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 - 8 of 8 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 08, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Peretti's 150th Anniversary Blend was created to celebrate this milestone, which in our increasingly disposable and transient society, is more than a minor accomplishment.
The paint-can aroma is fruity and wine-like. It reminds me of Peretti’s now-discontinued Scottish Flake, which was cured with red wine (a parallel also mentioned in Peretti’s description). The flakes are very dark brown, verging on black, with lighter brown streaks. The flakes are dense and a cut a bit thicker than average, which Peretti describes as a “broad cut to protect the flavor and produce a slow burn.” As a result, they require a tad more time and effort to rub out. I prefer to fully rub out flakes, and given the density of this flake, I think this is the way to go here. Since Peretti does not have the equipment to make their own flakes, it must be produced by someone else, but I’m not sure by whom. It's presentation differs from Peretti’s other current flake offerings, which are more aptly termed crumble-flakes.
The tobacco arrives ready to smoke. Some might want to dry it a bit, but I prefer tobacco to be a little more hydrated since it prevents the tobacco from burning too hot. 150th Anniversary burns cool, and even with more vigorous puffing, it hasn't any tendency to bite.
On the initial light, the tobacco has a tendency to crown, testifying to the high sugar content of the VAs. it takes a few relights and tamps to settle it down. Afterwards, it burns well, requiring the average number of relights (which for me, is usually two). It burns down to a white ash with no dottle.
The flavor is complex and dominated by tones I associate with matured, dark Virginias. There are dates and port wine (as promised in Peretti’s description), morello rather than bing cherries, some sharper citrus, and pumpernickel bread, along with a delicate floral quality around the edges.
The taste and side-stream aroma remind me a of a deeper, rounder version of Dunhill’s (I can’t bring myself to refer to it as “Peterson’s”) Royal Yacht—but without the topping or nicotine slam. In both appearance and taste, 150th Anniversary Blend also bears some striking similarities to McClelland’s Dark Star and No. 2035 Dark Navy Flake. Devotees lamenting the loss of McClelland might find 150th Anniversary to be a more-than-suitable replacement.
150th Anniversary is rich and satisfying, but it could still be an all-day blend for experienced smokers. However, since it also “include[s] some rare leaf from the 2010 crop,” I suspect this is destined to be a limited-edition. With this in mind, I bought a bunch to cellar. I plan on saving it for times when I can give it my full attention. As a Virginia blend, the tobacco should age wonderfully, and I’m looking forward to smoking this over the next several years.
Here's to another 150 years of L.J. Peretti!
The paint-can aroma is fruity and wine-like. It reminds me of Peretti’s now-discontinued Scottish Flake, which was cured with red wine (a parallel also mentioned in Peretti’s description). The flakes are very dark brown, verging on black, with lighter brown streaks. The flakes are dense and a cut a bit thicker than average, which Peretti describes as a “broad cut to protect the flavor and produce a slow burn.” As a result, they require a tad more time and effort to rub out. I prefer to fully rub out flakes, and given the density of this flake, I think this is the way to go here. Since Peretti does not have the equipment to make their own flakes, it must be produced by someone else, but I’m not sure by whom. It's presentation differs from Peretti’s other current flake offerings, which are more aptly termed crumble-flakes.
The tobacco arrives ready to smoke. Some might want to dry it a bit, but I prefer tobacco to be a little more hydrated since it prevents the tobacco from burning too hot. 150th Anniversary burns cool, and even with more vigorous puffing, it hasn't any tendency to bite.
On the initial light, the tobacco has a tendency to crown, testifying to the high sugar content of the VAs. it takes a few relights and tamps to settle it down. Afterwards, it burns well, requiring the average number of relights (which for me, is usually two). It burns down to a white ash with no dottle.
The flavor is complex and dominated by tones I associate with matured, dark Virginias. There are dates and port wine (as promised in Peretti’s description), morello rather than bing cherries, some sharper citrus, and pumpernickel bread, along with a delicate floral quality around the edges.
