Perique Mystique

[filmguerilla]

Sounds like you thought perique would taste smoky and, of course, that's what latakia tastes like (what's in Westminster). Perique has more of a fermented flavor that usually tastes like some combo of peppery and fruity (like plums, raisins, dates, etc). I love both!

 

[Eireprof]

Dubious. I’d guess you’re smoking a ghosted pipe.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I bought some straight Perique to smoke a while back, and it only confused me more.

 

[JBob]

straight Perique

Amen

 

[Pypkė]

I bought some straight Perique to smoke a while back, and it only confused me more.

My recent bowl of perique wasn't a pleasant enjoyable smoke. It wasn't oh so bad, but man is it strong. For me it is best as a supporting player in a blend. I usually mix it with inexpensive RYO tobaccos. I thought spiking Autumn Evening with a good 20-25% dose of granualted perique to be an improvement.

 

[anotherbob]

Somebody please rescue this flailing noob. I had come to a conclusion in this crazy world of tobacco roulette and was just about to bet my last nickel on number "perique".
Then holy wow I fall in love with a bowl of Westminster (zero perique) and go golly... Is it POSSIBLE that it's NOT perique I'm in love with after all. So I fire up a few VaPers (Bayou morning, etc) and go yeah it's good indeed, but not the end-all I had dreamt of.
Can anyone explain whats going on?
How can Westminster taste EXACTLY like perique to me? When it has none.
I'm trying to figure out what like.
Thanks

I'd say to me it sounds as simple as what you enjoyed that much wasn't the Perique. If I am honest I don't pay much attention to what the tins say and go more on gut feelings about blends. I read the tins I just don't put much stock in the descriptions.
Now to the even more speculative guesses I'd venture that it's the type or grade (color in this case) of Va that you liked the most. The lighter a Va is the more citrus like the flavor is and the darker the more bready and dark fruit it is.
Then tobacco does weird things when blended with other tobaccos. It's less additive and more alchemical.

 

[anotherbob]

Exactly. Maybe it would have been better to say: As a perique lover, I was surprised at the similarity of Westminster, and how much I enjoyed Westminster. How do I continue to explore why my attraction to Westminster that has no perique? Any recommendations for similar blends to Westminster?
I dearly appreciate your help!!!!!

Fun fact. They can put a type of leaf in a blend and not list it. Think of the leaf listed as not an ingredient list but as an advertisement. Or in other words while it probably doesn't have perique in that blend it's not impossible that it has a small amount. A lot of straight burly or straight Va for example can have tiny amounts of the other in them. And it can change from batch to batch. One of the reasons there are head blenders is that to maintain or try to maintain consistency some times the percentages need to be tweaked slightly. Or in other words I am explaining why I take descriptions with a grain of salt.
Side note I am a Bob J so I assume you're my bizzaro reverse i.e. your the clean shaven Captain Kirk to my goateed Captain Kirk (or other way around).

 

[anotherbob]

I bought some straight Perique to smoke a while back, and it only confused me more.

I assume you mean it had strong psycho active effects mainly dissociative or deliriant types of effects.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I assume you mean it had strong psycho active effects mainly dissociative or deliriant types of effects.

I wish! It reminded me of a chocolate brownie more than anything. I should give it another go.

 

[kcmontie]

Sometimes there is no logical answer.
Enjoy the blends you enjoy.
Until you don't - because that can happen as well.

This. Taste is so subjective. Throw in preference and mood. I would just enjoy that you enjoy westminster.

 

[JBob]

Throw in preference and mood. I would just enjoy that you enjoy westminster.

Well said. Thanks much

 

[JJonathann]

Somebody please rescue this flailing noob. I had come to a conclusion in this crazy world of tobacco roulette and was just about to bet my last nickel on number "perique".
Then holy wow I fall in love with a bowl of Westminster (zero perique) and go golly... Is it POSSIBLE that it's NOT perique I'm in love with after all. So I fire up a few VaPers (Bayou morning, etc) and go yeah it's good indeed, but not the end-all I had dreamt of.
Can anyone explain whats going on?
How can Westminster taste EXACTLY like perique to me? When it has none.
I'm trying to figure out what like.
Thanks

This happens more than you think. Sometimes blends like Westminster have Latakia or Orientals that give a spicy, tangy note similar to perique. It’s probably the flavor profile, not the actual leaf. Sampling single tobaccos can help you figure out what you really like.

 

[Briarcutter]

I like Perique very much. I always have a couple pounds straight jarred up. I thought it would be a good learning experience to try a bowl straight so I'd know what it was. It's good but over the last few years it seems to have changed. Last few pounds I bought seemed drier and brown,not jet black and oily like I use to get. I still have some whole leaf I purchased directly from Percy Martin. For me, smoking it straight was a good lesson on what it actually tasted like.