Bufflehead King Eider

This is a very pleasing full-bodied VA/perique, rather reminiscent of St. James Woods but a bit fuller and richer IMHO. The perique hits the nose as the bag is opened. The broken flake rubs out and packs easily, but is just a tad moist so don't overpack. If visuals are any indication, this has a hefty perique content, lots of dark brown with the red-orange VA. I favor a large bowl with this blend. This stuff crowns very nicely if you enjoy that effect as I do. Light it up in the dark and watch that cherry flare like a cobra. The first thing to hit the palate is that Bufflehead knack for clean-tasting zesty VAs. The perique is there, but the first part of the bowl is a VA experience, with the perique dancing high in the nose. Like most tobaccos, this stuff hates to be hurried, but is actually pretty game compared to most VAs. It burns evenly and completely in the right pipe to a very pale grey ash. I struggle generally with complete smoking, but this gives me less fight than most. As the bowl progresses, the perique comes through more assertively, keeping things cool with a tangy spiciness. This is a satisfying smoke but won't give you the spins unless you really chug it. It inhales smoothly if you inhale as I do, but gives good nicotine satisfaction without inhaling. It does fill the room with its weighty dense smoke, and blows good if not great smoke rings. Comparisons are hard to avoid. It is sweeter and a bit less "periquey" than Escudo, has much more sweetness and complexity than Elizabethan Mixture, a bit fuller and spicier than St. James Woods. If you like those blends you should like this.