D & R Tobacco Blenders Bench: Bright Virginia Leaf

The bright Virginia leaf provides a burst of tangy citrus and other fruit (like a slight lemon hit), a fair mount of grass and hay, a drop or two of honey, and some sugar. The strength is a step or so past the mild mark, while the taste is in the center of mild to medium. The nic-hit is mild. Won’t bite or get harsh, and has no rough edges. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a very consistent flavor. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and needs an average number of relights. Has a pleasant, short lived after taste and room note. Does well on its own, and as a mixer. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

D & R Tobacco - Blenders Bench: Bright Virginia Leaf.

Bright Virginia? They're not kidding. Never in my life have I seen such a bright Virginia. The current picture here does it no justice. That's the first shock, the second one goes to the cut: another first, never have I seen ribbons as big. Don't think ''aw, bless, he's got a broken flake/coarse cut and got confused''. Buy a tin and see. They're definitely ribbons, exceedingly thin, but just so damn wide! The moisture of the fresh blend's decent, so on with the smoking.

The flavour's nice, some hay from the Virginia, but not just hay alone. There's a sweetness and fruit, both of which get stronger throughout. The one thing which irritates me about this, despite the moisture being good, is the burn. It requires furious puffing and a strong flame to begin with, and then, should the pipe be puffed a little less than rapidly, it goes out: re-light, tamp, re-light, tamp, re-light, tamp, and so fourth. But when it is burning the smoke hasn't got a bite in it!

This would be a great tobacco for removing any enmity and hostility from a blend without going down the Cavendish route.

Nicotine: not much. Room-note: pleasant.

The only reason I'm reticent about giving this much of a rating is the burn. Somewhat recommended:

Two stars.