I have an unopened tin of the XX as well. I've not opened it because I imagine it's very similar to the GH rope. I'm interested in hearing what you think about it though. I was very disappointed with it, it's as if all the good stuff was cooked away.
Received it and smoked yesterday.
It's quite different. I like it, but no as much as the brown rope. I wasn't expecting the "cooking meat" description to be so literal. It literally smells like a barbecue. When I took a first few whiffs I was outside and I actually thought I was just catching the aroma of some neighbor grilling out. I'm going to review it after a few smokes, but I do think it would be more polarizing and unique than the brown rope.
The taste is nothing like latakia in flavor, but it's similar in that it is a unique, distinctive taste the really dominates the bowl. And you're right, the rope is completely transformed by it; it's not really like there's the brown rope taste behind the other aromas. It's just a very different blend.
It will be a very nice change-of-pace tobacco for when I'm just in the mood for something different.
