Black Frigate
A true Royal Navy blend. In the Black Frigate, C&D's Navy Cavendish - naturally sweet, hand-roasted Virginia aged in premium rum - meets generous amounts of smoky Latakia and peppery Turkish leaves. Pressed and cut into a traditional crumble cake.
Characterisation:
The Black Frigate's crumble cake is also in the company's typical round tin with a ring-pull closure and an additional plastic lid. The tobacco still contains residual moisture, which it retains for a longer period of time due to its compressed form. For storage, you should still transfer the Black Frigate to an airtight container. If you lift the cover sheet and open the cardboard wrapper, the crumble cake reveals itself as a big square piece of pressed tobacco. Dark, golden, medium- and green-brown tobacco fibers mix together so that individual layers are hardly recognizable. The sweet and spicy rum aroma is revealed in the slightly alcoholic scent, which is mixed with subtle notes of smoke.
Plugging:
As a crumble cake, the Black Frigate naturally requires preparation. Even with a very sharp knife with a thin blade, it is difficult to cut entire slices from the block. The tobacco is so crumbly that you get a kind of ready rubbed that is very easy to be given into the pipe. You shouldn't be tempted to fill the pipe too full or too tightly. You should also let the tobacco dry briefly before plugging.
Light up:
The Black Frigate will open significantly under the first flame, so you should smooth the surface carefully before lighting it again. The resulting glow is then permanent.
Smoking properties:
Black Frigate delivers a lush smoke. In addition to the strong spice, there are softer aromas such as roasted bread and nuts, which creates a slightly dry mouthfeel due to the strongness and the astringent Latakia. However, the aroma always comes to the fore, adding a juicy but not overpowering sweetness and thus rounding it off. Here you have to get involved with the tobacco. The Black Frigate is not suitable for "puffing away". When smoked in a relaxed manner, you can also taste the subtle incense note of Latakia and grassy herbs that are attributed to the Oriental. This also helps with the Virginia it contains, as the pipe can get hot if the suction is too severe. If this happens - despite all caution - the tobacco does not tend to bite the tongue or gargle. Occasionally, it may be necessary to gently press the tobacco onto the embers with the tamper. In the end, only a few unburnt crumbs, some crumbly light ash and a little condensate remain to be cleaned.
Redolency:
The room note of the Black Frigate is hardly influenced by the aroma, but rather reveals the oriental tobaccos. Their typical characteristics, which could bother non-smokers, make it advisable to smoke the Black Frigate in the company of like-minded people or in the fresh air. Given its strong, spicy aroma, you don't have to worry about any losses.
Conclusion:
The Black Frigate is aimed at not entirely inexperienced smokers. Even the preparation requires skill. Both when cutting the crumble cake and when plugging and lighting it. Because it is strong and should be smoked comfortably, it is suitable for those who appreciate something special. Virginia-typical roasted and nutty aromas combine with spicy Oriental and ethereal Latakia to create a varied overall picture that is pleasantly rounded off by the rum. The Black Frigate achieves the balancing act between aroma and the natural tobacco taste, which smokers of both styles can enjoy equally.
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with friendly support of Dennis Hübel
