August 2019 - BOM - Newminster Blackberry Brandy

Blackberry Brandy...one of my favorites, since Josh brought me some...loved it at first puff..taste is exceptional, room note is the same as it smells in the tub (my tub)...not the typical aro in that it is not goopy, nor does it leave any mess in the bottom of the chamber. All in all I rate it a 10...right next to butternut burley...both are my morning and evening blends...great in a cob or a briar...haven't tried it in a meer yet, but plan to.

Hey, I can actually participate this month. I have continuously forgot to order all of the other ones. This is one of my favorite aros. That's not saying much since I dont really care for aros. Or does it say something because I actually smoke it?!

It's nice and mellow and doesn't leave a puddle in the bottom of my pipe. Unlike most of the fruit aros that I've tried, this one didn't taste fake and funky.

When I want it boosted a little, a little Dark Plug goes well with this one

Dark Plug...that was what it was that I was missing...thanks, Josh...I knew there was something that I wanted to add to it...and that was it!!

It's available tinned or bulk. I havent tried the tinned version. I'd imagine it's the same, but in my experience tins tend to be more moist than bulks.

I’ve had this blend in my cellar since the beginning of the year and took the past two days to have a few bowls to remind myself of my thoughts on the blend.

It’s an aromatic of course and smells heavy but oddly enough doesn’t smoke as heavy as it smells. It also isn’t goopy like one might think it will be based on its smell. I have a few other that are like this and its nice as many aromatics with a heavy tin note can be just down right sloppy.

The first light is the best, the flavors all come through and its just a delight. It’s sweet and tasted like dessert with a smell in the air much the same. Smoking around those who don’t smoke, this is one of those non-offensive smokes unless any kind of smoke in the air offends.

To describe the taste and smell is not really for me honestly but the best I can say is fruity, kind of summer-like but also holiday season-like as well, least in my opinion. I truly think the name of this blend fits what is going on here.

Sadly for me, I find the best of the bowl is the first half. The third quarter it becomes more of a shadow of what it was and last quarter is just not for me. Tasteless and bad and just not good at all. Bitter maybe but just not good and thus I toss that last quarter. It’s the same in any pipe I’ve smoked it in.

Ghosting, none that I’ve seen. I’ve had aromatics ghost a pipe for me. Dan Tobacco’s Devils Holiday and Cult Blood Red Moon are two that come to mind. Heavy aromatics that will ghost a pipe with just one bowl. Newminster’s Blackberry Brandy on the other has not ghosted any pipe. At least not that I can detect. Right after a smoke sure, one can smell some it but with a rest period of twenty four hours there really wasn’t anything for me to notice.

Again, its an aromatic and as such is truly divisive. If you like aromatics then you might like this. If not, then its probably not for you or maybe its one of the few you might be OK with. Nothing written or spoken can tell a person truly if a blend is for them or not.

Personally I like it and have no problem keeping it around. I find it also works well mixing with some other blends like a burley or Virginia to make for a light aromatic experience. Another fun mix is a 50/50 blend with Solani Festival. To me that’s a sweet Christmas smoke right there.