This goes on sale Tuesday, May 20th at 6 p.m. EST. 10,000 tins were produced this year.
The double fermented Italian dark fired Kentucky provides an abundance of earth, wood, floralness, smoke, vegetative grass, toast, some herbs, spice, nuts, bitter sourness, peat, leather, mild mesquite, light cigar and vinegar notes as the lead component. The 2019 bright Virginia supplies plenty of very tart and tangy citrus, grass, sugar, bread, floralness, vegetation, some bitter sour lemon, spice, and mild acidity as a supporting player. The 2021 and 2022 red Virginias offer a fair amount of fermented tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, tart citrus, grass, some sugar, floralness, and a touch of spice in secondary support. The unsweetened Dominican black cavendish produces very mild tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass, earth, wood, peat, sugar, leather and light smoky cigar. Its presence is very small. The strength is a step past the center of medium to strong. The nic-hit is right below that center. The taste is almost full. It won’t bite or get harsh. There are a few rough edges. The broken flakes are mildly moist, and don’t need any dry time. Well balanced and deeply rich, it burns cool, clean and a tad slow with a very consistent fermented, fruity, floral, spicy, smoky, mesquite, sour, mildly cigarish, sweet, lightly acidic, rather savory flavor that extends to the long lasting after taste. The room note has some pungency. Leaves very little moisture in the bowl, and requires a few more than an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke. The bright Va. has a stronger presence this time. The blend is not as creamy sweet, and is a little more sour than last year’s production. That makes the dark fired Kentucky a little more obvious, and creates stronger smoking experience as well. I recommend a small to medium bowl for this one. Three stars out of four.
©Jim Amash 2025.
The double fermented Italian dark fired Kentucky provides an abundance of earth, wood, floralness, smoke, vegetative grass, toast, some herbs, spice, nuts, bitter sourness, peat, leather, mild mesquite, light cigar and vinegar notes as the lead component. The 2019 bright Virginia supplies plenty of very tart and tangy citrus, grass, sugar, bread, floralness, vegetation, some bitter sour lemon, spice, and mild acidity as a supporting player. The 2021 and 2022 red Virginias offer a fair amount of fermented tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, tart citrus, grass, some sugar, floralness, and a touch of spice in secondary support. The unsweetened Dominican black cavendish produces very mild tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass, earth, wood, peat, sugar, leather and light smoky cigar. Its presence is very small. The strength is a step past the center of medium to strong. The nic-hit is right below that center. The taste is almost full. It won’t bite or get harsh. There are a few rough edges. The broken flakes are mildly moist, and don’t need any dry time. Well balanced and deeply rich, it burns cool, clean and a tad slow with a very consistent fermented, fruity, floral, spicy, smoky, mesquite, sour, mildly cigarish, sweet, lightly acidic, rather savory flavor that extends to the long lasting after taste. The room note has some pungency. Leaves very little moisture in the bowl, and requires a few more than an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke. The bright Va. has a stronger presence this time. The blend is not as creamy sweet, and is a little more sour than last year’s production. That makes the dark fired Kentucky a little more obvious, and creates stronger smoking experience as well. I recommend a small to medium bowl for this one. Three stars out of four.
©Jim Amash 2025.