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

(3.32)
John Cotton's Numbers 1&2 is a smooth blend of Virginias, a variety of Orientals and Cyprian latakia for a balanced, enjoyable, all-day mixture.
Notes: John Cotton's Nos. 1 & 2 was a staple for many pipe enthusiasts until it disappeared in the eighties. Through careful research and sampling vintage tins, which jogged the memory of master blender Russ Ouellette, this smooth and smoky blend has returned for a whole new generation of pipe lovers to try. This is a mild to medium-bodied blend of ripe Virginias, fragrant Orientals, spicy Turkish leaf and latakia. There's enough latakia to let you know it's there, but the marriage of the Cyprian leaf and the various Orientals produce an exotic flavor, and the Virginias add just the right amount of sweetness for beautiful balance. John Cotton's Nos. 1 & 2 can be enjoyed anytime, and will never overwhelm the palate.

Details

Brand John Cotton
Blended By Russ Ouellette
Manufactured By Lane, Ltd.
Blend Type English
Contents Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Ribbon
Packaging 1.75 ounce tin
Country United States
Production Currently available

Profile

Strength
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.32 / 4
8

9

2

0

Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Sep 13, 2015 Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant
The first of 5 samples, and thanks to reviewer Jiminks and the folks at the Standard Tobacco Co of PA for the opportunity. This mostly light but mottled ribbon has a traditional latakia blend scent reminiscent of old Dunhill and, yes, John Cotton mixtures of yore. It's a smell that seems to be missing in newer blends these days - latakia smoky but promising much more than just a latakia taste.

Russ says the latakia is the main player here, and I guess that kinda sorta comes out in the flavor. I always knew it was there. But I find this one exquisitely balanced between all the components, particularly the orientals. They are of the juicy and spicy variety, but not overloaded with spice. The Virginias lend their sweetness and color, and this blend just strikes a perfect balance. I smoked several tins of the original back in the day and it was my favorite lat blend, although I was mainly a VA and VaPer man back then. This blend was and is a provider of deep but not strong flavor, and I much preferred it to the other main lat player of the day, Sobranie. My memory for details is, of course, hazy but I fell into this one as I did the original. Excellent room note, deep rich flavor, sweet enough but not too sweet, with a nice stew of exciting flavors. And I loved its easygoing complexity - it didn't slam me over the head with constant change but it was well nuanced and interesting. Based on a single ounce, so take this with however many grains of salt you require, but I honestly believe that this is one of the 3 or 4 best tasting latakia blends on the market (assuming it does indeed hit the market!). If Russ didn't nail the original (and I think he did), he at least created something special. I'm going to load up on this one. Whatever magic John Cotton created back in the day has been recreated by Russ today. This is a shoe-in for my personal Best Discovery of 2015.
17 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 26, 2017 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
A very nearly perfectly balanced English. If one component lags a little it's the Virginias and it's only by the smallest margin. What strikes me most about this blend is how smooth and gentle it is while exhibiting medium strength. It's pretty remarkable. If this is what the original was like I really hate missing out on it. A lovely smoke in every regard.

Medium in body and taste. No added flavoring. Burns very well.
Pipe Used: MM Little Devil Cutty, Little Devil Acorn, Marcus
PurchasedFrom: smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked: fresh
7 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Oct 05, 2015 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
I just finished this, the fourth of the five review samples I had received and I now have a new favorite of the five. I really did not think it could get much better than the Smyrna, but this one is just magical. It is a medium blend as is called out in the title and is right there with EMP and Squadron Leader to my tastes and quite possibly better than both.

It is to my tastes the near perfect combination of V, O and L. The Virginias are much sweeter and earthier than they are in the John Cotton Number one, which combines to give the orientals more of a flavorful punch. The latakia is light enough where you could easily smoke this all day without having that smoky leathery mouth feel that the lat bombs can deliver, yet hardy enough that there is no denying its existence.

This blend also has a heavenly side stream. I can't help but sniff the smoke coming off the top of the pipe every few puffs or so. It just adds to the entire experience. In this caliber of blend, I always thought Squadron Leader was the top, but I would put this right at the top and quite possible above SL.

Fantastic work. I will cellar a lot of this one when it is released.
7 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 27, 2017 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant to Tolerable
Well, this is intriguing, flavorful yet smooth . I don't know how Russ accomplished this, to get such a dark creamy taste from the Latakia without overpowering the other ingredients. Not strong, but flavorful, it's hard to explain, think of the difference between boiled vegetables and roasted , dark chocolate and milk chocolate, oh, you get the idea . Agree with "Gentleman Zombie " ,"well balanced ".

I'm normally a Cob smoker but this is even better from a Briar , the smoke was even creamier. I never smoked the original, but if it was like this,. it was a loss. Also feel reviewer, "DK', did a much better job with the review than I could .
Pipe Used: cob & Briar
Age When Smoked: 2 months/ open one week
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 25, 2015 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
I ordered a tin based on the rave reviews of those who sampled this blend prior to it's release. It is a very satisfying medium strength mixture of the highest order. The orientals and latakia play off each other perfectly. The balance is exceptional. There are moments of complete nirvana while smoking this. It burns cool and completely to the bottom of the bowl. The quality of the leaf used is beyond compare. Delicious in every way. Leaves a light taste on the tongue. Lovely spicy taste in every puff, but not heavy. I think this is a masterpiece of exceptional quality. One of my favorites.
PurchasedFrom: Pipes and Cigars
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
May 21, 2018 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Tolerable to Strong
When i was informed that John Cotton's blends are available again i was very happy.i had a big dilemma because i could not order every blend so i went for this one as the middle strength blend.once the tin pops up you instantly realize that this is a wonderfull english blend.a wonderfull aroma of coals,citruses,fruits and spices prepares you for a unique smoking experience.the blend is dry with nice texture° packs and lights easy with a few relights needed.while smoking the flavours are very natural,well balanced and pleasing from the beginning till the end.latakia is the strongest compoment without subtlimating the other compoments.coals,woods,smokey and sweet notes are giving the main note from the latakias.virginias offer some complexity being citrusy,grassy,fruity and rarelly sour.the orientals add a spicy and earthy note making the blend very tasty.all these are combined to a great and very tasty blend.burns slow and cool to total ash till the end of the bowl with a few moisture at the end of the bowl.the room note is smokey wich is unpleasant to others as most english blends are.the nicotine level is medium and the aftertaste pleasant.not an all day smoke to me ,but a unique relaxing blend that can fill a churchwarden pipe.totally recommended!
Age When Smoked: New
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 18, 2016 Mild to Medium Very Mild Medium Very Pleasant
A delightful woody, earthy, and, smoky English blend is sure to delight. I smoked much of this in my car and the room note is great. It smoked evenly and without a hitch. A quality smoke of the highest order, I strongly recommend.
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 20, 2019 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
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.

2 people found this review helpful.
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