Peterson Special Reserve 2016

The Virginias offer some grass, citrus, and a little dark fruit and earth as they form the base of the blend. The nutty, earthy, toasty,lightly spicy burley is mostly a condiment. The lightly sugary, toasty black cavendish adds a slight smoothness in the background. I’m not sure what exotic fruits are present, but I sense a little pineapple and mango, but I think there’s something else added as well. They all suffer from lack of depth though they do tone down the tobaccos a bit. The strength and taste levels are a step past the mild level. Has a very mild nic-hit. Won’t bite, but freight train puffing may cause a light tongue tingle. Burns clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent, lackluster flavor that translates to the weak after taste. Requires an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

Peterson - Special Reserve 2016.

I've read a few highly appealing descriptions of this on the internet; wow, this sounds amazing. I suppose, the problem is, when a blend is surrounded by such hype, it's got a heck of a lot to live up to.

The note from the tin suggests there's a little more than a 'gentle layer of exotic fruit', as it currently says on a few websites. The first problem attests, to me, that this has indeed got more than a smidgen of fruit in it: the tongue bite's crazy. Okay, that's more of a subjective thing, so on with some of the objectives: The fruit comes over about medium-to-strong in the smoke, and I can't argue with the contents list, it does have an exotic pineapple-esc quality! Sadly, this makes the tobacco nuances slightly superfluous; it's not because the added flavour's that strong, it's more because the taste from said flavouring's so piquant.

The nicotine's mild to medium, to me, but I guess we can sometimes differ with our views on N.

Does this justify all the hype? No, not for me. I'm sure many folks will disagree, I can hear it now; "it's got a wonderfully exotic taste, what are you on about?". But I'd expected a mind blowing aromatic, and instead got a fruity smoke, that bit my tongue beyond belief.

Somewhat recommended.

Two stars instead of just the one, as I know many folks will adore it.

Peterson Special Reserve 2016:

This tobacco is a Christmas present from my other half. Perfect timing as I was about to finish a tin of W.O.Larsen "UK Special". Now I'm no expert, all I'm going to say is I like it, not too strong not too weak, once again quite a difference between the smell in the tin and the flavour when smoked, I agree with StevieB regarding the tongue bite, you better smoke it real slow... Other than that, the main flavour I detect is... pepper! Merry Christmas 2016 to all!

Gold coloured and fine cutted virginia's with some more larger pieces of cavendish. I immediately get a fresh sour smell, a little bit like orange peel. It's not overly sweet.

The taste is about the same as the smell, and I find it a nice citrus taste. Smoke easefully otherwise it can be a bit sharp on the tongue.

I got a 100 gram tin and it was my go to blend for the couple of weeks it lasted.

For the aromatic smoker. The virginias and burley are dominated by the black cavendish and the layer of exotic/dark fruits. Do not puff too fast to avoid tongue bite.