Pleasant, understated, refined, almost delicate, and difficult to categorize. Light, yes, bland, no---it is subtle, but rewarding.

And though it looks a likely latakia feast, there's somehow just more latakia to the eye than to the tongue or nose here. The Targe's nicotine content is mild to medium, cut is somewhat fine, and texture while not sticky still requires careful loading of the bowl to prevent the odd blockage though some drying time prior to smoking partially alleviates this.

The first 1/3 of the bowl is very refreshing with a slight touch of lightly smoked Latakia Later: The bright VA enters, and almost dominates the smell. I detect only a slight hint of Oriental

This is a very fine blend that reminds me of velvet and oats This could be a nice morning blend for me in the future, as it is almost as refreshing as a cup of coffee. I could use a little more nicotine though.

Jakob Kiilerich, Denmark

The tin aroma is promising, with a variety of fruity tones, slight latakia smokiness, and the hints of virginias and orientals. Visually, there appears to be a good variety of leaf types. My tin has about 4 months of age on it. The blend packs well, has a good moisture level, lights easily and burns well.

In the pipe, though, I find this blend frustratingly mild. The latakia makes itself known sparingly, but there is darn little else. Occasionally, a slight virginia sweetnesss, or perhaps a timid whiff of oriental peeks up, but overall there is exceedingly little in the way of *flavor* - either good or bad - which leads me to a "why bother?" conclusion. Its not unpleasant...it just lacks any kind of personality.

I will put this back on the shelf, and let it age some more, but I am doubtful that it will improve much. It is only my deep admiration for Rattray's OG and MF which prompts me to be patient with HT.

At first I found this stuff very strong - I'm talking chills and a bit of sweat. Considering what I had been smoking previously may or may not even contain tobacco, no surprise there. After having some exposure to other full English blends, this is practically ice-cream... though still gives a decent Highland kick.

My initial reactions were: sweet, smokey and pungent all at the same time. In the best possible way. The orientals remain predominant, interacting nicely with the latakia - never becoming overly "zingy". All the while the VA hangs there in the background: solidly holding up the smoke with a nutty-ripe flavor. Speaking of which, the smoke of this stuff is light, white-grey, and very attractive all around. It is not at all aromatic but also not the WMD that is Durbar (see my review). I find that most near the smoker don't seem bothered by it. For the smoker - it is a savory sweet and lightly grilled aroma.

Opening the can even 6 weeks later brings a delightful latakia sweet-sourness into the air. The humidity of the mix is still nearly perfect even in the pop-top can that H.T. comes in.

Even right out of the freshly opened can this burned well, cleanly down to a grey ash. The nicely textured and colored ribbons are great to look at and pack. The initial charring light is a bit bitter and seems to threaten something extremely unpleasant. Have no fear, that settles in quickly with a hanging bitterness almost like baker's chocolate and a tinge of fruit through out the entire bowl. There is increased strength towards the end with the latakia and VA taking over the oriental spice, but not in a way that is at all unpleasant. In fact, it is downright tasty...like the final remants of a fine barbecue. I've got a pipe that is almost exclusively for this and Margate. I haven't found anything else I like quite enough to make it into this antique briar that is so nicely seasoned.

The recent humidity of the past two days (7/10/03) in my region has made all of my smoking a bit wetter and harsher than usual. But even in this climate the Highlander smoked cleanly with only two relights. Like most VA mixes, too little patience will tag your tongue a bit. But this has overall been a very easy to smoke tobacco.

I still find this a bit strong to smoke more than a couple of times a week (trying to avoid too many dealings with old split-hoof Nic), but I can safely say it will likely remain a standby smoke and one of my continued favorites.

However, when smoking this blend, there are only hints of latakia, like a well made martini with only a whisper of vermouth. The principle flavor is good, honest, unadulterated VA.

I thoroughly enjoyed Highland Targe, and will buy more.

I did find it difficult to light and to keep lit (maybe I didn?t aired it enough). It initially smoked cool, but by the second half of the bowl it got just a bit goopy, producing some dottle. Set on the lower register flavours, I find it a nice after lunch/mid afternoon smoke. Nothing really extraordinary, but nice and soft.

Latakia lovers will light up, take a few puffs, and then say, "where's the beef?" Where indeed, not in this tin!