Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Seasonal Reserve Christmas Blend 2019

Seasonal Reserve is the 2019 edition of the Christmas blend within Gawith, Hoggarth & Co.'s limited annual seasonal series. It's made by combining bright flue-cured Virginia and fire-cured Cavendish Virginia with sweet sun-cured Burley leaf; according to the maker's description, the mixture is light and shows little tongue bite. The topping is built on a cherry-and-almond axis, with vanilla added for a creamy texture; a marzipan and fruitcake association stands out both when the tin is opened and throughout the smoke. Since it was produced in a limited run and withdrawn from the market once that year's edition sold out, it's found today only in old tins.