F.J. Burrus S.A. D&R Picayune

Make sure your affairs are in order, remain seated and wear clean drawers. This tobacco deserves respect but gives back much in return. Full flavored and without additives this is pure smoking pleasure for those who enjoy the strongest of the strong. The blender's interpretation of the old and now unavailable blend Picayune.

This select blend with Virginia Tops, Dark Air Cured, Orientals and Perique covers the gambit propelling Picayune to an unparalleled height in satisfaction. There are some Twists and an old fashioned Burley I've had that might give Picayune a run for sheer strength but none share the balance and sophistication.

I enjoy Picayune daily but would only recommend it only for lovers of the strongest blends. It's strength will literally overwhelm most smokers but it's sophistication and balance will reward those with the experience to enjoy the most intense of tobaccos.

You want to smoke a cigarette with this stuff? By all means! Picayune comes in a fine shag and little moisture in the tin, perfect for rolling papers. It is composed of dark reds, with errant strands of the Perique's blackened leaf hidden deep within the darkened range of colors. The tin note reveals a robust, earthy scent, somewhat tangy, and smokey, similar to a pouch of Levi Garrett or any other variety of chewing tobacco.

Perique and Samsun? Sounds like an interesting combination, which was my primary motive in picking this one out, that and the purported strength of the blend, which some have described as intolerable.

This is, by far, the most cigar tasting pipe tobacco blend I have smoked--the flavor is almost identical to that of a strong maduro. I say that having smoked a few bundles of Consuegras from JRs (don't judge me), which is a bit strange, as the blend does not purport to have any cigar leaf, nor even account for that sort of flavor profile. It's an odd smoke when I consider that the few cigar blends I have tried do possess actual cigar leaf, and yet haven't gone any further insomuch as a suggestion of a cigar. Perhaps the inclusion of Latakia in such blends has muddled the character, I can only suppose. Even stranger, the Oriental leaf comes through, to add even more complexity and spice.

The strength is certainly strong, in my opinion, nothing far over the top, if compared to some of the ropes out there, but the blend is so rich in flavor that it would be best smoked by most people in a smaller bowl, and one in which you'd rather isolate what ghost this will obviously impart.

I have never tasted a pipe tobacco like this, and the novelty is full of charm, though likely an occasional smoke, given the described properties. I cannot imagine anyone with the fortitude to make Picayune a regular cigarette--for what purpose does this blend exist other than to test our resolve? Be warned, the strength builds, to the point that I am now wishing for one of those ropes...to put me out of my misery. I'm sorry, I had to put the pipe down. I need a drink.

I ordered 14 oz. of Picayune. I like D&R tobaccos and wanted to "punch up" my base of Kentucky Select. Wow. I first tried it half and half--and got the jolt of a lifetime. Picayune is NOT for the faint of heart. To my mind, the perique dominates. The oriental flavor does come through but is not prominent. This tobacco is a tangled ribbon cut, very nice, and it pulls apart easily. The moisture content is just about right. Picayune packs very nicely, does not need relighting, and burns evenly. As I mentioned, I got this to beef up the nicotine in my blend, not for any subtleties. I now make it 25% of the mix, and it is plenty strong enough for me (and I like nicotine) at that level. The 14 oz. will last me quite a while. This is a very good, solid tobacco for the purpose to which I put it, and I highly recommend it.