Ken Byron Ventures The Dread Planet (2019)

The tangy, dark fruity, lightly sugary and citrusy, earthy, woody red Virginias take a small lead. The brighter Virginia offers a lot of tangy citrus, a little grass and sugar, some tart lemon, and a touch of floral in a very competitive support role. The stoved Virginia provides some stewed dark fruit, earth, wood, and a little sugar, and plays a little above the percentage used in the mix. The mildly spicy, stewed raisins, plums, and figs from the McClelland perique adds an important accent, and is just above being a condiment. There is an omnipresent light “vinegar” note. I also detect slight smoky and spice notes from a pinch of fire cured Virginia. You will notice most of the nuances in virtually every puff. The strength is just past the center of mild to medium, while the taste is a couple of steps shy of the medium mark. The nic-hit is just shy of the center of mild to medium. No chance of bite or harshness. A well melded, balanced blend that burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a mostly consistent mildly spicy, tangy, tart sweet flavor from start to finish. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a very pleasant, lightly lingering after taste and room note. Can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars out of four in the mild to medium category.

-JimInks

I opened a sample from this from 2019 gifted by an internet friend. A very nice sweet and plumy VaPer. Easy packing, burn is excellent, no moisture at the bottom. Gains in complexity near the end with the sugars darkening.

I had that in a lovat Caminetto which is new to me and smokes indecently well. I can hardly believe it. It almost “breathes” on it’s own.