Peretti Cuban Mixture

LJ Peretti’s website lists no components for this blend except burley. Beyond that, who knows. Some reviewers here even say there is no cigar leaf. Ironic. The burley is definitely up front. I taste some cavendish too...I think. A hint of orientals...sorta kinda. Most definitely I taste some Latakia in there. I guess. Eleven herbs and spices? Yum! Anyway, Cuban Mixture is pretty good. Nothing jumps out at me. The light Peretti casing, which is mild and pleasant after you get used to it, brings all the tobacco flavors together quite masterfully. Who knows what’s in it, and who cares. As long as it’s enjoyable.

Summary: enjoyable melange of many types of leaf, with Cigar Leaf and Latakia taking center stage, supported by a gentle Burley mixture.

Cigar Leaf dominates most blends it encounters. In "Cuban Mixture," it pairs up with Cavendish to form a sweet flavor continuum reaching up through Maryland and Virginia leaf. This then picks up some texture from a small amount of Latakia, expands into the warmer space of Burley, and then complements the topping of multiple natural elements, similar to "Mixture 79" or Lakeland sauce. The Burley does not take the center stage but serves an entirely complementary role, allowing the Cigar Leaf to really shine from within a background of complementary tastes that avoid the somewhat jagged intrusion it normally creates in a pipe blend. Thoroughly enjoyable, this blend can be enjoyed without much thought, is mild and clean-burning enough to be a good all-day smoke, and showcases some of what can be done with the power of Cigar Leaf, even if it does require a kitchen sink style recipe.

The burley is prominent, with nutty, molasses sweet notes. But there are many other dimensions here. Pine, vanilla, baking spices, fruity and grassy Virginia notes. It comes at smoking moisture and burns very well. A delightful smoke.

I purchased this tobacco after reading the reviews and becoming intrigued. I have smoked a pipe off and on for more than 40 years, but I am new to L. J. Peretti tobaccos. I was looking for a burley, and they are famous for burley blends. Upon receipt, I pulled out a little of this tobacco and let it dry for 30 minutes, then packed it into a brand new billiard. I have never tasted anything remotely like this tobacco, and I have never used the words "complex" and "burley" in the same sentence before now. Amazing blend, and very complex. My hat is off to smokers who can pick out all the individual tobacco tastes in this--Burley, yes, Cigar leaf, yes, Oriental, yes, but beyond that, I'm lost. I do smoke Virginias and there is an tingle, a zip, here, kind of like seltzer water or club soda, (no, no, it's a GOOD thing) that may be from a Virginia. I've never experienced this taste before in any tobacco, and I find it extremely pleasant. I will cellar this tobacco and enjoy it for years. Highly recommended. (To allow me to save my review, this website requires me to rate a room note, but since I smoke alone and outside, I really can't tell. I rate it "unnoticeable", since I have to pick one option.)

Funny thing. Half-way through the bag I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about and I didn't think I had a party in my pipe. I took a break for about a month, fire-ed up a bowl and then POW!This stuff is excellent. During my break I was smoking several strong Orientals and a few aromatics. Maybe this set up a contrast for the taste of the Cuban mixture because when I returned to the Cuban I could really taste the subtleties of the tobaccos in the mix.

Of Note: Perretti calls this an "America Blend" as they do all their burley based blends. Although this mix has a lot of burley, Perretti does a fine job of not having the borley overwhelm the othe tabackys.

This is an excellent change of pace from English blends without being a virginia blend which I don't really prefer. Very interesting. Smooth, mellow and tasty.

So I’m on my second bowl tasting L.J. Perreti’s Cuban Mixture. It’s one of the oldest blends out there, going back to like early 1900’s. There are like 7 different tobaccos in this mix but it is definitely a Burley.

Deep brown ribbon cut with coarse traces of the added tobacco leaf. Interesting and complex one; a lot going on here to say the least. I do agree this is much better in a cob versus a briar.

A really nice rich nutty Burley main note; I mean really nice. It is enfolded in just cadre of different highlights. Somewhat of a puzzler and a real challenge to pick out the different elements.

When I first fired this up I get a really strong smell/taste of what I perceive to be Ivory soap, which is a first for me. It tames down after awhile and becomes constant but less obtrusive.

Occasionally I’m getting that tasty cigar leaf. Herbal, floral notes as well. The Kentucky and Virginia come through very, very subtly. I would like them to be just a tad bit stronger for a little more added sweetness but I am by no means complaining about the ratio natural to this blend. Although, it would be interesting to let down just a kiss of licorice topped Cavendish for S&G’s.

Occasionally there is mushroomy presence that pops out which must be the Latakia. Not strong at all in this particular blend. On the retro hale you can definitely pick it up that specific note.

They say it’s topped with mint which is not that consistently detectable at all. The room and pouch note are wonderful. Just a nice rich full bodied smoke that full of character, lively and very enjoyable!

Cuban Mixture is most definitely a study in skillful and, I’ll say artistic, tobacco blending. I could smoke this stuff all day. If nothing else it is amusing to attempt to sort the nuisances present in this blend

There is a reason this tobacco is rated so high. It great, complex, and it's old school class act. Peretti use the highest quality tobacco expertly blended. I smoke this blend as a English blend in wide pot pipe. You can enjoy all the different tobaccos as they come forward thou out the smoking. It is a mild all day everyday enjoyable smoke. I've heard online that this simular to Wallnut blend. Never had Wallnut but it reads about right in line with what Wallnut was. I Will he buying another 8oz tin of this soon or maybe just get the 1lb tin and see if I can cellar some.

At first light it?s a full frontal attack, but if you?re patient and aren?t easily scared off, your senses will be amply rewarded. Make no mistake about it: this is not a blend for neophytes. It?s serious tobacco, and probably the finest cigar blend you can find since the demise of the late, great 123 Mixture. Peretti is one of America?s, if not the world?s best blenders, definitely worthy of each and every fastidious smoker?s attention. At first, CB is a dirty smoke, like a bunch of White Owls were placed in a jar and crushed with Virginias. Very soon, though, a multiplicity of flavors and subtly sweet aromas wax and wane with an impressionistic élan. Most unusual and a must try for all smokers seeking a full, unmistakably unabashed tobacco taste.

Three and a half of five stars

Ill keep this short.. LORD this is a good blend! I am not even done with this bowl and am giddy about my next bowl and the ones after that. CM is an out of the park homer!