Ken Byron Ventures Verge Engine Overdrive 2022

The multi-continental bright Virginias provide a lot of tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, sugar, floralness, some vegetation, spice, sour lemon, and light acidity as the lead component. The red and stoved Virginias are fairly even in terms of effect with the stoved being a tad more obvious. They offer a fair amount of tangy darker fruits, stewed dark fruits, earth, wood, bread, some sugar, peaty vegetation, mild floralness, a little spice and a touch of vinegar as supporting players. The earthy, woody, very plummy, mildly peppery perique sits in the third spot, and is not far behind the red and stoved Virginias. I sense a very light vinegar casing. The strength and nic-hit are a step past the medium mark. The taste is a notch past that. No chance of bite or harshness, and has a few small rough notes as are typical of this kind of blend. Well balanced with some complexity, it burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent fruity sweet, mildly floral, spicy flavor that translates to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is a tad more potent. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke for the veteran smoker, and is repeatable under any circumstance. Four stars.

-JimInks