Wessex Gold Brick

Morning ya'll. This morning I decided to reach back and grab a old pouch of Gold brick. Broke off a nice chunk and drilled it into a Dutch pipe. No real smell but I was ready with the coffee. Lit very quickly and gave off a heavy smoke. Taste is sweet and light. In all it is a very good cheap smoke.

I bought this at some obscure tobacconist when I was visiting Atlanta and she claimed it was sitting on her shelf for over five years. Not being adverse to buying a straight Virginia with some age on it, I bought it and upon arriving home it was pit in a drawer where it was forgotten for another two years. I found it the other day and thought I would give it a try. I unwrapped it from the cellophane wrapper and found a very tightly packed, brown seemingly dry brick with sugar crystals starting for form on the surface which of course made my mouth water. I cut it into slices which I proceeded to rub out. It was more moist than I would have thought, and was rough cut and all very uniform brown with a rich peaty aroma. I let it dry for a few days, then proceeded to pack a good pipe and sat back to enjoy it.

Right off this was a very strong, bold smoke that to me reminded me of a good cigar rather than a straight Virginia tobacco. Even smells like a cigar in the room note. It is very favorable, goes great with a dark beer or dark roast coffee, but not your standard fare Virginia. I find I cannot smoke this all the time but when I am looking for a strong fill bodied smoke, I do enjoy this blend. It smokes clean, does require many relights, but leaves little if any dottle in the bottom of the bowl and leaves a fluffy steely grey ash. This blend is very limited as to flavor, no highs or lows, just straight up down the middle. Can't say I would buy it again, but nice to experience and move on from.

I do love plugs. I do love Virginias. I had high hopes for this, and although they are not completely dashed, I'm having some trouble with this lovely looking, tightly pressed brick. Mine is quite dry, despite the well sealed package. No problem. I sliced some fairly thick flakes and rubbed them out to a rather C&D consistency. So far, so good. Packing was easy. Lighting was not difficult, although roast tongue is not one of my favorite flavors. After a false light, tamp and second match, I took two draws and spent five minutes remembering my many Mac Baren trials.

I set the pipe aside and forgot about it for two days. Two more attempts made me wonder why I tried this first smoke in the A.M. (or at all, for that matter)

Then, once upon an early evening, I managed a Very careful lighting technique and enjoyed a pretty mild incarnation of Briar Fox, though it was many moons from the smooth true wonder of that fine blend. It is much sharper, not even close in richness, and, still to bitey, for me.

It is not a bad smoke, really, I think I'm just to picky. If only it had more nicotineous nutriment and a tongue friendly attitude, I might have liked it more. I'm glad however, that I bought only 100 grams. Should last me quite a while. But, don't listen to me, my expertice lies elsewhere. Try it yourself. It might just yank your crank. I'll stick with the Fox.

May the smoke be with you.

Basic unflavored Virginia. Mild and a bit bland but okay for a morning smoke. Burns well if well rubbed out. No bite. Seems low in nicotine.

I've ordered this several times, at infrequent intervals. Whenever I get one of these plugs, I remember why it's been awhile since the last one: the smoke is pleasant. And that's it. To my taste, it is unexceptional and given the price and the bother of preparation, I don't find it to be a compelling experience.

I did amend the information provided in the description that earlier reviews allude to; of course they are correct, this is not flavoured with coffee, or anything else.