Perique tobacco, often referred to as the “truffle of tobaccos,” is a rare and highly sought-after variety that hails from the small region of Saint James Parish, Louisiana. This unique tobacco is renowned for its strong, bold flavor profile that includes spicy and fruity notes, making it a prized component in many high-quality tobacco blends. The meticulous process of producing Perique involves packing the leaves into whiskey barrels, applying pressure, and allowing them to ferment for over a year. This labor-intensive method yields a tobacco with unparalleled depth and complexity. Perique’s rarity and distinctive taste have cultivated a dedicated following among tobacco enthusiasts, who often regard it as the pinnacle of smoking luxury.
The Origins of Perique Tobacco
Perique tobacco originates from Saint James Parish, Louisiana, and is known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma.
The Role of Pierre Chenet
The commercial cultivation of Perique tobacco is credited to a farmer named Pierre Chenet, who began the process in the late 18th century.
The Influence of Native American Tribes
Before the arrival of the Acadians in 1776, the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes were already cultivating a variety of tobacco with a distinctive flavor, which would later become known as Perique .
The Cultivation Process of Perique Tobacco
The cultivation of Perique tobacco is a meticulous process that requires careful attention to detail.
Planting and Growing
The tobacco plants are manually kept suckerless and pruned to exactly 12 leaves through their early growth. In late June, when the plants are 24 30 inches tall, the whole plant is harvested.
Harvesting and Curing
After harvesting, the plants are hung to dry in a sideless curing barn. Once the leaves have partially dried but are still supple, any remaining dirt is removed and the leaves are moistened with water and stemmed by hand.
The Fermentation Process of Perique Tobacco
The fermentation process of Perique tobacco is what gives it its unique characteristics.
The Role of Pressure and Time
Perique tobacco undergoes a unique process of pressure fermentation, which requires between 30 to 50 psi maintained over a period of 3 to 6 months.
The Resulting Characteristics
The finished tobacco is dark brown nearly black very moist with a fruity, slightly vinegary aroma. The fruity aroma is the result of hundreds of volatile compounds created by anaerobic fermentation.
The Use of Perique Tobacco in Blends
Perique tobacco is most commonly used as a blending tobacco due to its pungent characteristics.
The Impact on Flavor and Experience
Perique tobacco is often used as a condimental tobacco to add nuance or complexity to a blend. It is described by fans as spicy, earthy, and rich.
The Role in Neutralizing pH
One excellent use of Perique in tobacco blending is using it to neutralize the pH of more acidic tobacco, such as flue-cured tobacco.
The Current State of Perique Tobacco Production
The production of Perique tobacco has faced numerous challenges over the years, but it has managed to survive and thrive.
The Decline and Revival
In the early 2000s, the world supply of Perique tobacco was down to about five barrels. However, the consistent demand from American Spirit and other buyers helped revive the production.
The Role of Mark Ryan and Daughters & Ryan Tobacco
In 2005, Mark Ryan of Daughters and Ryan Tobacco in North Carolina purchased L.A. Poche Perique Tobacco, helping to preserve and innovate the production of Perique tobacco.
The Future of Perique Tobacco
Despite the challenges, Perique tobacco continues to be a beloved variety among tobacco enthusiasts.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the production of Perique tobacco has faced numerous challenges, it has also presented opportunities for innovation and growth.
The Legacy of Perique Tobacco
Perique tobacco, with its unique flavor and rich history, continues to be a cherished part of the tobacco world, promising a future as rich as its past.
what is the history of perique tobacco
Perique tobacco, known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma, originates from Saint James Parish, Louisiana. The cultivation of this unique tobacco variety can be traced back to the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes who were the original cultivators of this distinctive flavor tobacco. In 1824, a farmer named Pierre Chenet is credited with turning this local tobacco into what is now known as Perique through a labor-intensive technique.
The production process of Perique tobacco is quite unique and labor-intensive. The tobacco plants are manually kept suckerless and pruned to exactly 12 leaves. In late June, when the leaves are a dark, rich green and the plants are 24 30 inches tall, the whole plant is harvested in the late evening and hung to dry in a sideless curing barn. After a brief period of air curing, the leaves are put in Oak barrels under heavy pressure and then allowed to ferment.
In the 1900s, there were three processors of Perique: the Roussels, who industrialized Perique by fermenting it in whiskey barrels before stopping production around the 1950s; the Guglielmo s, who closed up shop in the late 70s; and the Poches, who started in 1917. In 2005, Mark Ryan of Daughters and Ryan Tobacco in North Carolina purchased L.A. Poche Perique Tobacco in Convent, Louisiana from the Poche family.
what are the unique characteristics of perique tobacco
Perique tobacco, originating from Saint James Parish, Louisiana, is known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma. It is a unique and rare type of tobacco that is highly valued for its complex and versatile flavor profile.
