Hearth & Home International Pipe Smoking Day 2011

The smoky, woody, earthy, musty, leathery, sweet Cyprian Latakia is the main component. The smoky, woody, earthy, floral, very spicy, dry, sour Orientals take the second slot, and provides some competition for the Latakia. The matured Virginias offer some tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, a very light tart citrus, and a few blades of grass. The strength is just past the center of medium to full, while the taste level is full. The nic-hit is a step past the medium mark. It won’t get harsh, but the high spice content may stomp on the tongue of a fast puffer, so there is bite potential. This blend necessitates a slow smoking cadence. Burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a deeply rich, very consistent, mildly sweet and sour savory, spicy flavor from start to finish. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. The after taste matches the experience, and lasts a while. The room note is pungent. Not an all day smoke. I deducted a star because of the bite potential. Three stars for the flavor, though.

-JimInks