Dan Tobacco Bulldog Medium Cut

If I am to describe this blend in one sentence, it would be a German reinterpretation of an English Lakeland, and a good one for that matter. It is not your conventional aromatic, bearing a heavy chemical casing, but rather a va/bur (well Kentucky - but not a very deep cured one), with some latakia presence. As, I have found out, is the case for many aromatics having latakia, you can't really feel it in its conventional smoky presence, but rather balances things out. On top of it all you have a floral casing, which is quite beautifully used volume wise - not overwhelming so one can feel a tobacco flavor the entire smoking experience. If my comparison to a Lakeland is acceptable, I will add that it is not a strong one. It is perhaps a notch below a St Bruno if you will, both in strength and in flavoring. The nose of the tin is fruity, a bit flowery and with an obvious hint of anise or sweet wood/licorice. Taste wise the Virginia is very sweetish not hayish, which is enriched by the flowery casing, with a bit of spiciness from the Kentucky. The blend doesn't evolve much throughout the bowl, the licorice starts with you, but not overwhelming and most importantly lacking the minty element, but fades away towards the end of the bowl. The smoke is consistent with a flowery taste and a bit resembling a fruit rich in sugars here and there, but one needs to really look for the latter as it is not that obvious. I had no idea that such a gem hid in the Dan Tobacco portfolio. I highly enjoyed it, especially since I am not a fan of over the top candy casings for aromatics.