Manufacturer Description:
Sun-ripened Virginias, Burley and Black Cavendish with a finely tuned flavor and a lively, colorful mix. The shorter cut ensures an even burn. An extra soft, lovely fruity blend with a very fragrant room note.
Characterisation:
The Shannon Speckled Mixture shows light brown longer fibers, a medium brown marbled, coarser Ready Rubbed and a slightly smaller proportion of short dark brown fibers. The scent is sweet, slightly floral and at the same time fruity and spicy reminiscent of a flavored black tea. Since the Shannon Speckled Mixture is packaged in a pouch, you should decant it into an airtight container if you want to store the opened tobacco for a longer period of time. This is also recommended because the tobacco does not have a high moisture content and can be plugged immediately.
Plugging:
Because of the coarser components, care should be taken when filling the Shannon Speckled Mixture not to fill the pipe too tight or too high. Since the tobacco is rather dry, this is quite easy to do. However, the aroma can leave traces in the pipe and you should choose it accordingly.
Light up:
The broader parts of the Shannon Speckled Mixture take the flame well thanks to the dry consistency and if you have made sure to leave the tobacco some space, it only needs a gentle tamping and two or three more flames to create an even glow.
Smoking properties:
The Shannon Speckled Mixture is immediately sweet. The aroma is fragrantly light, but is transported by a creamy, lush smoke. Since the manufacturer does not reveal the aroma, one can indulge in speculation as to whether it is whiskey or fruit. Despite the sweetness, the Shannon Speckled Mixture smokes cool. Nevertheless, one should take care to smoke slowly, otherwise the tobacco can tingle on the tongue like most Virginias. As the smoke progresses, the aroma fades into the background and you can taste the Virginia, which is also of the naturally sweet, fruity variety. You may have to refire once, but otherwise the Shannon Speckled Mixture burns unobtrusively to fine, light-colored ash and leaves almost no condensate, which is unusual for a flavored tobacco.
Redolency:
The room note of the Shannon Speckled Mixture is not really tobacco-like, but shaped by the aroma, so that it shouldn't frighten non-smoking company either.
Conclusion:
The Shannon Speckled Mixture is a spicy-sweet-smelling, somewhat inconsistent blend that is still relatively easy to prepare and smoke. In the smoke, it is then very balanced. Sweet but not too sweet. Rich, but without being overwhelming or lacking in tobacco taste. The nicotine isn't overwhelming either. The Shannon Speckled Mixture is therefore not for purists, but it can please newcomers as well as those with a sweet tooth - a really successful flavored mixture.
Copyright © 2013 by TECON GmbH
with friendly support of Dennis Hübel
