Ken Byron Ventures Nakatomi

The smoky, woody, earthy, musty sweet Cyprian Latakia is the lead component. The very floral and spicy, earthy, woody, dry and fairly sour, smoky, tangy Balkan Orientals do sport a “touch of incense” as a supporting player. The various Virginias provide a lot of earth, wood and tangy dark fruit, some tart and tangy citrus and grass with a light stewed, sugary fruitiness. They form the base of the blend and play a slot - sometimes, two slots - behind the Orientals, as their potency does vary at times. The fruity brandy very mildly sublimates the tobaccos, taming some roughness, and cohesively melding with the varietals to create a moderately complex, mostly consistent, lightly creamy, mildly sweet and more savory, floral, campfire, rich flavor that translates to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The strength is a step past the medium mark. The taste level is a rung past the center of medium to full. The nic-hit is medium. Won’t bite or get harsh. Burns fairly cool and very clean at a reasonable pace. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke.

-JimInks