Rich's Sasha

Though people from that part of the world are difficult to warm up to, Sasha is a Russian you will actually enjoy putting your arms around with gusto and without the need for a vodka chaser. Another masterpiece of Steve Books?s impeccable skill and care, this is the most thoughtful English crossover blend I?ve ever experienced and now another in my already crowded inner circle of favorites. The best English crossovers in this vein include that spicy Slavic ?Count Pulaski?, the properly Protestant ?Dr. Bradley? and the lightly sweet ?Jack Schwartz 120? with its delightful berry essence. Once again, the latakia is peppery without being forward and the whole ensemble has an ethereal, almost impressionistic ring. Again, there is hardly a pouch aroma to make you curious, and how unfortunate it would be if you stopped there. The blend is herbal with a wee pinch of salty brine to invigorate the tongue. The room note is faint, fleeting and heavenly. Nothing you have ever tried is like this; a tobacco to put you in reverie at the end of a long day. Sasha is a subtly sensuous knockout of unique flavors providing no less than luxurious smoking pleasure. A perfect blend; the way pipe tobacco was meant to taste!

Five and a half of five stars