F.J. Burrus S.A. Windsail Platinum

Because of recent tax increases on RYO tobacco, this cigarette blend is now supposed to be available at a much lower price 'cut for the pipe.' I ordered a sampler of D&R tobaccos and tried this one first. My sample was still fine cut, so it had to be packed carefully (it will burn hot in the pipe). The regular Windsail did arrive in a square cut version and here one can see bits of oriental tobacco. The shag was too fine to read, but one can detect some fine oriental aromas in this blend that weave in and out from the beginning and deepen towards the end. As for the overall experience, wow, what can I say. It was one of the finest Virginia blends I have ever tasted, not at all like a cigarette. No grassy taste, no bite. This is supposed to be bright Virginia, flue cured. I tried it in a Radice hawksbill dedicated to Virginia blends and found it very mellow with thick rich clouds of smoke that linger in a pleasant room note. You have to sip it carefully but this is a fine blend, not terribly complex by some standards I suppose but very relaxing and tasty. Some may require more of a nicotine kick but it worked fine for me. I've only tried this once but will try it again soon. Highly recommended.

Update: The square cut version for the pipe has arrived. It has more moisture than the shag cut, packs nicely, smokes smoothly with the same taste of fine Virginia tobacco, but there seems to be a definite upgrade in the nicotine content of the blend, packing quite a wallop.