Leacha: Thank you for the vote of confidence. I really like ERR Match. I spent a weekend last fall comparing it to the original and it was very close. Only difference was the original was just a little deeper in taste. If I hadn't been doing a direct comparison, I might not have been able to tell a difference.
Btw, Angler's Dream is a really good blend. The smell out of the tub is absolutely terrific, and it tastes just as it smells. I recently finished a tub of it, and need to get another sometime. The touch of cinnamon helped hook me. Here's my review of both blends if it'll help:
ERR Match: It packs well, stays lit, and is a very cool, consistent smoke all the way to the bottom - no bite. Nutty with a molasses flavor and a little cocoa. I can see this being a very good starter burley for someone who has never tried the genre, and I can see it being a regular rotation blend for someone who has. It took me a couple of bowls to get into it, but once I did, I gained appreciation for it. A really good work and all day play smoke that may not be complex, but will satisfy your wants for OTC burleys.
This Match is very close to the original. I spent a weekend comparing the two versions. The original seemed a little fuller, deeper in the molasses taste, and that's the only difference I can tell. The cut and look of the tobacco is the very same. The more I smoke it, the better I like it. In a blind taste test, it would be very hard to tell which was which.
Angler's Dream: I took a chance after talking to Russ about this blend. I'm glad I listened to him because I like it. It may have a little less nuttiness than your standard OTC, and maybe a little less cocoa taste than Prince Albert, but both are noticeable in this blend. I also taste light honey and the cinnamon adds a light, tasty spice. The natural sweetness of the red Virginia is mild, but flavorful. A few people have remarked that it's not complex, but compared to OTCs, I think it is because of the variety of flavors noted. I do recommend you hydrate it first because it's packed very dry, and the flavors are more obvious when moistened a little. Some, including Russ himself, think it's better dry, and I have enjoyed it that way, but I still like a slight bit of moisture in my tobaccos. Either way, it burns well with no tongue bite, very light casing, extremely pleasant and consistent taste, and has a great room note. It has one of the most entrancing aromas when you open the baggie that I've ever smelled. It's a very good all day smoke and not expensive. What more do you need to know? If you like this genre, you should give it a try.
Btw, I'm smoking Carter Hall right now. This thread made me do it!!! Against my will, of course. :wink:
