Ken Byron Ventures Sandy Row

The various fermented Virginias (brights, dark, and aged Carolina reds) provide a variety of complex and contrasting aspects: plenty of tangy dried dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, floralness, some peaty cigar, vegetation, herbs, spice, light tart and tangy citrus, sour tart lemon, sugar, and slight acidity and smoke notes. The dark African Brazilian Virginias are the more obvious varietals. The red and bright Virginias play a rung above the condiment line. The strength and nic-hit are a couple of steps short of medium. The taste level barely reaches the medium mark. It won’t bite or get harsh. Has a few minute rough edges. Burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent fruity, floral, mildly spicy flavor that extends to the short lived, pleasant after taste. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl. Requires an average number of relights. The room note is pleasant. It has some similarities to Festivus GT, but is a less potent blend so it can be an all day smoke, whereas FGT isn’t. Four stars.

-JimInks