Peretti Cambridge Flake
(3.48)
Combines the sweet zest of fine matured Virginia with the rich nutty flavor of Xanthi, Turkish and Latakia. This gives an uncommonly rich flavor and a smooth and zesty smoke.
Here is a combination of two great English traditions. A mixture of Latakia, Turkish and mature Virginia pressed into a flake to provide a unique smoking experience. If you're an English smoker looking to branch out into flakes, this one is for you.
Details
| Brand | Peretti |
| Blended By | L.J. Peretti |
| Manufactured By | L.J. Peretti |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.48 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
The description of this blend is identical to McClelland's #2020 (Matured Cake), which I love. The tin note (well, "bag note" in any case) is remarkably similar to #2020. This is fine, since I adore #2020.
However, I think this flake is rather different from #2020. I don't know if Peretti sources its flake from McClelland or not, as the internet sources seem to suggest. If they do, though, I think that this flake is made to somewhat different specifications.
Overall this blend is, in my opinion, a perfect Navy Flake. Despite whatever other ingredients may be in there, this flake is squarely Virginia and Latakia. Further, it doesn't have any of the other "flavorings" (or whatever it may be) that McClelland often uses--the Virginia is honest and simple, and the Latakia is well balanced. No toppings or any embellishments otherwise.
I wish I had some #2020 to smoke side-by-side to rule out "batch effects." This is a great Navy Flake, and I'd consider it something of a standard (in the good sense) of the genre.
However, I think this flake is rather different from #2020. I don't know if Peretti sources its flake from McClelland or not, as the internet sources seem to suggest. If they do, though, I think that this flake is made to somewhat different specifications.
Overall this blend is, in my opinion, a perfect Navy Flake. Despite whatever other ingredients may be in there, this flake is squarely Virginia and Latakia. Further, it doesn't have any of the other "flavorings" (or whatever it may be) that McClelland often uses--the Virginia is honest and simple, and the Latakia is well balanced. No toppings or any embellishments otherwise.
I wish I had some #2020 to smoke side-by-side to rule out "batch effects." This is a great Navy Flake, and I'd consider it something of a standard (in the good sense) of the genre.
Pipe Used:
billiards
PurchasedFrom:
Peretti (Mail Order)
Age When Smoked:
bulk/fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Why does no one mention the incredible sour note this tobacco has? Certainly the Orientals play a big part here. Not a Lat bomb by any stretch, this is firmly in the McClelland camp of mild mannered Lat blend.
But that sourness, wow. Big and persistent to the bottom of the bowl. You get glimpses of this in a lot of Lat blends, but here it is like a big, blinking neon sign. One dimensional? I don't think so. There is other stuff going on, but if you appreciate a sour Lat blend that may be a little light on Latakia but still big on flavor, this is it.
Not the whole package the way Penzance is, not as deep and big as Omega, but this one has something no other tobacco I've smoked has, and for me that makes it a hoarder. I find this much better than the reviews indicate, and it always distracts me when I smoke it because it makes me smile. This is not a complex tobacco but it does one thing really well. It consistently provides access to the big, elusive sour notes that really good Lat blends give. That alone makes it worth visiting.
But that sourness, wow. Big and persistent to the bottom of the bowl. You get glimpses of this in a lot of Lat blends, but here it is like a big, blinking neon sign. One dimensional? I don't think so. There is other stuff going on, but if you appreciate a sour Lat blend that may be a little light on Latakia but still big on flavor, this is it.
Not the whole package the way Penzance is, not as deep and big as Omega, but this one has something no other tobacco I've smoked has, and for me that makes it a hoarder. I find this much better than the reviews indicate, and it always distracts me when I smoke it because it makes me smile. This is not a complex tobacco but it does one thing really well. It consistently provides access to the big, elusive sour notes that really good Lat blends give. That alone makes it worth visiting.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 04, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
1/4 inch thick brown mottled flakes that are hefty and well pressed. Crumble easy like a crumble cake. These are beautiful flakes.
Pouch aroma of a smoky sweet, mildly sour dark fruit tobacco. the Orientals are really obvious in the pouch note!
As stated, these crumble and run out nicely. Perfect moisture content for immediate smoking.
Initial lighting shows the Orientals up front. Floral and slightly spicy. The Virginias don't offer much in the way of sweetness but seem to balance out this blend as intended They do contribute a slight bready note mid-bowl. The perfect amount of woody-earth smokiness comes out from the Latakia. Not the most complex English I have smoked, but enough to keep it interesting. The burn is slow and even, clean and cool. Never hints at biting. Leaves an extremely clean and refreshing feeling on the palate. This is a great morning blend with a dark roast coffee, black.
Right now, a solid 3.5 stars. I'm going to age this for 4-6 months to see if it can't be changed to 4 stars
Pouch aroma of a smoky sweet, mildly sour dark fruit tobacco. the Orientals are really obvious in the pouch note!
As stated, these crumble and run out nicely. Perfect moisture content for immediate smoking.
Initial lighting shows the Orientals up front. Floral and slightly spicy. The Virginias don't offer much in the way of sweetness but seem to balance out this blend as intended They do contribute a slight bready note mid-bowl. The perfect amount of woody-earth smokiness comes out from the Latakia. Not the most complex English I have smoked, but enough to keep it interesting. The burn is slow and even, clean and cool. Never hints at biting. Leaves an extremely clean and refreshing feeling on the palate. This is a great morning blend with a dark roast coffee, black.
Right now, a solid 3.5 stars. I'm going to age this for 4-6 months to see if it can't be changed to 4 stars
Pipe Used:
several
PurchasedFrom:
Peretti
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 08, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
A very good Latakia flake. It is along the lines of Gawith's Commonwealth mixture in flavor profile. Tangy and zesty! My only reservation was that it appeared to slightlly razor the tongue. I believe that the Virginias are a little to the sharp side. all in all a good smoke. 3 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 18, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I confirm Sasha?s review. The main role in this ready rubbed flake is played by VAs which give structure and tone. At first the blend is very spicy, while midway through the bowl it gets rounder and pleasantly creamy. It is tasty and has enough body. In my opinion, it is better than other VA/latakia flakes I have smoked, such as SG Balkan flake, which I found a bit dull and monochromatic.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
It looks and smells like the (broken)flake version of the Omega blend, very dark, musty and spicy. At the match it has the same turkish penetration, almost irritating for the nose and a little bitterish, but then it evolves in a different way. Here the Virginias are structural but they also give a distinct tone to the blend, while the latakia stays a little in the background. A fine choice for those who find Va-L flakes lacking deepness and a little boring.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 17, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
I agree with everything that cakeanddottle except for the part of the sourness which on my case it seems to mellow out towards the last third of the smoke. If you are like orientals being the band leader this one is for you although the aroma left behind in the room wont win you any favors with the misses. would I buy this again... yes this one is a keeper although I wish the nicotine level was higher.
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