November 2009 - What are you smoking?

[dunendain]

Tonight I am smoking Bill Bailey's Balkan Blend to steady the nerves after a chat with my mom, and moms almost always lay on the guilt trip." why did you move so far away?". She my mom and I love her. Lucky to still have her council.

 

[chuckw]

My good ol' standbye 5110. This time in an early Willmer AAA.

 

[porshcigar]

Lucky Dog from Jack's Tobacco, Brookfield, Wisconsin.

 

[dunendain]

English Oriental Supreme from Peter Stokkebye. In a Bjorne Viking.

 

[porshcigar]

Frog Morton.

 

[python]

Yesterday and last night was some Troost Special Cavendish and then some C&D Billy Budd.

 

[dunendain]

C&D British Woods in the morning. S.G Squadron Leader in the P.M. with porter.

 

[sinistertopiary]

(What can I say? I'm obsessed with McClelland's new Three Oaks, Original & Syrian.)

 

[chuckw]

McCellands 5110 in my post transition Barling 5959 T,V.F gull bent.

 

[python]

Last night was some Dan Milonga and later followed by some Davidus Portrait.

The Portrait tasted so good that I loaded up a second bowl of it as soon as I finished the first.

 

[dunendain]

Lane 1Q in a Aldo Velani Bulldog. Always a crowd pleaser.

 

[python]

SG FVF and then some Portrait.

 

[sinistertopiary]

 

[python]

ST, is that the 2008 or 2009 Holiday Spirit? I heard they are both the same exact blend. How do you like it?
I am going to popping my tin of the 2008 in the next couple of weeks.

 

[sinistertopiary]

Hi Bob.
It was a 2009, and last night I had my first bowl of it.
Aros are not my usual go-to genre, though there are a few I like quite a lot, especially McClelland's Mellow Mack, so I figured Spirit would be worth trying.
Just one bowl, so it's too early to tell. I honestly don't know how I like it yet. I didn't like the way it started at all -- it tasted off to me, kinda moldy, and I wasn't getting any of the "chistmassy" sweetness I was anticipating. By the middle of the bowl I was starting to get into it as some of the flavors started to come alive, though I couldn't tell you what they were since they weren't coming through clearly, but it was sweet without being cloying so it was pleasant. I could convince myself it tasted like the rum, pecans & cocoa they claim, for whatever that's worth, and put myself in the mind of xmas if I wanted to -- but it didn't come naturally from the blend.
So my first bowl was so-so. I'll give it several more and get back to you.
I expect the 2008 will probably have a more deepened, rounded flavor. I'd like to know your experience with it when you get to opening it.

 

[python]

Thanks for your assessment ST. I will let every one know what I think of the 2008 when I smoke it. It is going to be one of my reviews soon, so stay tuned!

 

[dunendain]

Peter Stokkebye Balkan Supreme. In a Bjarne Viking.

 

[sinistertopiary]

 

[sinistertopiary]

The two are married.

 

[python]

Last night was some H&H Egg Nog.