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VELANIBRIAR
Reviews
Balkan Sasieni - Balkan Sasieni 50g
Perfect Balance
This is a benchmark blend for me. It’s straightforward and exceptional in its sophistication and balance. A great blend to cellar except for the price. 4.5 for taste. 4 overall for cost and lack of bulk packaging. My score: 4 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
G. L. Pease - Maltese Falcon 8oz
Best Dark Balkan
Balkan blends can have a dark or light character. There are many examples of each but I find Maltese Falcon to be the best dark flavor Balkan I have tried. Well worth buying and cellaring. My score: 4.5 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Cornell & Diehl - Palmetto Balkan 8oz
Excellent Virginia Oriental
The Virginias and orientals in this work together well. The very first blend with berries on the tin tasting notes that I actually picked up. Very surprising. Would buy and cellar.
G. L. Pease - Westminster 16oz
Very Good
Very good but not phenomenal. My score: 4 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Velvet - Velvet 7oz
Good
A nice mild burley aromatic with an amaretto topping. I don’t get the cherry or chocolate out of this at all. I do smell it in the tin note though. Don’t know why but it’s just satisfying if for me. My score: 4 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Mac Baren - HH Burley Flake 16oz
Cellar It Deep
Smokable from the tin. It tastes excellent with primarily earthy burley, slightly bready and sweet Virginias, and just a touch of DFK. Not overly strong and extremely consistently in both flake composition and taste. My score: 4.5 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Granger - Granger 7oz
Keep Some On Hand
Granger is simple and straightforward. If you like mild burley mixed with a sugar casing (maybe brown sugar?) and mild sweet topping you will enjoy this. My score: 4 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Capstan - Ready Rubbed Blue 1.75oz
Needs To Age
The cost and need to age for at least 6 month to a year make this a blend I would not regularly buy. If I’m in a brick and mortar and they have a ton with age on it or it is on sale I may buy a tin. The new price makes it double the cost of many other blends. Not certain it is twice as good. My score: 3.5 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
A&C Petersen - Escudo Navy Deluxe 50g
Worth buying if willing to age at least a year
This is a blend with a good reputation for a reason. The bread notes and spicyness are balanced pretty well. However, it needs about a year of age to start to shine. I don’t like buying blends this expensive and having to age them. That loses it a point for me. 4/5 if aged out of tin. My score: 3 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Sutliff - Revelation Match
Enjoyable But Likely Won’t Buy Again
I enjoyed this blend. It is heavily cased/topped but it doesn’t taste of chemicals. The tobacco taste is very mild. Very unique overall. I would happily smoke it if I had it on hand. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to get more. My score: 3.5 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - worth buying to try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
Good But Not Amazing
This is worth smoking but not a “best” or “favorite blend” for me. The components are well blended and easily enjoyed. There are many similar blends on the market that make this something I would smoke without hesitation but I would not cellar. My score: 4 My scale: 1-2.5 - bad 3 - not worth buying 3.5 - I would give it a try 4 - it’s worth buying and re-buying on occasion 4.5-5 - it is worth buying in bulk quantities and cellaring deep
Newminster - No.400 Superior Navy Flake
Bitey, Astringent, and Green
I did not enjoy this blend. I found it prone to bite, astringent in the mouth feel, and rather green in taste. I tried this both new and with a year of age. It saw some change but was still far from desirable.
