Fox & Hound
I was mildly afraid of the green and gold pouch that lay in my Altadis Sampler box. It was not an aromatic blend, but rather a traditional English style blend. I would pick it up and try to smell through the foil, and then reach for something with a vanilla aura about it. This began a familiar routine for me, until one Saturday morning I decided to do the unthinkable: to try it out. If I didn't like it, I could always seal it up and put it away, but I had to know what the mystery was to these English style blends. The formal description of it is:
A traditional smoke for the discriminating English smoker, this mix of Red Virginia, Turkish, Burley, Latakia and Perique is of medium strength and guaranteed to please.
I opened the pouch and took a great whiff - not a whaff like a good industrial hygienest would, but a full on whiff. My nasal passages were inundated with the smell of feet and leather, "This could not be good" I thought. I spread some of the package contents out, and calmly loaded up my pipe. I sat on the couch, closed my eyes and lit away. Immediately, I smelled a distant campfire. I got up and looked out the window to see where it was coming from, and realized the answer was sitting under my nose. This ws definitely interesting! I finished the bowl, my smile growing larger the entire time. "Hey, this is good stuff" I called out to the wife who opened the door and gave me a nonplussed look. "No really, this stuff is amazing!" I was hooked by that bowl and did something I never do: I immediately reloaded. Same pipe, no resting. This was magic, This was enjoyment.
Since that day, Fox & Hound has been a daily smoke for me, each time I enjoy it fully. A good deal on it can be found over at Mars, an e-tailler I whole heartedly recommend as well.
