Ken Byron Ventures Mr. Christian's Acadian Flek

The various fermented Virginias come from several continents with the bright and brown leading the charge over the red Virginias. They provide a wealth of tart and tangy citrus, sugar, vegetative grass, bread, floralness, some tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, mild spice, and a touch of acidity. They are the lead components. The plumy, raisiny, earthy, woody, spicy perique is almost a supporting player. The sweet red wine vinegar casing has a very mild effect on the proceedings. The strength, nic-hit and taste levels are medium. No chance of bite or harshness. It does have a few very small rough notes as blend of this kind always do. Well balanced with some depth and punch, it burns cool, clean and a tad slow with a very consistent sweet, moderately floral, spicy, rich flavor that extends to the lightly lingering, pleasant after taste. The room note is a notch stronger. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a few more than an average number of relights. It’s not quite an all day smoke, but it is repeatable in small to medium size bowls. Three and a half stars rounded up to four because it’s more than a three star blend.

-JimInks

I'll just say it, right off the bat. This is the best Virginia perique blend I've ever had. Out of the bag it smells incredible, fruity, raisiny, fresh, vibrant, soft, and smooth. This stuff should be harder to find than Penzance. The quality is everywhere. It is everything you've come to want from a good va-per and much more. Better than Elizabethan by a mile. There is so much perique flavor, yet this blend is so smooth and cool smoking. If you hate the scratchy throat that perique can induce, fear not. You can smoke this all day if you like. I feel like this tobacco is a large cut above the rest. The Best of the Best. Polished till it was flawless. Four and a half stars for sure.