Choosing the Right Tobacco for Your Pipes: A Challenge and an Experience
Perhaps you're a connoisseur of bold, strong flavors, akin to a black coffee no sugar in tea type or a brandy kind of guy. You're looking for something that presents a challenge and an experience. This guide will help you navigate through the world of pipe smoking, giving you options based on your preferences and personality.
Sources for Tobacco Reviews
Mr. Post suggests exploring forums and websites that have user reviews and descriptions of thousands of blends. These platforms can be immensely helpful, as the opinions from other pipe smokers are all over the map. Take the time to read these reviews to get a sense of what might suit your taste. Even if you find a blend intriguing, it's still good to buy small quantities first. Tins are generally inexpensive, so you won't waste too much even if you decide to move on.
In the absence of a local tobacconist, there are several online merchants that can cater to your needs. These stores offer a wide range of blends, allowing you to experiment without committing to a large amount at once.
Challenging Blends for a Meticulous Taster
Mr. Post also mentions avoiding the lighter Burley blends, which are often seen as the pipe smoker's training wheels. He suggests starting with more robust blends to truly challenge your palate. Here are two powerful and distinctive tobacco types:
Latakia: An Intense Experience
Latakia is named after Syria’s principal port, once a major producer. Now, it's primarily grown in northern Syria and nearby Cyprus. Latakia is sun-cured and fire-cured with aromatic herbs and woods, imparting an intense spicy character—wood smoke and black pepper. This tobacco is known for its distinctive, robust flavor that can be overwhelming on its own.
According to legend, Latakia was discovered by accident during a bumper crop year in Syria. Excess tobacco was hung in the rafters of houses, which was later cured intensely. The resulting strong pepper flavor was well-received by the locals, leading to its widespread use today.
Latakia is not for the faint of heart. Most smokers add it to easier, milder tobaccos like Virginia or Burley as a “condiment” for hints of spice and flavor. If you're a black coffee no sugar in tea type, this tobacco could be a perfect match for you.
Perique: A Rare and Powerful Tobacco
Perique hails from St. James Parish, Louisiana, and has a history dating back to 1824. By the end of the French and Indian War, Acadian exiles encountered Native American tribes, who were cultivating a unique tobacco. An Acadian settler named Pierre Chenet is credited with inventing the tobacco variety through a pressure fermentation method.
A precise process is required to cultivate Perique. Plants are closely watched and pruned to twelve leaves during growth. In late June, the leaves turn dark green and are harvested in the evening. The plants are hung in a curing barn for a couple of weeks before being stemmed and washed. One-pound bundles are packed into whiskey barrels made of hickory. Using oak blocks and screw jacks, almost all the air is forced out of the tobacco. Every 30 days, the blocks and jacks are removed to allow some air back into the tobacco leaves. A full year later, the tobacco is ready for use.
Perique is described as having a “fruity, slightly vinegary” scent, and its flavor is often described as “smoky” and “spicy.” The conditions for fermentation create compounds similar to those found in wine.
Perique is extremely rare, with only 16 acres still in cultivation. It's often blended with other tobaccos, as most smokers find it too strong to smoke by itself. Viprati, a Perique/Virginia blend, is one of my favorite tobaccos for those who enjoy strong, no-frills flavors.
Ready to Smoke?
If you're a straight shooter and a no-frills type of person, either of these tobaccos can be to your taste. Latakia and Perique embody a robust, spicy flavor that aligns with your preference for a challenge and an immersive smoking experience. Enjoy these offerings and embrace the pipe smoking journey!
Good luck, and happy smoking!