J. F. Germain & Son Royal Jersey Cavendish and Virginia

This is the least flavorful of the Germains. It is so unobtrusive as to be sort of like an overstuffed fat kid in a candy store. It's there. It's not bad but not good. Probably the best all day beginner smoke available. Rare yep. But so is a unicorn. Huh. Well well

This is unique tobacco. I had a feeling that I'm smoking something from 18 th century, hard to describe...Virginia in the front, orientals support role, and something else... Lit's easy, burns easy, a bit moisture at the end. Pleasant after taste and room note.

I find myself often in agreement with Rcuselder on many tobaccos. This is one of them. It has a very cigarette/cigar quality to it. In other words an acquired taste. I would not recommend it to most Virginia/English smokers.On the positive side however,it is fantastic as a blender for Stong Oriental and or Latakia mixtures. I imagine it would also work with pure Perique. 2 of 4 stars for a blend,3.5 of 4 stars for a blending agent.

09-20-04

Apearance and Tin Aroma: Medium to fine ribbon, smells like a light VA/ Uncased Cavendish mix. Could not smell the orientals in the tin.

Packing and Lighting: Easy, moisture perfect out of tin.

Initial Flavor: Light VA, slight clove undertones (the orientals?).

Mid-Bowl: The cavendish and orientals peek through, very mellow.

Bottom of Bowl: Not much build up of strength, finishes to a soft fluffy white to grey ash.

Overall: This blend did not do much for me, not enough strength or complexity for this piper. I absolutely love the Latakia mixture in this series, but this one was just flat. The pros of this blend are: No tongue bite, smooth from top to bottom of bowl, tolerable room note in spite of being uncased.

Rating: 3 out of 5 points.

Simply put it, I LOVE this blend. It's not going to knock your socks off with crazy rich flavors. But sitting down and focusing solely on the tobacco, amazingly delicate flavors can be coaxed out.

The cut is the really fine shag that if your a Germain's fan you know all so well. It works well in any size pipe and smokes down to a fine white ash.

The Virginia's are slightly sweet, slightly musty. The Cavendish the same. It's not the flavorless black, sticky Cavendish we think of when it comes to Aromatics. There is a slight plum note that reminds me a lot of Royal Yacht (which is a personal favorite).

https://youtu.be/NC5cM8tFOp8

J. F. Germaine & Son - Royal Jersey Cavendish and Virginia.

Although it's badged as a shag the appearance says ribbon. Coarse-ish, medium brown, nicely hydrated ribbons. Something else which doesn't go along with the description is the aroma. Although the description says it's unflavoured the pouch-note suggests fruit cake.

The smoke, like the pouch's aroma, is also indicative of a casing; lighter than in the pouch, but still present. Again, a dark fruit cake comes to mind. It doesn't taste 'aromatic' but has a delicate added flavour. The tobaccos gel well with this. Fruity, tangy, Virginias supply the leading taste, honey-sweet Cavendish takes the supporting role, but there's only a semblance of Orientals; these require a more discerning palate. Royal C' & V' burns without much maintenance, at a medium temperature, without any tongue bite. But it can go a touch fast.

Nicotine: just below medium. Room-note: pleasant.

Royal Jersey Cavendish and Virginia? Just misses out on four stars; because of the speed. Recommended:

Three stars.