The Country Squire Tobacconist Yazoo Witch

This is an annual limited release from Country Squire. It is worth getting on their email list so you know when it comes out. It is good and it goes fast. This is a mix of six different tobaccos but the two I noticed most are the Burley and Virginia. It seems to me the others are lightly applied but do serve to round out the savory taste in this smoke. The Virginia seems to be the driver with a sweet and toasty taste with the Burley in a strong second. The best way I can describe the taste is that of cinnamon toast. A little bready, a little baking spice and a little sweet. I got very little tongue bite and that was mostly my own doing by puffing too fast and hard on relights. Overall the taste was consistent throughout the smoke. The room smell wasn't bad if you like tobacco smells. I will probably save this one for outside. The Country Squire has some nice blends. They are worth checking out as is this blend when it comes around again.

Arising from the swift sands that lie within the dark depths of Mississippi, a seething hellcat lurks. A she-devil that appears to be more horrific in claim. Forego those candied concoctions if you dare, as you are about to experience the soul shuddering gore of one non-aromatic specter. The witching season is pressing at the door, so let us make haste. And so, this ghastly tale must be told with a quick tongue and an ear to the banshee upon the wind. Come now, let us reveal ourselves to the ghoulish dread that now descends. Prepare yourself to encounter the terror of the legendary Yazoo Witch.

This season would not be startling enough without a new shrilling treat from The Country Squire. Flying in with a frenzied horror comes Yazoo Witch, a complex non-aromatic amalgamation of seedy design. This frightful potion brings a jolting wail of select tobaccos embracing intricate Orientals, deeper Virginian, bawdy Burley, screams of Dark Fired Kentucky, all gruesomely ornamented with complementing chants of Cyprian Latakia and an ethereal ghosting of dark Perique. Is it an English blend or is it something more involved of a Virginian/Burley sort, one tough call. Whatever it is, there is no hiding from the earnestness of its character. In a word, this is an exceptionally strong blend, one not contrived for those weak in the knees.

This collective blend of chilling tobaccos brings a mixed muddle of coarsely clawed slivers and twisted, contorted ribbons of generally multi-shaded complexion. Its scarring face discloses shadows cast by a variant assortment of deeply stoved bleakness, withered tan, yellow, gold lace, red brown, fermented ancient umbers, and pure nocturnal blackness. To the touch, its beefy, foreboding body engenders a feeling of optimum moisture and the determined impression of a well-crafted hell broth. For all practical purposes, close inspection reveals a well-balanced apportioning of the inclusive varietals. It does appear that this micro-batch potion is purposefully contrived to allure our vulnerability towards the Oriental, Virginia, Kentucky, and Burley content.

Catching the pouched airs of this demonic spellcaster, one is mesmerized by the distinguishable perfume of a most crafty elixir. Principally the tobacco’s nose jinxes the soul with a refreshing floral brightness, earthen seasoned wood, distant hay, sweet barbecue tang, spicy tartness, assorted herbs, and a softened sweetness of a honey-like ambience. Bold, yet refined enough to be pleasantly captivating in its mocking.

Key points of the assessment:

As a pre-smoked specimen, Yazoo Witch scored exceptionally well on all the critical physical features while demonstrating solid performance on key mechanical properties. The only slight demerit, which may be too strong of a word in this case, related to the residual room aroma which is most definitely unforgiving and boisterous in nature.

Pertaining to flavor, I want to finally call this out as an Oriental enhanced Virginia-Burley recipe. All the old familiar VaBur threads were integral to the experienced registration, yet the colorful presence of the Oriental was a true force as well. Additionally, the DFK influence was certainly well worth noting. As to the Latakia and Perique, these strains tend to waver in their remarking and are of secondary importance. Nevertheless, the embellishments that they do bring clearly added to the hardiness of the composite flavor.

Still, I don’t think I would be too liberal in associating the feel of this tobacco as that of a robust quality cigar. Truthfully, one facet concerning this blend is that it is quickly satiating and filling. Therefore I would be a tad conservative about the smoking. Again, not for the wimpy nor the green horns. Most varietals achieved commendable marks based upon the specific measured standards. Overall scoring on flavor @ 96% and genre specific attributes @ 91%.

On the whole, Yazoo Witch demonstrated nicely prepared complexity as the celebration of moving taste streams were in full on splendor. As such, the smoking experience was positively alluring and mellowing in its sum effects. You do get considerable fervent colorful spicing brought on by the combination of Orientals, DFK and the peeking of the Cyprian-Perique combo. Initially the intensity of this influence was magnanimous, but it did calm down by mid-bowl which served to relief my overstimulated palate to some degree. Very exciting nuances all said.

Full strength/intensity: As it developed, the blending quality exercised on this one is top notch based upon the rounded and smooth textural feel experienced. Yazoo Witch projects a fairly creamy and mellow excursion. The full-flavored brilliance in movement and accent are quiet stellar in their effect. What is more there is inherent smokiness and natural sweetness to this blend that really garnished the final presentation.

Baseline: Virginian - These strains form the featured and essential bottom sphere. The stoved and Red varietals are much more pronounced in magnitude versus the Bright contained within. Chiefly, the Virginia records with a prominent tart-sweet fruitwood and some perky green floral notes. There is a bit of punchy spice accenting that frames this main remarking. As for the Bright, this leaf definitely added some nice calming tanginess and a tracing of distant muted grass. Highlights denoted were some degrees of toasty bread and hints of cooked caramel.

Forward mid-band taste: Burley/Oriental - This sorting of this detail really proved to be a mixed bag. As I stated the transition of forward flavor kept me guessing as to which strain rooted itself properly as the main middle band thrust. In retrospect, the Burley and the Oriental seemed to want to pull equally for front stage importance, yet I found the spicy Kentucky consistently keeping close quarters. Once more this is a richly balanced recipe.

For the Burley, it is exceptionally woody in nature, mainly herbaceous, tannic, and notably earthy. The registration also revealed some nuances of anise, sourness, a frail nutty tinge, and relaxed cocoa. Regarding the Orientals, very bright in fluctuating character being exceptionally tart, strong sour spicing of mixed greens floral, mildly sweet, and quelled mustiness.

Accenting: DFK/Latakia/Perique - The primary complement was assumed by the DFK. This strain commanded a significant position on the overall taste. Big notes of sweet spicy barbecue wood and zesty smoky punch characterized its contribution; the latter especially when married with the Perique. And on the Cyprian leaf, slightly more elusive for the most part. This leaf projected a deeply charred sulfuric woodiness combined with a smoky incensed flair and general dankness. Further enhancement denoted were minor sweetness and creosote tart.

Falling to the lessor influence was the Acadian, its preference was slanted more towards a heavier musty peppered dark fruitiness much like altered prunes. Needless to say, when all three combined the residual sensation of their power really sensitized the entire palate cavity. And finally, a modest inference of a honey-corn syrup like sweetness just floats within the enclosed perimeter which served to soften some of the potential brazenness of the transitions and edging of individual streams.

2.56 weighted average scoring (roughly 85% of total potential) leading to a subjective rating of 3.4 Pipes.