Ken Byron Ventures Alchemy Parish

The very floral bright Virginia provides plenty of fermented tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass, bread, sugar, floralness, some sour lemon, spice, and a bare touch of acidity as the lead component (40%). The C&D red Virginia offers a fair amount of tangy dried dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, mild sugar, floralness, light spice and vinegar in a competitive support role (40%). The earthy, woody, very plummy, peppery perique is almost a full supporting player. Not far behind the perique is the stewed, sugary, dark fruity, earthy, woody, bready, lightly floral, spicy stoved Virginia. I notice a little apricot, light figs, a hint of blackcurrant, and the more obvious apple vinegar in the casings that very mildly tone down the tobaccos. The strength and nic-hit are a step past the medium level. The taste is a notch past that mark. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. It does have a few small rough edges. Well balanced and deeply rich with a little complexity, it burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent fruity, peppery, floral, mildly sour, punchy flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is tolerable. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. It may be an all day smoke for the veteran, and is repeatable under any circumstance. Four stars.

-JimInks