Halav U'Dvash - Milk & Honey

Halav U'Dvash is a member of Cornell & Diehl's Hebraica series. The series grew out of blends prepared for Rabbi Ira Stone, a fan of burley, Oriental, and perique mixtures; Stone gave the blends their names using the language of Jewish tradition. The blend pairs a black-and-red Virginia cavendish base with burley and fire-cured Kentucky, joined by a small amount of perique and Oriental leaf; it is topped with a light honey-and-milk theme, and the cut is ribbon.

It comes out of the tin on the moist side and needs airing; smoked quickly, it can burn hot. As the smoke progresses the profile grows more complex, turning in the second half toward something reminiscent of spice cake. Thanks to the fire-cured Kentucky, nicotine runs above what's typical for aromatics; it suits those looking for a lightly flavored but full-bodied blend.