Peretti 150th Anniversary Blend
(3.31)
The culmination of two years experimentation in blending, cutting, pressing and, of course, sampling, has produced a fine matured Viriginia that we trust you will savor for many years to come.
Notes: We begin using the finest middle-belt Virginias, including some rare leaf from the 2010 crop. We press the blended tobacco for up to six weeks to enhance the deep flavor. This changes the color to a dark brown. We cut it into a slightly thicker than traditional flake format. This thick cut preserves the flavor. Blend 150 is medium in strength with a rich, subtly sweet flavor of dates and vintage port. It is reminiscent of our discontinued "Scottish Flake" but with greater complexity.
Details
| Brand | Peretti |
| Series | Flake |
| Blended By | L.J. Peretti |
| Manufactured By | L.J. Peretti |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 8 ounce tin,16 ounce tin, bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.31 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2020 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
The flakes are dark mahogany and thickly cut. Their appearance is similar to the old Robert McConnell flakes. The aroma of the unlit flakes is complex and heady, boasting alluring fragrances of figs and prunes.
The leaf has little inherent sugar content, and little if any was applied during the flake's manufacture. The Virginia is dry and husky on the palate, and the tenuous sweetness translates into a perception of slightness of body. The principal notes are straw and chaff, although a ghost of burnt caramel suffuses the nose. The room note is a champ with this one: straw and oats.
The wine applied lends color and a spartan minerality, and perhaps a tannic bitterness; it portends neither depth nor sweetness (consider that perhaps it was not intended to do so).
The tobacco burns hotly, slightly more or less so depending on its preparation, and the fragile aromas of the flake are quickly subsumed by the heat.
There is, at most, an ever-so-slight crescendo of intensity, and if you are the contemplative type you might content yourself with deconvoluting the mysteries of its complexity, however the breadth of these is somewhat limited and you'll find yourself having to contend with whether what you are experiencing is factual or imagination. It's pleasant enough in its simplicity.
In summary, it stands as an honest Virginia flake of days past. Do not expect seductive gimmicks to keep your interest. The subdued bouquet of this flake, for me, takes the greater share of its charm, while in the departments of body and depth it's somewhat less attractive, or perhaps plain. In this sense perhaps the comparison to Scottish Flake was somewhat unfair, as I consider this as altogether different from its vinous cousin.
Nevertheless, I am contented that this is a permanent addition to the Peretti portfolio. Its unique ensemble of qualities is a refreshing departure from the many other flakes and mixtures that are often simply re-branded offerings from the large manufacturers. It will be interesting to revisit this flake again from time to time to see how it develops.
The leaf has little inherent sugar content, and little if any was applied during the flake's manufacture. The Virginia is dry and husky on the palate, and the tenuous sweetness translates into a perception of slightness of body. The principal notes are straw and chaff, although a ghost of burnt caramel suffuses the nose. The room note is a champ with this one: straw and oats.
The wine applied lends color and a spartan minerality, and perhaps a tannic bitterness; it portends neither depth nor sweetness (consider that perhaps it was not intended to do so).
The tobacco burns hotly, slightly more or less so depending on its preparation, and the fragile aromas of the flake are quickly subsumed by the heat.
There is, at most, an ever-so-slight crescendo of intensity, and if you are the contemplative type you might content yourself with deconvoluting the mysteries of its complexity, however the breadth of these is somewhat limited and you'll find yourself having to contend with whether what you are experiencing is factual or imagination. It's pleasant enough in its simplicity.
In summary, it stands as an honest Virginia flake of days past. Do not expect seductive gimmicks to keep your interest. The subdued bouquet of this flake, for me, takes the greater share of its charm, while in the departments of body and depth it's somewhat less attractive, or perhaps plain. In this sense perhaps the comparison to Scottish Flake was somewhat unfair, as I consider this as altogether different from its vinous cousin.
Nevertheless, I am contented that this is a permanent addition to the Peretti portfolio. Its unique ensemble of qualities is a refreshing departure from the many other flakes and mixtures that are often simply re-branded offerings from the large manufacturers. It will be interesting to revisit this flake again from time to time to see how it develops.
Pipe Used:
billiards
PurchasedFrom:
Peretti
Age When Smoked:
literally 'fresh off the presses'
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2020 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
The various Virginias provide a burst of tart and tangy citrus, a fair amount of tangy ripe dark fruit, mild sugary stewed dark fruit, grass, earth, wood, bread, sugar, light floral and spice notes, plus a hint of vinegar. The pressing process adds a little fermentation, and tones down a few of the rough edges. The fruity red wine topping is light, and doesn’t tone down the tobaccos much at all. In fact, I question how much of that essence comes from the fermentation process rather than a topping. The strength is a couple of steps shy of the medium threshold. The taste is a slot past that mark. The nic-hit is a hair less potent than the strength level. Won’t bite or get harsh. It does have a few very small rough edges. It needs a light dry time. Burns cool, clean and slow as dense flake blends will. The moderately sweet Virginia flavors are very consistent from first puff to final draw. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires a fair number of relights. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste, and room note. Can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 06, 2020 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Unnoticeable |
I too am an unabashed Peretti fan, so when they came out with a new flake, I was excited. I ordered 8 oz of the 150th anniversary blend and started smoking it almost the minute I received it. As noted, thick flakes, dark brown, mottled with darker brown or black. I found the tin note to be intriguing. Unlike most straight Virginias, which I find to be rather bland, this stuff had some character to it. "Bready," almost like a little sourdough; some hints of fruitiness, although I can't identify which ones. These notes are all slight; nothing overpowering, but pleasant. It lights fairly easy for a flake. As to the smoking qualities, I smoke mainly Va/Per flake blends, Peretti's No. 8 Slices, being the main one, so it should be noted that I am used to a strong blend, bursting with flavor. I find the 150th Anniversary Blend to be quite mild, but the flavors are there although subtly for me. A little sweetness, a little grass/hay, a little woodsy, a little fruit. Like the tin note, nothing really jumps out for me, yet, I find it a pleasant smoke. Like another viewer noted, there can a little bite to it, but nothing I can't handle. As far as the room note, I don't detect any. My wife has not commented one way or another. Overall, a good quality, milder blend that I think I will smoke regularly. I would be intrigued if Peretti were to make iterations of this blend containing perique, latakia, oriental etc.
