Family Reserve - Julius
Classic Pipe Shop
Going along with my last page's theme of blending my own pipe tobacco, I have come a long way in my blending. I've found a few blends that really work and some tobaccos that are pretty amazing to work with.
I've experimented with quite a few different blends and tweaked them as I've moved along. I worked in small batches (roughly 1.5 ounces or smaller) to really get a good idea of how different amounts of blending tobacco impact a blend.
As Hill Farmstead brews their lineage line, I felt it was a great idea to blend some of my favorite tobaccos and name them for some of my ancestors. I have a personal draw to all things Balkan and have created a line of 3 distinct English / Balkan-esque tobaccos.
The blends are as follows:
Julius - (named after my Grandfather on my Dad's side) Never got the opportunity to meet him as he passed before I was born. I've heard wonderful stories from my father regarding him and that's why I chose him for my first and most ambiguous task - a recreation of the storied Balkan Sobranie. I based my take on it from a tin of Balkan Sobranie from 1972-1974 that I have in my collection that I break out from time to time. It has the complexity and softness of the tobacco from years ago. In the blend I've used Syrian Latakia as well as some vintage leaf in my collection. Has a strong pouch aroma as you would expect but after aging for several months the tobacco is married together so that its contents are harmonious and not overpowering.
Mark - (named after my father) A straight-up English from an old recipe from the 30s and 40s which represents a key time-period in pipe smoking in America - possibly the peak period. I've blended copious amounts of Virginias with some of my favorite Orientals and just a small amount of Latakia. Luxurious blending tobacco lends to an excellent smoking experience. One of my Father's favorite blends I've created. Smokes tangy and sweet with a touch of smokiness from the Latakia.
Wade - (named after my Mother's Father) An American Classic and so was my Grandfather. Spent most of his life repairing cars and restoring American Classic automobiles. This is my take (with a twist of course) of some of the Original Burley / Latakia blends. This mixture has a touch of Perique but contains a lot of 1970s Cube cut Burley I found.
These blends will be an extremely limited production as the rare leaf is not readily available. The Burley from the 70's and the Syrian Latakia are all but gone. These blends will remain in my collection sealed away in air-tight containers until the last bowl has been smoked.
As Hill Farmstead brews their lineage line, I felt it was a great idea to blend some of my favorite tobaccos and name them for some of my ancestors. I have a personal draw to all things Balkan and have created a line of 3 distinct English / Balkan-esque tobaccos.
The blends are as follows:
Julius - (named after my Grandfather on my Dad's side) Never got the opportunity to meet him as he passed before I was born. I've heard wonderful stories from my father regarding him and that's why I chose him for my first and most ambiguous task - a recreation of the storied Balkan Sobranie. I based my take on it from a tin of Balkan Sobranie from 1972-1974 that I have in my collection that I break out from time to time. It has the complexity and softness of the tobacco from years ago. In the blend I've used Syrian Latakia as well as some vintage leaf in my collection. Has a strong pouch aroma as you would expect but after aging for several months the tobacco is married together so that its contents are harmonious and not overpowering.
Mark - (named after my father) A straight-up English from an old recipe from the 30s and 40s which represents a key time-period in pipe smoking in America - possibly the peak period. I've blended copious amounts of Virginias with some of my favorite Orientals and just a small amount of Latakia. Luxurious blending tobacco lends to an excellent smoking experience. One of my Father's favorite blends I've created. Smokes tangy and sweet with a touch of smokiness from the Latakia.
Wade - (named after my Mother's Father) An American Classic and so was my Grandfather. Spent most of his life repairing cars and restoring American Classic automobiles. This is my take (with a twist of course) of some of the Original Burley / Latakia blends. This mixture has a touch of Perique but contains a lot of 1970s Cube cut Burley I found.
These blends will be an extremely limited production as the rare leaf is not readily available. The Burley from the 70's and the Syrian Latakia are all but gone. These blends will remain in my collection sealed away in air-tight containers until the last bowl has been smoked.
