Villiger Maryland SAMI

I'm not sure why this is called Maryland SAMI, because it's obvious more than Maryland tobacco is present. There's a spice note that reminds me of the kind in MacBaren Virginia #1, without the chance of bite. The Maryland is nutty, toasty with a light spice note, with some earth. This company’s Maryland No. 333 has very similar aspects (thus some repetition in the two reviews), though perhaps slightly less of the spice is in the SAMI. Being that Maryland is an off shoot of burley, and this could be of African origin, it has more strength than other Marylands I have smoked. I think a little Kentucky is present, which would explain the light woodiness. The Virginia is mildly grassy with a bit of citrus with the barest hint of honey, though I only sporadically notice the latter. I think a little Kentucky is present, which would explain the light woodiness. Needs a little hydration as it’s dry, and the thinness of the cut increases the burn rate. I recommend puffing at a moderate rate for best effect, though it doesn't bite, you may experience a cigarette note if you puff like a freight train. Could also be used as a RYO, and I suspect it is meant to be a double duty manufacture. An all day smoke with a little body, and a shade over mild nic-hit, though fast puffing may increase that a mite. Leaves no moisture in the bowl, has a consistent flavor with a nice after taste. Hardly needs a relight. The room note won't chase your friends away.

Updated 12-5-2015 to include new information: In the past couple of months, I have been smoking Maryland No.333, and from the first, it struck me as tasting very close to SAMI, which I had smoked a few years back. It is common knowledge that blends tend to be repackaged and sold under different names. Sometimes, there’s no change in the formula, and other times, the formula is slightly tweaked to create a similar product. As there is some doubt about this blend, I contacted Daniel Schneider at Synjeco for information regarding the two blends. His response was “Maryland No. 333 and Sami are not the same blend…”, but added “However[,] the two blends are for sure similar in taste and smoke, as the content is similar as well, only changing about the Virginias in the Sami and the proportions-percentage of the components.”

As Mr. Schneider has sold both blends through his store, I consider his comments to be the definitive word on the subject, unless a blender at Villiger says otherwise. The differences are minor, and whatever they may be, I really can’t discern many dissimilarities between Maryland No. 333 and SAMI, though perhaps others can.

-JimInks

Essentially pure Maryland. It is true that probably there is a little bit of Virginia and maybe a hint of Burley, but for the most part this is tobacco Maryland and it absolutely dominant, leading. I don’t mind this tobacco even if it isn’t American Maryland bur probably Maryland seed grown in Switzerland. Overall, it is quite good, fair. Opening the pouch, the smell is that of cigarette tobacco. You can smoke it straight but it is also good for blending as a base tobacco. Unfortunately no longer in production, I found this tobacco at Synjeco’s Pipe Smoker’s Heaven and the really kind owner, Daniel Schneider, gave me as a gift a sample of 34g. In my system rating (from 0 to 10) my mark is 7 and two stars.