Full disclosure: this blend was my idea as I was wanting a milder version of Back Bay with less perique. The gold Virginias provide a fair amount of tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, floralness, mild sugar, light vegetation, sour lemon, a pinch of spice, and a hint of acidity as the lead components. The perique produces earth, wood, some dried plums, raisins, floralness and spice. It offers full support. The strength and nic-hit are a couple of steps past the medium threshold. The taste is a notch past that mark. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Has a few rough edges. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable rate with a very consistent,moderately spicy, plummy, fruity, floral, zesty flavor hat extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is tolerable. Hardly leaves a trace of dampness in the bowl, and doesn’t require many relights. It may be an all day smoke for the veteran piper, and is repeatable for anybody.

©Jim Amash 2024.