One of Russ Ouellette's favorite pipe makers is Italian impressario, Luigi Viprati. One thing he learned early on is that Luigi loves Virginia/Perique blends, and he asked Russ to try to make something that would remind him of his favorite - Escudo. Russ began by finding three different types of matured Virginias, each with a slightly different flavor profile. To that, Russ added a fair amount of zesty Perique, but it was lacking some body, so he found a fire-cured Burley, with a rich, but subtle flavor that added just enough depth and "kick" to round out the blend. H&H Marquee Viprati has quickly become one of our best selling Va/Pers and has been rated very highly by our customers and folks at TobaccoReviews.com (100% 4 star ratings). If you're a Va/Per fan, don't pass up Viprati.
A classic Va/Per blend! Smokes cool and dry with a clean white ash and little to no dottle.
Nice Virginia flavor with some richness and spice from the perique.
Pleasant after taste.
5 out of 5
Great morning smoke.
Oct 22, 2022
Great morning smoke.
5 out of 5
Robust and flavorful, yet mellow
Feb 11, 2022
Robust and flavorful yet mellow enough to smoke all day. I have a weak pallet and usually stick to aromatic tobaccos but I found this very satisfying!
5 out of 5
A remarkably well balanced Va/Per.
Feb 10, 2022
This is a very well balanced and delicious blend that burns clean. I bought five tins of Viprati and I am thinking about buying ten more for the cellar. This is a very high quality tobacco that will undoubtedly age very well. The Perique content is just right, IMO, and it adds a little nose tingle and some fruitiness to the smoke. I'm becoming quite fond of this blend the more that I smoke it, and it's rapidly becoming a favorite along with H&H Louisiana Red (which can be bought in bulk). I wish Russ O would release Viprati in bulk, perhaps eventually he might (we can hope), like he's done with several of the H&H blends, Fusilers Ration is one that comes to mind. Regardless, I plan to keep some Viprati on hand and in the cellar for the foreseeable future.
5 out of 5
Ammendment to original d
Nov 28, 2021
I meant to rate Viprati five stars in my original review. I'm finding this to be very good right out of the tin, but I believe that it will be a great one to sit on, and open up for special occasion. I plan on keeping some in the rotation as well.
4 out of 5
Top quality Va/Per
Nov 27, 2021
I bought five tins of Viprati, and I wish I had bought ten tins. Some reviewers have stated that Viprati burned too quickly for them, I'm finding that not to be the case for me. I'm getting full length pipes from it, with no noticeable difference in burn time from other Va/Pers. I opened the first tin today, and the aroma is pleasent. It's very familiar, tangy with the fruitiness of the Perique coming through. I've been enjoying Viprati in a meerschaum pipe with a tall tapered bowl, it's a very nice smoke, with loads of flavor. It packs and burns evenly, with a a medium (for me) amount of nicotine.. I've been smoking nothing but Va/Pers for the past few years, I've been using a pipe since 1979, and spent a long time on latakia blends. I'd rank this one right up near the top of the Va/Pers that I've tried so far. I think that I'll order five more tins, and let some time do it's magic on it.
5 out of 5
Magically delicious
Jul 07, 2021
Magically delicious
4 out of 5
Quality VaPer for your cellar
Oct 28, 2020
This is one of those blends that all the components work together and don't fight each other for attention. Nice musky smell in the jar and a nice dark fruit spicy bowl throughout. I love to have this blend in the morning with my coffee or cappuccino as it pairs nicely. Nice earthy aftertaste
4 out of 5
Rich and strong
Sep 16, 2020
The moment I opened up this can, I was overwhelmed by how amazing it smells. Strong notes of black licorice and sweet spices, without smelling "aromatic." In the pipe, it tastes amazing, although I find it takes a bit of drying to achieve a consistent burn (not a complaint, just my experience). I love everything about this tobacco, but MAN it gives me the strongest nicotine buzz I've ever experienced with a pipe. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it's pretty close to smoking a strong cigar.
