Samsun & Delilah 2020

Samsun & Delilah is a limited-edition blend named after the Samsun variety of Turkish Oriental tobacco; the 2020 release is among the first pressings in this line. The structure rests on a trio of Virginia, Samsun Oriental, and black Cavendish. The Cavendish leaf is cut coarser and darker than the other components, giving the blend a distinctly mottled appearance.

On the smoke, the dry, herbal, lightly spiced character of the Oriental leaf stands out alongside the breadlike sweetness of the Virginia, while the Cavendish binds the two together with a dark, cocoa-leaning sweetness. On the retrohale there's a light red-pepper warmth and a sweetness reminiscent of stone fruit. Nicotine is moderate. Suited to those wanting an Oriental-forward blend that's nearly unflavored but carries a sweet edge.