This goes on sale Tuesday, December 16th at 6:00 p.m. EST.
The years 2015 and 2021 dark fired Kentuckys provide an abundance of sour smoky mesquite, floralness, spice, herbs, incense, earth, wood, vegetation, nuts, and mild sweetness. They co-lead at times, and occassionally lead as well. The sour plums, figs, floralness, spice and mesquite from the 31 Farms St. James Parish perique take a very small lead almost as much as they co-lead. The other aspects of the perique: bread, earth, wood, and light dried raisins essentially equal the effect of the red Virginia. The year 2003 North Carolina red Virginia produces some tart and tangy citrus, bread, sugar, grass, floralness, mild dark fruit, earth, wood, spice and light vinegar in full support. A step and a half behind it is the year 2023 Canadian bright Virginia, which contributes a lot of tart citrus, sour lemon, floralness, spice, grass/hay, vegetation, bread, sugar, and light acidity in secondary support. Almost equalling the bright Va. is the Brazilian dark Virginia. It supplies plenty of tart and tangy citrus, earth, wood, peat, floralness, bread, spice, sugar, light cigar, darker fruit, and slight acidity. I observe a minute essence of maple. The strength and taste levels are very filling. The nic-hit is a couple of rungs short of full. No chance of bite or harshness. Has a few rough notes. The mildly moist broken flakes easily break apart to suit your preference and require no dry time. Well balanced, complex, and deeply rich, it burns cool, clean and slightly slow with a little inconsistent sour, smoky mesquite, floral, spicy, fruity, savory flavor that extends to the pleasantly long lasting after taste. The sour, floral, spicy, smoky mesquite room notes are pungent. Leaves little dampness in the bowl. Requires a couple more than an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke. I suggest a wide bowl no more than medium size for this blend due its inherent strength and complexity. Four stars out of four.
@Jim Amash 2025.
The years 2015 and 2021 dark fired Kentuckys provide an abundance of sour smoky mesquite, floralness, spice, herbs, incense, earth, wood, vegetation, nuts, and mild sweetness. They co-lead at times, and occassionally lead as well. The sour plums, figs, floralness, spice and mesquite from the 31 Farms St. James Parish perique take a very small lead almost as much as they co-lead. The other aspects of the perique: bread, earth, wood, and light dried raisins essentially equal the effect of the red Virginia. The year 2003 North Carolina red Virginia produces some tart and tangy citrus, bread, sugar, grass, floralness, mild dark fruit, earth, wood, spice and light vinegar in full support. A step and a half behind it is the year 2023 Canadian bright Virginia, which contributes a lot of tart citrus, sour lemon, floralness, spice, grass/hay, vegetation, bread, sugar, and light acidity in secondary support. Almost equalling the bright Va. is the Brazilian dark Virginia. It supplies plenty of tart and tangy citrus, earth, wood, peat, floralness, bread, spice, sugar, light cigar, darker fruit, and slight acidity. I observe a minute essence of maple. The strength and taste levels are very filling. The nic-hit is a couple of rungs short of full. No chance of bite or harshness. Has a few rough notes. The mildly moist broken flakes easily break apart to suit your preference and require no dry time. Well balanced, complex, and deeply rich, it burns cool, clean and slightly slow with a little inconsistent sour, smoky mesquite, floral, spicy, fruity, savory flavor that extends to the pleasantly long lasting after taste. The sour, floral, spicy, smoky mesquite room notes are pungent. Leaves little dampness in the bowl. Requires a couple more than an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke. I suggest a wide bowl no more than medium size for this blend due its inherent strength and complexity. Four stars out of four.
@Jim Amash 2025.
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