John Patton Cool Hand Fluke

John Patton - Cool Hand Fluke.

The flavour from Cool Hand Fluke's right up my street. The Perique domineers it, without a doubt: plummy, zingy and full. This leaves only a small amount of room for the Virginia. To be fair, for the initial part of the smoke I get a notable Virginia grass-note, but this soon dies down. On the positive side it doesn't bite, but on the negative side it burns a bit too hot; very consistent, very independent, but it can become a touch too warm if it's not puffed gently. Towards the end of a bowl the dark fruit flavour becomes even more concentrated, this is the best part of the smoke (for me).

The room-note's nice, and the nicotine's above medium.

There's only one possible score from my point of view: four stars.

Highly recommended.

Unfortunately, I never really cottoned to any of the late John Patton tobaccos. The seem like mostly blends that are made from a compilation of other blends... but not Cool Hand Fluke. It is certainly unique in a lot of respects. I've never smoked a Burley based blend with so much Perique, and frankly, never intend to do so again. According to my palate, Burley seldom compliments Perique without Latakia in it. This one has some lower grade Virginia leaf mixed in. I'm sorry, but cannot find anything to like about this tobacco. In fact, I bid it bye bye after just a couple of bowls.

A little rough around the edges, could use about a year or two in the cellar to smooth out this bulk offering. Burley is not listed but it sure tastes like we have a touch here, if we don't, than there are a high percentage of stoved Virginias. Either way, this provides a nice base and some punch and, if it's Burley, it doesn't overpower the smoke in flavor. Perique provide some spice and kick and any high notes from the Virginia just rides along. Overall a pleasant smoke but not one that I would have a yearning for. Reminds me of 4 noggins Weybridge , but not as interesting I'm just not going to be buying more, not that it's real bad , but it just isn't interesting enough

My wife has remarked on how nice the aroma is from this tobacco, which is rare for a VaPer.

It has a nice rounded complex full yet spicy profile. I am floored that the blend allegedly has 40% perique, it doesn't present itself that way, at all.

I smoked through a small sample and have immediately had a desire to buy more.

I do like VaPers and think this is one of the best in this style, with darker fuller VA plus lots of perique. (Similar to 2015.)

Very well behaved in the pipe, smokes dry and clean.

I can only ditto what everyone else has already said about this blend. If you're a VA/perique fan you should try this. If you love perique you should really try it. I will smoke this one for days on ned before switching to something else. My only complaints are it's nicotine content could be higher and it gives your pipe that sour perique smell. If those are the only drawbacks, then like the monkey signed when it came back from outer-space: "BFD". Best smoked in a cob (I use the General model). Try it.

First, I'm a huge fan of perique blends. A few of my very favorites are Samuel Gawith's St James Flake, Butera's Kingfisher, DAN's Treasures of Ireland: Limerick, and Cornell & Diehl's Exhausted Rooster and Three Friars.

This blend is something a bit different, but very "middle of the road." When I saw that it was supposed to have 40% perique, I was thinking that this might be way too much -- that this was a mistake John (Patton) had made being primarily a burley-smoker himself. I was pleasantly surprised.

The perique is definitely the main player in this blend's flavor profile, but the Virginias are also very present. Their contribution and their different flavors are more and less noticeable at different times throughout the bowl. The perique doesn't completely blow me away as it does when I smoke straight perique (or Kajun Kake for that matter), but it will not be overlooked, either.

If you and perique simply do not get along, you probably are not going to enjoy this blend. If you are like me, however, and do enjoy the fruity, spicey, earthy pungance of a healthy dose of perique in your bowl, this is one you definitely should try.

You know the old codger (we all know one) who smokes nothing but his one particular over-the-counter burley blend, and likes it that way. It may be a bit plain or monotonous, but it's what he likes. It's comforting and familiar, and he'll smoke it all day every day. You know that guy? Well, if he was a Virginia/Perique smoker instead of a burley smoker, this is the blend he'd smoke.

I'm saying I think we have a winner. Won't be for everyone, but some people will love it.