Vauen Tradition No 2

The various Virginias provide a lot of tart and tangy citrus, earth, wood, bread, sugar, vegetative grass, some sour lemon, tangy dark fruit, floralness, mild spice, honey, and acidity. They are the lead components. The dark fired Kentucky offers some earth, wood, smoke, herbs, floralness, spice, bitter sourness, barbecue and nuts. It is often a secondary player, but occasionally plays a little lower than that as its effect is variable. The earth, woody, very dried plumy, spicy perique is a step less obvious than the Kentucky most of the time. The light honeydew is likely a casing on the brighter Virginias. The strength and nic-hit are a slot past the medium threshold. The taste just inches past that line. No chance or bite or harshness, but there may be a light tongue tingle for a fast puffer. Has a few small rough edges. Burns clean and slightly warm at a reasonable rate with some inconsistency in its sweet and sour, fruity, floral, spicy, smoky, acidic flavor. Has a lightly lingering after taste that’s marred by a little bitter sour acidity, especially in a big bowl. The room note is a little stronger. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke. Should benefit from some age. Two stars.

-JimInks