Lane Limited Andullo

Let me say up front that I really like this blend! Can't say that I have ever knowingly smoked a blend with a cigar leaf base before now .... but this is good stuff. Lights & burns quite easily ... down to a nice gray-white ash leaving no residue in the bottom of the bowl that I can see. The smoke produces a cool, rich, full-tobacco flavor that alternates from lightly sweet & tart. Not too much and not too little ... just right. The Latakia peeks in to deliver its smoky/woodsy characteristic flavor & aroma as well ... here again the proportion is just right for me. I love licorice candy and the blend description says it's there (Licorice, Anisette, & Vanilla), but the light sweetness that I detect is not like the candy I love. As much as I enjoy licorice candy I've never found a tobacco with this casing that I've truly enjoyed. Certainly it's a taste that's different than those that come from cherry, cocoa, honey, florals, booze or the myriad of other casings often used in Aro's. IMHO, the casing does not intrude upon the tobacco flavor presentation ... it simply serves to round off any potential rough edges. I think Lane has come up with a winner that may appeal to the American-English hybrid crowd. It certainly has appealed to this ole country boy. I can see this being an all day smoke for me ... as well as a new favorite.

I had to try this due to the description of the Andullo tobacco used. I also watched a short video on how it is wrapped with palm leaves and tightly strung together and left to age for two years. Upon opening the tin the jet black tobacco had a fermented sweet smell to it. It reminds me of another pipe tobacco I have tried but for now I cannot put a name to it. It tasted mildly spicy and sweet and put out billows of smoke. I really like this one. It left a white ash at the bottom of the bowl and is really smooth.

This is an intriguing tobacco. The cigar leaf is noticeable but not overpowering. Then there's a small amount of cavendish with a hint of vanilla, presumably to smooth the smoking experience. It's an enjoyable smoke, with slightly more than medium strength - you certainly know you're smoking it. And nice volumes of smoke too.

This is not an all day smoke, but it's very interesting and I can envisage smoking it as a 'change of pace' once or twice every day.

I'm already hooked. Well done Lane.