I got my package from Tobaccopipes.com today. Fast service and good packing.
I was a bit impatient, so I tried a bit straight from the tin, and even though the level of moisture masked the flavors, I could tell that this is using first rate matured Red Virginia. There's that ketchup tang and rotten tomato sweetness that matured aged Red has that no other Virginia leaf has. I put some out to dry for a few hours and the flavors just popped!
This almost brought tears to my eyes. With the closing of McClelland I thought that I would never see another new offering with that funky Red flavor profile. But this is older leaf, picked when hand picking was still happening, and of outstanding quality.
I'm not picking up much of the 17 year old Perique, but no matter, I can add from my own stash of it if I want more of a Perique presence. For me, this is easily the best Red Virginia release since McClelland closed up shop. It doesn't need a damned bit of aging, it's already aged. But a few years may meld the components.
Off to smoke another bowl.