Ken Byron Ventures Goblin City 2022

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.