C&D Engine 99

Age : 41 Joined : 29 Dec 2007 Posts : 16 Location : UK

Greetings gents rendeer

First post here and greetings of the season to each and every one of you!

Hope you don't mind a question as soon as I have arrived and removed my coat but I could do with a word of advice from you fine gentlemen.

Have just bought 16oz of C&D Engine 99 in the hope that it would be an occasional & economical alternative to Westminster (apologies to Mr Pease - your blends, are of course, the Holy Grail), and although I like it well enough it doesn't quite hit the spot yet.

Wondering whether I should attempt to 'beef it up' somehow. I think that the problem is that I have been spoiled on latakia-heavy blends such as C&D's Star of the East and Pirate Kake, and of course Odyssey, Abingdon, Cumberland, et al.

Any thoughts?

Have already separated it into three separate mason jars and am considering adding some additional latakia to the first, some perique to the second, and maybe just putting some age on the third to see how it pans out.

Other suggestions gladly welcomed. Anyone else enjoy this blend or had similar experience with it?

Subject: Re: C&D Engine 99 Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:53 pm

I smoked a tin over the summer. Well, most of it. It's supposed to be similar in type to Balkan Sobranie 759. But for me, it's lacking in orientals. But it might be like BS 759, as I have never had it. What it does have is a lot of smoky flavor. A lot like Pirate Kake in that regard. Perhaps some more age will bring out some depth.

I would call it a good English. Not a Balkan. Medium to Med-strong in the nicotine department. Probably needs the right shape and size bowl to get the best out of it.

If you add anything, do it in a small amount, in a small jar, and see what happens. You can always then scale that to your larger stash if necessary.
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Subject: Re: C&D Engine 99 Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:29 pm

I would just add hat I am currently smoking Engine 99. I had no expectations prior but am pleased that it is, IMHO, a nice flavourable blend with a latakia presence that is just right for me.

Like everything else, try it out in various ways.

16oz is a lot of tobacco to try out for one blend Very Happy

... I'd go with Carlos suggestions and just add, that as you are putting it in jars, age may enhance something in the blend as an alternative to playing with it, as Carlos says.

Good luck.
Paul

Age : 41 Joined : 29 Dec 2007 Posts : 16 Location : UK

Subject: Re: C&D Engine 99 Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:02 pm

I would agree with Carlos, it is a good medium strength English blend. I would say that if you were looking into trying a English/Oriental blend this might be a good start. I like it because it is a nice English "bulk" blend. I usually keep about 8 ounces in the cellar.
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Subject: Re: C&D Engine 99 Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:38 pm

Guest

You can always buy bulk latakia, C&D Da Vinci (their strongest latakia blend), Lancer's Slices from MarsCigar.com (a strong latakia-virgina flake) to blend with the 99.

Age : 41 Joined : 29 Dec 2007 Posts : 16 Location : UK

Never really tried my hand at adding/mixing extra latakia, so I might just try it 2oz at a time using old Westminster tins - that way I can pretend that it is simply a new Peasian blend Idea

Any suggestions how much and how long before it will all mulch together sufficiently to smoke?

Guest

I would gage the time by the moisture of the total mixture.

Age : 41 Joined : 29 Dec 2007 Posts : 16 Location : UK

Age : 41 Joined : 29 Dec 2007 Posts : 16 Location : UK

Thanks to those who contributed suggestions. Decided to go with addition of 20% latakia and leave it age for three to six months. Hopefully it will have a little more presence by then.

Will keep you posted on the results.