One of the key characteristics that sets Perique apart from other tobaccos is the unique fermentation process it undergoes. After air-curing, the leaves are picked from the stalks, heavily wetted, and then put under heavy pressure in Oak barrels to ferment. This process results in a dark brown, nearly black tobacco that is very moist and has a fruity, slightly vinegary aroma.
The flavor of Perique tobacco is often described as intense and fruity, with a spiciness and notes of stewed plum. The more Perique added to a blend, the more complex flavors it offers, like mushroom and soy sauce, along with stone fruit kind of notes.
Perique is often used as a blending tobacco due to its pungent characteristics. It goes particularly well with Virginia tobacco, but adds a unique support taste to many other tobacco blends. However, it is often considered too strong to be smoked pure.
Perique tobacco is also unique in its cultivation. It is grown on small family farms, with each farmer cultivating a few acres of the crop. The tobacco plants are manually kept suckerless and pruned to exactly 12 leaves. In late June, when the leaves are a dark, rich green and the plants are 24 30 inches tall, the whole plant is harvested in the late evening and hung to dry in a sideless curing barn.
what are the most popular brands of perique tobacco
Perique tobacco, known for its strong, fruity aroma, is used in a variety of tobacco blends by several popular brands. Here are some of the most popular brands that use Perique tobacco in their blends:
Cornell & Diehl
Cornell & Diehl offers a range of Perique-forward blends. They have an exclusive partnership with 31 Farms, operated by the Roussel family, who have been producing Perique tobacco since the 1700s. Some of their popular blends include Granulated Perique and Bayou Night.
Ashton
Ashton’s Artisan’s Blend is a full-bodied English mixture that harmonizes Virginia and Turkish tobaccos with Latakia and a touch of Perique to create a spicy and satisfying taste.
Rattray’s
Rattray’s Black Mallory is a well-structured English blend with a Virginia base, Black Cavendish, Orientals, Latakia, and Perique.
Peterson
Peterson’s Irish Cask and Elizabethan blends both contain Perique tobacco.
Samuel Gawith
Samuel Gawith’s St James Flake and Cabbie’s Mixture are both popular blends that contain Perique tobacco.
G.L. Pease
G.L. Pease is another brand that offers Perique tobacco blends.
Dunhill
Dunhill is a well-known brand that uses Perique tobacco in some of their blends .
Orlik
Orlik is another brand that offers Perique tobacco blends.
Lane Limited
Lane Limited also offers Perique tobacco blends.
Peter Stokkebye
Peter Stokkebye’s PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake is a popular blend that contains Perique tobacco .
Charatan
Charatan’s Victorian Mixture, Rolls, and Flake all contain Perique tobacco.
Conclusion
Perique tobacco, with its unique cultivation and fermentation process, distinctive flavor, and rich history, holds a special place in the world of tobacco. Despite the challenges it has faced, it continues to thrive, testament to the dedication of those who cultivate it and the enthusiasts who enjoy it.
Statistics
Production Statistics
All of the world s true Perique is grown in St. James Parish, Louisiana. Only 300 acres that runs along the Acadian Coast is used to grow this precious leaf.
Consumption Statistics
Despite being a minor tobacco type, Perique is highly valued by tobacco enthusiasts. It is often used in blending, with ratios varying from 10% to 20% depending on the desired flavor intensity.
FAQs
What is Perique Tobacco?
Perique is a unique type of tobacco known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma. It originates from Saint James Parish, Louisiana.
How is Perique Tobacco Produced?
Perique tobacco is produced by subjecting the leaf of a Red Burley to a special fermentation process. After a brief period of air curing, the Burley leaf is put in Oak barrels under heavy pressure and then allowed to ferment.
Why is Perique Tobacco Unique?
Perique tobacco is unique due to its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma, which is achieved through a special fermentation process. It is also rare, with all of the world s true Perique grown in a small area in St. James Parish, Louisiana.
Books
Recommended Books on Perique Tobacco
For those interested in learning more about Perique tobacco, “Perique: Photographs by Charles Martin” is an excellent book that provides a detailed history of Perique tobacco https://www.amazon.com/Perique-Photographs-Charles-Martin/dp/0917860624. Another recommended book is “Ninety More Pipe Blends,” which includes a special chapter on Specialty Yeast Perique https://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/book-ninety-more-pipe-blends-download-free-book.11103/.
Sources of Information
Reliable Sources for Further Reading
For further reading on Perique tobacco, reliable sources include articles on websites such as Matt-Lub, Pipestud, Pipes Magazine, ResearchGate, and Wikipedia https://matt-lub.com/tobacco-perique.jsp
https://www.pipestud.com/fun-facts-for-perique-freaks/
https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/homemade-vapers-perique-question.102616/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228489250_Volatile_constituents_of_Perique_tobacco
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perique.
Citations
Authoritative Citations on Perique Tobacco
For authoritative citations on Perique tobacco, refer to the works of Tina Arceo-Dumlao, “Daughters & Ryan,” and R. Reese Fuller https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perique.