B&B Tobacconists, llc Doc Piedmont

Given the ingredients I wouldn't have expected to see such a dark blend. It comes from the Perique and Cavendish, of course. The predominant color is a nice, dark brown, with only flecks of lighter colors I would expect from the Virginia. Judging by the taste I'm guessing that the Virginias are Reds, which add to the darker, richer flavor. My sample contained some nice, shorter ribbons as well as smaller pieces. The pouch aroma is very much that of the Cavendish, though I can't quite decide what is the flavoring used on the Cavendish preparation; it is fairly light. The tobacco itself is relatively moist, so for my smoking it needs a fair bit of drying. Once dried, the tobacco packed easily into my pipes. The initial light brought out the sweetness and flavoring of the Cavendish, which stays in the driver's seat through the bowl. However, as the blend settles in to a nice, slow smoke the Virginia's richness and nuance comes through, as does the occasional tang and fruity spiciness of the Perique. At times the fogginess of the Perique and the flavoring of the Cavendish are almost as one. There is a smooth creaminess to the flavor. The Virginias provide some nice high notes while the Perique and Cavendish provide some depth, rounding the smoke out into a good, relaxing break from the usual, unflavored VaPers I generally smoke. The tobacco burns extremely well, and I think that one would have to put in an effort to get a real bite from it, making it suitable as an all-day smoke. It burns down to a somewhat heavy ash some of which is lighter in nature and some which is quite dark. As a regular VaPer smoker I had to reach a bit to consider Doc Piedmont a VaPer, however. Rather, it strikes me more as a Cavendish which is muted and mellowed by the VaPer it is blended with. I would consider it a sort of cross-over type of blend which would be a great introduction for the aromatic smoker to the delights of a VaPer. It is also a nice change of pace tobacco for anyone who smokes unflavored blends, though I don't see it as something I would regularly seek. Still, an interesting and pleasing smoke.