Elephant & Castle

[NeverBend]

Thanks, Pete. Yes, that's the thread I saw. Really interesting bit of history, and although it's sad how it all turned out what an amazing experience to have been associated with one of the oldest blending houses in the UK, and to have worked with them making your blends. Very cool indeed. I only wish I'd been pipe smoking at the time and could have tried them. Even the tin art is great! I guess the inevitable question is, now that they are gone for good by the sounds of it, are there any current blends that are close to what you were doing? The descriptions sound right up my alley.

I don't have a wide exposure to tobaccos currently on the market. Current Virginia, flakes especially, are closer to the quality of the 1980s more than Latakia mixtures. Part of this is the source leaf, especially the latakia that I find lacking. The most promising latakia mixture that I've tried is Gawith Hoggarth Balkan Mixture. I'm considering testing a sample of it sauced with coumarin.

And by the way, if you ever do seriously get back into blending, you will have no shortage of guinea pigs around here! Have you thought about approaching another blender whose work you respect, who might be able to compensate for the changes in leaf over time?

I don't know that the source leaf, from what I've seen and sampled, is there try and re-create them. If I could get close then I might consider trying to find an ally.