John Cotton John Cotton's Numbers 1&2 Medium (re-release)

I had a chance to smoke this well remembered blend in the early to mid-sixties when it came in razor cut tins. I remember great stacks of the two and four ounce tins in campus smoke shops; but, it was expensive and I was living on a few dollars a week. I picked 1&2 up a few years later in graduate school in two ounce flat round tins. Now that I could afford it, it was a frequent choice and very much in competition with Balkan Sobranie Mixture - it's nearest rival. I always thought 1&2 was stronger than BS Mixture; however, the current blend is lighter than the original and more on par with what I remember BS Mixture smoking like. I agree with reviewer Steel Cowboy 2016-02-20 that it doesn't taste like the original all that much. I also agree with reviewer Tabaco 2016-02-26 in that my preference of the three revivals is Smyrna, and for the very same reasons: 1. it has more zest and 2. it is much closer to the original blend. The new 1&2 looks like the original in packaging and overall tin appearance, with a beautiful range of colors from blond to dark umber brown. My first indication that it might be milder than the original was in the tin aroma; weaker than I remember in the original. On lighting up I knew it was similar to but different from the old blend. When you opened a tin back then, you knew from the strength of the aroma that you were opening a solidly medium English blend. The current offering is more toned down and noticeably oriental forward and, ironically, reminds me of early tins of Balkan Sobranie Mixture - a mixture that I always considered to be a little more oriental forward than John Cotton 1&2. So, all in all, not a bad experience and one that I recommend to be enjoyed by all of us, even though it might not be the old blend.

Very well done, tin moisture is just right, combusts great, fairly complex and nuanced. I found I got more out of it by paying attention going slow and combusting indoors. I've not had the original so no comparisons; however, my preference is Smyrna more zest and zing, it's also very close to the original.

I'll keep a tin or two of the medium in my cellar for a change-up but not to hoard whereas Smyrna I'll be double ordering to acquire inventory for the long run . . . good Lord willing.

John Cotton's Numbers 1&2 Medium is a mild-to-medium blend in both strength and taste, wonderfully balanced, which is easy to smoke, and eminently enjoyable. Or as Gentleman Zombie so aptly put it: “A lovely smoke in every regard.”

Russ Oullette and his forensics team merit only praise for bringing this blend (along with Smyrna and Number 1 Mild) back to life -- irrespective of whether or not these indeed taste anything at all like the originals. As a comparative newcomer to the pipe, I actually (oddly) consider myself fortunate to have never had the pleasure of experiencing the original versions of these John Cottons, as I am not held hostage by their memories; consequently I can appreciate these more recent incarnations on their own, for what they essentially are in their own right.

Hard to believe this was released in 2015, and that in 2019 there are still fewer than 20 reviews for this superbly splendid blend. A real find – not to be missed – highly recommended.

This is another in the series of blends put together by Russ Ouellette guided by some great recipes from the past. Russ has done a great job with this one I think. All the components come together and play rather nicely here. The nicotine level is a little above middle of the road to me. The moisture level is great right out of a just opened tin. I can see getting more of this as time goes by. Definitely recommended.

Good English blend in itself. But, I don't know how accurate is the reconstruction. The tine note: Latakia smells first, then, Orientals and Virginias. Burning: It burns relatively well (it doesn't have so much moisture) to the bottom of the bowl. Leave almost no moisture. Nicotine level is medium, especially in the last quarter of the bowl. It is smokey and crisp. I wouldn't say it is an all day blend.

Standard Tobacco Co. - John Cottons Numbers 1&2 Medium.

It's a well rubbed blend, so the ribbons are a little below medium in size. The mixture's deficient of any twigs, or unsmokeable pieces, and the moisture couldn't be any better.

The Orientals and Latakia are about equal in weight, so 1&2 isn't a Lat-Bomb. Of the three it's the Virginia that's the laziest, it gives a slight bready taste, but isn't in the same league as the others. I don't think I'd qualify as a fast puffer, but 1&2 burns too quickly for me, and a bit too hot.

Nicotine: medium. Room-note: pleasant to tolerable.

If I'm honest I find this a bit disappointing. A little 'boring'. Two stars:

Somewhat recommended.

Mid-strength English, a little less smoky than I’d like. The Turkish is fantastic, and the Virginias provide some body and sweetness. Not rich, though. I’ve chained this in a meer and it smokes back-to-back just fine.

It comes perfectly dry, airs out quickly, and carries a deep rich chocolatey whiff in the tin. On light, VA, Turkish, and Latakia almost immediately merge. The nicotine is mild to medium, reinforcing that all-day reputation.

It’s quality leaf. I have a hard time justifying the extra tin cost in such a crowded genre. There are better blends under the Standard Tobacco Co of Pennsylvania banner. If you’re a confirmed medium English smoker though, this might just be heaven.

Tin note of smoky, earth, and mild fruit. Tobacco is a mostly brown ribbon with some yellow and a small amount of black mixed in. Moisture content is good. Burns moderately with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium... maybe medium to full, and consistent, with notes of floral, smoky incense, wood, herbal spices, leather, tangy citrus, earth, orange peel/zest, dry hay, musty sour, mildly spicy, a mildly sweet lemony background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Oriental/Turkish and Virginia supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.