Jim's RO Fire Storm Review.

The tangy, dark fruit sweet Virginias also have a touch of earth. The fire-cured mahogany Kentucky is a little woody with some spice and mild nuttiness. The perique is plum and pepper with some raisin notes. The spice flavor reminds me of cinnamon, though it’s more obvious in the first half of the smoke much of the time, you will feel its presence to the finish. The sweetness seems more obvious in the first half as well. I don’t think I’d say this blend gets peppery in the second half of the bowl as the description says so much as it seems to be a little less sweeter, which allows the spice to appear to be more prominent. Burns cool and well with no dull or harsh spots with pleasing consistency of flavor during and after the smoke. Won’t bite either, and you'll likely enjoy the spice tingle from beginning to end.

Nice review, Jim! I haven't smoked much with a cinnamon topping (outside of PS or Russ' Cinnamon Roll), but this sounds good.

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Nice review, Jim! I haven't smoked much with a cinnamon topping (outside of PS or Russ' Cinnamon Roll), but this sounds good.

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Actually, there's no cinnamon top-dressing in Fire Storm. That flavor is a result of the interplay of the components.

Russ

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Originally Posted by Blendtobac

Actually, there's no cinnamon top-dressing in Fire Storm. That flavor is a result of the interplay of the components.

Russ

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I stand corrected, but I swear it tastes like cinnamon. Of course, I swear too much as it is! :D

I'm always amazed at how different components play off one another. It's one of the things that makes my job so much fun. When I use a top dressing, I almost always mention it in the copy, unless it's something that's meant to be really subtle to support the natural tobacco flavors.
On the other hand, I understand why you would think that there's cinnamon in there because that's exactly what I tasted when I tried the blend the first time.

Russ

I wish you guys would stop talking about this because I'm trying to NOT ORDER more tobacco...

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Originally Posted by JimInks

I stand corrected, but I swear it tastes like cinnamon. Of course, I swear too much as it is! :D

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This is why having Russ around is a mixed blessing...he is a great resource for information and experience, but I'm always scared to review his stuff because I know I'll get called out. LOL.

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Originally Posted by Tobias Lutz

This is why having Russ around is a mixed blessing...he is a great resource for information and experience, but I'm always scared to review his stuff because I know I'll get called out. LOL.

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It doesn't bother me. Reviews are always opinions anyway. In this case, I'm not the only one who tastes cinnamon. Even Russ has, and of course, he knows this blend better than anybody.

I consider Jim a friend, and I know that he wouldn't be offended because he knows that I'm just trying to supply accurate info for my customers. It's not my intention, ever, to offend anyone by clarifying. You are free to move about the airplane.

Russ

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Originally Posted by Blendtobac

I consider Jim a friend, and I know that he wouldn't be offended because he knows that I'm just trying to supply accurate info for my customers. It's not my intention, ever, to offend anyone by clarifying. You are free to move about the airplane.

Russ

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Russ,

I hope I didn't imply that I was serious- I meant the comment as tongue and cheek humor. I've reviewed some H&H blends here, and I truly appreciate the way you take the time to pop in a share your knowledge with us. :)

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Originally Posted by Blendtobac

I consider Jim a friend, and I know that he wouldn't be offended because he knows that I'm just trying to supply accurate info for my customers. It's not my intention, ever, to offend anyone by clarifying. You are free to move about the airplane.

Russ

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Russ is right about us being friends, and also the importance of accurate information. I greatly prefer be corrected about disseminated misinformation rather than to let it stand. I've corrected others when they got something wrong, and I always hope egos aren't bruised when I have done it. Russ knows me well enough to know I would be fine about correcting me. Most of you don't know this - Russ does - but I worked in retail for fifteen years before becoming a writer and an artist. Because he knew that, he knew I'd understand with no problems.


@Tobias Lutz , I knew you weren't serious, but I'm glad the conversation was had so everybody understands.

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Originally Posted by Tobias Lutz

Russ,

I hope I didn't imply that I was serious- I meant the comment as tongue and cheek humor. I've reviewed some H&H blends here, and I truly appreciate the way you take the time to pop in a share your knowledge with us. :)

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Tobias, No offense was taken, I just wanted to clarify that I wasn't calling Jim out in any way. In fact, we had a chance to chat at the T.A.P.S. Expo this past weekend, and he knows that I just want people to know the whole story. I try to be transparent about what's in my blends because I don't want anyone to be negatively surprised.

Russ