Ken Byron Ventures Trail Mixture

The broadcut flake style Virginias are mostly bright with some darker Va.s, and produce a wealth of tart and tangy citrus, bread, floralness, some sugar, sour lemon, vegetation, earth, wood, light darker tangy fruit, a couple pinches of spice, and acidity. They are the lead components with the bright Va. taking the lead position. The Yana blackened burley offers some earth, wood, sugar and nuts. It offers secondary support rather than full, and helps diminish many, but not all of the rough edges while adding a complimentary contrast to the Virginias. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste is a step past that mark. There’s no chance of bite or harshness, but it is a tad tingly, so I recommend a moderate puffing cadence. It does have a little roughness as there is no topping. It has a very entertaining mix of cuts, but it’s well balanced, complexly nuanced, deeply rich with a little punchy, zesty roughness, and a very consistent fruity, sweet, floral, nutty, spicy, acidic, mild sugary flavor that translates to the pleasantly lingering after taste. It burns clean, and slightly warm at a reasonable rate. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. The room note is pleasant to tolerable, leaning a tad more towards the latter aspect. It’s not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Three and a half stars out of four. Should age well.

-JimInks