Manufacturer Description:
5 years HU tobaccos. A worthy occasion for the presentation of a somewhat different kind of anniversary tobacco. Red and bright Virginias as ready rubbed flake and as cross cut, mixed with spicy Kentucky tobaccos and a strong Burley, bring a very spicy, but never rough smoking pleasure. This blend was rounded off with a subtle balsamic vinegar topping, which gives the Anniversary Blend a great sparkling, resinous note. A truly worthy anniversary tobacco, which taxed the somewhat different kind of HU tobaccos in the best possible way.
Characterisation:
The Anniversary 5 Years comes in a tin with a pressure lid. The smell that rises when you open it is sweet and less reminiscent of the sour components of vinegar and more of the dark aroma of the grapes used for a balsamic vinegar. The fibers of the more irregularly grinded Ready Rubbed are medium to dark brown and have a good moisture content. The tobacco can still be smoked a little bit dried.
Plugging:
As is usual with Ready Rubbed blends, the Anniversary 5 Years requires a bit of care when putting it into the pipe. Under no circumstances should you press the tobacco too hard, but start loosely at the bottom and gradually become tighter towards the top. Then, however, nothing opposes a quiet burning.
Light up:
Carefully plugged, the Anniversary 5 Years requires little attention when lighting. Taking care to light the surface evenly, then gently smooth down with the tamper and use a second flame to create a good bed of embers.
Smoking properties:
The Virginias contained in the Anniversary 5 Years show a sweetness reminiscent of dark fruits, plus grassy aromas and tangy hints of citrus. To this base, the spicy Kentucky adds some earth and wood, while the Burley contributes with toast and nutty flavors. The balsamic vinegar topping does not drown out these tobacco aromas, but adds a sweet and sour note to the smoke. This seems neither artificial nor intrusive, but natural. Unlike some flavored tobacco, the Anniversary 5 Years does not tend to bite, even when smoked carelessly. It burns unusually cool and, thanks to the Ready Rubbed cut, leisurely. It retains its pleasantly balanced aroma - with a strong strength - until the end, even if you might have to fire it up again. Once burned down, the Anniversary 5 Years leaves almost no moisture and only a little medium gray ash in the pipe.
Redolency:
The room note is not particularly harsh, but the unusual aroma, which does not overpower the smell of tobacco, makes it advisable to be considerate of non-smoking company.
Conclusion:
The Ready Rubbed of the Anniversary 5 Years is prepared a little irregularly, but is relatively easy to plug and light. While the tobacco develops dark fruity sweetness, grassy, earth-woody, as well as roasted and nut aromas, the flavor is not as extreme as one might expect. The sweet components of a balsamic vinegar dominate here, which pleasantly complement the tobacco and accompany it until the end of the filling. Since the Anniversary 5 Years is easy and uncomplicated to smoke, it is suitable - if you like the aroma and stronger tobaccos - as an everyday tobacco. But it will also cut a fine figure as a welcome variety.
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with friendly support of Dennis Hübel