JimInks
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I'm posting my original review followed by my current review of the latest production of Curly Bock since STG now produces it. Mac Baren was the original producer.
The Virginias are very earthy, bready and woody with a fair amount and variety of sweet fermented flavors: brown sugar, tangy dried and ripe dark fruits, light tart and tangy citrus, some floralness and stewed dark fruit as well as a little grass.They are the lead components. The perique is spicy, raisiny, figgy, and plumy with date overtones as a secondary player. The fermentation process enhances the inherent properties of the tobaccos and creates a harmonious mostly smooth, well balanced, deeply rich sweet, floral, spicy flavor from the first puff to the last. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste level is a step past the medium mark. No chance of bite or harshness, though it does have a few light rough edges. No dull or weak spots. Curly Block reminds me very much of the Murray’s version of Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls, except that this is sweeter and just a little smoother, with a shade less perique, and slightly higher floral note. Both have a touch of licorice, prune and plum toppings, too. The block (not plug) of tobacco will take some time to slice and prepare to your personal specifications. It’s moist and some may want to dry it first, though I find it works fine as it is, providing it’s packed a little loosely in the bowl. Burns cool, clean and very slow, requires some relights, and leaves very little moisture in the bowl if packed with care, so I suggest a little patience for the full experience of what it has to offer. Though you may have to stir the bottom ten percent just a little if you don’t use a wide bowl, you can smoke it all up. The after taste will pleasantly linger as will the lightly stronger room note. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Four stars out of four.
As STG has changed the formula, I am posting a review of this version. The fermented Virginias provide a fair amount of tangy ripe dark fruit, a lot of earth, bread, and wood, mild sugar, some stewed dark fruit, mild tart and tangy citrus with some grass, a little floralness, spice, and very light acidity. They are the lead components. The very nutty, earthy, woody, lightly spicy and floral, moderately rugged, bold burley plays a strong support role, though its effect varies at times and virtually equals the Virginias at its peak. The perique is spicy, raisiny, figgy, and plumy with date overtones is a secondary player with a lesser effect than it had in the original production. Has a touch of licorice, prune and plum toppings, though they don’t sublimate the tobaccos. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste level is a step stronger. No chance of bite or harshness, and has few rough edges. The block will take some time to slice and prepare to your personal specifications. It’s moist and needs some dry time. Well balanced, it burns cool, clean and slow with a fairly consistent, deeply rich sweet, nutty, floral, spicy flavor that extends to the long lingering, pleasant after taste. The room note is a notch stronger. Requires some relights, and leaves very little moisture in the bowl if packed with care, and dried a mite. Unlike the previous manufacture, this can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.
The Virginias are very earthy, bready and woody with a fair amount and variety of sweet fermented flavors: brown sugar, tangy dried and ripe dark fruits, light tart and tangy citrus, some floralness and stewed dark fruit as well as a little grass.They are the lead components. The perique is spicy, raisiny, figgy, and plumy with date overtones as a secondary player. The fermentation process enhances the inherent properties of the tobaccos and creates a harmonious mostly smooth, well balanced, deeply rich sweet, floral, spicy flavor from the first puff to the last. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste level is a step past the medium mark. No chance of bite or harshness, though it does have a few light rough edges. No dull or weak spots. Curly Block reminds me very much of the Murray’s version of Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls, except that this is sweeter and just a little smoother, with a shade less perique, and slightly higher floral note. Both have a touch of licorice, prune and plum toppings, too. The block (not plug) of tobacco will take some time to slice and prepare to your personal specifications. It’s moist and some may want to dry it first, though I find it works fine as it is, providing it’s packed a little loosely in the bowl. Burns cool, clean and very slow, requires some relights, and leaves very little moisture in the bowl if packed with care, so I suggest a little patience for the full experience of what it has to offer. Though you may have to stir the bottom ten percent just a little if you don’t use a wide bowl, you can smoke it all up. The after taste will pleasantly linger as will the lightly stronger room note. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. Four stars out of four.
As STG has changed the formula, I am posting a review of this version. The fermented Virginias provide a fair amount of tangy ripe dark fruit, a lot of earth, bread, and wood, mild sugar, some stewed dark fruit, mild tart and tangy citrus with some grass, a little floralness, spice, and very light acidity. They are the lead components. The very nutty, earthy, woody, lightly spicy and floral, moderately rugged, bold burley plays a strong support role, though its effect varies at times and virtually equals the Virginias at its peak. The perique is spicy, raisiny, figgy, and plumy with date overtones is a secondary player with a lesser effect than it had in the original production. Has a touch of licorice, prune and plum toppings, though they don’t sublimate the tobaccos. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste level is a step stronger. No chance of bite or harshness, and has few rough edges. The block will take some time to slice and prepare to your personal specifications. It’s moist and needs some dry time. Well balanced, it burns cool, clean and slow with a fairly consistent, deeply rich sweet, nutty, floral, spicy flavor that extends to the long lingering, pleasant after taste. The room note is a notch stronger. Requires some relights, and leaves very little moisture in the bowl if packed with care, and dried a mite. Unlike the previous manufacture, this can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.