Ken Byron Ventures Moriarty 2023

The fine cut African and India Virginias provide a fair amount of some tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass/hay, floralness, bread, some tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, sugar, mild spice, light peat, and cigar as the lead components. The sweet chocolate cavendish is a supporting player with the vanilla cavendish a step or so behind it. Their effect on the tobaccos is a tad more than moderate. The strength and nic-hit are a couple of notches past the medium threshold. The taste is a slot stronger though it doesn’t reach the center of medium to full. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Has minor rough notes. Well balanced, it burns cool, clean, and slightly slow with a very consistent sweet, fruity, floral, mildly spicy, deeply rich flavor that extends to the pleasantly lingering after taste. The room note is a bit pungent. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke for the veteran, and easily repeatable for the less experienced. Four stars.

-JimInks

At the time of this writing I've tried 3 of KBV's 221-B series. A common theme seems to be emerging for me - they're all intentionally mysterious to some degree. Sherlock Holmes. I get it.

By the aftertaste and some of the retrohale notes, I could swear there must be some Oriental leaf in there. But, no - according to the blender's own description,
"Exotic Virginias from India and Africa, Black Cavendish Burley, and a unique combination of aromatic dressings create a mixture for contemplating your plans. Notes include Dark Cocoa and Vanilla."

Well, it also says it's a "semi-Lakeland". Maybe that's the mystery of this one.

Whatever it is, it's a nice flavor which progressed from more Chocolate, nutty, toasted bready up front, to more hearty, spicy and "semi-lakeland" toward the bottom of the bowl. Burned long and cool with rich thick smoke.

Bottom line - Highly recommended!

I decided to buy this because it seemed adventurous and away from my norm, plus I heard a lot about KBV and wanted to give him a try. Gotta say I was disappointed. It just seemed weird for weird sake. I don't think the price is justified. It was pretty wet, the flavor started dissipating after a week, and it just didn't feel or taste like it was meant to be enjoyed regularly and felt more like a novelty.