As I normally smoke C&D Bayou Morning as a first smoke of the day I was expecting a VaPer experience - classic Va and Perique with some Turkish notes. What I got at first light was a blend in which all three components seemed in equally weighed roles. I did not expect that as that is what I assessed sibling blend Red Carpet to be a VAPer with the Izmir in condiment quantity.

If a pipe blend could be considered food, Sunday Picnic would be gourmet fare. It is aptly named as both elegant and worthy of leisurely Sunday afternoon enjoyment. While Red Carpet with its Red VAs is sweet, Sunday Picnic with its Golden VAs is a robust VAPer with the initial taste reminding me of blend containing a Thracian rather than something from Smyrna. But what do I know? I got a taste of well-cured Kalamata olives (which I love).

This is a wonderful offering obviously blended by someone who loves his art. I can only handle this a once or twice a week however. Not that it is bad, it is great. But it for me at least requires the respect of full attention and unrushed enjoyment. I will be buying more if that helps this stumbling review.

A Great smelling, tasting,smoking flake which has now his own place in my cellar.

This cool burning blend will pack some punch without jackhammering the palate. It also has a nice sweet, "herbal" type undertone.

A true bell ringer in my book!

Here's what I thought was good about it: it demonstrates why every other blend of izmir and virginia has latakia. While it's interesting and flavorful at the top it lacks depth and dimension at the bottom to harmonize the stuff. It felt... stretched. It is like wearing a silk suit, silk tie and fine leather shoes without shirt and socks. According to the many 4-star ratings I am one of the few not hoping for more versions of this novel combination.

The only drawback I've found, and it's probably very personal and subjetive, it's a lack of consistency among different pipes. While some of them delivered a deep and subtle smoke, others felt just bland and dull. But all in a all is a great mixture that deserves being tried.

Strips were a little tough to roll and loosen compared to my standard MB Burley. I packed this a little too tightly in my bowl (a Lorenzo Bent) and had to loosen with my tool before lighting. First light to char, then tamped down lightly.

Nutty, smooth smoke and burned evenly. About 1/2 the way through the bowl I tamped and relit. Smooth, pleasant smoke with no bite. I found it much milder than my MB Burley.

A good smoke that I will keep in my rotation and recommend to others. This one is especially good for new pipe smokers.

The tin aroma, on opening the package, hit me a little strongly at first (this is something that seems to be idiosyncratic to C&D blends, at least to me as an European), a second sniff brought out sweet, spicey and chocolate-ish notes. And as a first, this is the only C&D flake that has managed to make it across the Atlantic with slices intact, so far.

So, deep bowl, bend, fold, plunge in, light. Takes a char or two, but from that point on, this stuff just shines. "Simply Elegant" series, indeed. The taste is full from the first puff, with variations throughout the bowlful, the room note I can only describe as fragrant in the best possible meaning of the word, the Perique is there in the background adding its sweetness and pepper, the Izmir contributing its depth.

The burn is quiet and gentle, as I have become accustomed to from C&D, and leaves no dottle. The taste and aroma make it unchanged down to the last bits.

Totally gorgeous tobacco. I could get addicted to this stuff.

Smooth, dry, cool smoking, tasty Virginia with the compliment of Turkish and Perique. Perhaps it has a touch of honey to enhance the sweetness. Certainly a no-bite, pleasant, irresitable smoke of mild character and it was very pleasing to the bottom of the bowl. This pipe had been smoked a few times already today and I was surprised the bowl was absolutely dry at the conclusion of this smoke. As soon as the bowl cooled, I was filling it up again. This is really good tobacco.

Moisture in the tin was ideal. I don't like having to dry tobacco. Picnic burns beautifully and its presentation from tin to smoke shows the skill and excellence in preparation of this blend that I have come to expect from Craig Tarler. It is pressed and sliced into perfect portions.

This Golden VA is one you can really enjoy sniffing in the tin. I may just take the tin into a non-smoking environment and sniff it where I can't smoke it! It's really that good. If you like a VA Flake, you don't want to miss this one!