[Sawyer]

Last night on the way home from work I finished off the bowl of GLP Fillmore I had started on the way in to work. I was hoping this blend would grow on me but it just doesn't seem to have the characteristics I want in a good VA/Per. It is kind of harsh and seems like maybe the perique overpowers the VA a bit too much. I do get some 'meaty' like flavors from this blend, but they are not enjoyable to me. It is pretty spicy, especially when DGTing.

When I got home I had a shipment waiting for me from SmokingPipes. Opened up the PS Luxury Bullseye right away and folded and stuffed 2 coins in my Stanwell Bent Bulldog. It has a nice sweetness that hit right away from, my guess, the cavendish center. The perique seems to be pretty light but you can tell it is there. The blend on a whole does seem to be a bit 'grassy', but I guess I like that because I did really enjoy the smoke. This stuff may be my bulk VA/Per of choice. It won't dethrone Escudo as my standard for VA/Per though.

I also got a few tins of Balkan Sasieni as that was the new tin on the site last week. Popped open a tin and the aroma was wonderful. Smokey and sweet. The tobacco is packed tight in the tin and was slightly on the dry side, just how I like it. This stuff burned wonderfully, if a bit quickly, down to a nice white ash. No relights and it stayed even throughout the smoke. Huge plumes of smoke with that great oriental/latakia mixture. It is hard for me to describe flavors in English blends, I just know when it is to my liking. This is a winner. I will have to have a few more bowls to see if it can dethrone Odyssey as my favorite, but it definitely is up there with it.

Packed another bowl of the Balkan Sasieni for the drive to work today. I have the same sentiments today as well. This is a really nicely put together blend that packs well and smokes easily.