Number 10 Downing Street

[MichaelM]

I need help. Back in the early 90s the Lane blend Number 10 Downing Street was my daily go to and I'm sure I smoked pounds of it. It was discontinued during my pipe smoking hiatus and I find myself in the odd situation of missing it, but not really able to articulate what it is that I miss. I've been through a lot of English blends in hopes of finding a comparable match, but nothing quite works. There is something missing, and I'm starting to think I'm chasing a semi-fabricated memory of a blend that never was. In other words if I found some authentic #10 it still might not seem right.
So do any of you remember smoking this blend? If so, do you recall anything "different" about it compared to other English blends? Can you suggest a currently available blend that you find similar? Should I just give up and buy more Black House?
Mike.

 

[monbla256]

I recall that #10 Downing St. from then and felt it was a lighter version of Lane's Crown Achievement  at that time. As I recalled, it had less Latakia in it. If you haven't, give the new CA they have brought back out as it's one of the few blends that have been brought back which captures what the original had. If folks take to CA well, they may bring back some more of their older tinned blends  :twisted: :twisted:

 

[williamcharles]

I used to smoke a #10 Downing Street that I got from Tinder Box. It was on the mildly sweet side for an English Mixture. Sweeter than the norm but good stuff.

 

[MichaelM]

Thanks guys. It definitely was Latakia lite, but I think that allowed something else to shine through. I've been avoiding the new CA because I understand it has perique in the mix. I like Latakia and I like a bit of perique, but I'm not really a fan of the combo. I'll add a tin to my next order and see how it goes.
Mike.

 

[Fr_Tom]

I used to smoke #10 Downing Street from the Tinder Box from time to time back in the day. My recollection is that it was like Early Morning Pipe without the orientals. The Virginia was a little sweet. It was a good smoke, and it was one my wife remembered the name of - maybe the tobacconist remembered me. I am not sure. She used to buy it for me as a stocking stuffer, etc.

 

[MichaelM]

I picked up a tin of Crown Achievement this weekend, and after 4 bowls I can say it is close! If it were perique-free it would be perfect. I think I'm becoming perique intolerant because all perique blends are tasting tangy and sour these days. But under that is a smokey and what I think some call soapy flavor that I have been searching for. I'm getting closer, thanks for the help!
Mike.