Wessex Original

Well, I can give this three stars. To me, it's a fun mild aromatic. It is not the greatest quality tobacco I've smoked by a long shot-smokes fast and hot, but since it does not bite me, I can find a way to enjoy it. My tin is from 2004, nearly six years old. I was going to wait before I popped it, but since I am drinking hard cider (one of my favorite libations) tonight, I just had to try a cider-flavored tobacco! I'm not sure if I would recognize the cider if it didn't tell me on the tin, but I taste a certain maltiness. I can taste tobacco too, so I don't consider this one to be gooped up by any means. Ash is dry at the end of the smoke. Again, does have a fault in that it smokes fast-a pipe that would take 45 minutes to smoke with a S. Gawith or McClelland Virginia smoked in 25 minutes with this. But hey, tasted nice and is good in the nose as well, like an aro should be. I do not plan to stock up on this one, but will buy it again if I can get it at a good price, or maybe just one more time, some time after I have finished this tin, for its uniqueness. Cider, who woulda thunk it?

Wessex - Original (Brigade).

Hmmmm, perplexing. It's description reads as ribbon cut yet my tin contains a dark brown broken flake! It looks brown but under closer scrutinization one can see some black Cavendish pressed in there. The moisture suits me, a touch damp but I like my tobaccos that way. The tin has a definite aroma of sour apples; cider.

The smoke suits the temperature in the UK today. It's warm here and this is a nice Summer Smoke. I identify, with the tobaccos, the most enthusiasm from the Virginia. I get more of a rich, succulent, Virginia flavour than a sharp one. The Cavendish adds a sweetness which counteracts the slightly bitter cider. The cider hasn't been added with enough fervour for this to qualify as an aromatic, but, nonetheless, it's a DEFINITE addition to the smoke. It's this which makes it more suitable for the summer months; to me. Piquant, refreshing, and zingy. Because of the coarser cut a bowl of Original burns slowly. And, is also cool in temperature. After a day smoking this I haven't had any more than a slight 'peck' to the tongue; and that's only when I puff with pressure.

Nicotine: maybe a speck above mild. Room-note: nice.

Wessex Original? A buoyant smoke for the hotter days! Recommended:

Three stars.

Not many aromatics catch my attention - at least, not favourably so - but I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this mixture. Like a lot of aromatics (if one can indeed call this blend an aromatic), it will scorch your tongue if you puff too fast. But if you can take time to appreciate this tobacco, you'll be rewarded with the flavour of high quality Virginias and a hint of apple cider.

Although this tobacco packs, lights, and burns well, it does benefit from a couple of hours drying time before smoking.