The taste and side-stream aroma remind me a of a deeper, rounder version of Dunhill’s (I can’t bring myself to refer to it as “Peterson’s”) Royal Yacht—but without the topping or nicotine slam. In both appearance and taste, 150th Anniversary Blend also bears some striking similarities to McClelland’s Dark Star and No. 2035 Dark Navy Flake. Devotees lamenting the loss of McClelland might find 150th Anniversary to be a more-than-suitable replacement.
150th Anniversary is rich and satisfying, but it could still be an all-day blend for experienced smokers. However, since it also “include[s] some rare leaf from the 2010 crop,” I suspect this is destined to be a limited-edition. With this in mind, I bought a bunch to cellar. I plan on saving it for times when I can give it my full attention. As a Virginia blend, the tobacco should age wonderfully, and I’m looking forward to smoking this over the next several years.
Here's to another 150 years of L.J. Peretti!
PurchasedFrom:
L.J. Peretti
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 2021 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I purchased this immediately upon release and began smoking it last week, so it has about a year of age on it. Tin note is grassy, fermented Virginia. If there is a wine topping like on Scottish Flake I cannot detect it. Very nice looking thick flakes that remind me of Bengal Slices, but not as dark. This flake is pretty moist even after > a year in the tin and needs 30 minutes of dry time at minimum. I had a hard time keeping this lit and found that frequent light tamping worked best. This is a rich full flavored VA flake. Earthy, toasted rye bread, some subtle sweetness, some light white pepper spice. I also get a burnt sugar after taste that I really like. This tastes very similar to McClelland Blackwoods flake, strikingly similar to my palate, sans the ketchup/vinegar notes. The flavors develop and become richer and darker as you burn down the bowl. This is a great Virginia Flake and it has magnificent aging potential.
Pipe Used:
Briar's, meerschaum and cobs
Age When Smoked:
1+ years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2020 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
The bag of dark brown to black broken flakes smell of dried fruit, bread, fermented leaves with just a hint of vinegar. Not as dark or strong smelling as McCellend's Dark Star, but close.
Easy to load or rub out and load and light. It does take some effort to keep lit. One will want to make sure to have a medium tight pack and light tamping throughout to help maintain the light.
Wonderful rich virginia flavors come from the smoke. I got plenty of fermented dark fruit sweetness balanced by woody notes and yeasty bread. Reminds me a lot of Dark Star, but is more like an in-between of blackwoods flake and dark star, but slightly more subdued. Had excellent consistent flavor throughout and could be a bit harsh on the tongue and palate if pushed too hard. Excellent flake!
Easy to load or rub out and load and light. It does take some effort to keep lit. One will want to make sure to have a medium tight pack and light tamping throughout to help maintain the light.
Wonderful rich virginia flavors come from the smoke. I got plenty of fermented dark fruit sweetness balanced by woody notes and yeasty bread. Reminds me a lot of Dark Star, but is more like an in-between of blackwoods flake and dark star, but slightly more subdued. Had excellent consistent flavor throughout and could be a bit harsh on the tongue and palate if pushed too hard. Excellent flake!
Pipe Used:
Dragon Briars Author
PurchasedFrom:
Peretti
Age When Smoked:
New From Store
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 02, 2021 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
LJ Peretti conjures a time in America that was more simple, more refined and a life style that pipe smokers were the dominate tobacco smokers of the day. 150th Anniversary Flake is one of those tobaccos that bring back image of a simpler time of life. It brings back sensations of my uncle and grandfather setting on the front porch in the evening smoking their pipes and talking about the events of the day. It's a Thick, dark rich looking flake. The tin note to me was that of prunes, raisins, and fig newtons. The flake will need some drying time, prior to packing but rubbed out it packs very well. One rubbed out flake will pack my Peterson Sherlock Holmes to the rim. The smoke is thick, the mouth feel is full and the aroma is delightful. It is a little hard to keep lit at the start of the bowl but as it drys it smokes like a dream. If you have never tried LJ Peretti Flakes before I feel you're really missing out on a nostalgic, American made quality tobacco. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Sherlock Holmes Watson
PurchasedFrom:
LJ Peretti
Age When Smoked:
Straight out of Tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 03, 2020 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
I'm new to aged Virginias, and they're growing on me.
