A couple of weeks ago I decided to experiment with C&D blends so I ordered from SP one ounce each of the following
Byzantium
Red Odessa
Star of the East
Last week, upon arrival, I noticed the aromas of Latakia and Perique penetrating through the shipping box. I picked up my Peterson Aran 999 ( dedicated English pipe ) and decided to go to work on them. Sort of a bad idea. What I thought was acceptable moisture right out of the bag turned out to be way too much. The wetness made each blend turn into a rather awful experience. I enjoy my Latakia, but not straight ( yes, I have smoked blending Lat before, very good for clearing your sinuses ).
I left the baggies open for about 4 days to dry out some. Red Odessa and Star of the East did so pretty well, Byzantium still needs more time as of today. Here's my take on these blends after a few bowls of each over the past few days:
Red Odessa - bag smell reminds me of BBQ ribs cooked over charcoal. Cut is thick ribbons of VA with chunks of Lat and Perique. Lights easy if almost bone dry, otherwise relights required. Tastes like a VA/Per with Latakia but fairly heavy. Burns cool and fairly slow. I tried to smoke it faster and the VA let me know it was there. Not like McBaren VA#1 when pushed, but enough. Definitely a sipper, as the flavors come out better. The Perique definitely has a presence. Not a "creamy" smoke by any means. Good with coffee. Not good for "smoking on the dry" as it left quite the aftertaste. 7 out of 10 stars.
Star of the East - bag smell .... well, it smells like the Balkan it is. A camp fire doused with an infusion of camphor. VA ribbons with chunks of Lat and little strands of Turkish. Drying this makes it taste a lot better than wet. A bit heavier on the Lat than I like as it sort of masks the Turkish, but it also tames the VA, so it won't bite ya ( unless you puff like you're trying to make the briar glow ). Lots of smoke but I wouldn't call it creamy like the FrogMorton series or Sasieni Balkan ). Quite flavorful but not very subtly. Overall a decent smoke. 8 out of 10 stars.
Byzantium - this honestly smells like blending Perique with faint odors of Latakia. Mostly small brown and black chunks in the bag. Lighting is a bit tricky. I think it's still a bit wet. A slow burner. Can't really taste the Turkish. Is it there? 5 out of 10 stars but will revisit this when I'm done with the 1 ounce. I think this is one of those blends you have to spend time with to form an opinion.
Byzantium
Red Odessa
Star of the East
Last week, upon arrival, I noticed the aromas of Latakia and Perique penetrating through the shipping box. I picked up my Peterson Aran 999 ( dedicated English pipe ) and decided to go to work on them. Sort of a bad idea. What I thought was acceptable moisture right out of the bag turned out to be way too much. The wetness made each blend turn into a rather awful experience. I enjoy my Latakia, but not straight ( yes, I have smoked blending Lat before, very good for clearing your sinuses ).
I left the baggies open for about 4 days to dry out some. Red Odessa and Star of the East did so pretty well, Byzantium still needs more time as of today. Here's my take on these blends after a few bowls of each over the past few days:
Red Odessa - bag smell reminds me of BBQ ribs cooked over charcoal. Cut is thick ribbons of VA with chunks of Lat and Perique. Lights easy if almost bone dry, otherwise relights required. Tastes like a VA/Per with Latakia but fairly heavy. Burns cool and fairly slow. I tried to smoke it faster and the VA let me know it was there. Not like McBaren VA#1 when pushed, but enough. Definitely a sipper, as the flavors come out better. The Perique definitely has a presence. Not a "creamy" smoke by any means. Good with coffee. Not good for "smoking on the dry" as it left quite the aftertaste. 7 out of 10 stars.
Star of the East - bag smell .... well, it smells like the Balkan it is. A camp fire doused with an infusion of camphor. VA ribbons with chunks of Lat and little strands of Turkish. Drying this makes it taste a lot better than wet. A bit heavier on the Lat than I like as it sort of masks the Turkish, but it also tames the VA, so it won't bite ya ( unless you puff like you're trying to make the briar glow ). Lots of smoke but I wouldn't call it creamy like the FrogMorton series or Sasieni Balkan ). Quite flavorful but not very subtly. Overall a decent smoke. 8 out of 10 stars.
Byzantium - this honestly smells like blending Perique with faint odors of Latakia. Mostly small brown and black chunks in the bag. Lighting is a bit tricky. I think it's still a bit wet. A slow burner. Can't really taste the Turkish. Is it there? 5 out of 10 stars but will revisit this when I'm done with the 1 ounce. I think this is one of those blends you have to spend time with to form an opinion.
