Missouri Meerschaum Independence Day 2022

The sweet vanilla topping more than moderately tones down the tobaccos without drowning them out. To a lesser extent, I observe a little tangy, mildly fruity, dry wine topping, and a small marshmallow note. The sweet burleys provide some nuts, bread, earth and wood as a lead component. There’s quite a bit of black cavendish in the mix as well. The Virginias offer some tart and tangy citrus, sugar, bread, grass, mild darker fruit, earth, wood, floralness, and touches of honey, spice and acidity in the third position. The smoky, woody, earthy, woody, incense-like, musty, floral Cyprian Latakia is ever present in the background. The strength is a step past the center of mild to medium. The taste is a notch past that mark. The nic-hit is just below the overall strength level. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Has a few minute rough edges. This easily broken apart crumble cake is mildly moist. As per my usual custom, I did not dry it. Well balanced, it burns cool, clean and a little slow with a fairly rich, mostly consistent sweet, fruity, lightly floral, smoky, zesty flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste and room note. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke. Three stars.

-JimInks