| Pouch aroma is sweet, definitely topped, but nicely so. Room aroma reveals a touch of Vanilla and possibly some tangy fruit, in addition to straightforward Virginia, and a touch of Latakia smokiness.
There is very little Latakia in this, and someone smoking this blend blind might not notice it. There is a mild top range, a mildly tangy sweetness akin to dried apricot.The mid-range is toasty and sweet, boasting a nice Virginia component, and some very light chocolate and vanilla tones. The bass range is also light, but the VA and Latakia both contribute a bit for a nice mixture.
At 3/4 bowl, the room aroma still pleases, though the natural Virginia scent has taken precedence over the topping. There is still not even a touch of ashiness, and just the slightest bit of ammonia in the bowl aroma. The strength increased after 1/2 bowl. This reaches my taste threshold, but not by too much. Although quite pleasant throughout, I find myself thinking that the addition of a bit of sliced rope tobacco might improve it a bit.
In the final analysis, heavy Latakia fans won't like this while Latakia haters might enjoy it. It is definitely not an aromatic, but it isn't especially full-bodied or complex either. An enjoyable, non-challenging blend that I would probably keep on hand in small quantities.
|