Opening a tin of Visions of Celephaïs is like stepping through a portal into Kuranes’ dream city: at first, you’re unsure whether to be enchanted or cautious. The sweet, musky, and slightly vinegary aroma rises reminiscent of an ancient, fermented wine brewed in shadowed corridors of a dream city. A wisp of incense and exotic Kasturi leaf flits across your senses, while the blend of Red and Bright Virginias, Dark-Fired Kentucky, and Cavendish provides a smooth, complex base. The grape topping is unusual, maybe even startling at first, evoking a tangy, almost surreal sweetness. It can haunt the pipe and the room potentially leaving a ghostly presence to take up residence in your briar. I might suggest a new cob for this tasting venture.
I approached this blend hesitantly, unsure whether its bold aromatic character would suit me. Yet, once I loaded a churchwarden cob, it revealed its charm, an otherworldly balanced flavor inspiring contemplation and wonder. Visions of Celephaïs is not a daily indulgence, but is a rewarding curiosity, perfect for evenings when the mind is willing to wander and dream.
