Peterson’s Irish Oak – Product Review

When I open a tin of Peterson – Irish Oak I get a very subtle wine/sherry aroma with light fig notes and a touch of fresh hay. The fine ribbon cut has good moisture balance, is smokeable straight from the tin and is easy to pack and light.

I find that the perique is more noticeable with Peterson’s Irish Oak than with Dunhill De Luxe Navy Rolls or Rattray’s Old Gowrie. The taste is spicy and peppery, which can be overpowering if you prefer a lighter touch of perique. This is definitely not as sweet as Old Gowrie but does have more of a peppery kick. The Cavendish in this blend does add a subtle sweetness and there is also a very light citrus and liquor taste. However, the main component seems to be the peppery tang from the perique; this is definitely a savoury tobacco. There is also a slight peaty flavour reminiscent of a peat whisky along with a hint of lemon.

If you prefer sweeter tobacco blends with perique then I would recommend Old Gowrie or Marlin Flake, but if you like savoury tastes and a little more nicotine then Peterson – Irish Oak may just fit the bill. The tobacco stayed lit throughout the smoke and burned down to a fine white ash with little moisture behind. The perique flavour does last throughout the smoke and seemed to get a little stronger towards the end of the bowl, though there was no bitterness.

At the end I was left with a pepper/cayenne taste on my tongue with little sweetness. This is not a bad thing if you prefer savoury tobacco over sweeter virginias or aromatics. If so, then
Peterson – Irish Oak is good quality pipe tobacco that has intriguing undertones behind the peppery tang.