Solani 131: Red Label

This is nasty, very nasty.

I was met with a waft of strong alcohol as I opened the tin. I don't mind a mild whisky or rum taste in my tobacco, but this is a scotch laden blend, that really if you dislike scotch you will want to give this one a wide berth.

Fearing the worst as I scraped the underneath of the paper lid, this stuff was gooey and noxious. Like an idiot I thought this might not be as bad as the tin aroma suggested, as is the case with one or two blends, but it was worse.

Lighting this stuff I was expecting an small bonfire with all the alcohol in it. It growled at me for a minute or two then unleashed one of the vilest mouthfuls of poison imaginable. It hit the back of the throat through it's sheer strength and intensity and it felt like I'd sucked on Mustard Gas from the WW1.

I never thought I would find anything as revolting as Jirsa from Germany, but this takes first prize. It's a thick, malty and heady concoction with a medicinal taste that far surpasses Jirsagate by a country mile. Where Jirsa was dripping in bergamot giving a sharp angry taste, this brings a sour, rough malt whisky-like taste. There is no chance of finding any of the Burley, Virginias or anything in this one. This stuff would be a good substitute for surgical spirits.

I managed a few puffs and then, coughing and spluttering, pulled the whole bowlful straight out of the poor briar I had stupidly inflicted this one. I closed the tin lid (tight) and it will join the infamous Jirsa, Sunday Fantasy and Meine Mixture Rot at the back of the cupboard. Perhaps I'll come back to this tobacco in the future and it might have mellowed a little. It sure won't be soon.

Hideous, just hideous.

If anybody wants to swap this vile creation let me know in the Smokers Forum.