Peter Stokkebye Highland Whiskey (No.38)

This is one of six new blends I picked up yesterday for testing purposes. First off, why is it called Highland 'Whiskey'? In my experience every scotch I have bought was a 'whisky' (without the 'e'), so why the American spelling then?

Anyway, back to the baccy. Upon opening the G&H labelled pouch I spied a rich mixture of black & dark tan flakes with a scattering of pale yellow. On the nose the most dominating aroma was of paint, yes paint! Of the sort I used to paint my Airfix models as a kid. Not overwhelming but enough to have me wondering I had made a mistake in buying this blend. As for whisky/whiskey I detected none, Highland or otherwise.

Packing was easy enough though as per usual, this needs an hour or so airing time due to being slightly over moist. Fired up it took a few lights to get a decent burn but I was away. Again, no taste of scotch at all and thankfully no 'paint' taste either, just mild tobacco flavours with the black cavendish being the most dominant. It does burn hot however but that could have been due to me having to keep lighting the stuff.

Last night afore bed I filled another pipe and let it rest overnight. I am now smoking that bowl and am rather disappointed. It is still a pig to keep alight and worst of all what little flavour I tasted yesterday has totally gone! This trick has worked for me with other blends but not with this one.

Overall a very bland smoke that demands much input but gives little in return for that effort.

Not one for me.