Definitely the roughest-going of the Manil line. Smoked as-is (dry & crispy) in a dedicated Brigham Father, Reserve Du Patron has the rustiest flavour of any tobacco I've tooted, with plenty of edge all around. It's incredible how different cuts of the same Semois results in different behaviours, mouth-feels, notes, etc. Fair warning to you pipers who adore the retrohale: this tobacco will grab your passage and pin it up against the wall of your throat. It's super spicy and almost brutal!
I'd say this one is the strongest of the line-up, but who knows what a little hydration might do! That might be heresy to the purists out there, but this is a rough smoke that makes me think it could use it... and I never had that thought of the other two cuts, nor the Robin blend. So, that should tell you something. I may give this a revisit after hydrating a bowlful.
Still recommended to those curious about this one-of-a-kind tobacco, that gorgeous Semois!
