Ken Byron Ventures Mr. Christian’s Stoved and Red

The matured red and stoved multi-continental Virginias provide some fermented tangy, stewed ripe dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, sugar, some dark fruit, vegetative grass, peat, floralness, mild tart citrus, spice, and a light smoke note. Anise is the most obvious topping, and is supported by rich chocolate, nougat, and nuts. While they tone down the tobaccos quite a bit, they don’t drown them out, and slightly weaken toward the finish. The strength and nic-hit just pass the medium threshold. The taste is half step stronger. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. It has a few light rough edges. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable rate with a mostly consistent sweet, fruity, moderately floral, lightly smoky flavor that extends to the mildly lingering, pleasant after taste. The room note is a notch stronger. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. It could be an all day smoke for the veteran piper, and repeatable under any circumstance. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks