Talonr1701":gpdouog7 said:
Kapnismologist":gpdouog7 said:
So, if I were to give you a tin of Piccadilly and tell you it is a "English Breakfast" mixture you would know exactly what to expect before putting it to flame?
Actually....I would have a fairly good idea. A Breakfast mixture would make me think light English- Which would lend me to expect an English with predominant Virginia, light Latakia. I might not expect the Perique, but I wouldn't be displeased.
English to me means at least an equal play of virginias and latakia. Cav, Perique etc would be seasonings, but not a player, more like the chorus.
A
Balkan denotes Orientals for me. To the tune that they have duo roles with the other components. Balkan Sasieni or Sobranie, London Mix or Westminster....
American Englishes tend to have a decent Latakia presence, But I would expect Virginia and BURLEY. Epiphany, Barking dog, Revelation.....
Then there is a
Va/Per- Where Virginias and Periques are dominant. These may have some cav, or even a bit of burley-But the stars call the catagory. Haddos, 2015, Bayou Flake etc
I have adopted these catagories from others, experience.....I think it's relatively mainstream thinking. "A Breakfast Mixture" is clear enough for me to know It won't be a sub for Pirate Kake, or Odyessey..... I don't think it will take off as a catagory on it's own, but I don't think that was GLP intention.....I think he was just trying to say it would go well with a spot of tea first thing in the morn.....Which it does...
ipe: Just my .02
Thanks for that - very interesting indeed.
As far as baseline genres go, here is my conceptual scheme (which differs a bit from the one you outline above):
English: Virginias, Orientals, and Latakia in some sort of balanced proportion (e.g., Dunhill Standard Mixture Medium, Dunhill London Mixture, GLP Westminster, etc.). Must have all three.
Balkan: Orientals and Latakia in the forefront (e.g., Balkan Sasieni, Butera Latakia No. 1, GLP Odyssey, etc.), Virginias can play a supporting role, although are not necessary.
Oriental: Mixture dominated by Orientals with a Virginia base (e.g., Presbyterian Mixture, Dunhill EMP), light condimental use of Latakia or none at all.
Virginia: Mostly or all unstoved Virginias (e.g., Rattray's HOW, OG, SG FVF, etc.). Minor condimental use of stoved VA or Cavendish allowed. No Latakia.
Virginia-Perique: Virginias paired or balanced with Perique (e.g., Escudo, PCCA Beacon, McClelland St. James Woods, etc.). Minor condimental use allowed, but uncommon. No Latakia.
Virginia-Oriental: Balanced pairing of unstoved Virginias with Orientals (e.g., GLP Embarcadero and such like). No condiments or very, very sparing.
Stoved Virginia: No elaboration needed (e.g., Rattray's Marlin Flake, McClelland Dark Star, etc.). Most common as a flake.
Burley: Straight Burley with little if anything in the way of condiments (i.e., non-Burley notes come through with casings and toppings). Most common as a ribbon or mixed cut.
To this basic scheme I then add sub-genres such as English-Perique (e.g., Dunhill Nightcap), Burley Blends (e.g., C&D Pegasus), and so forth and so on. Perhaps 'English Breakfast Mixture' (meaning I suppose Virginia + Latakia with no Orientals with possible condiments) will make it into the lexicon. I would then have to include McClelland's Anniversary Blend into this category as well then I suppose.
In all cases, the real key is the presence or absence of air/sun cured Orientals. Such leaf is, in my opinion, the master key to just about everything going on in the mixtures and blends we enjoy nowadays.