A new blend for me, and a unique VA/per that is made up VA, burley, black cavendish, and a "generous" amount of Perique. No question, the perique is noticeable immediately in this for me, a plus in my book. Every bowl so far I have rubbed out the broken flake/cake pieces, and let them air dry for about fifteen minutes before packing. It does feel a bit moist straight from the tin for me. The label suggests a number of flavors including fruits, cocoa, walnuts etc., and while there are definitely some of these ideas present they tend to be difficult to pick out as individual concepts. Often true for me with cakes/flakes etc. that have been pressed to marry the tobaccos, and toppings together. I would not say they become singular, but more complex as a whole...which is probably the point. There is also a dark rum flavor thrown in the mix according to the description. The dark fruit tones/notes are easy to pick up, and enjoyable. They mix with what I assume is the rum, making an excellent main profile of this blend. Had I smoked it blind, I would not have said there was a rum flavor to it, but I believe it lends something to the sweeter aspects of the smoke. I did not get any of the nutty from the burley, and it is not as peppery as other perique blends I have had previously. I expect the cavendish is a major player in smoothing this blend out into what it is. It is a rich smoke, and while the flavors to me are subtle enough I would not pick them out as individual concepts, they combine in a way that is very full, and well rounded. This blend may be a bit strong on nicotine for some, again for me that is a plus. Most blends I find a bit lack luster in the vitamin N department. Even those that rate say 3/4 for strength on popular sites I often smoke in the morning with coffee, before breakfast...years of Skoal/Copenhagen products will do that. Another huge plus was zero evidence of tongue bite, and not one I felt like I had to have a beverage nearby at all times. No comments on room note, since I smoke outdoors, but what I can offer is that my wife enjoys the tin aroma on this, and has zero complaints about the so called "beard note" after I smoke it. Since the tin came as bonus for buying the pipe, and it is all I have smoked it in it. I plan to make this a dedicated Windjammer pipe for the existence of this tin to see if there is some other magic I have yet to uncover in doing so. I have never been one to dedicate a pipe to a single blend, although some are reserved for English etc., but when an opportunity presents itself, why not. For science, and all? The pipe is Vauen, rusitcated bowl with a military mount stem. It is an acrylic stem. fit, finish and drilling on this are on point, with no filter, or adapter installed, it smokes great, and runs a pipe cleaner all the way through with no issues.
