Russ' Winding Brook

04 NOV, 2020 I opened the baggie that this sample came in; it reminded me of Pease's RAVENS WING. These are entirely different animals by nature but have similar characteristics. This is smoky, musty and strong from the Latakia. The Virginias and Orientals are very supportive in this blend. The melding of all the ingredients has produced a tobacco that is right up my alley. This is a strong tobacco no getting around that. I will be enjoying this as soon as the weather warms a bit. The Latakia is the predominant flavor component when first lit. This is a rich, woodsy, musty, very smoky flavored ingredient. I find the Virginias add a smooth sweetness underneath the boldness of the dark leaf and the Orientals add just the right amount of spice,

The flavor of Winding Brook was at first smoke, and still is many bowls later, much better than expected. Not overwhelming at all, it's joined the ranks of my go-to 'morning blends', and anytime-of-day latakia-forward English. Will definitely buy again.

i like it. Has a very distinctive flavor. Which sold me. No tongue bite. and a very good smoke.

Thought I was ordering an aromatic, This is definitely not. But overall a nice tobacco, It was pretty dry, that's my only real complaint.

This stuff is very good. To my taste it has a little more spice than MATCH MM 965 but not bad...if you were to buy in bulk I'd say buy which ever is cheaper WB or MMM965

By far my new fav of Russ’ Bulk Blends. Carefully purchased two ounces to start with on 5/1/19, received my order on 5/8/19 and a week later (with rationing) I’ve smoked it all. It’s a less Smokey more oriental forward Fiddlesticks, kinda what I really wanted after smoking Fiddlesticks for months. Great blend!

I purchased this out of curiosity and I had mixed feelings about the wisdom of my choice when I first smelled the tobacco in its bag. It reminded me of Plum Pudding but harsher on the nose. Smoking it was a pleasant surprise despite that first impression. The moisture level was perfect, it burns slowly and well and has a room scent that is hard to describe but very pleasant, I think the Virginia is just barely dominant. However thats offset by the other tobaccos of the blend and overall its more complex than it first seems and if anything gets better as it burns down. I tried adding some Captain Black Dark, just a pinch but though it worked out nicely, I'm no blender and frankly its best to leave well enough alone. An excellent smoke, I'd have added a star but I like to hold that in reserve for something truly exceptional, if it should happen to come along. On reflection I think this is better than Plum Pudding in the pipe.