Red Oriental

Red Oriental is among Wilke's Oriental-forward records. According to the maker's description, Turkish leaf governs the profile with earth, wood, floral notes, sourness, grass, spice, and a light buttery sweetness. It's joined by maduro cigar leaf, which brings toasted tones, cocoa, light coffee, dark fruit, and a touch of molasses to the smoke. Red Virginia carries the tart dark-fruit, bread, and sugar side, while the house's Royal Scot cavendish leaves a subtle vanilla in the background.

Above medium in both nicotine and strength, this is a blend with a pronounced sweet-sour and smoky character. The salty-spicy framework built jointly by the cigar leaf and the Oriental leaf suits smokers open to full-bodied, unusual profiles more than those seeking light bowls.