing with anticipation of smoking it again. I've just placed an order for 2 more tins from Tobacco Pipes.com

Do yourself a favor and try this tobacco. It has brought family together as the first English my Brother truly loved, and my brother in law who previously would only smoke Aro's said "This is the best tobacco I have ever had."

Actually, a favor is too light a calling. Do the solemn duty of smoking this heavenly tobacco. That you, and your family, to the third generation may reap the benefits.

EDIT: Having gone back now to Solani Gold, I can say with surety that this is a more approchable smoke. I love the former as I used to, but don't find it as smooth. Perhaps that is the addition of Cavendish to Bengal Slices, or maybe there is a light casing. If there is a casing, it is undetectable to me, but I am no expert. This is the Holy Grail

This is a very nice tobacco. If you do not like top flavorings take heed, there is one here although I find it to be quite pleasing. Tin note is licorice, vanilla, campfire and a woody earthy smell. Very pleasant The crumble cake is a bit of a challenge to pack and causes each pipe to burn differently (at least for me). I found some success with cube cutting it and loosely packing the bowl with a firm single tamp. It will require some relights. Once lit the flavor is quite good. The flavoring is present but does not mask the woody sour orientals and the smokiness of the Latakia is right up front. I find cavendish to offer a sweetness to the smoke but it also boosts the mouth feel, a full bodied smoke, very "round" mouth filling. The Virginias are present but hard to tease out beyond a sweetness and grassyness on occasion. If I understand the lineage this is a second attempt with more info and a build off of Fusellier's Ration. The latter was easier to pack and smoke but this is a much more enjoyable smoke from the flavor perspective. This would be a 4 star tobacco if it weren't so hard to pack and get a good burn on.

Never tried the original but I can say this, Wow! What a blend I've read some negative stuff but I urge those who have offered those opinions to give Bengal Slices another shot. This blend needs to be smoked slowly to get the full benefits it has to offer. I am an English / Balkan smoker and this is one you want in your rotation. This is a blend that is not to be missed.

In my view the current Standard Tobacco version is a tribute blend, not a replica although competent in it's own right; however, it's very different indeed totally different compared to the original British version moreover it's a crudely sliced crumble cake. I gather that Lane does not have the equipment nor the presses to manufacture slices as one sees in Penzance or Gawith's Balkan Flake for example.

Having recently emptied, a few weeks ago, one of my few remaining tins of the original British made slices it's time for comparisons: the topping is utterly different, the original was soapy floral Lakeland-like essence which ghosted like nobody's business. The new one reminds me of mild Tonquin slight Vanilla and some Anise, occasionally on the retro-hale a mild soapiness does arise albeit very mild and almost nonexistent, the former would be every puff and blend-dedicated briars a virtual necessity.

The original was more Latakia forward, the new one being more subtle yet still retaining a respectable Latakia representation.

Appearance, the original is much darker and waxy like shoe polish, mind you age plays a role. The appearance of the new one is exactly the same as Plum Pudding, don't rub it too much it turns to dust quickly. Gravity pack no tamping needed, burns great, very cool/slow and well behaved all the way down, consistent flavour and combustion. I did not notice vitamin N at all; however, the casing does coat the palate so last smoke of the day for me. All in all the new one is a competent blend albeit quite different maybe second cousins.

I prefer Russ' Fusilier's Ration it has more personality with bigger Orientals and more Latakia forward, the anise is also very apparent every puff. The best thing Russ has done in my books.

I'll finish this tin; however, I won't be cellaring any on the other hand a nice stack of Fusilier's Ration is slowly growing in the cellar.

PS. the new version of John Cotton's Smyrna is much much closer to the original. I close my eyes with a packed pipe and up pulls Doc Brown's DeLorean.

3rdguy.

Beautiful crumble cake with a pleasant tin note. Top note is not an issue unless you are sensitive to them...very subtle. Also the cavendish plays a back of the bus addition but it is there, which is a good thing in this blend. Latakia is the star but the orientals are right there as well. Very tasty blend as you slowly work it. Gets better throughout the bowl.

Really interested in letting some of this age. I am in the camp that all tobaccos benefit with age. Some more then others but they all will improve with the blending of flavors, the rounding off of high notes and the such. Something with this blend leans me to a nice surprise in a year or so.

No one has included the video yet of Russ Ouellette describing his incredible effort into recreating this blend so I am adding it at the end.

Highly recommended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8_g27h78U0

I had been hearing good things about this tobacco for a while but thought it would be out of reach due to scarcity. However, I was lucky enough to be online when Smoking Pipes had it in stock briefly. The first thing that struck me was the package in the tin, a neat stacked pile of thick slices in the centre of the tin with lots of room for it to move around. The other thing was how easily if crumbled apart (I know it is crumble cake but how do they impart this characteristic when other flakes hold together so well?)

So for me it lights easily and stays lit well with only a few re-lights. A smooth and mild but flavorful blend with a nice room note. Who could ask for more!

This is some great tobacco here, it broke apart and packed nicely in my pipe and after the right amount of poking at it in the bowl ( my lack of experience with crumble cake showed up here) I had a great early morning smoke! The taste is rich,deep and leaves a pleasant mouth feel not unlike what one gets from sipping a "GOOD" cup of coffee. Each puff starts with a smokehouse type taste that somehow manages to get sweet at the end. Credit the blender for finding the perfect way to transition between smokey and sweet in every puff! The smoke reminded me of a freshly opened tin of Blue Diamond "Smoke House" Almonds and never became rank even at the bottom of the bowl. This is a four star blend for me!

UPDATE!!! The wife said this is her hands down favorite tobacco that I smoke. She even asks me to smoke it when we sit outside!

There is little I can add to the already eloquent review that "jimlnks" has so eloquently provided. He has hit the nail right on the head. This is ,simply put, just an absolutely wonderful tobacco. I've never smoked the original, but I can surely speak to this blend. The latakia is spot on. It adds just enough woodsy, camp fiery taste to the smoke. The Black Cavendish holds the whole smoke together. It is there throughout the whole smoke. At first it's very predominate. But then it eases back a bit as you progress through the bowl. But the latakia stays through whole smoke. The Orientals and Turkish at first, give you a nice peppery blast as you exhale though your nose. As the smoke progresses though, it gets milder and milder, until it dissipates altogether. The Virginias are hardly noticeable throughout the bowl. I guess they too contribute to the success of the experience. I'm not that experienced with them. As you progress through the bowl, it gets milder and milder, adding to the pleasure of the experience. There are several relights, but not many. Until you are finished. Just a clean ash when you are done, with no dottle. But the latakia stays through the whole bowl. So if you like a lat bomb...this is your smoke for sure. And if you really want to experience the best...if you happen to have a meerschaum...load it up!!