KBV Sakura

[BlueMaxx]

I liked the DFC

I have a love hate with any "cherry" blend...it is just my palate...everyones different.

There seems to be a threshold for me where a cherry blend goes from enjoyable, to Holy Hell I just smoked a Ludens cough drop dipped in Vicks Formula 44 cherry flavor...

It was also in a brand new pipe, and that may have had an effect on the taste...I have so many other blends at my fingertips I figure just step away for a bit and try again.

Now the Wilke Cherry Cavendish blend?
Yeah, thats a keeper for me...

On a side note, I have seen that Blood Red Moon is popping up again here and there...

 

[BROBS]

Like, I understand that it’s supposed to be cherry blossom but it tastes very artificial to me.

 

[BlueMaxx]

Like, I understand that it’s supposed to be cherry blossom but it tastes very artificial to me.

Out of curiosity, what pipe are you using?
(not that it makes a difference, just curious)

 

[NomadOrb]

OK, this stuff sucks.

Uh oh! Mine was delivered today, I'm going to try it out tonight or tomorrow.

 

[BROBS]

Out of curiosity, what pipe are you using?
(not that it makes a difference, just curious)

Shalom Deluxe pot

 

[kschatey]

My KBV Sakura arrived today and it went straight from bag into a new-ish cob that I picked up for Exotic Passion and Devil's Holiday, although only one bowl of tobacco has been smoked in it thus far leaving it neutral. The rest of the tobacco went into a jar. Anyway, Sakura's aroma is lightly floral like fresh blossoms along with hints of sugary caramel and cocoa. The flavor is NOT cherry which is good for my preferences. It starts slightly muted with some spiciness and floral note, but it really comes alive with more of the spicy and slightly incense-like Oriental about a quarter of the way in. There is also a slight berry/cherry note and some sweetness that hints the palate after setting the pipe down for a moment and then going back to it. There was even some nice creamy smoke and subtle vanilla, probably occurring when hitting a larger chunk of the Cavendish. The retrohale was smooth and mild. Nothing tasted artificial and the Oriental-forwardness of this blend fits with what I like. I really enjoyed the Sakura overall. This was my first KBV blend and I don't regret the purchase.

 

[3rdguy]

It just plain tastes like a lightly flavored cherry blossom white owl.

regret +1

Dont buy 10 of the 3.5oz’ers.

 

[NomadOrb]

How's the room note guys? The wife usually loves this type of stuff, so I was hoping to smoke it inside.

 

[BROBS]

How's the room note guys? The wife usually loves this type of stuff, so I was hoping to smoke it inside.

Room note not bad. ?

 

[3rdguy]

Similar to Cult Blood Red?

 

[BROBS]

Similar to Cult Blood Red?

Nope it’s almost exactly to me like Rattray’s Exotic Passion. I don’t taste much if any actual cherry. More artificial blossom.

 

[Jwebb90]

Barring pinholes in the creases. I've seen that in Esoterica bags.

I have a silver bag of Dorchester from 96 that is still intact and doing well.

 

[kschatey]

Similar to Cult Blood Red?

Nope it’s almost exactly to me like Rattray’s Exotic Passion. I don’t taste much if any actual cherry. More artificial blossom.

I don't know BROBS personally, but he seems like a nice guy that I'd enjoy chillin' with smoking a pipe and having some beer... if COVID-19 wasn't a factor. That said, his review of Rattray's Exotic Passion was (if I recall properly), and I'm only slightly paraphrasing here, "tastes like Strawberry Shortcake's butt." With a review like that, I had to get some and I finally did. My initial pass at Exotic Passion left me a bit disappointed, but it wasn't artificial or like strawberry butt (don't ask how I possibly verified this). I will be revisiting it soon. All of this is to say that, BROBS is a funny guy and tastes are VERY subjective. Regarding Sakura, there is really NO CHERRY flavor which is good, because I'm not a fan of cherry tobacco. It's floral, but not perfumey and more like a Rattray's Red Rapparee without Latakia, red Virginia rather than bright (not sure there, but that's my guess), and with some pleasant floral blossom notes thrown in. Nothing artificial to my palette. Please read my tasting notes in an above comment for more details. Hope this helps... and yes, I did just drink a 750mL bottle of 11.9% beer while writing this response, so please excuse my grammar and typos!

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have a silver bag of Dorchester from 96 that is still intact and doing well.

If you ever open it, put it in several small jars. Tobacco that old tends to deteriorate quickly once exposed to air.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Similar to Cult Blood Red?

not at all

 

[Chasing Embers]

Similar to Cult Blood Red?

It's not a cherry aromatic.

 

[alaskanpiper]

It's not a cherry aromatic.

Definitely not. My impressions from another thread (was a response to comments in that thread if some parts seem random or personal, haha):

I like it ok. Not my favorite KBV by any stretch, but a nice enough blend. As advertised it does not remind one of a “cherry aro” at all, topping is quite light by my taste. And is a tart flavor, which compliments the orientals. Wouldn’t make any comparison to lakelands at all either, but I get why one would, lakeland freaks may dig it, but this tobacco is much milder than most lakelands in both body and taste.

Certainly not white owl bad, but not a mind blower either. Also wouldn’t draw any comparison to exotic passion you weirdo. Lighter topping and completely different. Also not as good.

What I have noticed is that if pushed at all, this blend turns into hot steam in no time flat. Must be sipped slowly for sure, pushed even a little it goes flavorless and ashy quicker than you can say “ @BROBS is tongue blind”

I’d go 3/4

 

[Chasing Embers]

Definitely not. My impressions from another thread:

I like it ok. Not my favorite KBV by any stretch, but a nice enough blend. As advertised it does not remind one of a “cherry aro” at all, topping is quite light by my taste. And is a tart flavor, which compliments the orientals. Wouldn’t make any comparison to lakelands at all either, but I get why one would, lakeland freaks may dig it, but this tobacco is much milder than most lakelands in both body and taste.

Certainly not white owl bad, but not a mind blower either. Also wouldn’t draw any comparison to exotic passion you weirdo. Lighter topping and completely different. Also not as good.

What I have noticed is that if pushed at all, this blend turns into hot steam in no time flat. Must be sipped slowly for sure, pushed even a little it goes flavorless and ashy quicker than you can say “ @BROBS is tongue blind”

I’d go 3/4

Yeah, saw that. I got a Virginia/Oriental with a flowery sweetness. Not a cherry aro nor a Lakeland. I bought a second pound after the first smoke.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Yeah, saw that. I got a Virginia/Oriental with a flowery sweetness. Not a cherry aro nor a Lakeland. I bought a second pound after the first smoke.

Yep, that's pretty much what I found as well. It's a nice mild blend, I bought 4oz total, which for me is a lot. Will be a great blend for summer time on warm days, but I wouldn't smoke it after anything heavy. I wish it had a tad more VA sweetness, but I really like what it has going on in the balance between the orientals and the topping, they compliment each other quite well and any more VA presence might interfere with that. It's light, but also complex. I think the topping was at just the right level for a blend like this.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I think the topping was at just the right level for a blend like this.

Same. Once smoked, my choice of a large pipe to dedicate to it was a good one.?