CHARING CROSS MIXTURE BY G. L. PEASE

The tin description states that this is a Balkan mixture of "fine Virginia leaf, richly seasoned with smoky Cyprian Latakia and spiced with the exquisite and exotic tobaccos of the Orient".

This does not entirely enlighten the customer - there is enormous variation among Balkan blends, and Oriental tobaccos (Turkish, Greek, Macedonian, or even Black Sea Russian) also differ quite a bit from each other. But most smokers will know roughly what to expect.

Here is the review I cross-posted at somewhere else dot com:


CHARING CROSS

If you were being exiled to a desert island with only one tobacco, this blend would be a wise choice.
It's a medium-full Balkan with a voluptuous mouthfeel. Not overly rich, but well balanced - the key concept is restraint; not a single one of the components hijacks the smoke, but all the main players co-operate. It is a symphony, rather than a samba.

I think there is some toasted Cavendish in here. If so, it unites the Turkish and the Latakia rather than adding a third stream of flavour.

This is enjoyable all the way down. It burns evenly to a fine ash. But some rubbing of larger pieces of tobacco is advisable before loading the pipe, to prevent the top surface not lighting evenly, or slow embers from occurring at the end of the bowl.

Ceylon tea. Gin and tonic. A good solid Burgundy.

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There are several other reviews of Charing Cross at that same other internet address dot com. The overwhelming majority of writers seem to like it, but you might have to wade through entire pages of dense wafflegab to know that, as some of us do rather go on a bit.
Honestly, no one cares where you bought it, how long the beard of the salesman who sold it to you was, which particularly collectable instrument you smoked it in, or how amazingly pure-bred the handsome dog that gazed up at you adoringly while you sat in your favourite armchair by your favourite fire with your favourite wife by your side when you smoked it.

TOBACCO INDEX


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