Since this is somewhat of a benchmark tobacco blend, I decided to try it out. Got a 100g tin from 4noggins.com in my last order at the beginning of March 2012. Finally opened it this morning and …..
….it was awesome enough to get a positive first-bowl reaction!
I opened the metal lid and was greeted by a light smell of Latakia. Thankfully there was none of the typical McClelland “ketchup” aroma which I despise. There are small yellow and black ribbons, along with some large black chunks. Perfect moisture right out of the tin for an English in my book. Loaded up a Comoy's Everyman Bulldog, got a cup of fresh black coffee and went to work on it.
With a dual flame torch lighter, it took fire very nicely. I was greeted by a creamy smoke with a grass and Latakia-laden aroma. Not pungent, but very sublime. As I progressed through the bowl, I got a lot of sweetness from the smoke, which is a first to me for an English blend. It continued to stay smokey and sweet. Around the halfway point an odd aroma of watermelon rind made its way in and the smoke became a bit spicier. The Latakia took over toward the end of the bowl and stayed there until everything turned to ashes. Speaking of, there wasn't a lot of those left behind. I smoked it a bit fast so they weren't exactly fine powder.
I must say again it was a creamy cool smoke, with lots of flavors that seem to permeate even if smoked too fast. I did a tongue torture test and this blend WILL of course bite if puffed like there is no tomorrow, but the margin is pretty wide. No nicotine kick to speak of. If I was in an English mood , it makes for a perfect smoke for that day. Definitely a breakfast staple for me now. If I were to abandon my beloved VA Flakes, Frog Morton will be at the top of the replacement list.
….it was awesome enough to get a positive first-bowl reaction!
I opened the metal lid and was greeted by a light smell of Latakia. Thankfully there was none of the typical McClelland “ketchup” aroma which I despise. There are small yellow and black ribbons, along with some large black chunks. Perfect moisture right out of the tin for an English in my book. Loaded up a Comoy's Everyman Bulldog, got a cup of fresh black coffee and went to work on it.
With a dual flame torch lighter, it took fire very nicely. I was greeted by a creamy smoke with a grass and Latakia-laden aroma. Not pungent, but very sublime. As I progressed through the bowl, I got a lot of sweetness from the smoke, which is a first to me for an English blend. It continued to stay smokey and sweet. Around the halfway point an odd aroma of watermelon rind made its way in and the smoke became a bit spicier. The Latakia took over toward the end of the bowl and stayed there until everything turned to ashes. Speaking of, there wasn't a lot of those left behind. I smoked it a bit fast so they weren't exactly fine powder.
I must say again it was a creamy cool smoke, with lots of flavors that seem to permeate even if smoked too fast. I did a tongue torture test and this blend WILL of course bite if puffed like there is no tomorrow, but the margin is pretty wide. No nicotine kick to speak of. If I was in an English mood , it makes for a perfect smoke for that day. Definitely a breakfast staple for me now. If I were to abandon my beloved VA Flakes, Frog Morton will be at the top of the replacement list.
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