Bufflehead Emperor Goose

Another good effort by Bufflehead. My counterpart, mparker, commented on the sweetness of this blend in a negative view. I can understand this because it is an unusual flavor that I have experienced only in other Bufflehead blends and in PCCA's Full Balkan Reserve-Syrian and Syrian Star. Of the three Bufflehead English blends I have tried to this point (Barrows Goldeneye, Snow Goose and Emporer Goose), this has the least of this sweetness. It also has the least strength of latakia, so maybe it is the latakia that offers this sweetness. I know that in PCCA's Full Balkan Reserve-Cyprian there is no hint of this same sweetness and I understand that the only difference between FBR-S and FBR-C is the latakia. All these blends are made by McClelland.

I happen to like this flavor as a change of pace, but I do find that I tire of it if I smoke it too often. Emperor Goose is basically a medium latakia blend that has that hint of sweetness, but there is not much else that comes through, just the latakia. If you like this flavor, I suggest Barrows Goldeneye as it is the strongest of this flavor and has more depth of flavor.

All of the Bufflehead English blends I have tried are mostly a flake cut with just a small amount of ribbon and they burn just slightly hotter than average. Like most McClelland blended tobaccos, they come on the damp side and must be dried somewhat to get good burning qualities.