Brief background: Pipe smoker since the mid-60's....big lapse....now back. If I had to rate favorite tobaccos of yore, it would be Balkan Sobranie 759, Dunhill 965 & Rattray Black Mallory. But that was then. This is now:
I tried the original SPC Plum Pudding last year & it was amazingly good -- great depth & rich complexity -- multi-dimensional -- I could differentiate the various tobaccos imbuing their individual sensory signatures (e.g. Latakia, the perique, the Virginias & Orientals. A medium-full, spicy, musty mixture that was never harsh from beginning to end. Essentially, a delicious blend. Of course, I thought the SPCPB Reserve would be even more satisfying. Well, another great smoke but, surprisingly, on initial impression, somewhat less flavorful & complex than the original. The cake was exquisite & the aroma was wonderful; hated to cut into it, but of course I did. Rather wet, so took several lights to get it burning evenly. It was an enjoyable smoke, but I was a little disappointed in the depth compared to the original. I didn't experience the nuanced complexity of the original non-reserve. In some ways milder, if that's what you're after. But I was looking for the Latakia spice & oriental/cavendish sweetness & it didn't quite come through for me; the perique wasn't evident. I'm going to let it age a bit & try again. Don't get me wrong, it's close to what I'd expected -- but so far, no cigar & not as wonderful as the standard Plum Pudding I'd experienced.
