I decided to give the classic Virginia / Perique combination a while ago. I’ll review two blends I tried in this category: Peter Stokkebye’s Luxury Bullseye Flake & Savinelli Doblone d’Oro. The Bullseye Flake I’ve been smoking for a while, but the Doblone d’Oro was a free sample received with a Savinelli pipe.
PS Bullseye Flake
Preparation & Smoke:
This arrived with great moisture, and an interesting tin note. The spun cut tobacco came in large coins that reminded me of the big round bales of hay I’d see in fields growing up. There was also a bit of a sweet, hay smell in the tin (actually bag) and a topping of peppery perique. The appearance of the tobacco really made me want to smoke it. I rubbed the coins out: the moisture level was perfect, and the blend smoked without problem.
Flavor:
This was my first taste of a blend that showcased perique, and I was a tad underwhelmed. The only other condimental tobacco I had experienced was latakia, and I was expecting a similarly dominating flavor. The peppery flavor, though quite discernible, sort of floated on the top of a standard Virginia. The Cavendish center did make things interesting, as a hint of sweetness would pop through every once in a while.
Nicotine Level:
I did detect a bit of nicotine buzz during one smoke, but none otherwise.
Summary:
This was an enjoyable smoke, but I was looking for something a little more special for my first experience with perique. I’d hazard a guess it’d be a great all day smoke, but I’m an occasional smoker, so I tend to want a really flavorful, end-of-day smoke. This was a bit more bland than I expected, but I think it's unfair to expect a blend to conform to my ignorant expectations of what it should be.
Doblone d’Oro
The Bullseye Flake had almost put me off of purchasing more Va/Pers, as there were other blends I was more interested in. I bought a Savinelli pipe for my father, however, and when choosing a sample tin, the Doblone d’Oro looked the most appealing to me, so I figured I’d give it a go.
The fact that this was not such a straightforward Va/Per further aroused my curiosity—Burley and Dark Fired Kentucky should make for a complex smoke.
Preparation & Smoke:
Upon receiving the tin, I was pleasantly surprised that it was 100g and not 50g. I was even more pleasantly surprised when I opened it: here was the tin note I had been looking for! A deep raisin / fig / date aroma, with a backdrop of earthy Dark-Fired Kentucky, grassy Virginia, and nutty Burley. It was the kind of tin that keeps you coming back for another smell--shifting, chameleon-like, so that you never felt you quite digested its smell.
The tobacco was spun cut, but the coins were much smaller and looser—probably only about 50% still intact. The moisture level was on the dry side of perfect, but only slightly so. This blend also smoked without problem.
Flavor:
Again, this was more what I had been expecting with a perique blend. This was a very complex smoke, with flavors and aroma that matched the tin note: a figgy, earthy, grassy flavor. I smoked this with some friends after dinner, and it was a perfect end-of-day smoke for relaxing. My palate isn’t so refined, but I’ll quote Jim’s review, which I could not have written, but can concur with in retrospect:
Nicotine level:
Not like the ropes I smoke, but surprisingly stout. It must be the perique effect everyone talks about, coupled with the Dark-Fired Kentucky.
Summary:
I was very pleasantly surprised by the Savinelli [MacBaren] blend: I had read several bad reviews of it, and would have never even tried it had I not been offered a free tin, but it was one of the more enjoyable smokes I’ve had. The only bad thing about it was its slight dryness—it was perfect out of the tin, but for storing, I think I might want it a tad wetter just to avoid having to rehydrate if moisture level dropped a little further.
PS Bullseye Flake
Preparation & Smoke:
This arrived with great moisture, and an interesting tin note. The spun cut tobacco came in large coins that reminded me of the big round bales of hay I’d see in fields growing up. There was also a bit of a sweet, hay smell in the tin (actually bag) and a topping of peppery perique. The appearance of the tobacco really made me want to smoke it. I rubbed the coins out: the moisture level was perfect, and the blend smoked without problem.
Flavor:
This was my first taste of a blend that showcased perique, and I was a tad underwhelmed. The only other condimental tobacco I had experienced was latakia, and I was expecting a similarly dominating flavor. The peppery flavor, though quite discernible, sort of floated on the top of a standard Virginia. The Cavendish center did make things interesting, as a hint of sweetness would pop through every once in a while.
Nicotine Level:
I did detect a bit of nicotine buzz during one smoke, but none otherwise.
Summary:
This was an enjoyable smoke, but I was looking for something a little more special for my first experience with perique. I’d hazard a guess it’d be a great all day smoke, but I’m an occasional smoker, so I tend to want a really flavorful, end-of-day smoke. This was a bit more bland than I expected, but I think it's unfair to expect a blend to conform to my ignorant expectations of what it should be.
Doblone d’Oro
The Bullseye Flake had almost put me off of purchasing more Va/Pers, as there were other blends I was more interested in. I bought a Savinelli pipe for my father, however, and when choosing a sample tin, the Doblone d’Oro looked the most appealing to me, so I figured I’d give it a go.
The fact that this was not such a straightforward Va/Per further aroused my curiosity—Burley and Dark Fired Kentucky should make for a complex smoke.
Preparation & Smoke:
Upon receiving the tin, I was pleasantly surprised that it was 100g and not 50g. I was even more pleasantly surprised when I opened it: here was the tin note I had been looking for! A deep raisin / fig / date aroma, with a backdrop of earthy Dark-Fired Kentucky, grassy Virginia, and nutty Burley. It was the kind of tin that keeps you coming back for another smell--shifting, chameleon-like, so that you never felt you quite digested its smell.
The tobacco was spun cut, but the coins were much smaller and looser—probably only about 50% still intact. The moisture level was on the dry side of perfect, but only slightly so. This blend also smoked without problem.
Flavor:
Again, this was more what I had been expecting with a perique blend. This was a very complex smoke, with flavors and aroma that matched the tin note: a figgy, earthy, grassy flavor. I smoked this with some friends after dinner, and it was a perfect end-of-day smoke for relaxing. My palate isn’t so refined, but I’ll quote Jim’s review, which I could not have written, but can concur with in retrospect:
The Virginias are naturally citrusy sweet, grassy with a little earthiness. I taste a little honey, too. The dark fired spicy, woody Kentucky is an important player, adding some flavor depth and strength. There is a fair amount of raisiny, peppery perique that plays well with the Kentucky spice as it tingles the tongue. You'll want something to drink while you smoke it.
Nicotine level:
Not like the ropes I smoke, but surprisingly stout. It must be the perique effect everyone talks about, coupled with the Dark-Fired Kentucky.
Summary:
I was very pleasantly surprised by the Savinelli [MacBaren] blend: I had read several bad reviews of it, and would have never even tried it had I not been offered a free tin, but it was one of the more enjoyable smokes I’ve had. The only bad thing about it was its slight dryness—it was perfect out of the tin, but for storing, I think I might want it a tad wetter just to avoid having to rehydrate if moisture level dropped a little further.