Bleeker Street: The "Danish Thrift" got pulled out of the rack this time, I just polished the stem on it so shiny and black, it practically doesn't reflect light--my final initial test of Pipeworks & Wilke stuff, the solid aromatic I chose. One thing has occurred to me with aromatics: there's really good ones made from good tobacco and casings (or mixed of such things) and there's aromatics that only stand by flavoring alone. I've had three Pipeworks & Wilke aromatic blends now, and while different, I can tell it's the tobacco that differentiates them rather than the flavors exclusively. The flavors add accents rather than take over the whole situation--which I like! Bleeker Street is said to be "...an exotic blend of Virginias and a unique Black Cavendish which is mixed with the flavors of honey and nuts..." and I cannot disagree. A drier smoke than most aromatics (thank goodness), the Virginia in it comes out light and bright, with the Black Cavendish playing like a subtle muted jazz horn in the back. There's a blueberry tartness in the aftertaste and nose, making this like a "light cobbler" experience (which goes for the room note opinions, too). Sweet factor is a 4 (on 1 - 10 scale), nuttiness a 3 (1 - 10 again) and all with a good presence. This is a much more dynamic blend (as compared to the 191) likely because the fewer ingredients lend well to speak for themselves. Just about the maximum end of the sweet spectrum I can handle and still say I'd get it again--very much a good, simple and sophisticated aromatic.
