Hearth & Home Virginia Spice

Delicious. The sweet VA's, peppery Perique, & cigar leaf intermingle nicely. The individual components are not lost, yet complement nicely to make for a satisfying, full flavor. Sorta like a wave of flavors as the draft is drawn. The progression of each draw, first the sweet VA is tasted, then the slightly fruit peppery Perique steps in, rounded out by the fullness of the cigar. I think the cut has a lot to do with this. Example, the cigar leaf seems large in comparison to the VA & Perique, but it is very thin and burns in proportion to the rest of this blend's ingredients. The blend was smoked in a Tinderbox Grecian Briar Prince shape.

Very good stuff, there's a little smell of ketchup in it but none of it as you smoke it, the perique content is just right.

Have been working a 2oz I got of Virginia spice....After several smokes in many pipes I can say with certainty that I love this stuff. IMHO best in a bulldog or Rhode, The bag smell is an exotic spiced virgina. Sweet and the spice reminds my of mulled cider. The smoke is very full on the mouth, yet finishes clean and the ashed pipe leaves one satisfied. Nicotine was just right for me. Taste, Room, strength- Russ hit a home run on this one. Ordering more in about 5 mins.....

This blend is another hit for me I really enjoy virginia /perique blend the cigar leaf made the smoke a little robust and rounded.WOW! I think the pouch aroma was different and the presentation of the tobacco with all the yellows ,reds and browns made me a bit interested in the blend to begin with but I will be buying more in the near future. Wished they tried the maduro leaf .

Virginia Spice stepped up to the plate and hit a homerun with me. What I enjoyed about it is that it is NOT the typical Virginia-Perique mixture. In fact, the Perique is really quite subdued and subtle in this mixture. I greatly enjoyed the layers of flavor present in this blend, and the small amount of cigar leaf only deeped the already rich, full taste and aroma. This blend won't appeal to everybody, but I liked it a lot.

This is one of the better Virginia/Perique blends I've smoked.

The medium matured Virginias dominate the smoke but do not overwhelm the other tobaccos. Perique has been applied lightly and is noticeable but never overshadows the sweetness of the Virginias. The cigar leaf is also applied lightly and is noticed more in the taste than in the aroma, but it adds a richness and reinforces the creaminess of the Virginias. I detected no toppings.

It's easily my favorite of Russ Ouellette's blends, although I like several.

Virginia Spice consists of light, red and brown Virginias, dark Perique and flakes of cigar leaf. Pretty mixture. Smells naturally sweet. The ribbon cut is easy to pack in the pipe. I've tried this in 5 different pipes with similar results.

At first I usually taste/smell the sweet Virginias. This smoke offers some high notes and nice medium Virginia taste. Quickly there are notes of the cigar leaf the provide fullness and smokiness. About mid-bowl, I notice the Perique - sort of raisin or fig which blends so nicely. There is a rush of flavors - very full taste with the spicy components. The last third of the bowl it all melds together into a rich, satisfying smoke.

This blend smokes dry and I noticed no bite at all.

Grade = A- (most enjoyable and one to stock up on. I feel certain that this will age very well).

4 stars. 9-15-05

Hearth & Home - Virginia Spice.

On Sundays I usually enjoy an aromatic or a lighter blend. Going from the name, Virginia Spice, I assumed this was either a Va or aromatic. But, the write up here has it categorized as Cigar Leaf Based. This would often deter me, however in VS the smoke isn't governed by dry, bitter and obdurate cigars; each leaf has it's say.

The blend's constructed of all manner of ribbons; from some tiny pieces, to bigger, leafier ones. The bigger pieces are a lighter shade yet the small ones are extremely dark. I ordered from bulk and although the moisture's good if you order a tin it might differ!

The smoke? Maybe not for the 'Faint Hearted'! The Cigar Leaf has more capacity for the initial quarter bowl. But, once the Perique joins in the smoke becomes more buoyant; spicy, peppery, sharp. I get a good strength of flavour from the Virginias: fruity, sweet, red VA, and fresh, sprightly, bright Va. I see no problems mechanically, it burns steady and doesn't bite.

Nicotine: above medium. Room-note: a 'low' point.

Virginia Spice? It's made a nice change, to my usual Sunday aromatics. Also, for my fellow UK smokers, I've enjoyed it immensely outside in the cold winter air! I think this, easily, deserves four stars:

Highly recommended.

One of the finest tobaccos that I have smoked to-date! (Probably about 500 blends so far).

This has been my “Go-To” and "All Day" tobacco for the past year and half. I’m always satisfied with this one. The VA is sweet and non-biting even when pushed hard. The Perique is subtle yet adds a very gentle balance of fig and pepper and the cigar leaf is faint yet adds rich depth to the balance.

The room not is pleasant to all including my wife (who as a child was frequently trapped with parents who both chain smoked cigarettes in the car on long road trips so she is not fond of vary many tobaccos) .. this one she enjoyed today and stayed down wind for the entire bowl.

If I were to name this one, I’d call it “Old Faithful” … Happy Smoke Trails to you if you give this one a try based on my review!