John Cotton John Cotton's Double Pressed Virginia

This is hands down the biggest disappointment I've had in a blend. Upon opening the tin I had a sweet raisin note with a hint of earth which smelled amazing and was very excited to smoke. Then as I continued to stick my nose in the jar I noticed something in the back end. An almost bitterness in the end of the sniff. As I rubbed it out, the tea was easy enough to rub and pack. I packed it light with a three pinch method with a slight variation. I packed the first pinch hand of a child and the second and third hand of a woman. Being a crumble cake I decided to rub it out first before trying other packing methods. The moisture content was just about right but still gave it a few minutes of dry time. It took the flame well enough for the charring light, took the true light well and I was off.

1st bowl - After the true light I was a bit taken back by what I was tasting. I had read that there was some nuances with this blend and I was not to expect a "typical" Virginia. However, I could have sworn I was smoking a burley blend and not in a good way. The first 1/3 of the bowl was a bit spiced and earthy and immediately noticed it was burning hot even while sipping. The flavor was full but acrid and I still felt like something was not right. The retro hale had it's own profile and was somewhat softer with notes of bread. About half way through the bowl it began to behave mechanically and the flavor profile smoothed out. This, however, was short lived and began to burn hot again with the flavors turning acrid and tasted like a cheap cigar. It was burning too hot and decided not to risk my pipe with a burnout

2nd bowl - I decided to take a different approach and not rub it out as much. Usually when I do this with crumbles I place the pieces on a coffee filter and fold it over, then press it down slightly with a plate. I allowed it to air out for a few minutes and checked the moisture content again. I packed using the savinelli method of 3 pinches with just enough tamp to make it springy. I got more of the same while smoking with acrid flavors and high temps.

3rd bowl - I decided to try a palm roll with this bowl and tamped it down loosely, then topped it off with a pinch and packed "hand of a woman." Mechanically it behaved a little better but not enough to enjoy it.

Out of the three bowls I was so disgusted by it that I never finished a single bowl. If I was going to create a match blend for this virginia I would go to a gas station on the wrong side of town, ask for the cheapest cigarettes they have, take them home into a blender (filter and all) and pack a bowl with it. I had heard good things about this blend but it turned out to be the one blend I never finished a tin of. Went in the trash.

A lot of money for a mouthful of bland, dry smoke. Too many Virginias that have more flavor at a lower price. Not recommended unless you like flavorless weed.