The first kick is a rather sourish taste that asserts itself on the palate and a piquant smell that attacks the nostrils. Himalayan lemon and Penja black pepper. A nice mélange of Perique and Izmir. By the mid-bowl, the smoke gets silky mild, and the first arrogant sourness goes away, leaving a slightly stinging sensations in the nostrils and on the palate. I love this sharp tangy taste and high-key in note that SP provides. I am ready to buy one more tin. Next time I get one, I will leave it for a while as I think I need to let it age to relish its full-bodied SP, as some reviewers suggested (TX for Info).

Looking at the reviews, I wonder if A) the tobacco blend in my tin was not Sunday Picnic at all, or B) if there is some QC problem at C&D, causing the review scores to deteriorate. My impression was that the oriental flavor was considerably too weighty, too overblown. The perique could have been amped up somewhat and the virginias tasted positively burley-ish... very dusty and murky and with very, very little sweetness. Nic content was high. I seriously wonder if the VA in this one was actually burley. No golden va sweetness, not even the tang or grass or hay usuals. This was deep and cloudy and cigarette-ish.

I'm saving the rest of the tin and my 2nd one to see how aging treats this blend. As it stands, two stars is a gift, and I can't help but wonder if the tin is holding the correct blend. I've had this happen before with C&D. Just doesn't taste like a predominately virginia blend.

Update: Finished the old tin of this. Recommend.

This blend did not deliver all of these particular flavors BUT it does consistently deliver a very elegant treat to the palate across the spectrum of sweet (matured VA) and spicy, all WONDERFULLY balanced and delicious from the top of the bowl to the bottom. Rub out gently, pack inverted and let rest for a few hours (the day before is best) before firing up.

This is a prince of a blend and deserving of all the stars possible. Keep some on hand. Highly recommended.

The flavor is very well blended, the VA poked its head out halfway through the bowl, after the second lighting. The flake was well humidified, and straight after opening I lit up, and was in love.

This is a VAPER that you will love, and its not terribly over bearing.

I hear a lot of the slight Nic kick people are getting, I wasn't affected.

Its about 85 deg and 90% humidity out today, and even so the blend still was calming and peaceful. I will be smoking this often and enjoying every bit of it. As soon as I let the tobacco age a bit and breathe, Ill update for sure.

The tin note is Prune/ Plum sweet with a bit of smoke.

Please note though! I was a bit weary of trying this blend after reading the reviews. I didn't want to have a Nic headache at work. Boy am I glad I tried it!

Please, never be afraid of trying something new. The worst that can happen is you don't like it, store it up and try again later down the road. Tobacco does change over time and who knows, maybe the once broken relationship flowers to be a wonderful romance.

Happy Smoking everyone!

Very fluffy, moist flakes that need little rubbing out - they fluff out on their own, but need lots of drying.

Nice natural golden VA sweetness through the first 3/4 bowl with occasional hints of Perique. At the end of the bowl, a mellow Perique spiciness comes in with less sweet nuttiness. Didn't really notice the Izmir, although it probably blends in nicely and adds backbone to the high VA sweetness and earthy-spicy Perique.

Nicotine is not too strong here, just right for most times of day. This is one of my favorites and the quality leaf and blending is evident.

As Mr. Big noted in his review, this blend does display a tendency to smoke a bit on the HOT side and it can be just slightly sharp too, even when properly dried. I believe that the Virginia element is simply too raw--it needs further processing (stoving) or aging. There is just a hint of sweetness and I have come to expect more from a good Virginia. The Perique and Oriental components appear to be blended in about the proper proportions in relationship to the Virginia and the blend melds together well. Overall a decent blend, but I believe that it could be refined and improved. In its current form Sunday Picnic is just not a blend that I can fully endorse.

Updated 9/24/11 This reminds me of GLP's "Meridian", I think you would have a hard time telling the difference except that "M" is a little bit smokier. Both Odyssey and Meridian really smoothed out for me after about 9 months of aging and some drying, hope this does the same.

Updated 6/8/12- This tin now has almost two years on it and it has smoothed out and is very flavorful. It still has some spice with the first half of the bowl and I feel it smokes better fully dried , but I will move this to 3 stars.

Packing and lighting can test your patience, however you will be rewarded with a sweet and tangy flavor that always pleases. The perique and Turkish add just the right undertones to this near perfect blend.

My advice: Stock up and cellar. 4 years of age has done this right.

EDIT: On a much later second run, this stuff ain't so bad after all. Upgraded to 3/4.

EDIT: On later runs, it's still good, but I've had better VA/Or/Per blends. There's a certain nasal note that I can't pinpoint, but it's just weirds me out. It also just doesn't seem to agree with me for some reason. 2/4 final

If you're like me in your feelings for this blend, but still want to have a VA/Or/Per blend, then try McClelland's PCCA Tudor Castle. It's fantastic. Nothing against Sunday Picnic -- it just doesn't agree with me.