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

Enjoyable… managed to smoke it right down to white ash. So much so I got a shock when ash came through the bit. Not a problem, you live and you learn.

On opening: christmas pudding and spirits

Smoking I got… White pepper corns, white chocolate and spices. Nice little smoke.

Will get again.

The red and gold cavendish Virginias provide a fair amount of tart and tangy citrus, some tangy ripe dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, sugar, light grass, and touches of spice, floralness, and vinegar. They are the lead components. The other Virginia offers some tart and tangy citrus, grass/hay, light vegetation, bread, and sugar with a hint of floral as a supporting player. The smoky, woody, earthy, floral, spicy, herbal, vegetative, dry and lightly sweet Oriental is barely a condiment, and its effect varies a mite through the experience. The Maryland is essentially a flavor carrier. There’s no topping, but it seems like perhaps a few drops of something fruity is added in the casing. The strength and nic-hit are a step past the center of mild to medium. The taste is a slot short of the medium mark. There no chance of bite or harshness. Barely has a rough edge. Burns cool, clean and even at a moderate pace with a mostly consistent smooth, tart and tangy fruity, sugary sweet flavor that translates to the short lived after taste. The room note is a tad stronger. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. A pleasant all day smoke that lacks punch and body. Two and a half stars rounded up to three.

-JimInks

I found me an older tin at a shop that just changed owners. The paper surrounding the tobacco was darkened. This is, to me, a pretty mellow blend. The Virginia had a soft, fruity taste. The cavendish was not easy to detect. It burned cleanly. It was a cool smoke, too. I enjoy it, but wish it had a bit more presence. Still, I recommend it.

This blend grew on me. I went back and bought the last tin, plus the only remaining tin of Virginia and Perique by the same blender. After I smoke a goodly portion, I will review that blend, too.

Govern Yourself Accordingly.

Well behave ribbon Virginia with a natural sweetness that is probably due to the fermentation process that the other components goes thru to turn it into cavendish, this a one note tobacco if there ever was one but entertaining, the nicotine it's about right and it does not bite even when push hard, when tin is open there is a certain menthol hint that runs thru it but as the tobacco ages it dissipates, this one was meant to be smoked in the summer on small pipes while reading or writing, the description on this page says that it contains a vanilla taste that is False. Would I buy it again: yes as a matter of fact I have three other teams aging as speak.

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.