Erik Stokkebye Small Batch Aged Virginia

The well aged, fermented Virginias provide a lot of grass, hay, tart and tangy citrus, earth, wood, some tangy dark fruit, a little syrupy sugar and honey, a couple pinches of spice, and a light stewed fruitiness. It also has a moderate floral quality, touches of apricot, vinegar and bread, and an acidic sour note. It seems to me that there’s a light sweet casing. The strength is a couple of steps past the center of mild to medium. The taste barely hits the medium mark. The nic-hit is in the center of mild to medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, but it does have a few minor rough edges that are commonly associated with straight Virginias. This ready rubbed tobacco is a little moist, and I recommend a light dry time. Your mileage may vary on that. Burns cool, clean, and a little slow with a moderately complex and very sweetly consistent flavor from start to finish. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires some relights. Has a pleasant, lightly lingering after taste and room note. Can be an all day smoke.

One would normally not expect to encounter all the flavor notes that I have in a straight Virginia blend. I don’t know what Virginias were used in the processing, but I would describe it as a melange of FVF, Best Brown, Golden Glow, and 507-C Virginia Slices with a purloined apricot note from Esoterica Virginias, though the last two obviously weren’t used in the manufacture of this product.

-JimInks