Motzek Little Snake

The tangy, ripe dark fruity, earthy red Virginia also has a hint of spice and fermentation, and often takes a small, competitive lead over the tart citrus, grass, bread, and a touch of spice and honey from the golden Virginias. There are times the golden Va.s are a tad more obvious. The lightly spicy, fairly floral, woody, earthy, dry and sour Orientals play an important support role, and here and there does a little more than that. The strength and nic-hit are a step short of medium. The taste is closer to medium than it is to the center of medium to full. No chance of bite or harshness. Burns cool, clean, and a tad slow with some inconsistency of its rich flavor. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a few relights. Has a pleasant, short lived after taste, and is nearly an all day smoke. The veteran smoker may well consider it to be one. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

As the description says "based on a plug from red, golden Virginias and Orientals", I was suspecting this to be "Kieler Freu(n)de Alte Hasen" Plug, without the Perique+Cav. layer (Alte Hasen is layered, Va+Or -> Perique+Cav. ->Va+Or), because they don't have any other plug, that would math the description. Yet when opening the bag, with the beguiling looking "snakes" (ribbons and ribbon-like plug-chunks) in it, and dipped my nose into it, I was most certain this is NOT based on Alte Hasen Plug.

Unburnt scent of Little Snake is honey-ish sweet, with bready notes, a bit of spice and little sour-woodsy aroma from the Orientals. The (golden and red) Virginias seem to dominate this mixture. Really intriguing scent, I like it a lot.

Handling is a joy, you can either rub it out a bit more, or stuff it as it is when using wide bowls. My first bowl was (as usual with blend that I smoke for the first time) smoked in a clay pipe, so I can get the purest and unadulterated flavour out of it. Comes perfectly conditioned to be smoked right away, some people may want to dry it out for half-an-hour, up to an an hour maybe, depending on your personal preferences.

After first light, which is uncomplicated even without any drying time, I was pleased to experience that the lovely scent from the unburnt tobacco is transposed exactly into the aroma when smoked. Rich (whole-rye/dark) bready notes, which are underscored with the honey-ish sweetness are playing the lead guitar in this one. There are minor fruit notes, as well as mild, but noticeable sour-woody, and a bit nutty Oriental aroma in the background, who are adding thos funky "blue notes" to this composition. The Oriental also adds a minor etherealness to make this even more interesting and luscious.

This snake is far from being poisonous, but very mesmerizing! With it's rattling and exotic, full-bodied aroma this blend will hypnotize you in no time, taking you on a ethereal ride through the realms of tobacco heaven.

I'm deeply impressed by this one. Smooth as silk, mellow, yet full-bodied, rich in aromas and satisfying. Motzek rates this 2.5 out of 5 points in strenght, and I'd agree without any complaints! Not to heavy, not to mild - sweet spot for any Virginia and Oriental enthusiast, who is looking for a tasteful All-Day smoke.

My girl commented on the room note (contrary to my expectations) that it's piquant, and rich, but not obtrusive. I was expecting it to have sweet scent, but she said it's not. Great smoke!