Here I go acting brave again, reviewing a blend that has been reviewed over and over again, probably by consecrated reviewers with far more credibility than I. Non the less, I have been meaning to try this for a long time and since I had some difficulty in obtaining the tobacco the anticipation contributed to the itch a tad more .. so right now I am more than pleased to scratch that.
Preferred Pipe : Stanwell Zebrano, 9 mm filter, filter used: Vauen Dr Pearl
The variation of the blend that I am reviewing is the ready rubbed, 50 gr pouch. The nose out of the packaging is welcoming, with a medium dark hint of dried fruit, and a slight vinegar smell - not the McCleland type of vinegar (which for me has become a benchmark and which personally I dislike), but just a tad astringent. JimInks mentioned this as well, as a possible preservative, but to no effect on the actual smoke experience.
Once I light I don't get a full blown aromatic going on, quite the opposite, it seems more of a Va/Bur, earthy and dark with some hints of "I can't put my finger on" which I guess resembles some nameless dried fruit (sweet and raisiny). The first puffs are smooth, with the virginia - kentucky combo being quite balanced. I am happy with this, since this is labeled as an aromatic, and I am not getting a soapy/candy like aromatic. So I puff gently, then I tamp for my first time to settle the baccy after the light. Right out of the briar the stinging sensation I had from clay is completely gone, but unlike the clay I can hardly feel any citrus - even with that experience I wouldn't be able to tell you which citrus it was, be that lemon, orange or anything else. I guess it was rather more of an acidic sensation that one would associate with drinking a no sugar added citrus squeezed juice. Getting back to the briar experience, after the tamp I have my bowl going and I am stepping away from fruity to flower. Judging by my taste, this flowery aroma stays with you all the way to the end of the bowl, with a slight variation after its first half. Once my bowl is somewhat past its middle point, I get a very faint tonka seed/anise flavor, a quite welcoming change, sufficiently mute as I cannot stand the two spices, nor do I think I would like such a strong presence in a tobacco. Mind you that all these flavors I am describing do not in any way take over the respective tobacco tastes, which all the way remain the main violin.
Overall I had no problems with this blend, no relights, easy packing, no drying needed. Take this last remark with a pinch of salt, as I do like to smoke damp, and after two bowls using the same filter I had some moist in the heel with a very damp filter. I would highly recommend this tobacco, and now that I know where to get it from (Spain - thanks to a fellow pipe club member from Bucharest, who moved there) I will keep it constantly in my rotation. Final note: this is another great aromatic, that is not quite an aromatic, with a mild to medium nicotine content and a wonderful aftertaste. ??? I don't know what to say about the room note, the wife sure doesn't think it smell like spring flowers ... but finds it agreeable.
Preferred Pipe : Stanwell Zebrano, 9 mm filter, filter used: Vauen Dr Pearl
The variation of the blend that I am reviewing is the ready rubbed, 50 gr pouch. The nose out of the packaging is welcoming, with a medium dark hint of dried fruit, and a slight vinegar smell - not the McCleland type of vinegar (which for me has become a benchmark and which personally I dislike), but just a tad astringent. JimInks mentioned this as well, as a possible preservative, but to no effect on the actual smoke experience.
Once I light I don't get a full blown aromatic going on, quite the opposite, it seems more of a Va/Bur, earthy and dark with some hints of "I can't put my finger on" which I guess resembles some nameless dried fruit (sweet and raisiny). The first puffs are smooth, with the virginia - kentucky combo being quite balanced. I am happy with this, since this is labeled as an aromatic, and I am not getting a soapy/candy like aromatic. So I puff gently, then I tamp for my first time to settle the baccy after the light. Right out of the briar the stinging sensation I had from clay is completely gone, but unlike the clay I can hardly feel any citrus - even with that experience I wouldn't be able to tell you which citrus it was, be that lemon, orange or anything else. I guess it was rather more of an acidic sensation that one would associate with drinking a no sugar added citrus squeezed juice. Getting back to the briar experience, after the tamp I have my bowl going and I am stepping away from fruity to flower. Judging by my taste, this flowery aroma stays with you all the way to the end of the bowl, with a slight variation after its first half. Once my bowl is somewhat past its middle point, I get a very faint tonka seed/anise flavor, a quite welcoming change, sufficiently mute as I cannot stand the two spices, nor do I think I would like such a strong presence in a tobacco. Mind you that all these flavors I am describing do not in any way take over the respective tobacco tastes, which all the way remain the main violin.
Overall I had no problems with this blend, no relights, easy packing, no drying needed. Take this last remark with a pinch of salt, as I do like to smoke damp, and after two bowls using the same filter I had some moist in the heel with a very damp filter. I would highly recommend this tobacco, and now that I know where to get it from (Spain - thanks to a fellow pipe club member from Bucharest, who moved there) I will keep it constantly in my rotation. Final note: this is another great aromatic, that is not quite an aromatic, with a mild to medium nicotine content and a wonderful aftertaste. ??? I don't know what to say about the room note, the wife sure doesn't think it smell like spring flowers ... but finds it agreeable.
