Dark Oriental

Dark Oriental is among Wilke Pipe Tobacco's unflavored records that put Oriental leaf front and center. Turkish tobacco and Macedonian Prilep leaf take the lead role in the composition, joined by maduro cigar leaf and oven-dried bright Virginia. Though it contains no Latakia, the dark leaves' contribution produces a notable body and depth.

The flavor combines earth, wood, dry grass, herbal notes, a floral edge, dry tartness, tingling spice, and measured sweetness; the maduro leaf adds toast, cocoa, coffee, and dark-fruit traces. Body runs medium to full, flavor a notch more intense than that, and nicotine sits just below body strength. It burns cool and clean, needing an average number of relights. The room note is sharp. This is a blend aimed less at all-day smoking and more at experienced smokers who want to taste the Oriental character intensely.