Butera Kingfisher

I have had this on two occasions with very different results.

The first tin I had was sent to me from the US by a very generous gentleman. I bought a pipe specially for it. On opening, the appearance was of flake slices, cross-cut diagonally so the flakes disintegrated into small diamond-shaped fragments that could be easily packed into the pipe. Lighting was difficult due to moisture, and it didn't stay lit. Flavour was subtle but pleasant and it eventually smoked down to next to nothing. It didn't produce large volumes of smoke, rather a slow-burner giving off wisps of pale blue smoke. A pleasant outdoor smoke.

The second tin was purchased from the UK shortly after I finished the first. It was 'laid down' to age and opened after quite some years. On opening, I found that despite the tin vacuum seal being intact, there was a dry, powdery appearance to the flakes. The cut was different too. Instead of cross-cut, this was just 'short' flake (sliced as if across the tin instead of along) that disintegrated into large pieces on handling. It Though they appeared to feel dry, they were hard to light. The flavour was bland and somewhat 'blah' and were almost impossible to keep lit. It was NOT anywhere near the same as the first tin and was a complete disappointment.

This is a wonderful VA/Burley crumble cake with a perique zing. Needs a little drying time, but packs just like Penzance and smoke very well. Good volume of smoke. The aroma is heady and the taste approaches stout. Have not been able to get my hands on some for quite some time. Not sure if it still comes in the neat little rectangular tin or not...a good solid smoke.

Objective: Nice tin for storing the tobacco. A little bit pricey at my local B&M, $13.00. Flake form which crumbles easily. Packed well, lit well, moderate volume of smoke.

Subjective: I like this blend. The perique is not that prominent, more of a burley blend with the virginia supporting it nicely. A good smoke and a nice change from the heavier Englishes I usually smoke.

Mild and not as sweet as most va flakes. A unique experience.

As I sit here smoking Kingfisher from my clay pipe, I reflect on how this blend changes nuances in taste and aroma from pipe to pipe. For example, in this clay pipe the perique becomes more dominate. Other pipes the burley comes through more. Smoking Kingfisher in my jack of all trades Savinelli, (that I smoke both Virginia blends as well as Latakia), took on a completely different, yet pleasant, flavor. Kingfisher is a great blend suitable for any time of day. I will be keeping a tin of this on hand, whenever I can find it.

Soli Deo gloria.

I quote Sound7: "Originally blended by J.F. Germain in UK, then by McClelland in US, then now by Peter Stokkebye in Denmark. I dont know where the person that added this description gets his information but Butera as of 02/27/2011 is still being blended as it always has been in the UK by J.F. Germain. My brand new tins that came from a couple different etailers say made in Jersey, British isles on both the front and back sticker."

Thank you for your correction, friend. I was the person I added, by mistake, these incorrect information about the Kinfisher manufacturer. I was adding these note to the Butera Pelican and then, repeat it was not my intention, I pasted it to the Kingfisher, too. Peace.

A funny cookie that one. As it's hard to find, an acquaintance was kind enough to send me a generous sampler.

Stoved VA with PER and a pinch of BU.

VAs and PER alternate and the Per peppery taste becomes dominant during the last third. The stoved VA leaves a bittersweet chocolate taste every once in a while, after puffing, for 5-6 seconds then vanishes.

The nicotine punch is above average. Worth the try.

A exceptional smoke, although the Perique is a bit suspect to me. It may be green river burley which is processed in the same way. Regardless, a good smoke.

For me this blend was not one that stood out among the crowd, however I did enjoy it. I only had a small sample, from a baggie, so I can't comment on the tin note, but the flavor was exceptional, stayed consistent throughout the bowl although for me it did not peak at any particular point in the smoke. Again I enjoyed this one, I found that it smoked best in smaller diameter pipes, a good early evening smoke for me with a wee bit of body for that after meal pipe. I especially enjoy blends with some perique for that after dinner smoke, so this one was nice for that, just the right amount of perique, not overwhelming. I would like to smoke this one again as I don't feel like I have smoked enough of it to really be an authority on the blend, however I did enjoy it although I may or may not come back to it, I rather hope that I will.