Forums
Here are the most recent Mystery Blends - I'll be posting my impressions of May's below.
We have a dark broken flake in Mystery Blend No 1. Strong tin note of BBQ, woodiness, and lightly vinegary.
It’s a strong one, very flavorful. A lot of BBQ, floral, woody Kentucky flavor, with a good deal of tang from Red Virginia I imagine. The sweet attributes really help to balance it out and soften some of the harshness (and perhaps hot pressing?) I also get some citrus and bright accents adding contrast to the dark, earthy character.
I find No 1 notably consistent through the smoke and from one to the next.
A bit on the moist side, I’ve been getting the most out of it with a little drying time. It makes for a less finicky smoke when packed with minimal rubbing out of the broken flake, which I prefer from pressed tobacco, especially as bold as this one.
My initial reaction was that this was very similar to HH Old Dark Fired, but that has already been featured in Compare & Share. Bold Kentucky also comes to mind, but that only comes in a flake, so not so sure.
Most recent smoke pictured is in my Amphora X-tra, a Dublin with a bowl on the wider side for me, at least at the top of the conical chamber. I’ve found a preference for somewhat larger bowls for No 1, but this is more to do with being amenable to a good pack with this particular cut/consistency rather than a matter of tasting experience.
It just occurred to me how appropriate it was that this ended up being Amphora Kentucky that I was smoking in my Amphora pipe
Weighing in on #1 after 2nd bowl. So, this is what the Dark Fired Kentucky genre is like? …Okay
Haven’t gotten around to trying one before this. And, probably won’t rush out to stock up on this one after the reveal.
But, it sure pairs well with a tall mug of dark-roast coffee (heavy cream, no sugar). 😎👍
[PIPE: Savinelli Tre 310 KS - Â custom altered from poker to cherrywood]
I’m glad you are participating in the Compare and Share. With one or two exceptions in the past, they have all been tobaccos that I’ve either tried or have in my cellar, so I haven’t been encouraged to, but now I’m finding a little entertainment in trying to guess the blends based on descriptions 😃. Plus who knows, maybe I’ll discover something new to try.Â
Hah, strong Kentucky blends are definitely not gonna be everyone's cup o tea! But I definitely think you got it right with the pairing. Happy to have you participating, Joseph.Â
Mac Baren’s Amphora Kentucky Blend[/spoiler]
As for Mystery Blend No. 2, we have a ribbon cut that hosts just about every shade you may get in pipe blend.
Nearly ran out the clock on guessing May #2. Been enjoying it very much, but am no closer to a guess after my 5th bowl than before my first. 🤷
All I can say for sure is that it’s not a blend I have had before.
Medium English, possibly Balkan (with Orientals apparent). Initially assumed a tinned offering due to high quality of leaf, but realize that’s not necessarily so.
So, with less than 1% certainty…
Blend #1 I think is MacBaren HH Rustica - it looks, smells, and smokes just like the 2oz of MacBarren HH Rustica ('ready rubbed') I ordered at the same time I ordered the May Mystery blends.
Blend #2 I think is C&D Folklore - people are saying they detect latakia in this blend, and I'm just not seeing it. I get VAs, maybe some burley, maybe a hint of perique, an oriental or two, and some kind of light casing. It's sweet, slightly floral & woodsy, with some smoke and a touch of sour.
After smoking a couple of more bowls of each… I’m doubling down on my guess! I’m 99% sure I have #2 right and about 80% sure on #1.
Reveal is up! Amphora Kentucky and Charatan First Bowl
Â
Greg, how did you find the Amphora KY in contrast to HH Old Dark Fired?Â
Definitely both excellent blends, but I think I'll have to try them side by side to really pick apart differences!
target="_blank"
