Back Bay

Back Bay is a Virginia-Perique record in Wilke Pipe Tobacco's blender's special series. Perique is worked into a bright Virginia ribbon-cut base at forty percent — a proportion notably above the usual five-to-fifteen-percent Perique share for the type, pulling the blend's character toward the spice side.

The Virginia side offers tart citrus, grass, bread, a floral edge, and measured sugar; Perique adds a piercing spice with fruit notes reminiscent of dried plum, fig, and raisin. Body is medium and rises somewhat in the first third. It burns cool and steady, requiring few relights. It suits smokers seeking unflavored Virginia-Perique who aren't shy of the spice coming forward.