Blatter & Blatter Mild English (Anglais léger)

Aroma: This has nicely sweet quality to the aroma. Latakia is definately in evidence, but not in huge proportion.

Physical Characteristics: Predominantly light brown leaf, with a smattering of darker pieces here and there. A very short ribbon cut, and from thin leaf. Packs super easy, but of course, it would be hard not to with as small s the pieces are. Considerable swelling on the charring light, the hallmark of a moist tobacco. I will remember to dry it out a bit before smoking anymore of it. Burns to a light grey ash.

Notes: As with all new blends, this first went through a meerschaum, on it's way to finding a pipe home in my rotation. The initial puffs were a Latakia blast I was not expecting, judging from the color and aroma. I also detect some Lemon Virginia in here too; just enough to tickle the nose. This has sort of a musty taste to it, as if the condimental leaf had set on a shelf for a bit too long. There is a goodly measure of nutty burley here too, if I am not mistaken. This is definately a cool-weather blend. Smoking this outside in any kind of heat and humidity pretty much destroys the taste it has. I get the feeling that I have smoked this before somewhere, but I do not know where. Perhaps it is a bulk that I have smoked under another name? Perhaps only similiar to one. This is a tongue scorcher if not paid attention to, but the payoff for careful, attentive smoking is, in my opinion, not really worth the effort.

Verdict: There is a fine line between having the component tobaccos in harmony and having them struggle against one another. Unfortunately, this blend is not yet at that zenith where all parts are in harmony. Perhaps with a few years of age on it this will be a good blend, but it just isn't there yet.