That was my experience yesterday, the first time I tried it: mostly lightly-flavored hot air, with about 5 minutes of flavor in mid-bowl, and a little more when I relit. There was some improvement when I used a pipe tool to split up the flake, but that was short-lived. When it turned back to bland and showed no sign of improving, I gave up on it with about a quarter of the bowl left, and then tried the Reserve du Patron, which was much better.
Like an abused spouse, I blame myself: I'm new to the blend, need to learn how to smoke it correctly, didn't prepare it properly, didn't use the right kind of pipe, smoked it too quickly, expected too much. At least I don't have visible bruises. I'll leave it in the jar until spring, and then try it again: I have no desire to hurry back in the immediate future. Meanwhile, I have some Hal O' the Wynd on the way, and will see how that compares.