Dark Air Cured Tobacco, 1 lb

I was baffled at first when I opened the bag. Had a weird smell. I removed the stems, which was very easy to do, only to realize that the smell came from the stems, it hadn't transfered to the leaf. I ditched the stems and the smell I initially got was gone. Smell was typical to air cured. There was zero mold on the stems and they were in amazing shape, kinda folded on each other exposing the middle stem. Once the stems gone the tobacco has a strong aroma of something that reminds me leather or dates. Burns well and add a dryness to the smoke. It also packs a punch of nicotine. Wow! I added 20% to my first batch and was actually too much. Used with moderation this leaf transforms completely a Virginia based blend. Adds nicotine, throat hit and overall strength. A pound of this leaf will last awhile. I started adding it to some to the leftover commercial tobaccos I had left and it made them better and more satisfying.

After shredding and storing in a mason jar for a few months, this tobacco took on an amazing chocolate aroma. Very pleased with it as a nice flavorful blend component to even out acidity of Virginias or some orientals.

The description of high in nicotine is not an exaggeration. Probably the strongest I have come across. Pretty strong in taste also. A little goes a long way. I have only used this in pipe blends thus far. When received the leaves were thin and sticky. It wasn't until a few days after removing the mid-rib until the leaf thickened and took on a gummy character. Provides a solid bottom end for blends that are too light.

This stuff is strong for me. As a smoker of pipe tobacco Latakia blends mostly this will make a great blender in small quantities. Glad I tried it thanks.

Very good quality, just got it today, prepared it for Swedish snus, it will be a week before I can try it, but I'm very happy with this product so far