Hearth & Home AJ's VaPer

A tasty blend.

Upon lighting you get the sutble sweetness of Virginias and the spice of Perique. The description says theres Cavendish too but I don't taste any.

Basically, its sweet and spicy all the way down to the bottom of the bowl. Nothing too complex here, just a pretty good Va/Per.

I have tried so many Virginias of late that it is getting harder to rate them at 3 to 4 star. There are so many.

I find this one to be a "somewhat recommended" for me. The pack, and burn are good, but I find this blend a little rough around the edges. For my money I find P&C's "Old Red", and McCelland #2015, much sweeter, and more mellow. I will cellar this and review in a few months. Rate * *

I found this blend a little rough around the edges. For me, it didn?t burn hot but it was more harsh than flavorful and irritated my throat and nasal passages. Perhaps I got an overdose of perique. However, I can handle and enjoy C&D Old Joe Krantz that contains 25% perique so perhaps perique is not the offender. And I am not a novice VAPER smoker. I can?t explain it other than to sign off as Walter Cronkite did on his nightly newscasts: ?That?s the way it is? (with me, my physiology and this blend).

A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this blend 6.5 out of 10.

This is a brash and bold VaPer, with the perique having been added by a very generous hand.

The Virginia in the blend provides plenty of tang, with underlying sweetness and breadiness that develop throughout the bowl. The perique often takes center stage, and will grace your sinuses with a peppery punch at every sip. Despite the strength of the perique, it is not overbearing, and altogether in harmony with with the Virginias (although those who prefer only condimental pinches of the stuff may be overwhelmed.).

The addition of unflavored Cavendish is more consequential than mere gimmick, but it is definitely the background player. It provides a bit of depth and makes for a fuller smoke, but doesn't lend much to overall flavor the blend, at least for me. It's possible it contributes a bit of sweetness, but I suspect it really creates a platform for the sweetness of the Virginias to stand on.

I've had this blend fresh and at various ages up to the 10-year mark. Age has all of the usual effects on the Virginia and perique leaf, but the pepperiness remains prominent at all ages, though years if aging does allow the stone fruit of the perique to complement the other components.

The blend itself takes a match well and stays lit with little fuss regardless of packing method. It has some rough edges here and there, but isn't prone to bite, burns quite cool, and finishes down to a fine ash.

I might stop short of calling this an all day blend due to the intense spice, but it's definitely worthy of a spot in any cellar - and worth plenty of shelf space in the cellars of Va/VaPer fans.

I always try save some of all tobaccos purchased to enjoy later, try is the goal, doesn't always happen. This time it did. The blender from P& C in my opinion is on the verge of greatness . This blend will atest to this as I find this to be a sleeper . It is good straight from the tin, a citrus aroma greets you instantly,comes through while smoking along with some very mild spice . This my first Vaper blend ever , I was foolish to wait .

Age turns this into a most enjoyable smoke, I like best while driving , calms me down keeps me focused

Has a mild to medium nic hit, burns dry with no moisture in bowl little dottle if any and same taste thru out the bowl. If you like the combo of Vaper try this if you haven't.

Not my go I enjoy more has a treat, but that's me you very well may like for a daily smoke. Enjoy and sip away.

Finally , a Hearth and Home blend I like . It's cavendish of some varying color with what seems like a decent amount of Perique . If the Perique werent in it , it would be a cavendish similar to PS Natural Dutch Cavendish , which is pretty good for a simple cavendish . But the fact remains that the Perique makes this sing ! It lights and burns well and the spice from the Perique , along with the other components make for a great smoke . The room note is pleasant and for a cavendish it has decent nicotine , which isnt stout , but it's a cavendish and thats a cool thing to have some nic , imo . It maintains down teh bowl and has a good build . My wife had me purchase her a tin to age a couple years ago , given she heard that an aged tin was excellent . What I'm smoking is fresh and damn good . I'll have to bug the wife to pop her tin 🙂

Of all the VaPers that I've tried thus far, AJ's VaPer is one of my absolute favorites. This delicious blend is unbelievably smooth and balanced. The virginias impart a slight tang and sweetness that plays perfectly with the plum and delicate spice of the perique, while the cavendish adds depth and smoothness. Apart from the aforementioned, one can clearly discern diminutive notes of cocoa from the cavendish, as mentioned by AJ. Do yourself a favor and opt to buy the 8 oz tin. This is a great blend to enjoy with your morning coffee or all day if you choose. Four stars.

Since I do not have a highly refined palate, it's hard to describe tastes that I experience. I only know what I like and do not like. So here's my rating scale and a brief reason for the rating.

★★★★ = Excellent - Apocalypse blend, cellar worthy.

★★★☆ = Good - Not part of regular roatation but keeping a few tins/ounces is wise.

★★☆☆ = Fair - A smokable blend that is worth trying again.

★☆☆☆ = Poor. - Do not smoke! Trade off or give away to the unsuspecting.

Because tastes and blends change over time and depending on what pipe is used, I reserve the right to change my rating at any time.

This came as a surprise gift, a one ounce bag out of seven different blends. I decided to go for this one first. Partly bc I like va pers, and partly bc I have recently discovered I like red va tobacco.

Very black in color, not much to look at in the bag. Smells good though, kind of sweet and peppery. Some ribbon, some finer. Packs easily, takes fire well. That may be because it came in a bag as opposed to a can. On the charring light, I get an initial full taste of red va. The perique didn't come out much till about the halfway mark on the bowl. The flavor built in strength from there. It's a good va/per. And the sweet reds are the star in this one to me. They come through beginning to end. The cav isn't very present, but I guess that means it was blended well to help marry the other flavors.

All in all, I like this one a lot. I may well have to buy some more after I get through the little collection I have right now to smoke.