Ken Byron Ventures Keep Calm

The fermented matured bright Virginia offers plenty of tart and tangy citrus, grass, vegetation, some floralness, sugar, sour lemon, mild spice, and a touch of acidity. It is the lead component. The fragrant basma and yenidje provide a lot of earth, wood, vegetation, herbs, floralness, moderate spice, dry sourness, and mild buttery sweetness in a support role. The spicy, earthy, woody, extra plumy, mildly raisiny perique is a secondary supporting player, and its spiciness intermingles with the Orientals to elevate the content of that aspect. The earthy, woody, sugary, mildly nutty, lightly chocolatey Yana-2 blackened burley is a condiment. The continuous undercurrent of chocolate helps tame some rough edges as it helps harmonize the experience. The strength and nic-hit are in the center of medium to strong. The taste is a step past that mark. Won’t bite or get harsh, but there are a few small rough notes. Well balanced and complex. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable rate with a very consistent sweet and sour, fruity, floral, rather spicy, zesty rich flavor. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is a little stronger. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Four stars.

-JimInks