Ken Byron Ventures Samsun & Delilah 2020

The floral, earthy, woody, aromatically buttery sweet, herbal, slightly nutty and sour, lightly spicy Samsun is the lead component. The matured red and stoved Virginias provide a lot of tangy ripe dark fruit, sugary stewed dark fruit, a light touch of tart and tangy citrus, a little bread, grass and floralness, plenty of earth and wood, and a pinch of spice as supporting players to the Samsun. The blackened burley cavendish offers a little earth, wood, nuts, and a couple grains of sugar as a condiment. The rich cocoa topping very lightly sublimates the tobaccos as it tamps down a few of the rough edges. The strength and nic-hit are a couple of steps past the center of mild to medium. The taste barely misses the medium mark. No chance of bite or harshness exists here. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a mostly consistent, well balanced, moderately complex, deeply rich, sweet and savory, floral flavor that translates to the very pleasantly lingering after taste. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a pleasant room note. An all day smoke with a cohesive, contrasting mix of piquancy and body.

-JimInks