Newminster No. 3 Very Cherry

Other than the name this blend shares little with the same named product from Lane Ltd. VC#3 from Newminster features a heavy but excellent Cherry flavor that is not artificial, but very realistic.

The long ribbons packed easily enough and readily take a match; from there one is swamped in a sweet, delightful cherry blend. Heretofore the only cherry I really could tolerate was Caminetto Barolo, but this is as pleasant even if more forward in flavoring by far. VC#3 allows some tobacco flavor to come through despite the room note being strong enough to bring my wife in from her garden and ask what I was smoking. Every time I load this she comments positively. As with the Lane, I must keep this separate from everything else I own. It also could be used as a room potpourri as the Lane, but one that is very pleasant and perhaps worth the extra storage needs.

If you think all cherry aromatics are the same, try Newminster Very Cherry. This is a lightly cased cherry Virginia that really satisfies the sweet tooth. They say it's blended by MacBaren, but the Virginia is what stands our here. The cherry serves as a mild enhancement to the natural red Virginia sweetness. Honestly, it's the best of both worlds. Mild good instead of mild murky. Sweet, but TOBACCO sweet.

The Virginia has a little grass and citrus. The toasty Virginia cavendish offers a bare honey note. The cherry topping is mild and still tones down the tobaccos to some extent, though it gets a little syrupy in the last third of the experience. Has a very light nic-hit. Burns a little too fast if not sipped and can bite. The flavor is consistent from start to finish. Requires few relights. Leaves some moisture in the bowl. Has a pleasant room note. Reminds me of Tinderbox Anniversary Cherry.

-JimInks

Way too much cherry flavor for me. Overpowering in my opinion almost medicinal in flavor. I need to taste the Virginia's in any Cavendish. No. 3 Very Cherry masks even the slightest hint of these flavors. I suppose this could be mixed perhaps a third No. 3, a third red Virginia and a third BCA and maybe have some redeeming virtues but as a stand alone it just doesn't appeal to me. The pouch note is as sweet as the flavor and it does taste natural for the first third of the bowl and then gives way to a cough syrup like taste. It does have a nicotine punch though but its not a saving characteristic for me. I don't see ever ordering this again.

I'm still exploring Aro's and this one was a great discovery. Really nice natural cherry flavour that has been put on with a light hand. No detectable PG and a very nice base virginia. I got this as a free sample (Thanks smokingpipes!) and have since ordered 4oz more. Good stuff and those around you will love it.

This blend is simply too light for me. Other than at the light, not much cherry flavor. After that I tended to burn my tongue puffing to get some flavor tobacco or otherwise. Just hot steam. There was no bad taste anywhere here (thus two starts; not one), so if you like very light blends, you may enjoy this. My palate just isn't sensitive enough. I envy those that can enjoy this, as many more aromatics are available to you.

Cherry it certainly is, enduring in my rotation it certainly is not. I received this a few times as a sample and I just can't bring myself to buy it (in any quantity). I do find myself craving a well put together cherry from time to time, but this one just doesn't cut it for me. Svendborg Kirsberry and Capt. Black Red Sky are still the tops in my books as far as cherry blends are concerned, Newminister is just too akin to all the other sub par bulk cherries.