Ken Byron Ventures Van Gogh 2020

The fermented, sugary stoved Virginias provide a lot of stewed tangy ripe dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, light tart and tangy citrus, grass, floralness, along with a slight acidity and spice. They are the lead components. The very stewed fruity (raisins, dates, figs, plums) aged periques also offers earth, wood, and some sugar and spice as competitively strong supporting players. The candela cigar leaf is fairly floral with a little citrus, grassy vegetation, tea, cedar, hint of pepper, some smoke, and a touch of wood. It’s a condiment. The European absinthe is a little floral as it lightly tones down the tobaccos. The strength and nic-hit are a couple of steps past the center of mild to medium. The taste level is medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, though it has a few small rough edges. It burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent tangy stewed sweet, spicy, lightly floral flavor that translates to the pleasantly lingering after taste, and slightly stronger room note. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars out of four.

-JimInks