It’s not Edgeworth, of course. Nor is it intended to be. It is cube cut Burley, like Edgeworth. (Really though, the cut of Edgeworth was only occasionally cubed. I’d be more inclined to describe it as “haphazard”). And, like Edgeworth, it’s got a little added flavoring. But it’s not the same flavoring. Peretti’s 333 is its own beast.

I’ve never been an especially big fan of cube cut tobaccos because, more often than not, I find them to be more trouble than they’re worth. I usually find them difficult to light and keep lit. But I have to say that this is a first rate and thoroughly delicious Burley. It’s also the most scoopable tobacco I know: scoop out the cubes and then garnish with some fine dust for kindling. The challenge with any cube cut blend, is achieving and then maintaining a suitable burn rate, and because of this challenge, I find my experience with 333 to vacillate between sublime and enervating. It’s not a very good tobacco while I’m working because who wants to fuss while working? But it’s a fine thing to smoke when it can receive appropriate attention.

Once I do get a got burn going, I’m treated to a high quality Burley topped with a mild aromatic agent (someone here suggests deer tongue, which I can buy, since I was thinking vanilla). It’s a moderately sweet smoke, and that’s impressive given that straight Burley can occasionally be a little astringent on the palate. Whatever adornments are in 333, however, in no way compromise the experience of a subtle, delicious, high quality, throw-back Burley. When my Edgeworth is gone, this may well be its different, but equally enjoyable, replacement.

Burleys are very peculiar things. Often simpler is better. Ultimately I'd rather go for CH or PA just because they are so easy to smoke. Nevertheless this is a good old American Burley blend that you have to try.

Dark brown, lightly moist smallish cubes with a fair amount of even smaller granulated tobacco. Naturally sweet almost fermented pouch aroma. Really great.

Just scoop it in the bowl, barely tamp, and give it a light. I can almost hear The Glen Miller Band in the background. Plain good old fashioned Burley in the finest tradition. No bitterness at all. Burns clean and very dry all the way down the bowl.

A top flight tobacco from a time long ago . . . when going to the drugstore meant having a chocolate malted at the counter. Do try it if you are a Burley fan or just want to take a trip in a time capsule.

333 is a cube cut burley made up of medium to dark brown pieces with a sweet pouch aroma that suggests some kind of topping, although it is not quite as as apparent in the taste. The cubes couldn't be easier to pack, just scoop the pipe full, tamp down slightly, and light. I usually tamp and do a second light, more out of habit than anything else. The first third of the bowl exhibits a spiciness unlike any other burley I have tried to date. There is also a typical burley nuttiness in the background that soon moves to the forefront, although the spice is still there. There is a slight bitterness that peeks in after half bowl, and gets a bit stronger as the cubes burn down. The smoke ends with gray ash in the bottom of the bowl.

I tried #333 in several pipes, including two Petersons, one bent and one straight, a Stanwell brandy blast, and a Boswell bent. It seemed to smoke about the same in all of them.

Scores for Peretti #333; taste- 17 of 20; lighting and packing-10 of 10; value- 7 of 10. That adds up to 34 points and a high **** ranking.

This blend packs easy, just dip your bowl and scoop, tamp with the thumb and strike a match. This cube cut burly smokes smooth and cool and has a fairly full flavor. Try a seasoned cob with 333. Puff easy burly tobacco can render some heart burn or a sour stomach if smoked in haste. This blend will be part of my normal rotation due to its superior burning qualities and taste. If you enjoy non or sparsely cased blends this is worth a try.

What more can be said. Cool burning, smooth, and just plain yummy!

A gentlemen at Peretti's once told me that the difference between # 333 and their BPC Blend is so slight, most cannot distinguish one from the other. Posessing a tongue jaded and coated by 35-years of pipe smoking, the distinction between the two is very easy for me to make. I very much prefer # 333.

Another reviewer noted a similarity between this and the OLD Iwan Reis Three-Star blends, and indeed a hint of Three-Star Blue is detected in the side stream...but only a hint. Peretti, as ever, has a Burley blend here that is uniquely its own.

This is a "no-brainer" in the best sense of that term. One can savor it, or ignore it; smoke it slow or fast, tamp it or not...and still it gives a great smoke.

I have no complaint about # 333 except that it is so consistent. Quite often one's greatest virtue can be his fatal flaw as well. Here, that flaw is by no means fatal...just enough to keep it from unqualified stardom.

Easy to pack, light, and snow white ash... nothing better. Get the pound, I did.

Four of five stars