Hearth & Home Louisiana Red

This is an OK VaPer, spicy and flavorful . Reminds me of a step up from Anniversary Kake, not as bitey . I have too many other Vapers I like better, this one and AK bring too much heat.

I did not enjoy this blend at all. I try to give every blend a clean slate when I try it...but...I didn't enjoy this at all. It was hard to pack and light. I found the only reason that I found it tolerable was that upon relights...it was great for about 5 seconds. This gave me some wicked tounge bite. This will be at the absolute bottom of my rotation. Sorry, it was terrible.

Ordered a small sample of this looking for a good Va/Per blend after hearing great things about the Russ O. blends. The blend packed nice, and lit very well. It was just a bit rough. I can't put my finger on it, but just no what I expected. A good friend of mine, sent me some of his hybrid blend using this and Lane 1-Q. Mixed about 50/50, this turns into a great blend. It's one of my favorite blends now (mixed with the 1-Q). Louisiana Red by itself I would not continue to smoke, however blended with 1-Q, it's golden, a definate "go to" blend for me. Thanks Hoop!

***update**** after a couple months in a bail top jar this has tamed down some and is much more enjoyable

First let me say that I love VAper blends. Which is why I decided to try this blend. With that being said I will try to highlight some pro's and cons of my exerience.

Pro's - After smoking a few OZ's the things that I liked were the burnablitly and quality tobacco used. The room note was pleasant and the value is also pretty good.

Con's - I love Perique but I dont know if I got a bad batch or what but it wasn't like the Perique I have grown to love in other blends. This was a little blah....I could hardly notice the Peppery taste at all untill the end of the bowl. The stuff showed up pretty dry too.

Summary - This was an ok smoke but not much depth. But I do love VAper's to start so it kinda grew on me and with the value factor, for me this was a two star blend.

Perhaps I was expecting more based on the reviews here, but I actually found this blend to be a bit flat. It was enjoyable to smoke, but it is far from a vibrant smoking experience. I do smell a faint catsup sent in the bag, but when I compare it to McClelland's 2015, or Ashton's Pebble Cut, I think this blend comes up lacking a bit. I'll certainly smoke the rest of the bag, but it is no more than a 2-star tobacco in my book.

Yes, this is a fine blend of Virginias and Perique, no doubt about it. Am I smitten by it? Not really, which is not to say that this blend does not have its strengths. My initial impressions were along lines akin to one of my all time favorites: Rattray's Hal 'O the Wynd. This seemingly apparent perception proved false. The strength and character are simply not the same - Rattie's having already established itself with me as the blend of polymorphic presence, the Lousiana Red finished second. I know the logic is circular and maybe the comparison is not fair but in final analysis, all things pertaining to preferences are wholly subjective. That being said, I do not wish to discourage others from seeking their own experience with this high quality tobacco. With me, if I'm going to the trouble to accomidate to tobac that must be smoked very slowly, then it might as well be Rattie's.

Meerschaum Man Smoking a Gezer Flying Dragon

Confessing I'm fond of perique leaves, the perique in this blend is not necessarily satisfactory to me due to the lack of spiciness. In addition, this blend tastes much sweeter than other Va/P blend does and than I am comfortable with. Maybe time would compensate as some other reeviewer commented. I consumed 2oz. of this and put another 2oz. into my cellar. 2 star rating out of 4.

Tin note of pungent sour plums and spices. Tobacco is reddish brown and dark brown Ribbon cut. Moisture content is a little high, drying may be preferred. No other prep needed. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring listed, but there is a sweetness that I can't contribute to the tobacco that lingers in the background. Taste is medium and somewhat consistent, with notes of rich sweet tangy savory, spices, tart lemon grass, very spicy, bready, floral vegetation, dry bitter, very wood, acidic, buttery, orange peel/zest, a mildly sweet citrusy background note, and a very peppery retro. Virginia is leading with Perique supporting. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is great.