Manufacturer Description:
A light to golden brown mixture of a full-bodied Ready Rubbed Flake with bright Indian Virginia grades. In the burn even and slow, in the smoke gentle, in the room pleasantly fragrant without exaggerated fruity notes. A real pleasure.
Characterisation:
The Private Blend exudes a sweet-spicy scent when opening the tin, which reminds of a rum pot with dried fruits. The tobacco is light to medium brown with darker portions. The Ready Rubbed is cut a bit wider, but so well rubbed that there is no problem to put it into the pipe. Its almost perfect moisture allows it to be stuffed directly from the tin, too.
Plugging:
The Private Blend is so well prepared that you can easily put it into the pipe. Only you should not plug the tobacco too tight.
Light up:
For a Ready Rubbed the Private Blend can be easily ignited. Pressing once with the tamper and if necessary giving another flame, is all to reach an even embers.
Smoking properties:
The Private Blend is turning out to be a strong tobacco. The first puff is smoky, spicy and tart, and you immediately notice that you should not smoke the Private Blend too violently, because otherwise it tends to gargling and also the tongue is affected. If, however, the more experienced smoker can keep the pipe cool, then there is a subtle note of roasted bread and a fine sweetness like dried fruits. A bright and fine ash and some condensation remains, but this is quickly cleansed.
Redolency:
The room note of the Private Blend is as sweet as promised by the manufacturer, but for real tobaccom so it might not appear to be negative in tolerant society.
Conclusion:
The Private Blend is a carefully prepared Ready Rubbed in lighter brown shades and an appetizing rum pot note in the scent. The tobacco is easy to prepare, but requires some experience from the smoker, both from strength and smoking behaviour. Then the tobacco rewards, besides its smoky-spicy basic aromas, with subtle roasting marks and a fine sweetness of dried fruits. The Private Blend is not necessarily suitable for every smoker or any occasion, but is sure a pleasure at the end of the day.
Copyright © 2013 by TECON GmbH
with friendly support of Dennis Hübel
