Ken Byron Ventures Goblin City 2022

A complex mix of several Turkish Orientals provide a wealth of earth, wood, floralness, incense, herbs, spice, vegetation, sourness, mild sweetness, bitterness, mustiness with a little smoke. They are the lead components. Their sourness is somewhat tempered by rich red Virginias, which are important supporting players. The reds offer plenty of tart and tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, vegetation, some tart and tangy citrus, mild sugar along with touches of acidity, vinegar, and spice. The very musty sweet Cyprian Latakia sits in the third slot as it produces earth, wood, smoke, incense, herbs, floralness and a pinch or two of spice. The strength and nic-hit are a couple of steps past the medium mark. The taste is a slot fuller. No chance or bite or harshness, but there are a few rough edges. Well balanced, zesty and deeply rich, it burns cool and clean at a reasonable rate with a very consistent, moderately sweet and more sour, savory, floral, spicy campfire flavor. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a pleasantly long lingering after taste for those well versed in mixtures of this stripe. The room note is pungent. Made for veteran pipers, it’s not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Four stars.

-JimInks

This was the fourth KBV blend I have tried (following Plateau, Hand of Götz, and King's Ransom). Quite a respectable English blend with some strength and full taste. I have nothing to add to JimInks' thorough and accurate description of the specific flavors - by comparison to me this is not as sweet / malty and smooth as Plateau or King's Ransom but refined in its own masculine way. The Orientals and 'ancient Virginias' really shine, this is a solid smoke for those who enjoy a full but slightly more astringent tasting blend - not a negative - the same way I find a peaty Scotch to have an astringent quality. For some reason the room note of this blend really stands out nicely to me while it is burning - a very rich baking-bread sort of aroma. Latakia is a supporting condimental player, not a leading role. KBV calls this is a Traditional Perth Scottish Mixture, and in flavor profile I think that Scottish is the right category. Quite enjoyable, has a solid medium nicotine level. Not sweet enough to my personal taste to smoke every day but a high quality blend and definitely worth a try to those who like a quality and manly English blend.

Also, I've mentioned before that I think the distinctive graphic jar lid labels that KBV sends with each of the blends are a quality touch and I find this one especially fun (a big stone Gargoyle) - a conversation piece in its own right! For me Goblin City gets 3.4 stars out of 4.