Bosphorus Red Devil

Red Devil is the blend Bosphorus founder Birol Salman considers his own masterwork. It is prepared by soaking red Turkish tobaccos and burley in wine, fermenting them, and then blending with perique; a very small mango casing is applied on top. The cut is ribbon, flavoring level medium. In the first half of the smoke, the tart grape taste from the wine and abundant spice lead; nicotine does not show itself much at first. Past the halfway point the tartness recedes, giving way to the Oriental tobacco's spicy character and a noticeable nicotine presence. Because of fermentation the leaves are moist, requiring brief airing before smoking.