It's that Aperitif time of day...but this time testing out the so-called 'clone' by McConnell called St. James Park. Tin note, quite different. Aperitif has latakia. didn't really smell that coming forward in the so-called clone. Cut and appearance and texture pretty close. The so-called clone looked like it had a few rougher pieces. Mix of colors and overall cut looking at them side by side in jars is indistinguishable. Heading out to light up...
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about a 1/3 way in... some differences. not the same thing, but not sooo far off. btw, Dunhill tin from 2019, the McConnell is 2020.
on the light, no latakia at all, "What latakia? We don't need no stinkin' Latakia!" came to mind. once going, i can tell it is in there, not as forward as in the Dunhill. Also, the Dunhill is a touch sweeter and smoother/rounder. perhaps the cavendish or the virginia is off the mark. Volume and ease of the smoke is..same. retro a bit spicier and is a bit acid sharp on back of throat, where the Dunhill did not do that. It's a Scottish, but from a county or two to the west and south. Nic..a touch stronger. A fair effort to be sure. But not the same. Look forward to continuing to compare as it gets some time in the jar. Very glad I collected up the tins I could of the Dunhill!