J. F. Germain & Son Royal Jersey Perique Mixture

Let me first confess for not being a perique expert, far from it.

My first impressions of this tobacco are a little underwhelming. Germains produce some of my favorite tobaccos, so whilst not disappointed, this one didn't jump out at me.

I got this bulk when back in the UK, so not sure how the tin would be, but the moisture content of this was spot on for me, packs well and smokes great.

On smoking this I find it similar to the appearance, a little underwhelming. Not in any way unpleasant, but understated to the point of being boring and for me underwhelming. It reminds me of cigarettes, and I haven't smoked cigarettes in 10 years. It has the perique and a familiar Germains note I can't put my finger on. Burns a little quick, but isn't harsh.

Overall a nice smoke, and I wont struggle to finish the 50g I have, but not really for me, I can't really get excited for it, mainly as I just can't think of the right occasion to smoke it. That said, I could smoke it all day long, but couldn't see it really satisfying me.

This was great. Not four star great to me, but I really enjoyed it and I feel it may rise to four stars to the heavy perique lover. I found that this one does not deceive you at the label. Carrying the title of Perique, one would expect that condiment to stand out and it does, but not in a bad way. The Virginia and the cavendish are sweet enough to keep the Perique from overwhelming the smoker with spice and heft. It is nicely balanced to provide a pleasurable experience that any Va Per lover should enjoy.

I found that it only got better as it dried out as it was pretty moist upon opening. I really don't know the true age of this tin, but I am sure it sat in the B&M for quite a long time before I purchased it based solely on the saturation in the paper surrounding the ribbon cut blend. It was basically dark brown, the tobacco itself was nearly black with age. I am certain this also amplified the sweetness in the Virginia. I am pretty sure the cavendish was made from Virginia as I just did not sense a burley presence at all. I wonder if this was cased in sugar, or if the sweetness I was experiencing was solely due to the aged Virginia(s). As to performance, I did not note anything of concern, it smokes easily, does not bite and doesn't attribute any unnecessary moisture to your smoking experience.

In any case, this is a fantastic VaPer and does stand out as something different than the likes of Escudo, St. James Flake, et. al. I think any VaPer fan will like this blend. Germain has yet to disappoint me with anything they produce; and this was no exception.

Thin (~2mm wide) ribbons in various brown tones with Perique, are compacted in long tangles that need to be fluffed-up. It has a yeasty, and only somewhat grassy tin aroma; a little bit fruit-like and a little bit oaty; and the tin aroma carries on into the smoke.

It is a natural (non-aromatic) blend with a very smooth, mild, and delicate vegetable-like taste, with unmistakable traces of a nut flavor: almond, or maybe even mild pistacchio. By and large it just has an honest tobacco flavor with good smoke volume and mouth feel. Easy lighting, cool smoking, no bite and no gurgle. This is not a "Perique bomb", or even a Perique-forward blend. Here the Perique, though delectable, is merely suggestive -- an amendment to the other tobaccos in the blend.

It's not a particularly sweet blend, but it does lean that way, as opposed to the herbal or bitter end of the spectrum. I'd liken its sweetness to that of a well cooked green veggie.

In a word, this is sophisticated. Put it in your best pipe and enjoy.

A bit of a sleeper in the beginning - nothing too remarkable, other than good basic VA. As I worked into the bowls, however, some excellent sweet tobacco flavors come out, particularly when sipped, P-lip style. At times a licorice or anise flavor comes through. Very nice. 3*.

Damp ribbons in the tin (it's listed as a broken flake here - I wouldn't describe this as broken flake).

Nothing special (and not enough Perique for my taste) but it doesn't wholly disappoint either.

This is a pleasant smoke if sipped slowly and gently. Not in the premier league of VaPers, but worth a try. A mild tobacco.

This mixture has the advantage of not being too pumped up by the perique added.

What I mean is that the perique is present in the right proportion: you taste it well but it doesn't take over the VAs. The perique and VAs alternate and bring a nice, spicy smoking experience.

It is well worth the try.

Good, but not exceptional. You will not make a mistake with this blend, but not thrilled too...

My rate: 3.0

Fellow pipe smokers this is a truly wonderful smoke. I find it quit similar to Former's Straight Grain Flake, just a wee bit milder. Wonderful virginia combined with just the perfect amount of perique to make this a mild to medium experience. Yes it has that fruity fragrant found in all Germain/Esoterica Virginia blends but that is what makes their mixtures so unique. Let this blend air for a couple or three hours then have-at-her. If you like Straight Grain Flake and St. Bruno Flake you should find solace in this particular mix. Recommended with no reservations what-so-ever.