Planta Full English

This review is for the newly re-released version which no longer uses any Syrian. The idea of a full-bodied English using a dash of cigar leaf sounded interesting to me. While there are no glaring faults here I just wasn't convinced by the execution. The cigar leaf does add some good earthiness to the primary flavor, but it also leaves a rather unpleasant aftertaste. Somehow other producers using cigar leaf have managed to avoid that.

This is another case of a German-made blend that I believe was trial-tested in a 9 mm. In a side-by-side comparison using an unfiltered meer and a 9 mm briar I found the meer revealed some herbal bitterness while the filter removed any off notes and increased mid-palate body. Aside from the herbal note, they both tasted like some sort of dark fruit was used in the casing (plum?) and there are some pleasant toasted pecan-like undertones, rye bread, and a hint of molasses.

Somewhat muted and lacking vibrancy in either meer or briar, this one seems mostly bass and mid-range, and not much sheen from any spicy overtones (probably because no Turkish is used). Just for comparison, Newminster's 306 has the exact opposite problem, being mostly upper tones and lacking bass foundation. I actually tried combining the two but they seemed to fight against each other. But why settle for either when there are plenty of of other blends that offer a balanced presentation on the palate?

I also did another session comparing this directly against some other English/Balkan blends including one other with cigar leaf (John Patton Latakia Junction). All of them made a better impression than this, the winner being Arango Balkan Supreme which simply left this one in the dust.

I'll keep my supply in a mason jar and re-visit in the future, updating this review if there are any noteworthy developments. For now: two stars without filter, two and a half stars with filter.