PipesMagazine.com was the exclusive media to see the advanced unveiling of the new Decade Series Perique Tobacco before it was announced to anyone else - a day in advance of the actual media event. On Saturday March 20, 2010 L.A. Poche Perique Tobacco celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Curtis Hymel, their Operations Manager’s service to the company. All the tobacco press was invited. However, a day earlier, on March 19, PipesMagazine.com owner, Kevin Godbee got an advanced tour of the factory and a preview of the announcement to come the next day.

Perique is a unique and rare type of tobacco that comes exclusively from one small swath of land near New Orleans. It is used as a "condiment tobacco" to make nearly a hundred different brand name pipe tobacco blends from around the world. It’s existence has been in jeopardy more than once, first in the late 1990s and then in 2005. It may have become "extinct". In 2005, the L.A. Poche Perique Tobacco company was purchased by Mark Ryan, and a new era for Perique began. This tobacco has an intriguing history, and it adds a delectable nuance to many different blends. We sat down and chatted with Mr. Ryan recently so he could tell us the story of Perique tobacco.