Ken Byron Ventures Festivus GT

The various fermented Virginias (brights, dark, and aged Carolina reds) provide a wide variety of complex and contrasting aspects: an abundance of tart and tangy citrus, a lot of floralness, plenty of very tangy ripe and dried dark fruit, some tartly sour lemon and stewed darker fruit, earth, wood, bread, vegetation, herbs, sugar, light acidity and smoke along with significant spiciness, and a few peaty cigar notes. The strength and nic-hit are a step short of the center of medium to strong. The taste level is just past that center. While it won’t bite, the high spice content suggests a slow to moderate puffing cadence. Has a few rough edges. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable rate with a very consistent, boldly rich, mildly sweet and decidedly sour, spicy, floral, savory, punchy flavor that extends to the pleasantly long lingering after taste. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. The room note is pleasant to tolerable. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Four stars.

-JimInks