This stuff has been on my "want to try" list for some time. I added this tin to the strategic reserve in 7/17.
I rarely pop a tin these days, as I work my way through baggies from forum trades and leftovers from bulk jarring episodes.
I think this is the second tin I've actually popped this year...
Last Sunday, evading cabin fever, I grabbed the tin and landed at one of my B&Ms with a nice lounge.
This tin, with 3+ years of age, had a nice little swell to it and let out the most satisfying hiss when popped.
Inside were the most sparkly, enticing flakes I'd eyeballed in some time. Thinly sliced and moist enough that I had to use the pipe nail to separate them.
I chose the Non-Barling Barling for this blend. It seemed only fitting for the Non-Lakeland Lakeland...
Today, I am having the 2nd smoke in the same pipe. Tobaccoreviews describes it at a VaPer with a bit of burley, backed with some cocoa and Lakeland essences.
Last week, I got a fermented, sharp tin note, reminding me of the C&D Burley Flake #3 tin note. Today, the sharpness has eased a bit and the Lakeland sneaks into the note just a bit. That first bowl evoked a hot chocolate back flavor, the cocoa topping and cocoa character of the burley tag teaming on the Virginia sweetness. Perique and Lakeland were distant but identifiable.
Last week's smoke was reduced to a broken flake with only nominal dry time. Today's was broken down just a bit further and given an hour to air out. 50% on the humidity in the command bunker today.
The perique presents both the pepper and the raisin in measured doses. Both supporting the now increasing floral notes.
While last week's bowl required a gurgle intervention mid way, today's smoke approaches the midpoint with no such requirement, though I think I'm puffing a bit faster today. (Last week I was distracted often by the end of the Ravens/Steelers game)
It was hard to catch the "sparkles" with the camera but this shot came close.
Everything seems to integrate along the way, no component trying too hard for tongue dominance. The floral wafts in and out, as does the perique and cocoa. It is well assembled and at no time feels like an "aromatic". It goes well with a cup of hot tea sporting a few drops of half-n-half. A mid-way ash dump minimizes the butane consumption.
Near the end, the VA sweetness begins to dominate and the cocoa tag team hangs in there, while the Lakeland recedes into the distance.
No bite to speak of and only a modest nic hit. Near the very end, a wee bit of spiciness (from perique?) creeps in, turning your hot chocolate flavor into a Mexican variant. All of the team players cross the finish line together, holding hands. Much blending harmony here.
Overall, an excellent smoke. If I could offer any critique, I suppose a bit more burley wouldn't hurt my feelings.
Verdict: Get Some!
I rarely pop a tin these days, as I work my way through baggies from forum trades and leftovers from bulk jarring episodes.
I think this is the second tin I've actually popped this year...
Last Sunday, evading cabin fever, I grabbed the tin and landed at one of my B&Ms with a nice lounge.
This tin, with 3+ years of age, had a nice little swell to it and let out the most satisfying hiss when popped.
Inside were the most sparkly, enticing flakes I'd eyeballed in some time. Thinly sliced and moist enough that I had to use the pipe nail to separate them.
I chose the Non-Barling Barling for this blend. It seemed only fitting for the Non-Lakeland Lakeland...
Today, I am having the 2nd smoke in the same pipe. Tobaccoreviews describes it at a VaPer with a bit of burley, backed with some cocoa and Lakeland essences.
Last week, I got a fermented, sharp tin note, reminding me of the C&D Burley Flake #3 tin note. Today, the sharpness has eased a bit and the Lakeland sneaks into the note just a bit. That first bowl evoked a hot chocolate back flavor, the cocoa topping and cocoa character of the burley tag teaming on the Virginia sweetness. Perique and Lakeland were distant but identifiable.
Last week's smoke was reduced to a broken flake with only nominal dry time. Today's was broken down just a bit further and given an hour to air out. 50% on the humidity in the command bunker today.
The perique presents both the pepper and the raisin in measured doses. Both supporting the now increasing floral notes.
While last week's bowl required a gurgle intervention mid way, today's smoke approaches the midpoint with no such requirement, though I think I'm puffing a bit faster today. (Last week I was distracted often by the end of the Ravens/Steelers game)
It was hard to catch the "sparkles" with the camera but this shot came close.
Everything seems to integrate along the way, no component trying too hard for tongue dominance. The floral wafts in and out, as does the perique and cocoa. It is well assembled and at no time feels like an "aromatic". It goes well with a cup of hot tea sporting a few drops of half-n-half. A mid-way ash dump minimizes the butane consumption.
Near the end, the VA sweetness begins to dominate and the cocoa tag team hangs in there, while the Lakeland recedes into the distance.
No bite to speak of and only a modest nic hit. Near the very end, a wee bit of spiciness (from perique?) creeps in, turning your hot chocolate flavor into a Mexican variant. All of the team players cross the finish line together, holding hands. Much blending harmony here.
Overall, an excellent smoke. If I could offer any critique, I suppose a bit more burley wouldn't hurt my feelings.
Verdict: Get Some!
