Kramer's Pipe and Tobacco Shop Blend for Danny Kaye

You know, there is something really enjoyable about these Kramers blends, and much to my surprise, the one that everybody seems to rave about (Father Dempsey) is the blend that calls to me the least. Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent blend, but there is not much there for me to separate if from a whole category of similar english blends, so while it is good, I can think of many I would rather smoke. But these two "Actor" blends.....Danny Kaye and Cary Grant...they have something that for me sets them apart.

The three Kramers blends that seem to be talked about the most are Cary Grant, Danny Kaye, and Father Dempsey. In terms of their taste, strength and gravitas, I would put them exactly in that order.

Danny Kaye is the in between. It came a bit moister than the other two so I gave it some air time. Mostly lighter colors with some light sprinkled in. A nice solid latakia smell from the bag.

After drying it packs and lights easily. Upon lighting, the latakia makes itself known. It is a steady presence, but I would not call this blend a lat bomb in any sense of the word. The perique is also present and noticeable here, gives me that lovely little tingle on the retro hale.

Here is the thing about this blend. The more I smoke it the more I like it, and it usually takes me until about mid bowl until I am reminded how much I do enjoy it. Truth be told, I think what makes this blend so interesting for me is the little bit of influence the aromatic gives. Do not get me wrong. This is not an aromatic blend, and if I did not know the description, I probably would not have picked up on it in the bag note or smoke. I don't even know what the flavor of Irish Mist is anyway. The thing is, there is this subtle sweet underlying, that kinda plays games with my head. While I smoke this blend, a little voice in my head says "is that the aromatic I am tasting? Or is it just a naturally sweet component of the blend? Is the aromatic notion all in my head because it is in the description? or is it really there?" In the end, it matters not. It offers something a little different, that differentiates this blend from many others, and I really do like it.