Russ Ouellette Blends?

[brian]

Hi Everyone -

I was wondering how many out there have tried the Russ Ouellette blends sold
at PipesandCigars.com? I just discovered them myself and LOVE 'em! I am an
English/Latakia smoker and most (about 8 of 10) of his mixtures fall into
that catagory.

For reference I usually enjoy Dunhill, Early Morning, London Mix, 965, and a
few of the Pease blends, etc.

If anyone has tried his blends other than Admiralty and House of Lords, I'd
love to hear about 'em! These are really nice! There is one which I just
ordered that uses "Deer Tongue" - anyone know about this herb in pipe tobac?

BTW, the pipes and Cigars website has some good articles and info on types
of pipe tobacco.

Best,
Brian

[Bill Otten]

I have tried "Armada", and will say that it is outstanding. It is a blend
huge on flavor, and destined to become a keeper just as soon as I can get an
order off to Russ. Sweet VA's along with Turkish and Oriental and laced with
latakia and St.James Perique. At the same time I'll order up the other one
I've had the pleasure to try..."Ten to Midnight", which is a tasty Balkan
blend. Both are heavily laden with latakia, which probably explains my
enthusiasm for them as well as the salivating I'm now doing just thinking
about it. Both were great smokes, easy lights, without tongue bite in the
least, and burnt down to a nice gray white ash. Even better was a DGT on the
Armada, although neither of these two blends are easy to put down for a
'later on' type of smoke. No, they'll command your attention.

I'd like some feedback on the two you've tried already....although I think
it a done deal that I'll eventually order up and cannister some of each.

bill otten

"brian" <brian...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:fnUPd.4710$ZZ....@newssvr23.news.prodigy.net...

[Russell Banks]

I just received some Virginia Spice (while increasing my stash of
Edgeworth....) which sounds good, Virginia, perique, and cigar leaf - I will
be sampling it over the next week and I'll let you know, although this one
is one of the few without Latikia

Have a great week,
Russell Banks

"brian" <brian...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:fnUPd.4710$ZZ....@newssvr23.news.prodigy.net...

[brian]

Look forward to hearing about it. They told me Russ will be coming out with
a number of new blends soon, I think more along the lines of VA Spice. I
think there will be a "series" of traditional "American" blends, or what
Americans used to smoke.

"Russell Banks" <russ...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Aomdndq4IfR...@comcast.com...

[Bill Otten]

Hmmm, just as long as he avoids trying to recreate some of the House of
Windsor brands, none of which are to my liking. Not a one, Field and Stream,
Country Doctor, Revelation, Mapleton, et al did it for me.

bill otten

"brian" <brian...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message

news:Q30Qd.3965$lz5...@newssvr24.news.prodigy.net...

[brian]

Bill, I'm glad I ordered Armada now! I spoke to Russ and he thought it would
be one I would like - Sounds like it!

Of the 2 I've tried, I would say *I* like Admiralty the best, although they
are both really great. The Admiralty sounds similar to your take on Armada
but without the Perique and perhaps more Latakia. It has a really nice red
VA taste, lots of smoke, yet finishes with a very clean note. (It doesn't
kill the taste buds like Dunhills, for instance, can) If you ever smoked
Early Morning or Standard Med way back in the 80s when Dunhill had superior
Virginias, it reminds me of those.

I'm really intrigued by the way the website describes his blend using Deer
Tongue! I had never heard of it, Russ says it used to be more popular -
Apparently Bing Crosby smoked a blend heavy on this.

"Bill Otten" <res0...@invalid.knology.net> wrote in message
news:tiVPd.3527$U86....@fe40.usenetserver.com...

[blendtobac1]

Folks, I wasn't even aware of this thread until Bill called and
mentioned it to me. I'm very appreciative of the kind words, and if you
have any questions, feel free to call me at the shop, or e-mail me
using the "contact blender" link on our home page.
And, yes, there will be new blends coming, including some traditional
American blends (meaning primarily Burley), but they will not be
aromatics (however there will be some of those coming as well). One
will be posted soon, named Old Companion, and is a Pressed Burley,
steamed Red Virginia blend.
As far as Deer Tongue goes, it is the leaf of a plant known as Wild
Vanilla, or Carolina Vanilla, although the aroma and taste are more
faintly reminiscent of Sarsaparilla than Vanilla. It is very costly,
but very powerful. My Old Tartan blend uses only about 5 grams to a
pound, yet it's the first thing you smell when you open the package.
I am beginning to vacuum-seal a lot of the tobaccos, which will make it
feel like a Krumble Kake, and we will be putting a press together. Both
steps are being taken to marry the tobaccos better, and intensify the
flavors.
My humble thanks, once again.
Russ

[Russell Banks]

Just finished my first bowl of Virginia Spice - my first impression of
this tobacco is - fantastic!! A very tasty blend, just the right amount of
"kick" for my tastes, no tongue bite, and a wonderfully full round
"tocabboey" taste (and I like my tobacco to taste like tobacco!) This
Virginia/Perique/Ciger Leaf blend is wonderful as delivered, can't wait to
taste some with age on it - I will be ordering more for that purpose,
because the 4 oz I have aren't going to have the chance to age...
I can't wait for the new blends to come out - I am anxious to see if
Russ's burley's are as tasty as this Virginia blend!!

Have a gerat evening everyone,
Russell Banks

"brian" <brian...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message

news:Q30Qd.3965$lz5...@newssvr24.news.prodigy.net...

[Bill Otten]

Russell,
When I spoke with Russ at PipesandCigars.com an evening or two ago, he was
very enthusiastic about those 'vintage' blends that were alluded to. I think
if these blends we've already tried are any indication....that the 'vintage'
blends he's working on will definitely warrant a look-see. By the way....his
"Ten to Midnight" is the most heavily laden latakia mix in the bunch he told
me. I'd prefer Russ divulged the % amount, I know it, but it's his
proprietary secret....but suffice it to say that the percentage of latakia
is PROBABLY why it's SO GOOD. His Admiralty and House of Lords are what he
called 'medium' blends. Regardless, the description of them in this thread
tells me I need to give them a try also.
Russ, if'n you're reading these threads...I'd love to have a genuine blend
with a healthy licorice hint to it.

bill otten

"Russell Banks" <russ...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Aomdndq4IfR...@comcast.com...

[blendtobac1]

Bill,

You must have been reading my mind. I am going to work on a blend which
will have a noticeable anise note to it, once I work on the flavoring
agent. I may actually add a bit of Deer Tongue to it, as it would seem
that the flavors should be complimentary.
Keep an eye out in coming weeks for some new blends.

Russ

[blendtobac1]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that Ten to Midnight is about 60% Latakia,
but I use a mixture of Latakias from different sources, so I'm not
giving away any secrets. This leaves it about 10% shy of Penzance, but
you never know when I might get bitten by the Latakia bug and make one
even heavier :)

Russ

[brian]

Wow! So Penzance is SEVENTY percent Latakia? I'm smoking it now - Yikes!
Doesn't seem as "heavy" as Nightcap.

"blendtobac1" <dril...@aol.com> wrote in message
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