Ken Byron Ventures River of Deceit 2020

The fermented bright, orange and stoved Virginias provide a fair amount of the spectrum of aspects one expects from Virginias. In the mix are a lot of tart and tangy citrus, some stewed dark fruit and ripe dark fruit, a little tart lemon, plenty of earth and wood, some grass and bread, a little sugar and toast, light vinegar, floralness, a couple drops of cream and pinches of spice, along with a few minor rough edges. The very mild prune casing tones down the tobaccos a mite. It also adds to the fruitiness. The strength and nic-hit are in the center of mild to medium. The taste is a step past that mark. There’s no chance of bite or harshness no matter how fast you puff. Well balanced, complex and nuanced, it burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent fruity, mostly smooth, lightly floral flavor that translates to lightly lingering, pleasant after taste and room note. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires few relights. By design, it’s an all day straight Virginia with a little character to hold your interest all day long. I suggest a wide bowl to fully capture all of the nuances. Four stars out of four.

-JimInks