W.O. Larsen Kentucky Gold

I am very upset that I am down to my last tin of Kentucky Gold. Back in 2007 or so, I purchased 5 paint can style tins and they have aged to perfection. The inner foil seal was bulging to the point of imminent explosion which usually means something magical and delicious is going on in there. An apparent liquor based topping which I believe is Bourbon adds a slight sweetness to the Kentucky. Perfect amount of Nicotine and full of flavor, will burn warm if allowed and has potential bite but if you respect her, she will reward you with a solid manly smoke.

I love Kentucky Gold... The can that I purchased was significantly aged; so much so, that the inner foil was bulging like a pillow. As a result, my experience may vary from others...

It has a nice naturally sweet and smooth smoke with a full tobacco flavor. Additionally, I had very little tongue bite compared to other Virginia tobacco blends. Other than a more affordable price, this tobacco is nearly perfect.

This one just happens to be my favorite tobacco in the market place. I love this stuff beyond the limits of reason. I have a passion for great burley and, the blend that was formulated here has to be one of the best. I love how this blend is mildly scented yet still maintains a natural mistique that brings a tear to my eye. Every pipe smoker finds a certain blend that seems to grow near and dear to his or her heart and, it just so happens that this one does it for me. The tobacco is perfectly dry and rubbed out so that there is no effort in the preparation of your smoke, simply pack it up and puff away. There is the perfect amount of cavendish matched to the burley as to slightly mellow and sweeten the blend into a wonderful menage of spice and vanilla. I have a passion for Gawith & Hoggarth's dark Kentucky, and Larsen seems to match the wit of dark Burley with the elegance of a mild cavendish to produce a true "Masters Blend." I buy five tins of this at a time and have a back stock that seems excessive but, when it's your favorite blend, you just get paranoid that one day they'll discontinue it. I've had most of the Larsen line but, without exception this one tops them all. As a traditional southern man I must say that there is nothing better than a glass of Booker's bourbon and the essence of Kentucky Gold to close the day.

Kentucky Gold is a surprising tobacco. In terms of the nicotine kick, it is the strongest Larsen I have smoked. Yet, the flavour is not at all harsh or overwhelming. The blend consists of brown ribbon cut, slightly darker broken flake and cavendished strands, with some bright and dark rough chunks thrown in (probably the Kentucky fire cured). Most Burley and Virginia Cavendish mixtures tend to have a woodsy, roast nut like aroma. This one does not. Upon opening the tin, one encounters a very delicate, almost watery, scent. I do not find this particularly attractive. The tobacco is fresh, musky, but not overly so. It is easy to pack. Lightening was easy. Then it hits you: a deep, slightly bitter taste spreads throughout the palate as the nicotine rushes up. Wow! The different, subtle flavours start developing. This is a tobacco you need to pay attention to. Not sweet, but zesty and fresh. It burns very well as it gradually engulfs the senses. Wonderful smoking experience.

Tin Aroma: Light and nutty, definately a blend with some Burley to it. Initial Reaction: I smiled at the first light, I love Burley! Then the PG set in, and for a second, I almost retched. The PG settled down after the initial reaction, and another good Burley blend enters my rotation. I smoked this in a Larsen pipe on the first try, and have since considered highly the possibility of devoting the pipe to this blend exclusively, with perhaps an occasional break for another Larsen blend. I am a big fan of what I call 'Southern Blends', containing lots of Burley, Cavendish, or Kentucky tobaccos, and this fits nicely in that niche. The Cavendish and Burley combination in this blend produced an astringent quality that goes well with a cup of Orange Pekoe, or a tall glass of iced tea. The second half of the bowl is a slightly fuller and more basso experience than the first half, and a tiny bit harder to keep lit. Perhaps the Cavendish naturally seeks a level lower tha nthe Burley. Careful packing seems to eliminate this to a degree.

O.K., so I've been eyeballing this tin for three years at my baccy shop and finaly decided to go for it. Thanks for all the previous reviews. For me, the bite from this blend kills any chance for enjoyment.

Update: I just can't get past the bite for some reason. Ive had my tin jarred up for about 8 years now and from time to time I revisit it to see if I've changed. Nope. Can not smoke this in any way without tongue bite. Just not for me.

I enjoy Kentucky Gold. It is the most refined burley-virginia mixture I know. I think of burley and virginia as straight tobacco. For straight tobacco flavor and stimulation, I know nothing better. Kentucky Gold is pricey at the Davidoff shop where I buy it, but I pay the price. I am looking for an economical alternative, but I have not found it.

I enjoy this baccy. I would buy it again, it is ready to go out of the tin. KG is differant the what I usually smoke, but when savored slowly it is a pleasent companoin out on the porch, in the evenings of summer. this is a good smoke, as a change of pace for the VA smoker or as an evryday puff for anyone who can afford it.

Kentucky Gold seems to be a well balanced tobacco that burns very well. For me, right out of the tin it's easy to load and whatever the casing, it is very subtle and brings together the flavors of natural tobacco. It is a high quality tobacco that I like to smoke when I'm doing other activities which would cause me to re-light often since it doesn't get a bad attitude when treated that way.

This is NOT your typical Danish blend. It is an aromatic (I think there may be a touch of Bourbon or rye whiskey), but there is nothing fruity, or sweet about it. The burley used is quite full, and the Kentucky gives it the quality of oak logs burning. The flavor is earthy, spicey, and astringent, but not bitter.

The moisture level is perfect out of the tin. I can manage this with one match. This was wonderful, sitting outside on the first cold day down where I live. I have to agree with bigjonburley, that it would be a great way to end the day.