| This review is based on a free trial sample of this blend I picked up at my local tobacconist.
General impression: Smells nutty and very sweet before being smoked. Not nearly as sweet when smoked, though, which came as a bit of a surprise. Overall, a pleasant blend that is made from quality tobaccos. Reminds me of a higher-class version of the many "standard" aromatics that are sold in bulk by Altadis or Lane. Can produce bite if you puff it too fast, but not any worse than your average Danish aromatic. Nice room note that will probably get you compliments. The tin is very attractive too.
Who should buy this stuff: You want an aromatic tobacco that does not have such cloying sweetness and does not have any weird, overly artificial-tasting casings.
Final notes: Although this is good stuff, I can't say I found it so amazingly delicious or unique that I was compelled to purchase some of it at its premium price. Its most original quality is its low sweetness. You could probably get a bulk aromatic from your local pipe shop for less with almost comparable taste.
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| IF one happens to buy this, they would do well to rub it and let it sit for at least a month. Then rub it again and let it air for about an hour or so before even thinking about smoking it. Otherwise you get an overly sharp, biting, candied taste that will put you off smoking for the rest of the day.
Let's go through this step by step. You buy the stuff, and assuming you like aromatics (I, for one, don't) you will probably greatly enjoy the candied fig/prune smell. Then you rub some of your newly purchased tobacco out, and let it dry for half an hour or so. Now you've packed your bowl and about to enjoy your first pipe of this stuff. It starts out mild enough, you rather enjoy the taste of it. Then you get to the 3/4 point and things start to go horridly wrong. It starts to feel as if you took briar shavings and started smoking them. It tastes horrid, it bites no matter how carefully you've backed it and how slowly you puff. If you, perchance, finish the bowl, then your mouth and throat feel as if you had been inhaling campfire smoke for the last hour or so.
No, let's set the date back a month or so from the date of purchase. You rub out enough for a bowl, and let it sit an hour or so. Pack the pipe, and start puffing away. It has a very pleasant, almost cool, taste. The room note is splendid especially for those who don't care for stronger pipe smoke. The taste does very as the bowl progresses, however it is far from unpleasant. Not something I'd care to smoke every day, but if you are smoking around those would would rather have you smoke out side in the snow rather than smell it, it will please both of you.
On the whole, a pleasant european aromatic blend. Very mild with a pleasant room note. This is my experience, so take from it what you will.
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