(my normal faves are Balkan and English when oriental forward -- or are those thing same thing? I also usually avoid aromatics.)
I really love Peretti's 150th -- after it's been jared for a few months, and rubbed out. Even rubbed the chunks are fairly large, and if not dried a bit it needs frequent re-lights.
The flavor stays mostly the same -- the main variation for me is now and then detecting a sorta piquant Port wine, and ending with a slight and pleasant dry port after-taste (does that count as "flavoriting"?). Maybe drying (without further aging for months) would achieve the same smooth smoke-ability. Smokes slow.
I rated the room note because the review demands it, but I can't guess how a non-smoker in the room would rate it.
Suggestion: rub out the flakes before drying them. As advertised, they are thick, and once dried takes some fussing to crumble 'em up.
(my normal faves are Balkan and English when oriental forward -- or are those thing same thing? I also usually avoid aromatics.)
I really love Peretti's 150th -- after it's been jared for a few months, and rubbed out. Even rubbed the chunks are fairly large, and if not dried a bit it needs frequent re-lights.
The flavor stays mostly the same -- the main variation for me is now and then detecting a sorta piquant Port wine, and ending with a slight and pleasant dry port after-taste (does that count as "flavoriting"?). Maybe drying (without further aging for months) would achieve the same smooth smoke-ability. Smokes slow.
I rated the room note because the review demands it, but I can't guess how a non-smoker in the room would rate it.
Suggestion: rub out the flakes before drying them. As advertised, they are thick, and once dried takes some fussing to crumble 'em up.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli grezza large bowl with 9mm carbon filter
PurchasedFrom:
LJ Peretti
Age When Smoked:
6 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 05, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Smoking now:
Bag note is a mild and dark fruit, tea leaves, wood, maple syrup, and honey. A dark stewed fruit Virginia aroma. Large thick flakes on the dry side. Had to rub them out as much as I could which required some effort so they would stay lit.
The taste is very much a lemon ice tea like flavor. A little dried fruits, some hay, tea leaves, mild citrus, wood, and a tad of molasses and caramelized sugar sweetness. The taste got more pronounced as the bowl got to the half way point. An unadulterated stoved Virginia flavor. I imagine this is how Virginia tobacco tasted 150 years ago. I don’t actually know but I imagine something like this. The mouth feel like light. A little harsh on the retrohale at times. If smoked at a good pace a rich Virginia awaits.
I found that rubbing it out as much as a could before packing and lighting produced more tangy fruit flavors, more sweetness, and a better smoking experience. Fully rubbed out it’s quite a nice dark Virginia indeed.
Bag note is a mild and dark fruit, tea leaves, wood, maple syrup, and honey. A dark stewed fruit Virginia aroma. Large thick flakes on the dry side. Had to rub them out as much as I could which required some effort so they would stay lit.
The taste is very much a lemon ice tea like flavor. A little dried fruits, some hay, tea leaves, mild citrus, wood, and a tad of molasses and caramelized sugar sweetness. The taste got more pronounced as the bowl got to the half way point. An unadulterated stoved Virginia flavor. I imagine this is how Virginia tobacco tasted 150 years ago. I don’t actually know but I imagine something like this. The mouth feel like light. A little harsh on the retrohale at times. If smoked at a good pace a rich Virginia awaits.
I found that rubbing it out as much as a could before packing and lighting produced more tangy fruit flavors, more sweetness, and a better smoking experience. Fully rubbed out it’s quite a nice dark Virginia indeed.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 22, 2020 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Strong |
Wonderful blend. A dark and rough Virginia flake. Strong flavor and nic hit but pretty straight forward. A must try for those who really love the matured Virginias. Can't wait to let it a age a bit.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 31, 2020 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Lovely smoke requires a little, but not much, drying to smoke. Light sweetness. Great room note. My sense is that this is going to age wonderfully and become a true classic.
PurchasedFrom:
Perretti
Age When Smoked:
Recent release
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