Sutliff Tobacco Company Christmas Spice

I love the Christmas blends! There is something about smell that actually reminds you of the time of year and enhances your feelings. I have tried many of them, and I keep coming back to this (to the point its in my regular rotation of tobacco).

The bag/room note are both present, of medium strength and the taste is what makes this the winner! Had a very creamy-vanilla feel, with all the flavors/smells you associate with Christmas season!

There was no tounge-bite and I had no issue with keeping it lit after drying it out before smoking.

So far, this is my favorite Christmas style tobacco, it hits all the right spots (tin, taste, room note) and is cheap/available year round!

This time of year I think a lot of the spices and smells of my childhood. Having English parents meant my house was filled with the smells of mincemeat tarts, fresh dundee cakes, plum pudding, chestnuts and lots of Christmas Biscuits. Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Mixed Spice abounded and so did lots of things with brandy and rum in the mix. I'm quite fond of all these memories.

When you order this it only comes in bulk, so I ordered a pretty simple 2oz to try. It comes in a typical Sutliff ribbon and the smell is good. It is pretty heavily cased but some tangy matured Red Virginia comes through. The vanilla is up front followed by the spices. As with most aromatics I've encountered, this is really wet. I recommend a dry time of at least 20-30 min. It takes to a flame easily enough, and burns relatively cool.

The room note is pleasant and I think you could confidently smoke this one in public and garner some nice compliments. As you light you taste Vanilla, Cinnamon and Nutmeg, in almost the same combination you would find in eggnog. The flavors taste like they smell so there are no tricks there I like that it is vanilla forward because it rounds out and balances this blend. The Red Virginia that I taste is well matured, dark fruity and tangy. The black Cavendish adds a sweetness and toasted note to the experience. I have a hard time finding the Burley but I think it is hidden under the topping.

This is a decent blend which has a mild-medium taste. The trick is to puff slow so you can taste all the parts. The strength in this one is a mild, I'd be hard pressed to tell if there is any N in this one and I am smoking on an empty stomach. All in all a good blend especially for this time of year if you are feeling the need for a festive aromatic.

Package note of Potpourri. Tobacco is a brown and black and mostly ribbon cut. Very moist, drying is needed to get it lit. Burns slow with a few extra relights, once lit. The strength is mild and nic is mild. Flavoring is medium, with notes of cinnamon, caramel and vanilla. Cinnamon drops to the background early then disappears at the halfway. Carmel hangs on a little longer. Vanilla holds out till the end. Taste is mild and consistent, with notes of toast, bitter wood, spice bread, earth, mildly floral, hay/vegetation, molasses, lemon zest, sweet fruit, orange peel, brown sugar, a tangy citrus background note, and a peppery retro. Cavendish is leading with Flavoring, Burley and Virginia supporting. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is great.

Mostly Cavendish, albeit good Cavendish, some nutty earthy burley notes and a little Virginia grassiness. The toppings are a rum vanilla with some caramel. Spices I detect are Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and bit of cardamom. The blend reminds me of a sticky bun in taste. Packs, takes fire and is consistent in flavor from top to bottom. Not an everyday smoke for me but I do like it on a cold dreary February afternoon here in Central Kentucky.