Fribourg & Treyer Blackjack

F&T Blackjack After just finishing a tin of McClelland red VA. I thought I would give blackjack, also said to be a red VA. a try, so without any delay I did just that. My first impression was Blackjack seemed stronger, fuller and had a quite different flavor profile, similar to the difference found in Danish Virginias, the German VA's seems to have their own unique taste identity. Many may disagree but I taste licorice/citrus in this and other German VA's. Not a bad thing, because I find both are quite enjoyable at times, but neither can be much more than a change of pace smoke in my rotation, because their assertive flavors will soon wear me down.

I would have preferred this tobacco was not rubbed out as much as it is, and came as a more familiar broken flake so as to allow me to fit the moment, because IMO as is, this stuff wants to burn faster than I like, especially at the $11 for 50 Gram cost level.

I had no bite issues with this blend and found it produced a surprising amount of thick white smoke for a straight VA, with a slightly elevated nicotine level, a satisfying combination in my book. Overall; I found Blackjack is a smooth and a very easy to smoke tobacco, which probably for some could be a fine all day choice. But at this cost, IMHO there is some serious competition out there, meaning when I finish these 2 tins; Blackjack will probably become only a memory. But for those with deeper pockets and prefer old world tin art, try this one, many on this site seem to just love it. 2.5 stars.

This review is based on a tin that is more than ten years old. With that in mind I had hoped for more sweetness than was offered by Blackjack. As has been mentioned, it has been rubbed out quite a bit and kind of wish it wasn’t. I like Blackjack, it’s a good blend, just not a great one. After returning to the lovely sweetness of a well-aged Red Cake last week, Blackjack offers more strength and body, which is something that I prefer. Blackjack is mildly sweet, offers no bite, and is fairly straightforward with not a lot of complexity. The tobacco is, like all of the F&T blends I have smoked thus far, of good quality. As others have pointed out Blackjack seems to be topped with a very light citrus topping. But it is very light. I have a love/hate relationship with red Virginias. I really like them, but they don’t always like me. This gets along with me well. Overall, Blackjack is a tasty, but slightly expensive offering for those that like red Virginias.

I have tried a tin of this recently: in Europe this tobacco is sold under the name of Negrohead, which is not politically correct and quite confusing too as the contents of the tin are bright-red Virginias.

It is a pleasant smoke, delicate, honeyed, with notes of hay: an unoffensive, slow smoking tobacco with little bite.

In spite of the tobacco being a bit moist and very pliable, it does not burn wet. Overall a nice experience, it burns well and doesn't require much care. Alas, it is also a bit monodimensional and doesn't evolve much through the bowl. But the flavour is always fine, it's not heavy and has no unpleasant traits. Think of it as a gentler variation on Hamboorger Veermaster.

Not mind blowing, but hard to dislike.

Before I get into my short review of this blend, I want to post a few boring observations that are neither pro nor con. Several weeks ago, I searched black cavendish on one of the online stores I shop at, too much I might add and this showed up due to the name Blackjack. A red Virginia blend it says, not sure why it is called Blackjack as this reminds me of the licorice gum I use to buy as a kid. Fast forward, I ordered a tin recently along with the HH Rustica and will have to agree with Moniker on this aspect of it as when looking at the tin my first thought was ‘I don’t remember ordering the 100g size. Unlike the square tin photo on this listing it appears they are just using 100g size tins fits all. Last observation, the site says a “pure red Virginia…”. Well on the bottom of my tin it is labeled “Bright and Red Virginia tobaccos pressed rubbed out". Maybe one time it was pure but apparently not anymore and I will never profess to being a tobacco leaf expert as to what constitutes “pure”. Neither here nor there as it has no bearing on my review. If one really wants to know Bright Leaf is from the third stalk of the plant and red comes from the top according to https://wholeleaftobacco.com/ which is a great site if you want to learn about different types of tobacco leaves. Review: This has a very pleasant semi-sweet, grassy tin note, slightly moist to the touch with a thicker ribbon cut (ready-rubbed). I have been smoking this is my Meerschaum Poker and smokes smooth and mild. Not much nic here and has a consistent mild to medium taste. For what it is purported to be I really enjoy this one. Though admittedly it is a contrast going from HH Rustica yesterday evening to this one. Night and day. A solid 3 stars for me. Post script, I decided to take Moniker’s advice and jar this one. Time will tell.

This is a nice and simple Virginia blend. This tobacco has a wonderful taste with notes of sweet wood, creme, honey, and the occasional citrus note. It is incredibly simple and does not change much as the bowl progresses but is wonderfully satisfying. I find this to have medium bite for a Virginia. I really enjoy this blend a lot and will definitely buy more. I don't think this is a four star blend, but it is one of my favorite tobaccos, this blend is simply enjoyable.I definitely trying Blackjack.

English lovers beware: We have competition.

F&T BJ is a hell of a unique VA. According to the company list's description, this is a pure red VA. When you open the tin, there appears to be more variety. The fire curing gives this tobacco an incredibly rich and deep flavor. I love English and Balkans, but the smokiness of this VA is reminiscent of latakia.

It's ready rubbed and well-packaged. This is an exceptional tobacco, especially for the price. For an added kick, get some bulk perique from your tobacconist and mix 1 part to 9 parts blackjack.

A fantastic VA for anyone. This is a classic.

The cut is a mostly rubbed out narrow ribbon. There is a little variety on shades of brown in the tobacco, and the pouch note is a slightly sweet earthy. Mine was a gift from a friend and came just on the dry side of what I would consider ideal. I smoked it as delivered.

This is a very pleasant and not very exciting smoke. It is good but not especially compelling. It had the expected Virginia grassy and citrus. It had a sharp edge when puffed. I found it fairly easy to smoke and keep at a simmer.

If this were all I had to smoke, I would smoke a lot of it and be grateful. Given the price point and other options, I am not likely to buy a tin. This is a solid 3.

This tobacco may have the most offensive, politically incorrect moniker since the detesticularization of America (peel off the top label to see, if you must), but it's a very decent, competent blend. As with all F&Ts, it's quite mild, perhaps too much so. Still, it's a satisfying, enjoyable smoke that's hard to dislike, with typical F&T smoothness, tooling, and nuance.

If you are a lover of pure red Virginia this is a must try... just a nice straight forward smoke.. tangy, slight earth and maybe a hint of fruity/citrus..it does have some of the grass/ hay.. but not at all complex.. the main thrust of it is that sweet/sour profile that reds often have.. just another decent k&k blended tobacco..my tin only had about a year on it..this would definitely be a good one to cellar if you like red virginia.. pure and sweet but probably minimal flavoring.. not much strength to it.. but not weak.. has a great ready rubbed cut that is somewhere between ribbon and broken flake.. really nice to work with..