Ken Byron Ventures Mr. Christian’s Derby Shag

The ten year old fermented bright Virginia provides a lot of tart and tangy citrus, grass, some bread, sugar, floralness, sour lemon, light vegetation, mild spice, and a bitter acidic note. The Woodford Reserve Bourbon is the most obvious casing. The floral honey is very mildly applied while the small amount of spearmint plays a little above its percentage. The casings moderately sublimate the Virginia. The strength and taste levels are a step past the medium mark. The nic-hit is medium. Has a few rough edges, and if not dried -which I recommend - may nip at the tongue. Burns a tad warm at a slightly slow pace with a very consistent tartly sweet, sour, floral, mildly spicy, acidic flavor. Leaves little moisture in the bowl. Requires an average number of relights. Has a long lasting after taste, and a pleasant room note. Not an all day smoke. Three stars.

-JimInks

This is a unique blend. I only purchased 2oz of this because aromatics with "booze" normally bite me. This one only bites if one smokes it too aggressively and the cut and strength of the smoke make that unnecessary.

The tin note has a very apparent scent of bourbon. The cut is a very fine shag and mine was ready to smoke and did not need drying. It lights easily and stays lit without much work.

What makes it unique is that most aromatic tobacco blends are often "airy" below the aromatic flavor. This one is certainly not. It has a rich and balanced flavor where the Virginia tobacco is quite discernable even when mildly sipping. The bourbon and honey dominate it's aromatic flavors with the mint in the background and appearing only to enhance the blend. It certainly isn't minty or menthol in the slightest.

Sipping it slowly is easy and the flavors are held together with quality Virginia flavors and some spice. I can't say that I've ever tasted a blend that is truly similar to this and the flavors work very well together. It's richness make it a once a day smoke for me at most. Very enjoyable and well done KBV.