Garfinkel's Oriental Express

The spicy, woody, earthy, floral, dry and lightly sweet yenidje also sports an “unflavored soda note” that I often associate with that varietal. I believe another Oriental is in the mix because yenidje generally isn’t this spicy. Overall, the Orientals are as potent as the latakia, and most of the time, more so. The earthy, woody, musty sweet Cyprian latakia is an important component which acts as a team player. The unsweetened black cavendish provides some smoothing sugar. In the background is the grassy, citrusy, lightly dark fruity Virginia. The strength and taste levels pass the medium mark by a couple steps. The nic-hit is a step past the center of mild to medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, but it does have a rough edge here and there. The high spice content may tingle the tongue of a fast puffer. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a small inconsistency in the mildly sweet and more savory, spicy flavor that translates to a mildly lingering after taste. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke for the veteran. Three and a half stars out of four only because the flavor does change a mite once in a while. Somewhat reminds me of a more Oriental-forward Balkan Sobranie White.

-JimInks