Mastro de Paja Milano

Milano is a Virginia blend with a flavoring added to give it a “ subtle natural woodspice aroma.” The addition gives the tobacco a very pleasant room aroma which brings compliments rather than scorn, and for that reason the blend has promise. The tobacco is a rubbed-out flake of golds and browns with a nice, sweet aroma, and comes at a good moisture level. The charring light is sweet, smooth, and clean. Once lit, the flavor is basically Virginia, and reminds me somehow of cigarettes. It isn't as sweet as many Virginias, and the flavor seems somehow lower, though stronger, than many. Mid-bowl and later, the flavor increases a bit, but never really goes anywhere special. The woodsy added flavor is somewhat spicy, but can't really be determined by this smoker. The presence of it doesn't really add anything. The tobacco stays lit well, isn't a huge threat for tongue bite, but never really goes anywhere. In the end, I think I'd prefer a pack of Pepperidge Farms Milano cookies. There are a lot of really exceptional Virginia blends on the market, and to me too many to spend much time smoking one that is average, which is how I'd classify this blend.