The red Virginias are pronounced in this one, making for some bite, particularly in the first third of the bowl. As the reds settle down, the Latakia becomes more pronounced. But the harmony of this blend seems lacking. When compared to a Balkan with Perique (Frog Morton on the Bayou, SPC Plum Pudding), it falls short. When compared to a hybrid Va//Bur/Per such as Haddo's Delight or Acadian Perique, it falls short. Compared to a Va/Per/Oriental such as Cairo, it falls short. The only audience for this tobacco to which it could be recommended (and it's a stretch) would be lovers of H&H Freight Train who also want to taste some Latakia in the blend.

Contrary to the tin description, this blend smokes hot (especially in the first half of the bowl) and definitely needs to be sipped slowly. About mid-way through the bowl, the blend seems to gel a bit as the ingredient tobaccos struggle to reach some form of harmony. But it just doesn't come together for me until the bottom third of the bowl where some compromise among the tobaccos seems to be reached. But it's short-lived. The finish, around the final quarter or tenth of the bowl, is flat. Overall, I find the Latakia gets in the way of the Perique, to the detriment of both. So much so that I find it hard to believe this is a 50% Perique blend (according to a reviewer below).

For Latakia lovers, there are much better blends. For VaPer lovers seeking something extra, there are much better blends. Not sure what niche this blend is seeking to fill, but it seems a solution in search of a problem.

Two stars in deference to those who enjoy this type of in-your-face, red- forward, hot blend with a dash of Latakia.

From the first light it had a taste of cigarettes. I have never smoked cigarettes and have no wish to begin. The flavor settled down, though it remained noticeably in the background for the bowl. A unique "nutty" note showed through for the first 1/3 of the bowl and there was an earthiness that remained accompanying and complementing the "cigarette" qualities.

The next 1/3 of the bowl became a sweeter, though less enjoyable smoke. I blame it on vitamin "N" as the nicotine became overwhelming at around the 1 hour mark. The last third was emptied into an ashtray. I love my full English blends as well as some Virginias and have never had any problem getting through any other tobacco: this is the first.

Upon reentering the house (the front door is at the opposite end from the den) I was immediately hit by a smell that I would describe as stale cigarette smoke. Usually I have to reach the end of the hall before I am able to smell even the stiffest English blend. This is the reason for the "room note" rating. If you don't mind that smell, it is not overwhelming. If you prefer the smell of a pipe- it is.

I can not imagine this as an "all day" smoke and unless something drastic changes when it is aged and placed in a much smaller bowl I will not be reordering this blend. It was my love of Frog Morton on the town and the bayou that had me experimenting with a few C+D blends. (Come to think of it, perhaps I will see what this is like with a little Cuban cigar shredded and added to it; this blend seems as though it might lend itself to a little "tweaking" with a cigar...)

it did have a bit of heat and bite when i smoked it in a wide bowled pipe, but switching to a bulldog's conical bowl completely eliminated that problem-- seemed to get a fuller flavor in the 'dog also--a hint of nose tingle; a very earthy tobacco--believe i'll stash away a pound or two--

**UPDATE** at least I did when I smoked it a few times. After finishing the Tin, my pipe is very vinegarey and dull in smell. This tobacco actually bores me the more I smoked it. And the throat irritation never left. The burleys were a bit too much...as somebody else stated...it's similar to cigarettes...I couldn't agree more at this point. I won't be buying another tin or smoking again.

This blend takes well to certain pipes while in others it tends to be bland or bitey or just plain nasty. I have found it performs best in a tall (chimney), straight billiard. This tobacco is also quite picky about how you load your bowl. If you just "stuff it and puff it" you are not going to get a great smoke. If you take your time and dry it to perfection, rub it out well and uniformly then practice the Frank method it is worth the effort. The taste ranges from those found in a good Cuban cigar to figs and even burnt sugar.

This is a tobacco to savor with a stiff bourbon like Wild Turkey or Makers Mark. If you plan on just clenching and puffing, this ain't the stuff my friend. The nicotine kick is considerable even for die-hard pipers. DGT this a half-hour and you WILL get a nic-rush!

Component tobaccos are of good (not great) quality and the cut is a haphazard mixture so rubbing out to a uniform texture is logical.

All things considered, this is worth trying as all C&D tobaccos are, whether you like it is just a matter of personal taste.

The nicotine levels of this left me floored. The smoke left my throat irritated. The taste was mostly spice and reminded me of a harsh cigarette. This might be salvageable as a blending tobacco but I cannot see myself buying more than the 1-oz. sample I have. I usually like blends with a hefty amount of perique (Peterson Irish Oak comes to mind), but this takes it one notch to far.

If you are a cig smoker looking to switch to pipes bump this up one star - you MIGHT actually enjoy this due to the hefty nic-hit and the cig-like taste.

Nothing really wrong with this one. In fact, it's a stroke of genius to make a 50% perique blend that isn't overwhelming. The other tobaccos smooth out the flavor to the point where it doesn't seem as strong somehow. The taste is decent but it moves to the non-descript pretty easily and regularly as the bowl progresses. Just a trifle ill-formed. I basically enjoyed my time with it but won't buy more. It's even difficult to review - just can't find much to say about it, good or bad. It just sort of "is".

This ends my 9 blend C&D sampler pack, and it sure was a fun journey! C&D truly has something for everyone.

Updated: Find this blend boring and one dimensional. Not bad but I woundn't run out and buy another tin. Got this in a package of C&D English Blends...probably one of the least favorites. Reviewed in Hacker's book Pipesmoking and I agree it is mild. It must be the burley or the lack of latakia, but I don't find this blend anything special.

A number of other reviewers of Bayou Night have commented on its apparently strong hit of nicotine. It's all in the pH. As with cigar smoke, the high pH (alkalinity) of perique smoke allows dramatically more nicotine absorption through oral and nasal membranes than would a more acidic smoke, such as that from stoved Virginias. At the same time, by neutralizing the acidic bite of the other ingredients in a perique blend, the overall sensation in the mouth is that it is cooler and smoother.

So...here we have a tasty, (naturally) slightly sweet and fruity heavy (50%?) perique blend that is wonderfully cool and smooth to the taste, that will make you quite aware of its nicotine, and that will leave a lingering pungency in the room.

I consider Bayou Night a superb perique blend, but one that carries such an intense nicotine punch that it should be smoked more slowly than its satin taste would indicate, and that should perhaps be limited to a smallish bowl. Its latakia remains way in the background. The Turkish is hard to identify, since its acidic edge has been neutered by the alkaline pH. BUT...the pouch aroma of this blend sends me into throes of giddy joy.