Hearth & Home Virginia Spice

Just what the world needs: another VaPer and another VaPer review.

The saving grace of this fine tobacco, however, is that it's not just a Vaper. It's a CiVaPer or a VaPerGar or a VaCiPer. For me lately it's been a PaCiFier.

The tobacco hits all of the right notes with its components--Virginia, Perique, cigar leaf. The Virginia provides bright, herbal/grassy aromas and a lingering sweetness. The Perique adds its signature dried fruit aromas and acidity and the cigar leaf fattens up the whole blend, giving body and richness. Every now and then, the integrity of the blend comes apart like a wanton braid, but the effect of this unraveling is genuinely pleasant.

The richness provided by the cigar leaf here might be too much for those who aren't particularly fond of cigars themselves, but pipers who also smoke cigars might like this very much. I've always been of the mind that when I want to smoke a pipe, I will; and when I want to smoke a cigar, I'll do that. But I don't want a cigar that tastes like a pipe or pipe tobacco that reminds me of a cigar. I still hold to that, but really the cigar-ness of this blend shows up as a series of flashes, not a sustained, gar-ish assault on the tender senses of most pipe smokers.

I guess I like this a whole bunch. I find I like this best late in the evening with a small black beer or a smaller brown Bourbon. And while reading Hemingway, lost among the Spanish and found among the bulls. Somehow he just completes this very good tobacco for me.

It took a few bowls for me to define the taste of this blend. My bag came at the right dryness level for a ready pack. It packs and lights nicely, and stays lit.

This tobacco burns cool. The taste is mildly sweet and spicey. However, the sweetness and after taste reminds me of artificial sugar like used in diet soda. I am more of a burley lover but like to switch to virginia blends for variety. For a Virginia based blend with all the goodies added, this is good tobacco. I've given it 3 stars because of the artificial sugar taste. It could be in my head. I don't know. It's just there for me.

I was recently gifted a few samples from the Hearth and Home series and this one is a keeper. I was impressed with them all really, but this is the one, along with Larry's Blend, that I'm definitely ordering more of.(dp) I should also say that I noticed a similar creaminess among all the blends that just might be from casing, though it's so light, it's hard to tell. . . Could be Russ' leaf. On to Virginia Spice. .

This is my first cigar blend. This is a very well rounded blend, flavor-wise. Nothing takes over. Each leaf plays well with others. It's sweet, yes, spicey, and has a depth from the cigar leaf that I really like! (No bite, either, but I won't smoke anything that does). Great taste from the perique, too; not just pepper, but a little of the old fermented plum. Virginias (tastey ones) are a great base.

My sample was quite dry, so lighting was no problem, but the burn rate was a little high. Therefore, I've got to hold off on all four stars 'till I get some with a bit more moisture. Nicotine content is just right for a relaxing smoke with a book or an in depth study of a spider's crawl across the ceiling. Of course, if you're so inclined, you could also try interacting with humans, but they may not enjoy the room note. I think it smells just fine;-}

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.....

I am a new Smoker of virginias and the first word that comes to mind when smoking the virginias of my main preference is sweet. Home and Hearth's Virginia spice is NOT that kind of virginia.. yet it is completely tasty in it's own way.

I liken this blend to black coffee. Some people like sweet flavorings or cream to mellow thier joe out. This is more like a naturally tasty coffee that tastes good with no sugar or cream added. At first light it might taste a bit too strong or heavy but mid bowl I've found this blend mellows to a nice dark rich flavor with a coffeeish flavor. Its not too tangy or sweet but it is rich and a treat in it's own right.

I wouldn't make it my daily smoke but it's a perfect bit of that something different, confident in it's own right. Might be perfect for the person who hates sweet but loves virginia.

One last word, the nicotene level (probably due to the perique) seems to be high. I enjoyed this. I had to set the bowl down to take a break at one point but this suited me just fine.

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.