The White Dog is comprised of various loose cut Virginias, and a small portion of a ready rubbed Virginia. The result is a light and sweet, yet spicy Virginia blend with a discreet spicy wood casing, which further emphasizes the natural character of this mixture, and gives it tension. White Dog is a great Virginia blend which leaves no wishes open.
The various ribbon cut Virginias offer a fair range of what you expect from those varietals: a fair amount of earth and wood, light grass and hay, a lot of tart and tangy citrus and deep dark stewed tangy fruitiness, and a minor spice hit from the bright Virginia. I also get a very light sugar hit. The “discreet spicy wood casing” has a mild to medium spiciness while the wood taste is lightly cedarish, and perhaps birch and an essence of pine needles, along with some smokiness. It mildly sublimates the tobaccos. The strength is almost medium, and the taste is just past medium. The nic-hit is a step below the strength level. Won't bite or get harsh, though it does sport a few small rough edges. Burns cool and clean at a moderate rate, though it does require a few relights, and I recommend a sipping pace for best effect. The well balanced, complex flavor is very consistent with a little creaminess from start to finish. Leaves very little moisture in the bowl, and the after taste lingers in pleasant fashion, as does the spicy room note. White Dog is closer to being a semi-aro without touching that demarcation line. Fans of sweet straight Virginias who like blends like Dunhill Flake and Capstan Yellow may find this to be a different twist in the same genre due to the spice level.
White Dog is one of those tobaccos Hans Wiedemann is and will be known for: It doesn't seem to fit into categories. I like English as well as aromatics depending on mood and daytime, so I was curious what a discreet spicy wood casing could possibly taste like.
Regarding the tin note I found myself searching for freshly cut pieces of wood/fir in the mix. It has a slightly sweet and at the same time smoky scent. The condition of the fresh tin, handling and lighting were flawless and easy. The aroma and taste reminded me of a forest fire, combined with natural sweetness of the Virginias and something very reminiscent of a freshly heated sauna… . It is a courageous move to throw a blend like this on the market and the quality is undoubted. Just not to my personal taste. I am glad to have tried it and will finish the tin, but not necessarily buy another one. I recommend White Dog to pipe smokers, who are curious about this kind of flavor and to those, who don't like traditional candy or fruit flavorings.
Wow, spicy and sweet at its best! I'm not a real aromatic smoker (not until this), but this is the best stuff ever tried in that land! Forget those aromatic tobaccos that leaves bite on your tongue, and a kind of chemical film for the rest of the day. It is pleasant as a University Flake pot, only with a zing. If you're curious about aromatics, but you're neither into citrus or vanilla taste, just try this out!
Oh my, where do I start? I would have to say this is the most unique blend I have ever smoked and I love it. Not something I can smoke everyday or even every week, but when I need a break from my usual Va and VaPers, I usually go for a high quality Esoterica or HU aromatic.
This blend tastes much different to me after 1+ years in a jar. When fresh, the wood flavoring and spice are very strong, especially the pine retro and room note. You can still taste the high quality Virginia varieties such as bright and red but the wood flavoring and spice are very noticable. I find this to be great in small to medium sized pipes. Too large a pipe can cause this blend to become a little overwhelming.
After it has had a chance to mellow this stuff becomes down right delicious! Beautiful sweet Virginia flavor, some spice and a much weakened wood flavor that goes so well with the leaf. The pine is almost non-existent to me now, almost.
Don't let the word aromatic scare you way from these HU blends. As has been said many times before, Hans is a genius, just pure genius and so is this one of a kind blend. Great in winter and during the holidays as it gives off a Christmas ( tree ) type aroma. If you can find some, pick it up.
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