Jack Lee Blends (Pipeinhand) Autumn Walk
Halfling’s Lat?
I smoked my sample of Autumn Walk in a Longchamp Bulldog while walking the dogs and in my big Meerschaum first thing in the morning. The tobacco was moist, but not soggy. Still it needed some drying times so I set it out for a few minutes on a piece of paper.
Pouch note: a very pleasant mix of Vanilla and the smoke of Latakia. Neither seems to dominate, but they mix nicely.
Charring light: It was toasty and smoky as the Latakia comes forward, followed by a slight nuttiness.
True Light: The sweetness came through with a breath of smoke from the Latakia.
The Smoke: First of all I have to say that those who liked Halfling’s Leaf will love this blend. It is a true aromatic with a potent Vanilla-dominant aroma that reminds me of Dan Blue Note. The funny thing about this blend, is while it has an aromatic’s room note, it tastes like…tobacco! Good tobacco. Lurking beneath the vanilla room note is Oriental smoothness, Latakia smokiness and just a hint at that smoldering fungal taste that I love in my Balkans. I have to stress, though, that I wouldn’t call this a Lat bomb or even Lat-forward, taste-wise. Latakia is used as a condiment here, so while it’s present enough for lovers of the mild English, it’s reigned in enough to let the aro lovers do their thing. My wife even found the room note enjoyable which is unusual for any Latakia based blend. She usually describes a Latakia room note as “Yuck” or “Smoke” or some combination of the two. This one she called “Very Nice” and that is a rare thing, so big points for room note here.
It is on the moist side, so drying time will be necessary, but much like Halfling’s Leaf, it is mild on the tongue and though the moisture will tell your mouth to sip slower sometimes, I was able to walk the dogs and smoke without any burning. I tend to puff faster when we are out walking, but when I would feel that warmth, not unlike what you feel when trying a new VaPer from the tin, I backed off a little and everything was fine. It burned clean in the case of both smokes. I only needed a relight once when I set my Meer down to get a cup of coffee. Its flavor was consistent in both the briar and the Meer. I got more vanilla in the briar and a little more of the fungal undertone in the Meer so whatever you choose to smoke it in will be a pleasure. I jokingly gave it the nickname “Halfling’s Lat” because even though the flavors are different, the unique way in which Jack Lee puts an aromatic together is apparent from the first real puff, building the flavors around his choice of tobacco rather than the other way around.
It’s another good one and I’m happy to be the first to try it. You should, too!
Halfling’s Lat?
I smoked my sample of Autumn Walk in a Longchamp Bulldog while walking the dogs and in my big Meerschaum first thing in the morning. The tobacco was moist, but not soggy. Still it needed some drying times so I set it out for a few minutes on a piece of paper.
Pouch note: a very pleasant mix of Vanilla and the smoke of Latakia. Neither seems to dominate, but they mix nicely.
Charring light: It was toasty and smoky as the Latakia comes forward, followed by a slight nuttiness.
True Light: The sweetness came through with a breath of smoke from the Latakia.
The Smoke: First of all I have to say that those who liked Halfling’s Leaf will love this blend. It is a true aromatic with a potent Vanilla-dominant aroma that reminds me of Dan Blue Note. The funny thing about this blend, is while it has an aromatic’s room note, it tastes like…tobacco! Good tobacco. Lurking beneath the vanilla room note is Oriental smoothness, Latakia smokiness and just a hint at that smoldering fungal taste that I love in my Balkans. I have to stress, though, that I wouldn’t call this a Lat bomb or even Lat-forward, taste-wise. Latakia is used as a condiment here, so while it’s present enough for lovers of the mild English, it’s reigned in enough to let the aro lovers do their thing. My wife even found the room note enjoyable which is unusual for any Latakia based blend. She usually describes a Latakia room note as “Yuck” or “Smoke” or some combination of the two. This one she called “Very Nice” and that is a rare thing, so big points for room note here.
It is on the moist side, so drying time will be necessary, but much like Halfling’s Leaf, it is mild on the tongue and though the moisture will tell your mouth to sip slower sometimes, I was able to walk the dogs and smoke without any burning. I tend to puff faster when we are out walking, but when I would feel that warmth, not unlike what you feel when trying a new VaPer from the tin, I backed off a little and everything was fine. It burned clean in the case of both smokes. I only needed a relight once when I set my Meer down to get a cup of coffee. Its flavor was consistent in both the briar and the Meer. I got more vanilla in the briar and a little more of the fungal undertone in the Meer so whatever you choose to smoke it in will be a pleasure. I jokingly gave it the nickname “Halfling’s Lat” because even though the flavors are different, the unique way in which Jack Lee puts an aromatic together is apparent from the first real puff, building the flavors around his choice of tobacco rather than the other way around.
It’s another good one and I’m happy to be the first to try it. You should, too!
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