Semois Inspiring
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Just finished another bowl of Semois. It has a narrow range of flavors but still manages levels and complexity. I guess
I'd miss this if I just didn't like the leaf, but I find it straightforward and not overbearing. It's not like U.S. burleys, it's true,
but it has a lot of character and dimension all the same, if you like burley at all.
I'd miss this if I just didn't like the leaf, but I find it straightforward and not overbearing. It's not like U.S. burleys, it's true,
but it has a lot of character and dimension all the same, if you like burley at all.
Not sure if you've watched the Youtube video of Vincent Manil - including his very traditional tools and a rather small production schedule. Perhaps my favorite part of the whole video is where he's applying glue, by hand, to the labels. Though the video is in French, it wasn't really necessary to understand the words. If you have the time, perhaps you could take a visit of his workshop, if he would offer it.
My regrets if I'm adding too many posts to this thread, but I thought I'd post one more for the morning and then I'll keep quiet for awhile.
Typically I reserve my Butz-Choquin bulldog for weekend smokes. But decided to smoke it this morning with Semois. The BC has what I consider to be the perfect size bowl for a morning smoke - small, but not too small. Along with my Peterson Donegal Rocky 999 the BC is the perfect morning clencher while I hold my tea cup in my hand. And Semois is the perfect morning smoke in that it's not a long smoke, no matter how tightly you pack the leaf.
My first impressions of Semois were not positive. I couldn't understand it. I found the nutty flavor off-putting, even a bit harsh. My relationship with Burleys is pretty much non-existent. But I've also read and heard that Semois isn't like any Burley I would have smoked before. I have found Prince Albert nearly unsmokable - as it bites the life out of my tongue. And the only other Burley-forward tobacco I have - Peterson Irish Flake - is a nicotine powerhouse and doesn't taste like Semois in any way. And so my first impressions of Semois were negative in that I was trying to figure out where it fits, and couldn't put it in any bucket. I've decided that it doesn't necessarily fit anywhere other than stand on its own.
This morning's smoke was just a continuation of a greater appreciation for this leaf. Its lack of complexity is exactly what I'm looking for in a morning smoke with my tea. And then it hit me - my tea. This morning's tea is a green loose leaf tea called Lung Ching. Yesterday's tea, while I was enjoying Semois in my cob, was an oolong from the Phoenix Mountain Dan Cong region. Both today's green tea and yesterday's oolong are on the nuttier, single note spectrum. And Semois is a smooth transition from liquid nuttiness to smoke nuttiness.
This is a tobacco that smokes dry, and if you are trying it for the first time, I highly recommend smoking it with a liquid or fruit that will enhance the nutty, dry aspects of the leaf.
I don't know that I have a favorite tobacco. I have more Gaslight in my cellar than any other, but that's only because it comes in huge containers. I love Virginia for their sweet, earthy flavors. I love Latakia for its smokiness. I do not enjoy Perique and Orientals - even though I enjoy spicy food - as they bite my tongue.
And so now I am becoming a Semois afficionado. Yes, it's worth the price of admission. I had expected the 3.5 ounces (what's that - 100 grams or so?) to last a long time. But as it burns so quickly and completely, the box won't last as long as I had expected. But the more I smoke it, the more I suspect I will be purchasing another box, even with the steep price tag.
Typically I reserve my Butz-Choquin bulldog for weekend smokes. But decided to smoke it this morning with Semois. The BC has what I consider to be the perfect size bowl for a morning smoke - small, but not too small. Along with my Peterson Donegal Rocky 999 the BC is the perfect morning clencher while I hold my tea cup in my hand. And Semois is the perfect morning smoke in that it's not a long smoke, no matter how tightly you pack the leaf.
My first impressions of Semois were not positive. I couldn't understand it. I found the nutty flavor off-putting, even a bit harsh. My relationship with Burleys is pretty much non-existent. But I've also read and heard that Semois isn't like any Burley I would have smoked before. I have found Prince Albert nearly unsmokable - as it bites the life out of my tongue. And the only other Burley-forward tobacco I have - Peterson Irish Flake - is a nicotine powerhouse and doesn't taste like Semois in any way. And so my first impressions of Semois were negative in that I was trying to figure out where it fits, and couldn't put it in any bucket. I've decided that it doesn't necessarily fit anywhere other than stand on its own.
This morning's smoke was just a continuation of a greater appreciation for this leaf. Its lack of complexity is exactly what I'm looking for in a morning smoke with my tea. And then it hit me - my tea. This morning's tea is a green loose leaf tea called Lung Ching. Yesterday's tea, while I was enjoying Semois in my cob, was an oolong from the Phoenix Mountain Dan Cong region. Both today's green tea and yesterday's oolong are on the nuttier, single note spectrum. And Semois is a smooth transition from liquid nuttiness to smoke nuttiness.
This is a tobacco that smokes dry, and if you are trying it for the first time, I highly recommend smoking it with a liquid or fruit that will enhance the nutty, dry aspects of the leaf.
I don't know that I have a favorite tobacco. I have more Gaslight in my cellar than any other, but that's only because it comes in huge containers. I love Virginia for their sweet, earthy flavors. I love Latakia for its smokiness. I do not enjoy Perique and Orientals - even though I enjoy spicy food - as they bite my tongue.
And so now I am becoming a Semois afficionado. Yes, it's worth the price of admission. I had expected the 3.5 ounces (what's that - 100 grams or so?) to last a long time. But as it burns so quickly and completely, the box won't last as long as I had expected. But the more I smoke it, the more I suspect I will be purchasing another box, even with the steep price tag.
Mr. Manil releases his Semois very dry to improve the smoke, according to the Pipe Guys. They know a lot about his process and were willing to speak to me at length.
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