Tobacco Review

Lane Ltd. Crown Achievement

A review by Montgomery Long

Strength: Low-medium 

Flavoring: None

Room Note: Medium

Pipes Used: Savinelli Semi-Churchwarden, Savinelli 673KS,  Missouri Meerschaum Mark Twain

Crown Achievement is a tobacco that demands to be meandered through: a fast-paced, quickly smoked bowlful will reveal nothing but hot steam and a burned tongue.  A recreation of a blend originally produced from the 1960’s - 80’s, Crown Achievement is an excellent introduction to the world of English/Balkan pipe tobacco. The Latakia presence here is light-to-moderate and is balanced out by Perique, Turkish/Oriental, and Virginia tobaccos.

The flavors at the beginning of the bowl are quite muted, though the smokiness of the Latakia is somewhat prominent. Toward the middle of the bowl, the spiciness of the Perique begins to come into play coupled with a gentle sweetness which likely comes from the Turkish/Oriental. At the end of the bowl, the Latakia is back in force and rests firmly on the tongue and mouth. The tobacco will smoke quickly if you let it, but if it doesn’t burn out once in a while, you’re smoking too quickly. By taking small sips from the pipe, you’ll find that the flavors have more time to mingle.

The aftertaste is a delicate smokiness from the Latakia along with light pepper from the Perique.

The chief problem with this blend is lack of commitment. Lane seems to have decided that light flavors are better than strong, and there is a lack of depth that will leave some smokers wanting. The Virginia, which is almost completely absent from the taste, seems in this case to be mostly filler. That said, Crown Achievement is a good blend for its price and certainly delivers on a promise of Latakia and Perique.

★★★☆☆