Ken Byron Ventures The Dread Planet 2020

The basma, yenidje and fragrant katerini offer earth, wood, a lot of floralness, herbs, vegetation, some dry sourness, spice and buttery sweetness, along with light smokiness. The yenidje sports a very small “unflavored soda note”. They are the lead components. The aged matured red Virginia is the lead Virginia, and receive plenty of contending support from the stoved Carolina, and the potent African bright and dark Virginias. They provide some fermentation, a burst of tangy ripe dark fruit, a lot of sugary stewed dark fruit and floralness, earth, wood, bread, a fair amount of tart, tangy, acidic citrus, grass, vegetation, sugar, light spice and ruggedness along with minute touches of vinegar. They are supporting players. The floral quality of the African Virginias meld well with that of the Orientals to make it one of the more dominant aspects of this blend. The raisiny, earthy, woody, figgy, very plumy perique is a condiment. The strength and nic-hit just pass the medium mark. The taste is a step past the center of medium to full. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Has a few light rough edges, but this mixture is smoother than one would normally expect from this genre. Well balanced and complex, it burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent sweet and floral, sour and spicy, deeply rich, zesty flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is a notch stronger. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke, but it’s repeatable during your smoking day. I suggest a wide bowl, e.g., an author or pot for this one to capture all the nuances offered. Four stars.

-JimInks