Erik Stokkebye Night Slice

The matured old belt golden brown Virginias provides a wealth of tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass, bread, honey, sugar, some spice, floralness, sour lemon, and mild acidity. They take a small lead at first, but quickly becomes a strong supporting player to the dark fired Kentucky most of the time. The DFK offers plenty of earth, wood, smoke, some spice, floralness, herbs, vegetation, moderate sour barbecue and light nuts. The sugary, toasty black cavendish tames a few rough edges. The level of honey allows me to think it was used as a casing more than a topping. The strength and nic-hit are a step past the medium mark. The taste is a notch past that level. Won’t bite or get harsh. This circular and loose cut product burns a tad slow and warm with a fairly consistent spicy, floral, smoky barbecue, mild fruit, honey, sourness, lightly acidic flavor that extends to the lingering after taste. The room note has a little pungency. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Two and a half stars rounded up to three. Should benefit from some age.

-JimInks