Ken Byron Ventures Spike Hyzer

A wide range of Virginias provide a lot of tart and tangy citrus, grass, hay, vegetation, sugar, bread, floralness, tartly sour lemon, some tangy dried and darker fruits, sugary stewed fruits, earth, wood, and a hint of vinegar. They are the lead components. The earthy, woody perique offers plenty of sugary stewed fruits (plums, dates, raisins and figs), and some spice as a supporting player. A few of the varietals have light, but obvious casings include chocolate, anise, and other floral, sweet essences. Their effect is very mild. The blend itself is not topped. The strength is a notch and a half past the medium mark. The taste is a half step past that. The nic-hit just reaches the medium threshold. There’s no chance of bite or harshness, and has few rough edges. It’s mildly moist, but doesn’t need any dry time. Well balanced with some nuanced complexity, it burns cool and clean at a reasonable rate with a very consistent, moderately smooth, rich, tangy fruity, sweet, floral, spiciness that extends to the pleasantly lasting after taste. The room note is rather pungent. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. It’s not an all day smoke, but it is certainly repeatable. Veteran pipers probably can smoke it several times a day in smaller bowls. Four stars.

-JimInks