Bengal Slices Bengal Slices Single Barrel

The very smoky, woody, musty, floral, incense-like sweet Cyprian Latakia is the star component. The Orientals provide plenty of smoke, earth, wood, herbs, some buttery sweet and dry sourness, and vegetation with a moderate spiciness as supporting players. The black stoved Virginias offer fermented, tangy stewed dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, sugar, and a light barbecue essence. They are a couple of notches behind the Orientals. The yellow Virginias provide a light tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, sugar, and minor spice and floral notes in a condimental role. The sugary black cavendish helps tame any potential harshness, and many of the rough edges one usually expects. The licorice topping is not very obvious due the potency of deeply rich, tangy bourbon, which fairly sublimates the tobaccos. The strength is a couple of steps past the medium mark. The nic-hit is almost medium. The taste level is close to the center of medium to full. Won’t bite or get harsh. The slices easily break apart to suit your packing preference. May need a light dry time though I did not do it. Burns cool, clean, and slow with a very consistent, deeply rich tangy sweet, mildly spicy, floral, savory, campfire flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires some relights. The room note is a tad strong. Not an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

Upon first opening the tin I'm greeted with 5 slices of dark brown speckled krumble kake. I immediately smell the bourbon. The bourbon barrel aged Bengal Slices have just a bit more moisture when compared to the original Bengal Slices.

I remove one of the flakes, it's rather delicate and crumbles easily. Upon first light I notice how very smooth and mellow it is. Compared to the original Bengal Slices the Latakia and the licorice flavoring are subdued and only lightly detectable. This tobacco reminds me of a tobacco that has years of age on it.

For me this barrel aged version is a welcome addition to the Bengal Slices line up. When a person isn't in the mood for the bold in your face flavors of Bengal Slices, the barrel aged is a quieter more relaxing interpretation. I get the same basic flavors, albeit much softer, with perhaps just a touch of sweetness from the imbued bourbon.

The tobacco itself is very well behaved. No gurgle, bitterness or bite. Easily stays lit. For anybody who's tried Bengal Slices and thought the flavors were overwhelming, maybe this bourbon barrel aged version will be just the ticket.

Bengal Slices Single Barrel - i smoke a lot of the BSW so i threw in a tin of this for fun .The bourbon is noticeable directly and it does have a caramel like sweetness . The Latakia is a little lighter than in the regular BS . There is plenty to satisfy though . The Turkish-Orientals come through with savory sour and buttery smooth spice . The Virginias add that fruiry bbq sweetness that BS is known for . The topping fades as you work down the bowl and the orientals take over sometimes which i like . I like the unflavored BSW better but this is an enjoyable blend . Nothing wrong with a little aromatic for a change . This still has a nice incense aroma I appreciate. It smokes better for me in my egged shaped bowl than a wide pot . 3

This is for the 2022 edition:

The tin note is a very boozy, sweet, Latakia aroma. The whiskey is noticeable, the Latakia is front and center, but it has a sweet aromatic tone to it. Moist but not sticky or wet. Loose crumble cake that I rubbed a piece out and let dry. Packed and lite just fine.

The taste is boozy, whiskey, a little sweet, with the smokey, herbaceous, buttery flavors of Latakia and orientals. The Latakia is the lead tobacco flavor however this is far from a dry English. The cavendish and whiskey certainly sweeten this up without it becoming a messy aromatic. The flavors are predominantly Latakia, oriental, Virginia, some sweetness and a boozy top note. If pushed a bit a get some caramel whiskey notes. Nice.

If you like alcohol topped English blends, or Scottish blends or whatever we call them, then this one should float your boat. Nic hit was below medium, taste was “mild English”, and the alcohol was noticeable but welcome. It will die off just slightly as the bowl continues. One dimensional but consistent. Has a nice campfire English flavor that is not harsh or overbearing. Stayed mild to medium and the sweetness persisted. No bite even when pushed and no bad after taste. Well done.