Peretti Tashkent

"Now for something totally different". For what it is, Tashkent is a very good exotic mix and a nice substitute in the Oriental slot of a rotation. I like an occasional bowl of this in the evening to soothe the palate before calling it a day. As the bowl's flavors intensify, there is no sign of sweet, nothing nutty, nothing layered in complexity, just an lingering smokiness and a gentle spice. Tashkent is ultra smooth, so if that's your thing, then this is for you. Mild, two dimensional and unique are words that I would use to describe it. I find it another fine Peretti blend to have in my current rotation but unfortunately I think it lacks the intangibles to consider a staple smoke. I'll probably branch out to other Peretti offerings when my supply runs out. Can't go wrong with Peretti, though. (Royal Blend is to die for).

P.S. It refuses to bite your tongue, no matter how feverishly you puff.

This is an excellent balkan/oriental blend and I'll leave the details to my more experienced brother smokers below.

I do find the blend to be very subtle and smooth. The latakia is present but not front and center. There are several Peretti English/balkans I enjoy more but this is a wonderful variation on those type of blends. As noted, very subtle and smooth.

I especially like blends like this in the morning with my coffee.

Such a wonderful, deep flavored, bright tobacco. I went in to check out pipes and after talking with their master tobacconist and the wonderful guys behind the counter, left with what I thought would be plenty. Turns out I was wrong, I’ll need to go back for more.

Quite simply stated this is a blend of excellent tobaccos married for a lifetime of pleasure. If you enjoy Engish blends you will navigate thru a flavor profile of incredible satisfaction without a strand of Virginia influence.

Tashkent is much like its Peretti cousin, Royal, less the Virginia. It definitely has has those characteristics which one would expect from an oriental forward blend: dry, semi-sour and spicy. Tripjoker's review nails this one perfectly so I yield to his excellent review below.

I love Latakia! I love this type of blend.

If you are a big fan of the Latakia leaf, then you definitely have to try this. I however, have some sort of brand loyalty to McC's and would rather buy their stuff in the tin after it's been aged a few years. If I wanted to make changes to McC's stuff, then I would call Peretti's. I haven't gotten to that point yet. I would compare this to McC's Bombay Court or Bombay Extra.

Bag aroma is great, no "ketchup" smell as some would call it. Packs well, lights fantastic. Not too wet, maybe a bit on the dry side. Doesn't bite back. Good flavor all the way down with a slight turn about halfway through the bowl. But you have to be gentle with it to notice it. I think it's when the moisture catches up to the flame in the bottom that causes this change. Very nice. But as with all good delicate, un-cased pipe weed, it acts accordingly. Very much recommended.

Im surprised that there aren't that many smokers who know about this blend, but MAN is this a must try if you like Latakia. This is is a Latakia/Oriental without any Virginias, which is exactly why this blend stand out for me. That and my family is from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It is an exotic blend nothing too fancy, but a must try for those who love the genre.

After many years of hearing the accolades of this blend I am finally getting around to trying it. I am ashamed to say, this is the first Peretti blend I have tried, and certainly will not be my last. I admit that in my younger piping days I often fell victim to the sirens song of flashy and brilliant packaging. I would often order blends after flipping through magazines or skimming websites, and seeing amazing artwork on tins. As I have matured, I have learned that some of the best pipe tobacco you can get comes in plain looking baggies with just a blenders name on the front. Companies like Wilke, Peretti (those paint cans are so cool though), and Boswell produce an amazing product in a humble packaging. My first thought when I got this is that latakia would play a prominent role. This was based on the bag note, but this would would prove to be false. This comes in a nice uniform ribbon like cut. Mostly medium and light browns with a few dark specks. The bag note is latakia and a beautifully incense like smell that orientals always bring. It comes at the perfect moisture level and packs and burns beautifully. The taste is just wonderful. A full on display of the wonder that is oriental tobaccos. At first, I felt like it was missing something. I believe this is due to the fact that, for the vast majority of ones pipe smoking journey, orientals are always an accompaniment, and never the lead melody. After I slowed down and concentrated, this really shined. It is a full, incense like experience. Very unique and just a joy. It tends to gather some gravitas as it travels deeper into the bowl. A wonderful blend. This is so unique and lovely. A must try. I also believe this blend is a wonderful gateway to help appreciate the oriental compomnent of other blends. Four stars all day.

Definitions get fuzzy. People get fuzzy. What is an oriental tobacco? Where does English connect to Oriental? Some suggest English must have Virginia and Latakia. And that this lovely blend from Peretti can’t be this or that because …. Back to fuzzy. What is an oriental?

Out of the bag this smells like an English with good Lat but in the smoking it is peppery and spicy and rather mild. The Lat is present but not like a Westminster or Odyssey.

I found this to be a pleasant and tasty mild to medium easy smoke. Tasty. Interesting. Some nuance. Lovely addition to the rotation.