Bengal Slices Bengal Slices (re-release)

Good stuff, Smokey and creamy a good amount of earthiness. A bit of citrus in there. Savory with depth of flavor. The orientals play off the Latakia very nicely and the cavendish is a good binder. Gets better as you smoke down the bowl.

This is a smoky latakia blend. The orientals are complex enough to add depth to the flvor. There seems to be some Samsun as well as some Yendige.

Never tried the original Bengal slices,fusiliers ration nor the lancer slices. For what it is,this is a very good tobacco. I certainly would not mind the name. I smoke for the pleasure of pipesmoking and this one just happens to be very good.Highly recommend.

First take:

I am reviewing Bengal Slices immediately after trying my first bowl and my first impression is that this tobacco is just superb.

I am glad that I did not know that it was flavored with licorice before I bought it, otherwise, there is no chance I would have bought it. I am not a fan of licorice alone. But to pass on this tin because of its licorice is to pass on latakia blends because you don't like straight latakia. It's an ingredient, and it is expertly incorporated.

This blend is so rich, yet it is not overpowering at all. Like a great wine that reveals what food you should pair it with, my first impression of this blend is that it tasted like steak was missing. It's like it's creating a flavor profile that would be perfectly filled with Montreal steak seasoning. It's rich, smoky, spicy, and contemplative. I didn't feel any nicotine as I was smoking it, but I felt it when I was done. I'd say it's medium. The licorice comes through in the first hint of a slow draw, and it almost feels chocolatey. Or velvety. It's so tasty that the hardest part about this blend is smoking it slow enough to uncover its nuances. I can't wait to get back to this blend.

A very Latkia forward blend. Smoky, with some slight citrus from the Virginia and sweetness from the Cavendish.

There is a slight anise/menthol flavor, which isn't distracting but becomes more apparent as the pipe heats up.

Definitely worth trying, though a bit pricey.

My thoughts on Bengal Slices. It took a charring light and then easily lit up. The first thing I noticed was the semisweet cavendish and the smokiness and campfire flavor of the Latakia. Then the piquant, sour, exotic Oriental tobacco came in, mixing with what had become a taste of dark fruit like plums or cherries. The Virginia tobacco presents a citrus and hay baseline underneath.

The room note is sharp, spicy with some Latikia smokiness to it, but it's still pleasant to me. Not something you could smoke around people who are sensitive to Latakia.

As I continue to smoke, I am amazed at how smooth, cool and balanced this blend is. Everything just jives, like a good song with all the elements playing their parts. Succinct. No dead weight. This is expertly blended! And the tobacco is of very high quality. It reminds me of Penzance, but with the added bonus of black cavendish to keep you on your toes.

Heading into the second half of the bowl, everything has calmed down and further melded into a beautiful melody. Still wonderfully balanced and engaging. There is an essence that I hardly noticed at first, that of salty ocean wind, that has grown stronger as the bowl wanes.

As I tamp occasionally, I am surprised at how fine the light gray ash is, like a fluffy powder.

It burns dry all the way down to the bottom and finished perfectly. What an amazing smoke this is! One of the best Krumble Kake English blends I've had, up there with Smokers' Haven and Penzance. What a wonderful experience! I can't wait to smoke more of this and get to know it better. 5/5

Tin note of dry fruit from the Virginia, bit of leather from the Latakia, and floral perfume from the Balkan leafs. Just a hint of cocoa.

First puffs bring the Latakia further out, but still on a delicate level. Alongside the Latakia are the floral Balkan tobaccos. Flavor is kept pretty much the same throughout the smoke.

Not a strong blend, just a friendly tasty and somewhat complex flavor. Comes in beautiful slices of kake, easily crumbled and packed, but does require a few relights. Deserves to be enjoyed in a medium or large bowl in order to let its character time and space to develop.

Masterful blend, highly recommended. I do hope that it'd be more affordable, so I'd buy it more often. But as is, I'll get it from time to time and smoke it irregularly as to not finish it too quickly.

Just got to sample the original from a friend tobacconist in Va. WOW! Nothing like it. I haven’t tried your new version yet but I’m keeping some of my sample to compare. I don’t smell anise. It has a unique sweet aroma that is very honey like. With a light floral like perfume scent. The initial light has the distinct Lakeland floral/soapy character. Totally unique. It smokes wonderful. Good Latakia, very smooth and balanced. Gets richer and a bit smokier near the end of the bowl. Wow. Just Wow. It makes you crave more. What blend comes to mind as a distant relative with a similar scent and flavor is Mac Barens Solent Mixture.

i did a rewrite on this review because I wasn’t really happy with it . I smoke outdoors so i really don’t get any room note experience from my smokes but Bengal Slices has a great incense like aroma I love ! The Latakia and Orientals are obviously responsible for most of that . The Latakia is heavy in this blend but it works . The Orientals are spicy and sour and sparkling. The Virginias and Cavendish add quite a bit of sweetness to contrast the funky Orientals and smokey Latakia quite wonderfully. The topping adds to the experience. This is one I smoke when i am in the mood for it and that comes around regularly! Great job , Russ ! Very unique blend .