While Black XX has a lot of that "motor oil" quality, the Kendal Twist (very dark brown, but not black) has less, but the flavor is supplanted with a sharp, woodsy, strong flavor that is quite enjoyable. I found it necessary to sip this tobacco, making it even more difficult to keep lit, but it's worth the effort. Cigar lovers will really appreciate this twist with its unadulterated tobacco-in-your-face character.

Yes, the vitamin N is strong. I have a nice quarter-bent Cristiano billiard dedicated to ropes and twists, and a full bowl lasted an hour or so, and it was a good hour. Have some food in your stomach, a big glass of cold water at hand, and enjoy the sounds of the evening on the back porch (you won't earn points with your family if you smoke this indoors).

I only smoke strong baccies like this once every couple weeks or so but I always want some around when it's time to really unwind. The fourth star is lacking simply because of the monotone nature of the flavor. It's an excellent smoke and highly recommended for those who simply want a back-to-basics strong tobacco experience.

This is a review of Kendal BLACK, the UNflavoured twist.

I purchased this bulk, from the Lexington Ave Barclay-Rex. In the 5X5 polyethylene bag in which it was conveyed to me, it looked exactly like a typical dog's turd. Almost-black brown, shiny and oily, with a leather-like smell. I cut two slices, nickel-like, [like an old shilling] with a sharp pocket knife, and undid them by rubbing lightly between my fingertips. I let them air out for a few minutes. It filled a meerschaum relatively loosely, needing several lights.

The first impression was cigar-like, dark and leathery, with a slight spiciness that tickled my throat. It settled down to a smooth sweetness that called freshly-baked pumpernickel bread to mind.

As an occasional cigar smoker?I love Hoyo de Monterrey corona maduros?I did not find this particularly overwhelming. But let us not overdo the cigar analogy: there IS a kind of bloated, smoldering intensity to this twist that is quite unlike any cigar I have smoked; the flavour may be smooth and velvety, but there is a hidden punch somewhere that you can suspect in the darkness. I was not caught by it because I smoked a moderate amount, VERY SLOWLY. But I suspect that if you hyperventilate with this baby, you could make yourself very, very nauseous. I put down my pipe just in time: I had the beginnings of an interesting buzz, but I didn't push my luck even by a hair. A note of warning to nervous puffers and/or lovers of huge pipes, filled to the rim.

I smoked this after a hearty supper, whilst sipping a glass of Irish whiskey, which I normally drink neat, chasing it, every-so-often, with water. Under such conditions, this twist seemed delicious and hugely different. It certainly complemented the whiskey beautifully. But I would call it the very opposite of an "all-day smoke"!