2 Item(s)
2 Review(s)
A Jameson
September 26, 2023
Shockingly Good!
I bought this one on a complete whim, and I am VERY pleased with it.
On opening the tin, I was initially hesitant, as the floral aroma is STRONG in this one. Advice to those who decide to try it: don't dive nose-first into the tin as soon as you open it - if you do, you are going to have a bad time. That said, if you keep a little distance and let the tin breathe for a few seconds, it is an extremely pleasant floral aroma.
Physically, as it is XQS, I was prepared for slightly under-filled pouches that are a bit on the dry side, but they went all-out with this one. They're fuller and (apologies) moister than usual (more toward the Tropical, in terms of size and moisture level, than Citrus Cooling or Fizzy Cola), so I was immediately in a more positive mindset as soon as I saw that.
However, appearance and aroma are tertiary, at best, compared to flavour and mouthfeel. Fortunately, XQS has a real winner here - upon lip placement, this flavour really comes to life! The opening impression is purely floral, as the pouch enters one's mouth en route to the lip. I will confess I was braced for regret, in that moment.
Fortunately, though, it turned out to be an aroma-impression - as soon as the pouch is placed, the flavour pops, and there's a lovely lime-tinged citrus essence pinned up against the lightly astringent white floral note of the elderflower, all floating on a bed of a mint-adjacent cooling sensation (I'm reasonably certain it's the same "cooling" they use in the XQS Citrus Cooling flavour). It is refreshing in a manner similar to an iced citrus green tea, and I, for one, and 100% here for it.
All-in-all, this flavour really knocked my socks off. It's incredibly unique, but still accessible for those who want a different experience, without going too far out of the "safe zone" of fruit+mint.
Unreserved 5/5. I hope to see more like this from XQS in the future.