Ken Byron Ventures Goblin Mixture Limited 2021

The aspects of the year 2000 East Carolina red Virginia and 2009 Brazilian red Virginias are a burst of tangy ripe fermented dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, some sugar, mild tart and tangy citrus, vegetation, light floralness and a touch of spice. They are the lead components by a razor’s edge. The Orientals offer plenty of earth, wood, floralness, a fair amount of sourness, vegetation, herbs, spice, light buttery sweetness as a second lead. They are a little more obvious in this version, occasionally taking the top spot by a very small margin. The floral Syrian Latakia (Cyprian in the first production) provides smoke, earth, wood, and a mild wine-like essence. It is a condiment. The strength and nic-hit are a step short of the center of medium to full. The taste is in that center. It won’t bite or get harsh, and has fewer rough edges than its predecessor. Burns clean and cool at a moderate pace with very consistent, deeply rich, mildly sweet and rather savory, sour, spicy, floral campfire flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. Hardly leaves any moisture in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. The room note is a tad potent. Not an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks