Friedman & Pease Aleister

(This review is from a blind taste test).

This is a rather dark blend, in appearance, room aroma and eventually taste. It is what I would describe as a "strong Virginia", which usually implies a fire-cured or dark air-cured component that I associate with rope tobaccos. From the start, I should state that I am not a fan of rope tobaccos. I don' t believe that I have ever tasted this blend before, but I find it to be most comparable to Esoterica Stonehaven, a high-quality tobacco that I just don't appreciate very much.

This is not the easiest tobacco to light, as it arrives somewhat leathery and pliable. It has a few light flecks in it, but the majority of the blend is medium-to-almost-black brown. On light up, the back of the throat edge becomes immediately apparent, which is not necessarily a negative. It just counsels slow smoking.

Once lit, the dominant flavor is the dark leaf, I'm guessing Virginia. No Latakia. I think it is safe to rule out most of the Danish manufacturers, plus McClelland, McConnell, MacBaren and GL Pease {ha! my bad.}. The nicotine content is definitely a factor here. Trying to discover other flavors, I allow outside air into my mouth while puffing, which usually brings out the more fragrant Virginia and Burley flavors. There are some here, and I get the sense that they are of good quality. They could even reach "toasty" on their own, but the sharp, dank, dark elements disrupt this potential.

I put out the feelers for Perique, often said to tickle the nose. Unfortunately, I can't tell, as this blend makes me cough on a regular basis, a very rare phenomenon. This is especially odd because I wouldn't describe this tobacco as being harsh, unlike some of the brown and black ropes I have tried, and ropes don't make me cough. Mysterious.

No top range here, and the middle and bass ranges are indistinguishable. There is a "round" quality to the sharp flavor, rather like a steel fist in a velvet glove (dang that's obscure). What I am trying to say is that this in not just a monochromatic nico-blaster. It has some elements that I like, they just aren't present in sufficient amounts to make this a tobacco that I would try again. The strength grows until the final puff. Cool, no bitterness.

Second smoke in cob (my "control" pipe). Sensing no difference from the first pipe, I dump this at half-bowl.

I give this blend a 3 out of 10, but don't necessarily write this off for yourself. I think this could appeal to lovers of ropes, Dark Bird's Eye, maybe 1792, and other stronger tobaccos. I will keep the small remainder for mixing into non-flavorful aromatics.