Manufacturer Description:
A real "classic" in this series. Best Virginia and Orient tobaccos and about 30% Cypriot Latakia. A soft, delicate mixture, yet with an impressive depth of taste. The natural Virginia sweetness combines harmoniously with the smoky Latakia spice.
Characterisation:
The London Blend No 700 is packaged in a high tin closed with a plastic lid. Only the aluminum foil tear-off lid is really airtight, so you should decant the tobacco for longer storage. Some of the tobaccos are cut wide and short, almost flaky, the other part is shown in longer bands. Light, medium, and dark brown fibers blend in equal proportions. The scent is Virginia-typical dried fruit sweetness, mixed with smoky and spicy aromas of oriental tobaccos, creating an overall juicy and hearty impression. The London Blend No 700 has the ideal moisture to be plugged straight from the tin.
Plugging:
Since the London Blend No 700 is made up of differently sized tobaccos, you should not choose a pipe that is too small and not pack it too tightly. If you leave the tobacco room and only end with light pressure, you get a good filling.
Light up:
Despite its different cuts, the London Blend No 700 hardly rises under the flame, so a light press with the tamper and a second flame are enough to achieve an even glow.
Smoking properties:
The London Blend No 700 is a well-balanced English blend. The smoke clearly shows the cool but spicy Latakia, which is joined by the Oriental with a hearty note. Rounding off is the not too weak Virginia. Its sweetish roasted bread note complements the two oriental tobaccos well. The smoke is strong, not overwhelming, but it doesn't drown if you drink a whiskey with it, for example. If you are careful not to smoke too greedily, the burning is calm and uncomplicated. You hardly have to refill or even light a fire again. The light-grey ash that remains is fine and, thanks to the almost not existing condensate, it hardly requires any cleaning work.
Redolency:
The London Blend No 700 clearly shows its content of oriental tobaccos in the smoke, so that non-smoking society could be irritated by this tobacco.
Conclusion:
The London Blend No 700, mixed from very short and long tobaccos in different shades of brown, already shows its balanced aroma in the cold scent. In the smoke, too, the hearty, spicy oriental tobaccos complement each other with the dried fruit and toasted bread aromas of the Virginia. For those who are not completely inexperienced, the tobacco can be easily prepared and smoked. The London Blend No 700 is also not a mixture that can only be enjoyed at the end of the day. Neither nicotine nor aroma overwhelm, but are so strong that you can also smoke the London Blend No 700 at the end of a meal. If you are looking for a medium-strength, but quite typical English tobacco, you will not be disappointed with the London Blend No. 700.
Copyright © 2013 by TECON GmbH
with friendly support of Dennis Hübel