a slight catch in the throat, much like dark fired. Tin note, it smells like tobacco. Just plain, dry tobacco. Like dry leaves. This is definitely a very "pure" tobacco and has many qualities to it. The smoke reminds me very much of smoking straight blending orientals. Different and good in it's own way. This leaf is very "earthy" in flavor, with ever so slight hints of an herbal quality - again, much like straight orientals. To my palate - it's quite like a cigar in many respects. Room note, again, much like a cigar. Initially it's just tobacco, an earthy cigar. As the bowl hits the half way point the flavors meld. The herbal notes come out more. And it mellows down quite a bit and sweetens just a tad near the bottom half. I cannot overstate the dryness of this tobacco - it took me aback. Strangely enough not only did it stay cool the entire bowl, but when lighting you could notice the oils in the leaf coming out - I figured any oils had long since dried out, but no they're still there. At my normal smoking cadence, which is probably too prodigious, it stayed lit, with only one re-lite at the 1/2 point, cool and dry. Only the slightest burley bite, negligible. Would this be an all day blend for me? No. Will I keep it on hand? Absolutely! After a day at work, having a bowl of this with a nice cup of coffee, well, it's quite relaxing. Very nice nicotine hit, it's not boring, but it's not a flavor bomb either. Though I said not an "everyday" smoke for me. Strangely enough, when the bowl is done, though I feel really satisfied, I feel myself craving another bowl of it. Get with a buddy or two and split a brick - it's worth the try. The price may preclude this. But I can see this very easily adding some heft to a iffy blend. I might try a little of it in a Latakia style smoke, see what it does. I think a little would go a long way. Read Less