Paul Olsen Winter Special 2014

The Virginias have a mild grass and citrus taste along with some earth, fruit, and a slight floral note. The vanilla from the black cavendish is also mild. The toppings are the main players as they sublimate the tobaccos a bit, though not completely. The mild cinnamon works well with the sweet rum to create a contrasting, but well melded flavor that remains consistent from start to finish. The nic-hit to mild to medium. Burns well with just a few relights, and leaves no moisture in the bowl. The after taste is fairly pleasant as is the room note. Mild enough to be an all day smoke, but it strikes me as a blend that would wear out it’s welcome if you tried to do that. Two and a half stars, rounded down to two because it may be a pleasant smoke, but may not hold your interest for long except for an occasional venture.

-JimInks

Paul Olsen - Winter Special.

The initial smell from the freshly opened tin is just like Christmas: I can smell rum, the spicy cinnamon and also a sort of plum note. The way that the blend has been rubbed has left a few bigger pieces of flake in there. They aren't so big as to need a rub but they still have a slight flake-like form as opposed to that of a rubbed out ribbon. I've noticed with the Paul Olsen blends that they're never tightly packed, meaning the tobacco's breathed a little and it isn't wet; this is no different.

From the tin note, I was ready for a very false aromatic. I expected it to be one of those blends where any flavour is delivered by hot, bitey, overly false smoke. That, is not what I get from it.

I think this should have been released as their 'Christmas special'; the smoke has a decent spiciness from the cinnamon and a great touch of sharpness from the rum. Although these flavours are quite prevalent, they don't seem too goopy or full. They are brilliantly grounded by the Black Cav's slight vanilla note. To be fair, I struggle to identify many nuances from the Virginia, I think it just gives physical body to the smoke.

The only low point with Winter Special is the speed of its burn; even though it's even and consistent it's over too quickly! That isn't enough to reduce its score though! Four stars.

Highly recommended.