Blend Type: Aromatic
Contents: Burley, Cavendish, Latakia
Flavoring: Alcohol / Liquor
Cut: Ribbon
Posted by Moi at tobaccoreviews.com:
In sum more less aromatic than Lane's HGL, but more aromatic than Sutliff's "R-Blend". A progression I highly recommend."Like so many of us, I am one of those pipe smokers that has varying tastes. One day it might be a nutty burley, or a burley/brignt, a nice aromatic, and an English latakia forward blend. Depend on the day and mood. Quite by accident my friendly tobacconist offered me a taste of this one. I had my doubt whether this combination of burley, cavendish and light latakia was a bit of a mongrel, neither fish, nor fowl.
My first puff, and I was shocked.
Yes it had a lovely light vanilla tone, but then again the latakia was there too - just enought - while my very favorite burley nuttiness came through in intermittent wisps. Now at least one other reviewer felt these different elemets cancellled one another out. For him I'm sure this was a personal reaction - he wants a blend to have a more singular character.
I don't.
As a spirits reviewer, I can tell you that younger spirits do in fact have that singular element, but the reward of aging begins to bring the elements together in what can only be described as a balanced and intergrated harmony, complex enought that no one element dominates, but is clearly there. That is a mark of a great spirit and in this case applies to this lovely blend.
Yes, the elements are there. Yes, they do at times coalesce, but still allow each component to sneak out here to make themselves evident. Oh - nice aromatics! And then alongs comes a bit of nuttiness, then some smoke. Such a presentation is interesting and infatuating. Lovely and rewarding, easily a daily smoker that won't bore, but won't overwhelm, that will keep you interested and pleased.
Pipe Used: Savinelli full bent military, Peterson style; cob
Age When Smoked: unknown, months at least
Purchased From: Local tobacconist"
