Amsterdam::Day 1 – Walking round in cirlces & Cigarettes (April 12th 2011)

Wanting to land for 9am seemed like a really good idea at the time. Having to get a bus at 4am, wasnt a great start. After a quick flight, and an even quicker train journey we arrived in Amsterdam city centre. Bang on 9am and we cant book in untill 11:30am.  Well armed with bags, we headed round Niewmarkt. As always when i visit anywhere, i started looking for tobacco.

The first shop i found had a good selection, mainly cigarettes and rolling tobacco. I hit the gantry like a mad man. Heres my first purchase of the day. American Spirit Green (0.8mg Nic), American Spirit Orange (0.3mg Nic), Camel (Blue) Zware Shag HRT(Hand Rolling Tobacco), Camel (Yellow) Original HRT, Lucky Strike (Blue) “Volle Smaak” & Drum (Light Blue) Blauw HRT. Not a bad selection, i have had the Camel yellow HRT before. Later (like 5 mins) we passed another shop. I had to go in…….more cigarettes and cigars. This time i picked up, 24 x Chesterfield Blue, 24 x Gladstone (Red) Classic Flavour, 20 x Camel Natural (Lights) & some Oud Kampen- Cigarill Elite. All in all spent over 60 euros on just this.

After some faffing we ened up waiting until 4pm for the appartment to become ready. We had some food in and around the square, in which time i got chance to try some of my purchases.

American Spirit Green

Now when i first saw these, i instantly thought MENTHOL! But deep down, i had a feeling that reaction was wrong.  By looking at the figures on the side, they seem to be the same as the Yellows (UK). They smoke much like the American Spirit, very smooth and light. The Virginia blend, produces a sweet almost caramelised flavour. Could do with a little more strength,  but then again its a light cigarette.

With the Dutch operating a sate chosen price, the price is printed on the packs.

Tar – 7mg
Nicotine – 0.8mg
Carbon Monoxide – 8mg
Cost – 5euro

I also gave the Camel natural a whirl, now i dislike 95% of cigarettes, i cant stand the fusty, bitter chemical taste. Not sure if most cigarettes are flavoured to be like this but these taste like any other cigarette. So i wont review them, if you like Camel and Luckies then try them. If you dont, leave alone.

Oud Kampen – Cigarillo Elite

I have heard of these before, like an idiot i dont have my Rudmans Pocket Guide. I cant find anything about them on line either, so im going to take a guess on this one. Wrapper is Sumatran, its looks like dried lime motor and smells divine. After smoking one im going to put some Java and maybe Cuban-seed.

The pack boasted 65% Humidity, so when i split the seal i was shocked to see just cigars in a card box. There is a small strip of cedar behind the cigars, im not knocking the claim. The cigars are soft, but not spongy. They smell like good Dutch cigars, but very rich. The Petit Nobel, are the closest, i can put these on looks and aroma.

The light was easy and those first few draws, tasted light and of sweet cedar. The moisture content really showed, cool and smooth. The cedar strip combined with the Sumatran leaf, made for an amazing combination. As this little cigar progressed a coffee hint came into and blossomed into a peppery, rich explosion. By the end, the cigar was strong and very vicious. Lots of pepper, spice but still the coffee & cedar.

A great little cigar, if you like La Paz or Nobel Petit Blue the Oud Kampen are up your street, if you like em smooth and mild stay away.

More to follow after the break.