Mike & Russ: The Mind Meld Virginia/Perique

The orange, red and stored Virginas offer a lot of citrus, fermented tangy dark fruit and earth, some stewed fruit, sugar, wood, a little grass and slight touch of floralness. They also sport a little of “vinegar” essence McClelland blends are famous for. The spicy, raisiny, lightly plummy Louisiana perique is a supporting player most of the time, and when it isn’t, it’s still an important condiment. The depth and richness of the Virginias occasionally tone down the perique just a mite. The strength and nic-hit are in the center of mild to medium, while the taste level is a little closer to medium than it is to mild. No chance of bite or harshness, and has no rough edges. Burns cool, clean, and slightly slow with a fairly consistent tangy sweet and lightly spicy flavor that translates to the pleasantly, slightly lingering after taste. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and needs a few relights if not dried. I don’t think it needs dry time. Can be an all day smoke that has a little more complexity, some of which are subtle, than some other blends in this genre.

-JimInks

Tiny ribbons of black and dark brown with just the faintest whiff of the matured Virginias that throw the "ketchup" folks into a tizzy. Came overmoist in the tin and benefited from some drying time to bring out the flavors. Did not need to be crispy - dry to the touch but still retaining its form was perfect.

Two things come to mind - again, this was indeed a melding of the minds, as this leaned neither towards the McClelland nor the Ouelette side, at least as far as I understand those sides. This would be a great blend to use in a blind test! Second, it was quite a little changeling in flavors, not just in a single bowlful but from pipeful to pipeful. At times it was a perique bomb, with a heavy but delicious spiciness. At other times it was a sweet stoved meditative blend. At other times it was an orange-rich crisp Virginia with a hint of both sweetness and spicy heat. It was nearly impossible to multi-task with this one, for fear I wouldn't notice the gradual color gradation before the big change. This one has everything I look for in a VaPer, if not as much of everything. Generally speaking, it's a milder, mellower blend that may not suit those who want a more robust flavor. In this one, the flavors come to you when they're ready... all 20 different ones! 🙂 This is what I'd expect coming from two expert blenders. Well done! Perhaps not a rotation maker but a 4 star blend all the way.

Not a big Perique fan; however this blend is too good to pass up. This blend is another tasty blend from two outstanding tobacconist. Open tin is a bright note of vinaigrette and grass. Burns very cool and lights easy. Tasty blend with grass and hay sweetness with a peppery kick from the Perique. This is simply a very tasty blend with a huge mixture of flavors that continue throughout the smoke. This is another outstanding smoke that anyone can enjoy.

The Virginias taste very much like Mike and Russ' Virginia ribbon. I think that's what it is with the addition of a little Red. The Perique amps it up with plenty of spice and some darker fruit. The stoved Virginias really smooth this out and provide a flavor not commonly found in VaPers. It's a very nice smoke that I could easily live with if it were the only VaPer available. I do have a few that I prefer over this, but it still rates 4 stars.

Body is medium. Taste is mild to medium. No added flavoring. Burns very well.

I was very disappointed in this. It is pretty bland, the perique flavor mild, and there is very little of the "tang" that I like from VAPERs. It burns well, I am not sure about the room note. The pouch smell is mild, there is a little of the "ketchup" smell mentioned so often about McClelland blends. The smoke is monochromatic. Nothing wrong here, just short of expectations given its pedigree.