I find Westminster to be an absolute joy. I really do. I think, however, that in todays world terminology has caused a but of confusion in terms of categorization. Many will disagree with this, but, it seems to be true to me.

In the classic "English Mixture" genre, Westminster is an absolute triumph. But i think, these days, when people hear the description, or the term english, the taste they are expecting is actually that of a balkan. This is the only reason I can think of for any disappointment in Westminster, as a blend. However, it has been known to misbehave for me as well.

I think, that in the realm of the English, the interplay of the Latakia (Cyprian in this case-very smokey and Sweet, and swollen) with the Turks is the major goal, all hanging from the sweet Virginia foundation. And I can't think of a more successful example. It is quite a rewarding blend, but, perhaps a bit perilous. It seems to hold its moisture very well, and can be tough to light. This seems to make one tend to suck and pull on the pipe to try to keep it aflame, and a reward is rarely waiting after that exercise.

Anyway, I'd advise drying it out some, and using a larger bowl. Its a pretty diverse cut, and that can be a challenge to pack and light too. I believe that these attributes are not random, and serve a purpose, because when you get it all right, you have magic in your bowl. I'm not a Westminster expert, these are just my lowly opinions, and some of the stuff I am trying with it lately.

I'd definitely say that you should pull that trigger, and get some Westminster. I usually can't decide if I think that Westminster is the benchmark Orthodox English, or if its a Novus Ordo Seclorum. Because while I think it is the best taste and scent of an english, I don't know another one like it-in terms of cut, composition, and complexity. That said, i am not familiar with the old Dunhill London Mixture that Dr. Pease used as his muse for this blend, so I can't speak as to its similarity. Margate is a simpler blend, a simpler cut, simpler flavor too...but, I'd also say it offers less payoff.

Whoa! The man himself! Hi there!

You're quite welcome for the comments, they are a small token of my appreciation! Thank YOU for Westminster! I'm serious, right after I wrote that entry up there (you know, the one full of errors?) i couldn't help it, I took the kids and the dog outside and had TWO bowls!! I've been so busy testing new blends that I hadn't had any in tooooo long. It was, well...ok, I'll admit it, it almost made me tear up a little! LOL! It's just...well its like the feeling I get sometimes when I sing a role, I'll just be there in rehearsal, usually not on stage at the time, and I'll just think "Wow, what I great life. What a privilege! To get to make this great music, to be a part of that..." This is like that. To live at a time where I can buy that glorious weed, and shove it in my pipe, and taste those wonderful flavors. In Westminster the Orientals and Latakia especially seem to weave, and bob, and float on and off the tongue, like dancing jellyfish. I've had a lot of concentration on Maltese Falcon the last few weeks, and, I think this is where the tearing up happened (LORD, is this a lifetime movie? I'm smoking one, thinking of the other with a tear in my eye!?). Maltese Falcon has a Solid, sweet, spicy, solid, consistent combo, while Westminster seems to develop, and almost speak to you. Not that MF doesn't develop, or is simple, but...the two personalities of two, somewhat, similar blends. Its just a wonderful baccy world you've provided my good man.

OK, phew...now that I got that out of my system. HAHA

Sure, I'll try. Now that I've been corrected on any intent on your part, of my perceived difference in the cut, I've looked it over, and I'll try to better explain what I meant. Yeah, cut is the wrong choice of word. I guess I mean..."diverse mass composition" The virginia (i assume, as it looks mottled, and fermented) seems to be something of a broken flake, almost a thin tree-bark kind of feel. It's solid, and has the swirl of a fossil pattern, like many leaves stacked, then ribboned, and they stuck together, making the thick, bark-like pieces. And the latakia (I assume, the little black ones) has a shorter "stringy", sort of diced feel? And the Orientals (pretty sure on this one, the lighter yellowy brown ones, are long and very consistently ribbony, but lots of them seem to have rolled before cutting, and now some have unfurled, and they look downright...leafy.

So, as I was putting the boys down, I had a vision: perhaps I have been just packing it too loosely? It needs to be more dense in the chamber, in diameter, not as in pressed down harder. My problem with lighting, tamping, etc., has been that well...it sort of doesn't tamp. It'll tamp down, until it hits the barky, flake parts. So, the tamp is an issue cause there is no...flat unified surface? And the light is not a solid ember because it's too loose in there, and the soft parts vs the plank parts have too much air between them?? Or maybe I should rub out the stiffer parts? Or...have I just written a bunch on nonsense again?

And school me, please, what kind of pack do you suggest with Westminster Dr. Pease? (such a poet)

As I look at it this morning, it occurs to me that I could explain it better by saying: the cut is a very consistent ribbon in the tin, but the stiffness of the various components is diverse, ranging from limp and leafy to bark-like. The stiffer parts looking like leaves were stacked, then rolled to about the size of a summer sausage, the whole roll flattened, then cut in strips..

I really wish I could have smoked the "old" London Mixture, because I really liked the most recent incarnation, and I miss it. It was one of the English blends sugested to me by Vito and others on the old Knox Cigar board, and it remains one of my favorites.

But I gotta say...Westminster fills the bill for me. Just the right latakia hit, and a wonderfully smoky presence.

Now, looking forward to trying Chelsea Morning...gotta place an order this week.

Mike

I am working my way through a tin. I heard some of you say this is one of the best blends out there, so I had high expectations.

I found it un-eventful. There are better Balkans, IMO. I don't have the descriptive skills that my brothers do. The best i can tell you is that there were too many flavors completing with each other.

I will add that my tin was a little crispy, which means that the seal may have been broken.

Good lord, Are you boys fluffing Gregs head up again??? Christmas and Birthday guys, thats it.. Otherwise he'll actually start believing all the hype. Last time that happened he was on and on for months about how a man of his stature deserved better than a Gremlin.. culminated in us having to pitch in to buy him a Pinto

LOL!!

Well, as the Gremlin was one of our family's cars when I was a boy: I agree. Most DO deserve better!

As to the head-puffing? Hey...I'm just hoping to get the coupon code for the checkout at C&D that means: "free sample".