Jim's H&H Viprati Review

[JimInks]

The variety of red Virginia is one of those that Russ Ouellette uses in Louisiana Red: rich, tangy sweet with an earth and dark fruit note. The other Virginias are a little grassy with mild citrus and touch of earth. The dark fired Kentucky is a supporting player, but its spicy, nutty and woody presence is felt in nearly every puff, contrasting nicely with the spice and plum from a healthy dose of perique. The perique level is a little higher than most Hearth & Home blends, but it does not overwhelm the other components. Well balanced, consistent in taste and burns clean and cool with no dottle, and nice after taste. It's strong enough in flavor and nicotine to please the senses, but, depending on your personal preference strength-wise, just manages to stay in the realm of an all day smoke.

 

[sablebrush52]

Thank you for another stellar review. I just picked up a couple of tins of this to try. I'm hoping that it does have some flavor as some blends are so delicate as to be nonexistent. Any suggestions regarding prep for smoking this one?

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for the review, Jim. A word of affirmation is in order: I hope you realize how much we appreciate

and depend on your write-ups. It takes a lot of effort to concentrate on a blend and translate the

experience into words. I read your review every time I consider a new purchase, and you've saved me

a good deal of expense and disappointment. You bring a lot to the forum and review sites. Thanks. :clap:

 

[JimInks]

Sablebrush: No prep time needed. I did think it a little dry, but Russ prefers to tin his tobaccos that way, which is to the benefit of the buyer. My personal preference for tobacco is that it has a little moisture (not too much, of course). If you are like me, that's the only suggestion I can make, except to light up and enjoy! :D
Cortez: I greatly appreciate your very kind words. I'm glad my reviews are of help to you. Thank you and Sablebrush, too!

 

[andystewart]

+1 sablebrush and cortez
I really appreciate your reviews and I'm so pleased that I've ordered tins of this!
Andy

 

[weezell]

Jim. A word of affirmation is in order: I hope you realize how much we appreciate

and depend on your write-ups.

Cortez, you are spot on! :clap: ...

 

[texmexpipe]

I too am thankful for Joms reviews. I wonder how this blend companies with Anniversary Kake.

 

[JimInks]

Texmexpipe: Viprati is not like Anni Kake, which is a favorite of mine. It has its own identity and flavor profile, and I imagine you'd like it. I thank you, Weezell, Rsuninv, and Andy for the compliments.

 

[sablebrush52]

This has become a favorite very quickly. The balance between the blend of Virginias, Kentucky and perique is such that they both support and highlight each other in a harmonious way that allows the components to brightly shine. At the WCPS I was treated to some nicely aged Escudo, about a decade on it, and this blend reminds me of that experience.

 

[zitotczito]

I picked up a couple of tins also. Not sure when I will get to trying it but I will consider it a diamond in the rough waiting to be found.

 

[andystewart]

I'm loving this blend, especially the extra spice from the additional Perique balanced on the underlying sweetness. Very happy.
Andy

 

[griffonwing]

Thanks Jim! I have now added yet another blend to my already-growing list to purchase after the holidays.

 

[JimInks]

Booker: thank you for the compliments. H&H also makes a few VaPers besides Viprati that I consider to be excellent, with varying profiles: Louisiana Red, Rolando's Own, and Virginia Spice, the latter of which gets very little attention on pipe forums. Since you like Anni Kake, you may want to try VS.

 

[davidintexas]

Hi Jim. I also love Anni Kake, and was wondering about Viprati. I have Louisiana Red but have not opened it, and also have Virginia Spice, but it's been awhile since I tasted it. Will have to revisit it. How would you compare Viprati to GL's Sixpence? I did not care for Sixpence the only time I tried it, but am going to revisit it about once every month here on out

 

[saltedplug]

Russ says on the P&C site that he made it for Viprati, but what I want to know is if Viprati likes it; also, how much P&C is paying him to use his name.

 

[pitchfork]

Sounds great. Wonder how it compares to Sixpence, which has similar tobaccos.

 

[crusher47]

Will have to add this to the cart

 

[unholy1]

What a welcome review. I had blind ordered a tin of this during my latest TAD purchase. Looking forward to cracking it.

 

[JimInks]

Viprati is a little red Virginia tangy sweeter, the spice is a little more plumy than peppery, and no dry notes like a few I experienced in Sixpence has. There's enough differences to separate them even though they are in the same genre.

 

[pitchfork]

Thanks for the clarification, Jim. I wasn't aware of this blend before today, but it sounds like a winner.