Kyle Weiss
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2011
- Messages
- 11,988
- Reaction score
- 7
A few months ago when I was first lighting up my first bowls of Virginias, "Hal" came up frequently as something to try. With a sensitive palate, I was leery of trying it just because of the talk of what a wallop it had. Yet, with good (yet foolish) judgement, I dove headlong into Jackknife soon thereafter with no ill effects--figurative or literal. In fact, I love JKP, it just needed the right pace, which I luckily found. Billy Budd was another strong bacca that I found to have wonderful characteristics and spirit, too...
...it was way past time to try some Hal, and my first Peterson "Thurston" was just the pipe.
A big fan of the Marlin Flake and Old Gowrie that Natch got me hooked on a while back, and this stuff took no time at all to get used to.
A little lighter in color in the tin, but the same cut and moisture level made for an easy dry time and then bowl pack. Smells grassy and sweet, with something a little extra, before it is lit.
First light/tamp really released a ton of flavors. I found baked bread, grass-like brightness, extremely distant and subtle top and finishing notes of caramel and molasses. Yes, even the Perique in there satisfied me--just enough to not take me to "bitter town" but experience a little pleasant spice. I was surprised at how mellow, yet bold and sweet this stuff is!
Middle bowl the flavors come together nicely--still ever-so-slightly sweet, still punchy, still dynamic. Flavors thicken a little and the Perique even died down a bit for me...hallelujah! :lol: End of the bowl was remarkably different--the sweetness dwindles into an even more mellow, almost Maduro-like meatiness (though there is no cigar leaf in here). Lady "N" was moderate to strong for me. DGT wasn't helpful nor a hindrance. I was disappointed this bowl ended so soon, but VERY happy with the experience.
Cool smoking, flexible, easy to keep lit, many dimensions to keep me happy, Hal had plenty of contemplative smiles to "wynd" my clock!
While I'm really pleased by these so-called "strong" tobaccos, what's interesting is how complex they are. I have discovered there's plenty of "manly" tobaccos that will bite the hell out of you, or deliver some unbalanced single aspect to your tongue, but I've been quite lucky to be steered toward elegant, complex--and still no-nonsense & bold. Refined and gentlemanly though-and-through. I can't wait to pair this up with a single malt or a rye!!!
Thanks to fishnrust, who gave me this tin (haven't seen ya 'round, brother, hope you're alright)!
8)
...it was way past time to try some Hal, and my first Peterson "Thurston" was just the pipe.
A big fan of the Marlin Flake and Old Gowrie that Natch got me hooked on a while back, and this stuff took no time at all to get used to.
A little lighter in color in the tin, but the same cut and moisture level made for an easy dry time and then bowl pack. Smells grassy and sweet, with something a little extra, before it is lit.
First light/tamp really released a ton of flavors. I found baked bread, grass-like brightness, extremely distant and subtle top and finishing notes of caramel and molasses. Yes, even the Perique in there satisfied me--just enough to not take me to "bitter town" but experience a little pleasant spice. I was surprised at how mellow, yet bold and sweet this stuff is!
Middle bowl the flavors come together nicely--still ever-so-slightly sweet, still punchy, still dynamic. Flavors thicken a little and the Perique even died down a bit for me...hallelujah! :lol: End of the bowl was remarkably different--the sweetness dwindles into an even more mellow, almost Maduro-like meatiness (though there is no cigar leaf in here). Lady "N" was moderate to strong for me. DGT wasn't helpful nor a hindrance. I was disappointed this bowl ended so soon, but VERY happy with the experience.
Cool smoking, flexible, easy to keep lit, many dimensions to keep me happy, Hal had plenty of contemplative smiles to "wynd" my clock!
While I'm really pleased by these so-called "strong" tobaccos, what's interesting is how complex they are. I have discovered there's plenty of "manly" tobaccos that will bite the hell out of you, or deliver some unbalanced single aspect to your tongue, but I've been quite lucky to be steered toward elegant, complex--and still no-nonsense & bold. Refined and gentlemanly though-and-through. I can't wait to pair this up with a single malt or a rye!!!
Thanks to fishnrust, who gave me this tin (haven't seen ya 'round, brother, hope you're alright)!
8)