J. F. Germain & Son Royal Jersey Perique Mixture

Germain gives us another quality blend. This one is a rather finely cut ribbon of the predominant light to medium brown VAs. The Perique was not prominent visually or in the taste but shows up in the light but slightly spicey room aroma. I normally smoke flakes so the ribbon cut and tin moisture content gave me trouble in mastering my packing techniques. A hard draw and numerous relights were too frequent. For me, too much attention is needed to attain the perfect pack and this has a tremedous effect on the smoke and the overall experience. However, when found, the result was cool, sweet and enjoyable. If you are more experienced with this type of shag, you might enjoy this blend even as an all day smoke.

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*.

Very tastey VaPer...One of the best I have tried...Virginias are A-1 and Perique comes through as it should...Not too weak...Not too strong...Bit too pricey for me as an all day smoke but, still highly recommended.

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.

Tough to get started, and a light, cool smoke at first without a lot of perique in the flavor. Once it gets started, though, it's been easy to keep going with lots of smoke rich with perique flavor down to the bottom of the bowl without being overwhelming and without any hint of bite.

As mentioned in other reviews, more of a ribbon than broken flake.

Edit: this really improves a lot as it 'opens up' in the tin. Highly recommended for a mild smoke

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.