The topping reminds me of buttery raisin cinnamon toast, and is very deftly applied. You can still taste the tobacco.

I first smoked this in a small clay cutty. It packed and lit very easily, and it is a low maintenance smoke. I prefer it in a smaller bowl, as it intensifies the taste.

I puffed on this like a steam engine, but received absolutely no bite. It smokes quite dry, but it will leave a slight sticky residue in the pipe. It will wipe out fairly easily however.

An excellent blend for any time of day. It would make an excellent blend for the novice as well, due to its mild qualities. Definitely worth a try if you like aromatics at all.

Pouch notes: Aromatic and inviting, but never sickeningly so. Again, I detect a similar undertone in the more aromatic, sweeter Wilke Bohemian Blend with hints of nuttiness ala Nut Brown Burley.

Room/Burn notes: Sweet, rich taste with a beautiful aroma. There are scents and complexities I am not familiar with. First rate, unique stuff for which Wilke is known. Leaves a great scent in the room.

Taste: Like all Wilkes I?ve tried, they leave the tongue hungry for more. If you?re not addicted to pipe tobacco, you will be after you smoke this and comparable blends. A little hot on the tongue. Needs to be smoked slowly, but like a delicious morsel of food, I tend to gobble this stuff up; it?s that good. Almost impossible to take the pipe out of my mouth when I am smoking this or Bohemian. Makes my mouth water.

Comments: Easy to pack and keep lit. Like all Wilkes, there is attention to detail and great thought of preparation. There are the pronounced spices with hints of berry and liquor. Though I am a professed lover of English non-aromatics, especially traditional blends like Dunhill, Wilke makes it easy to love laced aromatics because they do it so well. This is a great winter tobacco, perfect for dessert, though I happen to be smoking a bowl right now before dinner.

Four of five stars