E. A. Carey Full Bodied Black

In the bag, this has a sweet but leather smell. I have tried a lot of Black Cavendish tobaccos over the years and this one is on a different level than most. The aroma of the tobacco in the bag is not vanilla or cherry, but still sweet; it is a natural sweetness. The cut is a little more coarse than ribbon, but really packs well. Care needs to be taken to get the entire top of the bowl lit initially. Pack a little more loose and tamp with a little more ease than you might and this stuff stays lit throughout the bowl. The smoke is creamy and abundant. The room note is much like the smell in the bag. However, the smoke is more earthy and less filled with sugar. Patient puffing will be rewarded with no tongue bite, but get a little crazy and it will remind you that it is a Black Cavendish and those tend to prefer a more deliberate smoking pace. The nicotine level seems to be a bit higher than that of the typical Black Cavendish. The flavor is the same all the way down the bowl and it is mainly pure tobacco with some additions to make it aromatic. The ash is fine, but not entirely grey. But it does fall out of the pipe with a healthy knock on the cork. The room smells nice afterward but the aroma is quickly gone so even if some do not like it, they won't be bothered long. It leaves the pipe dry and ready for another smoke.

This is a good example of classic pure Black Cavendish. Rich and spicy, easy on the tongue, and not too strong, although the density of the cut can make a large pipeful a powerful smoke.

The coarse flake cut makes for a less even smoke than long cuts (at least with my smoking habits), requiring some relighting. But then that's part of the pleasant ritual, after all. The Room Note is very pleasing. Overall, a good satisfying smoke for the Black Cavendish fan.

My one serious criticism is that, as presumably the richest of Carey's Black Cavendish blends, this one lacks a really distinctive character. Contrast, for example, Amphora Special Black, or a tobacco locally available as "Zulu" which I think is by Brigham, both of which are immediately recognizable. I tried a sampler of Carey's blends which included mostly Black Cavendish blends, and found it hard to tell them apart, other than obvious ones like the cherry-flavoured.

Recommended but not quite 4-star.

This tobacco was not really for me. A little to strong for my liking. And was a little difficult to keep lit.