Pipe Used:
MT Algerian Briar; SMS meerschaum.
PurchasedFrom:
L.J. Peretti
Age When Smoked:
Straight from purchase.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 13, 2020 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Pouch aroma of pure raisin bran. Nutty, slightly sweet, and earthy. Notes of fig/raisins, slight fermented aroma.
Appearance of thick cut, mostly dark brown flake, slightly mottled with lighter Virginia. This flake is pressed hard, on the dry side so it is difficult to rub out.
Easy with the packing, she swells more than average on initial lighting.
Up front pure, honest, aged Virginia tobacco. Bright, hay-like flavors, slightly spicy, with a touch of citrus. Toasty, nutty, and just enough sweetness to not dry out the palate.
Every time I smoked this blend, I sipped it. I could feel it being on the edge of searing my tongue. It would have an odd tingle, but it never really sank it's teeth. While it did require quite a few relights, that was more operator induced, as I smoked this as slow as possible. Burns fairly cool, but clean, down to a light fluffy ash.
Appearance of thick cut, mostly dark brown flake, slightly mottled with lighter Virginia. This flake is pressed hard, on the dry side so it is difficult to rub out.
Easy with the packing, she swells more than average on initial lighting.
Up front pure, honest, aged Virginia tobacco. Bright, hay-like flavors, slightly spicy, with a touch of citrus. Toasty, nutty, and just enough sweetness to not dry out the palate.
Every time I smoked this blend, I sipped it. I could feel it being on the edge of searing my tongue. It would have an odd tingle, but it never really sank it's teeth. While it did require quite a few relights, that was more operator induced, as I smoked this as slow as possible. Burns fairly cool, but clean, down to a light fluffy ash.
Pipe Used:
several
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 01, 2021 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I picked up some 150 when it was announced. The packaging (paint can) allows it to easily remained sealed to cellar. Inside the can, there is a plastic bag holding the flakes. They are thicker than a normal flake. The flavor in the tin is mostly dark fruit.
The flakes are dark and have a good amount of moisture. You might want to dry it out before smoking. It is easy to pack when shredded to you can fold flakes in a larger bowl. It takes some effort to get lit and keep going.
The flavor mostly follows a dark fruit lead. It wants to burn warm so you'll want to sip. It reminds me of McC 2035 without the vinegar notes. If you take your time its a great smoke and it will burn down to grey ash.
The flakes are dark and have a good amount of moisture. You might want to dry it out before smoking. It is easy to pack when shredded to you can fold flakes in a larger bowl. It takes some effort to get lit and keep going.
The flavor mostly follows a dark fruit lead. It wants to burn warm so you'll want to sip. It reminds me of McC 2035 without the vinegar notes. If you take your time its a great smoke and it will burn down to grey ash.
Pipe Used:
bigger bowled authors
PurchasedFrom:
Peretti
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 10, 2024 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This is my first LJ Peretti blend, and if it is anything like their other blends, it's hard for me to think of smoking anything else. The "Recommended" rating is only because I've had some issues with lighting it. The first few bowls were a challenge.
I've smoked almost the full 8 oz that I bought. It is so delicious now that it rivals MBV#1 as my favorite blend, but I've never had issues lighting MBV#1. Also, I've smoked the entire batch with a single pipe, the 125th Anniversary Savinelli. The bowl isn't large, but the walls are pretty thick, and it has a heavy cake. Breaks between a good alcohol clean every so often. The spice is more prominent than a Mac Baren burn. It also stays on the tongue longer. At night, in bed, I can still taste it.
This blend is delicious, but I definitely understand some of the bite issues some have with it. I keep thinking I have mastered packing it, then realizing that I have not. Maybe it will happen with my second 1/2 pound.
I've smoked almost the full 8 oz that I bought. It is so delicious now that it rivals MBV#1 as my favorite blend, but I've never had issues lighting MBV#1. Also, I've smoked the entire batch with a single pipe, the 125th Anniversary Savinelli. The bowl isn't large, but the walls are pretty thick, and it has a heavy cake. Breaks between a good alcohol clean every so often. The spice is more prominent than a Mac Baren burn. It also stays on the tongue longer. At night, in bed, I can still taste it.
This blend is delicious, but I definitely understand some of the bite issues some have with it. I keep thinking I have mastered packing it, then realizing that I have not. Maybe it will happen with my second 1/2 pound.
Pipe Used:
120th Anniversary Savinelli
PurchasedFrom:
L. J. Peretti Co.
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