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Castro Brothers Portrait

Gage: This newly released, dense Latakia blend delivers a heady tin aroma. Offered by Maryland-based brothers Steve and David Castro, who sell mostly cigars through several shops and the Internet, it’s their first foray into pipe tobacco blending. It’s a very successful first attempt. It packs well right from the vacuum-sealed and dated tin, but it could be further dried if you like your tobacco that way. The mixture’s an evenly cut medium ribbon, with a lot of dark Latakia and Perique, and flecks showing two or three types of Oriental leaf.

Although it’s a heavy English blend, the Latakia, which is smooth, soft and of obviously high quality, doesn’t overpower the other components. The Perique, also of excellent quality, provides a pleasing nip. What really makes the blend is the sweet Oriental leaf—possibly Basma and Samsun, both very sweet and aromatic varietals. I detected no Virginia or Maryland leaf in the mixture, and none is advertised.

Portrait sweetens during the smoke, particularly if you puff a bit and give it an occasional rest. It works well in large or small bowls and burns to fine ash with little moisture exuded during the smoke. Its sweet-smoky character is reminiscent of some of the long-gone classics. With the vacuum-sealed tins, aging won’t do this blend any harm but it’s ready to go right now. I believe it’s available only through the company’s Web site www.cbcigars.com.