Mac Baren HH Acadian Perique

Perique may not be around in ten years time, and this is primarily why I would reccomend this fine tobacco for everyone.

Perique is the Champagne of tobaccos, and must/can only grow one single place on earth - St.James Parish in the state of Louisiana. As of today there are only two commercial farmers left in the world doing Perique, as it is very labour intensive, not very profitting and an extremely difficult leaf to handle/process.

Often when you smoke blends supposedly containing Perique, they are not. It's very likely that you are smoking Green River Burley instead - the processed leaf look very similar. If you are a Perique Connoisseur as myself, you will easily taste the diference, the normal pipesmoker will not. Green River Burley is sweeter yet harsher. Sorta like an peppered apple (if that makes any sense). Real Perique is dryer, way more pepperish and earthy (not that unlike Latakia).

This is the real deal!

I think they should have kept it more simple though, because throwing in sweet Cavendish and bright VA's makes it hard to dechifrate. Then there's the Burley and the Burley Kentucky in there as well, making this a very confusing and highly complex smoke. I've given up on analysing this blend, and primarily smoke it when in need for som strong nasal cleansing smoke. And the aftertaste is kinda weird. You have no urge for cigarettes for several hours after smoking this. It leaves your mouth with a taste that you've just eaten some eucalyptos/toothpaste with chili (?). You feel the freshsness in your throat and nose, like you've just cleansed your system.

No question this is not a tobacco for everyone, and no question this is high-end tobacco, with a fair amount of nicotine due to the acrid Burleys. But surely the Perique holds it share as well. The interesting thing is that this blend is full of the expensive Perique, not only the 2-5% that is the normal for Perique blends, but more like 10-15% or so. There is no doubt that Perique dominates throughout.

It smokes somewhat cool in the pipe, and you get it burning very easily. Burns to the end with no problem, though I always have a small moist dottle in the end. Maybe I could smoke it all, but it does get kinda sour in the very end.

I recommend you not to give up on this until you've smoked at least half a tin. Because of the complexity, it really deserves more than a few bowls. My first, second and third bowl was kind of disappointing - all I got out of it was tears in my eyes and burning nostrils. But I never pass judgement on a tobacco until I've at least gone through a whole 100 grams. Maybe I kinda know what I think of it after five bowls or so, but my experience tell me, that things can change suddenly in the world of bacco tasting. Also try out this in different pipes. I favour HH Acadian Perique in a Pot or Oom Paul.

I like my Perique blends a little more simple. But I recognise good tobacco, and I will be buying a dusin or two of these tins. But I do hord Perique in any shape or form, as the future of this "truffle of tobacco" is very unsecure. I for one, would gladly pay twice the price, if that be what it takes to keep farming it.