Van Halteren Black and Mild

Van Halteren Black and Mild is a heavily cased, black-Cavendish-heavy aromatic from the Berlin house Planta. Double-fermented black Cavendish forms the blend's body; the vanilla, licorice-root, and ripe-plum notes layered on top are pronounced both in the tin note and the smoke. Nicotine is low, and the tobacco taste stays beneath the casing.

Reports indicate its moist structure calls for a slow, patient smoke, and drawing quickly overheats the pipe. It suits smokers used to black-Cavendish-based, heavily cased tobaccos, and those looking for sweetness over tobacco taste in aromatics; for those coming from English or straight Virginia blends, its character stays too sweet.