| This is another of Altadis' clones of Dunhill blends for which I've never tried the original so can only judge this Standard Mix based on what it is, which is a fair way of judging any tobacco I think. It's quite good, and “Standard” is probably a good name for it. None of the tobaccos in the mix dominate over the others but all seem to be there equally in flavor. The Virginias to become sweeter as the bowl is smoked. This seems to be common with Virginias. I've read it's because the heat artificially ages the tobacco and brings out the sugars in the Virginias.
“Standard” is, I think, a good name for this blend precisely because it does his an even point where the tobaccos' presence are felt equally. A 'nulling the meter' of sorts – (-)_l_(+) – a balancing act that, no doubt, requires more than simply adding equal weights of each tobacco (I think if that were done the latakia's presence would overwhelm the others).
The pouch reached me at just the right moisture level. It lights easily and stays lit. All the physical characteristics are good. And the tobaccos used are of good quality. Being “standard” however, it really doesn't jump out as being particularly distinctive in any facet. For that reason I don't know if I'll get any more but at the same time I wouldn't complain if I could only get this and a couple of more English blends. I like all kinds of smoking tobacco and enjoy experiencing a variety of blends and was glad to have the opportunity to sample this.
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