Mac Baren HH Acadian Perique

Tin aroma brings the Perique out front, ripe cheese and field mushrooms. A background of Virginia's figs & raisins and sweet cereals, tart and fresh, sweet notes belie the quality Orientals. The Latakia is only a distant smoky scent. The aroma is complex, more well- married than well-balanced, and mouthwatering for the Perique fans among us. The burley and Cavendish soften the overall thing.

Packing and lighting is a breeze.

Rich, sweet, molasses & Scottish oatmeal, delicious funky scent of Perique fills the sinuses, Oriental leaf makes it's presence known surprising boldly. As the bowl burns down, you end up with warm, sweet Virginia - slightly salted by the ghosts of the Oriental leaves - softly scented by the earthy bones of the Perique.

Easy smoking, consistently interesting. I prefer the way the American blenders handle Perique blends, but this Danish mix is very interesting.

Some reviewers here have discussed St. James Parish Perique vs. the more common modern versions. The new stuff is usually made from Green River Burley, where the “real” stuff is made from a native leaf known down south as “Red Burley”. Otherwise, both are cured the same way, under pressure in oak barrels - cured in the juices of the tobacco leaves themselves - flipped periodically to move the juices evenly through the leaves.

While there are some differences, just remember, less and less Perique is being produced in Louisiana. Most of the Perique we're all smoking already comes from other sources.

I hope there will always be some St. James Perique around to enjoy. But if it does turn out to be a dying breed, I'm glad others are working on a replacement.

Let me start by saying that I am a novice pipe smoker and have not actually sampled many tobaccos at all. However, I am fan of bold flavors: cigars, single malts, imperial stouts, cured meats, etc. After trying a standard virginia and a medium English blend from my local tobacco shop, I started researching different blends and styles, contemplating my next smoke. I read about perique and had to try it. I am also a big fan of all things Lousiana, so a perique blend seemed like a great choice for expanding palate.

I wasn't disappointed. Right out of the tin, this blend was great! The aroma, texture, moisture and evenness of the blend were pretty much perfect, I think. It loaded well, smoked well and tasted fantastic! It is a very complex blend with many flavors (some of which as a beginner I can't even identify) appearing and disappearing throughout the bowl. The perique element is easily identifiable and the figgy sweetness it lends to the blend is unmistakable though.

I don't smoke every day, and always outside - which I like, even on cold days... and let me say: having smoked some "middle of the road" blends, I was delighted to find a tobacco that really let me know I was smoking something special and tasting something different, interesting and very pleasing. Even my girlfriend noticed the difference and remarked that the aroma was much nicer.

I love this stuff and plan on having some around at all times. No matter how many more tobaccos I try, MacBaren's Arcadian Perique will always be on hand for a wonderful smoke. Great stuff.

This is, by far, MacBaren's strongest mixture.

Even though there are a lot of tobaccos in there, the Perique dominates the game all along, with its plum-like flavor, complemented by the DFK's spiciness. Occasionnally, the sweetness of th VAs emerge.

Smokes well, leaves a gray ash at the bottom and does not bite.

I smokes it right out after receiving it. I imagine it will be a very good tobacco after a couple years of aging.

A very fine tobacco, indeed.

I was looking for a Va/Per to satisfy a craving. I bought a couple different tins at my local tobacco store. This one which I now LOVE, and another that just didn't work out.

It has great Virginia flavor. If you're like me and always ask "Where's the Perique?", this won't leave you wondering. Loads well. Smokes well. I tend to sip (or "kiss") the pipe and route the smoke through my nostrils because I love the peppery flavor so much.

Didn't enjoy it so much in my Peterson XL305. I think the smoke cooled too much over the long trip to keep the flavor alive for me. Works great with any standard length pipe though.

Hiya fellers, Red here. This is an interesting smoke that doesn't know for sure if it's a Va/Per, a Balkan that forgot it's Latakia in yesterdays pants pocket, or a nice little sweetened Burley blend. In the midst of all this schitzophrenia it somehow accomplishes it's apparent purpose; to take you for a ride.

Sitting down to a pipe full o' this makes me think of slowly wandering around a walk-in humidor with my nose tilted up catching all sorts of flavors, some of which make me scratch my head, while other's call my name with the irresistible pull of a Goddess ready to reward me for services rendered..... Anyhoo, it's a tad on the sweet side for my taste but it is definitely a good smoke if you are in the mood for something that will keep distracting you from what you were trying to do whilst smoking your pipe. Sweet Cavendish, nutty burley, and the extra percentage of Perique set themselves apart in this lively blend that has little of the traditional Mac Baren sweet casing and lot's of pleasing, well balanced flavor. Flavorful enough to make you want to puff and Virginia enough to make you pay. Mildly strong. Vitamin N. Lots of fun and tasty to boot. Bravo.

Three Stars.

UPDATE:

I tried this tobacco in a 9 mm filtered Stanwell pipe with a bowl of a comfortable size.

Really at the same time smooth and spiced.

I now love this tobacco.

So, with a matching pipe, really worth a try.

Wow, this is a blend to stock up on. Like the blender states on the tin, this has no top note but is equally flavourful from every angle. The Perique builds towards the end. The burley's and virnginias nuttyness are set off by the Cavendishes bitter-sweetness. It has no tongue bite, but is rich in taste. A rare combination. It comes moist so keeping it that way will help maintain the falvour of it's carefully measured ingredients.

It can be puffed all day, the Nicotine kick is evident but not overly powering to me. I like strong Cavendishes spinkled with Perique when I'm not trying top blends however.

A Drinkless or Peterson type pipe will help you to distinguish the four main notes. But a well caked billiard will give a rich warm smoke that is not unlike rich dark coffee, or a dark Beer. Both of which go with this blend well also.

Burns to a fine ash, carefull or you may get ashes or ash taste in your mouth near the end. It does smoke nice with no tongue bite and only slight bitterness all the way down. Does tend to build moisture so running a pipe cleaner or two during your puff will help keep that at bay. A good blend to rotate through a couple pipes at least because of the moisture that can build up. I'm again used to this due to me liking Cavendish which is moist and acrid but sweet.

This blend should age very well. The tins I have are about a year old and are only getting better. It is a limited run blend.

Overall very fine blend. Did fine some tobacco veins/sticks. Unussual with a high end blend. Most likely from the Virginia they are using in the blend.

I like this tobacco very much,i notice the taste of the Kentucky and Burly which gives a dry taste and ramps up the nicotine which can take you by surprise. I like the taste of Arcadian Perique supplied by Ryan and co,there is an article that can be refered to.He states that Arcadian Perique is not st James Perique but a tabbaco cured by the same method, which i prefer to the St James Variety, as it has a slightly sour note that i love. Also to be seen in Germaines Royal Perique mixture.

This blend has unique composition, with no top flavour and only minimal casing. It does smoke mild and bite free but is full-bodied as well. The Perique stands out in a moderate way way but is well integrated with the Virginia's, Burleys, dark-fired Kentucky, Cavendish and a touch of Orientals. Admirers of a natural blend spiced with Perique ought to give this a try real soon! I certainly will buy more!