This goes on sale October 19. 5,000 tins were made.
The very spicy, earthy, woody, plumy, mildly raisiny St. James perique plays a strong role. The aged Izmir and sun cured Basma produce a fair amount of earth, wood, floralness, herbs, vegetation, spice, dry, sharp sourness, some buttery sweetness, and mild smokiness. They are not far behind the perique in terms of effect. The bright, red and 2019 red cavendish Virginias provide an abundance of tangy ripe dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, sugar, a good deal of tart and tangy citrus, some grass, vegetation, floralness, light spice, sour lemon, and a touch of vinegar as the base of the blend. The combination of perique and Orientals is why the Virginias are secondary team players instead of the lead despite their greater percentage in the mix. The strength and taste levels are in the center of medium to full. The nicotine is just below that mark. There’s no chance of bite or harshness, though there are a few small rough notes. The moderately thick and thinner sliced flakes are mildly moist, and as per my custom, I did not give it any dry time for review. Burns cool, clean, and fairly slow with a well balanced, nuanced, zesty, deeply rich, and mostly consistent fruity, spicy, floral, herbal, mildly sour, lightly smoky flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note has some potency. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires some relights. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Four stars.
The very spicy, earthy, woody, plumy, mildly raisiny St. James perique plays a strong role. The aged Izmir and sun cured Basma produce a fair amount of earth, wood, floralness, herbs, vegetation, spice, dry, sharp sourness, some buttery sweetness, and mild smokiness. They are not far behind the perique in terms of effect. The bright, red and 2019 red cavendish Virginias provide an abundance of tangy ripe dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, sugar, a good deal of tart and tangy citrus, some grass, vegetation, floralness, light spice, sour lemon, and a touch of vinegar as the base of the blend. The combination of perique and Orientals is why the Virginias are secondary team players instead of the lead despite their greater percentage in the mix. The strength and taste levels are in the center of medium to full. The nicotine is just below that mark. There’s no chance of bite or harshness, though there are a few small rough notes. The moderately thick and thinner sliced flakes are mildly moist, and as per my custom, I did not give it any dry time for review. Burns cool, clean, and fairly slow with a well balanced, nuanced, zesty, deeply rich, and mostly consistent fruity, spicy, floral, herbal, mildly sour, lightly smoky flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note has some potency. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires some relights. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Four stars.
