Hearth & Home Smoky Mountain

The very smoky, woody, floral, nutty, herbal, vegetative, mildly incense-like, dry, very sour and spicy, leathery, slightly barbecue sweet dark fired Kentucky is the major component. The grassy, citrusy Virginias also offer light tangy dark fruit, wood, earth and a couple of floral notes. They are an important condiment. This blend starts out at the medium mark, but by the half way point, gathers some potency. Overall, the strength and nic-hit are a couple of steps past the medium threshold. The taste is a rung past that mark as it just falls short of the center of medium to full. No chance of bite or harshness, but there is a small rough edge present. This blend was pressed into a cake and then placed in a holding press for a month. That reduced the strength a mite, but also smoothly rounded out the flavors, and eliminated many of the rough edges. It also created a mellower, smoother, sweeter, matured, lightly fermented quality to the experience. No chance of bite or harshness exists here. The moisture level is temperate, and the tobacco is ready to smoke as is. No matter how you prepare this easily broken apart plug, it burns cool, clean and a tad slow with a very consistent, mildly complex and sweet, and a touch more sour, spicy savory blend. The aspects translate to the pleasantly lingering after taste, and stronger room note. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, though it requires some relights. Not an all day smoke, but it’s repeatable.

-JimInks