5 out of 5
Best of the best
Aug 14, 2020
Excellent tobacco! From the first fire, to the bottom of the bowl. Very impressive tobacco blend. One of my favorites. Gary the Irish settler ☘
5 out of 5
Smooth Smoke
Jun 14, 2020
H&H offers another great blend. Not overpowering and retains its characteristics all the way through the bowl. Fresh out of the tin may require a few minutes to air out and dry. I am a fan of VaPers and this is in my top three. Not an all day smoke so I save this for my evening smoke before turning in. I have added this to my regular rotation as well as cellaring some tins to see how they age.
5 out of 5
Amazing blend !
Oct 23, 2019
Boy this is said to be made with Mr.Viprati in mind. Somebody must have Really like Mr.Viprati.
Great taste and burn and moisture is perfect for me straight from the new tin. Smoked this a couple yrs ago too. Still a Fine blend.
5 out of 5
One smooth VaPer
Apr 29, 2019
Viprati has rapidly become my standard go to VaPer. I love the fruit/spice notes of the perique that don't overwhelm but make their presence known. This tobacco may not be unique in the true sense of the word, but it is surely rare. I've not found any VaPer I like better.
5 out of 5
Quite a nice tobacco
Mar 01, 2019
...This is my personal favourite tobacco...it has a great aroma, rich taste that doesn't overpower the mood, and a fantastic feeling that only a tobacco of this caliber can offer...it has my full recommendation...
5 out of 5
Top Notch VaPer
Jan 16, 2019
An excellent VaPer with deep dark stewed fruit notes, and increasing spice as you work your way down the bowl. No bite. Cut is easy to pack and keep lit with very few delights. Highly recommended!
3 out of 5
OK stuff in my book
Jul 21, 2018
Not bad, but too bland for my taste. It is pleasantly mellow.
5 out of 5
Awesome
Jun 01, 2018
No other words needed.
5 out of 5
Great smoke!
Nov 16, 2017
The first bowl I let dry out way too much, and it bit me like the butt end of a fire breathing dragon! So wasn't sure if I was going to like this one. The second bowl- a couple of days later- I smoked as is right out of the tin. What a huge difference! Great smoke... could be an all-day VA-PER for me, has just the right amount of perique for my taste profile. Well done!
5 out of 5
One For The Ages
Oct 09, 2017
No poetic or analytic meanderings... just a simple shout out to summarize everything you need to know about Viprati: this is THE vaper for the ages....
5 out of 5
Good "zest"
Dec 21, 2016
...aged Virginia sweet flavor with a unique sour like "zest" brings this IMHO strong smoke back to earth. As usual, Mr.O, can is empty, I crave more.
5 out of 5
Very nice departure from average VaPer
Jul 04, 2016
VaPer's make up the bulk of my smoking.
Viprati is my favorite in the genre due to the sweet red Va base and the extra body and smokiness of the dark fired.
4 out of 5
second thoughts - I like it
May 28, 2016
OK a few weeks down the road here with this tobacco. and I will say that what ever it was that was bothering me about the aroma and flavor has dissipated. I have had several wonderful smokes deeper into my first tin. I found myself reaching for it even. It is an incredibly easy pack and not too fickle... it still burns faster than anything else I smoke. but leaves me with a fine ash at the end. I'd reach for a larger bowled pipe and pack it good... and pardon my quick jump to conclusion on this blend. It is a fine smoke after all.
1 out of 5
Tastes and smells like cigarettes
May 25, 2016
I bought a tin months ago, still have 90 percent left because I can't stand the Marlboro-like "flavor". Yuck! Thanks but no thanks.
3 out of 5
not my favorite VA Per
May 16, 2016
I'm going against the grain here... I am a huge VA Per fan and this just didn't do it for me. The few few bowls I had burned fast and hot. I taste some nuttiness which i'm not partial to. I tend to prefer a sweet VA with spicy perique behind it. I gather I prefer a flake cut Va Per too.. Judging by the great reviews I must be missing something. I'll cellar it and revisit a few months down the road. It is high quality stuff and packs well.... That hint of nutty is throwing me off
5 out of 5
Vibrati - an excellent VA/Perique Blend
May 12, 2016
I really like Va/perique blends- it's hard to tell which I like best- Viprati or Firestorm so I smoke both.
The fire cured Kentucky burley in Viprati really adds depth and enables the blend to burn evenly to the dottle.
The virginias add some sweetness although I feel like they take a backseat to the perique and burley.
It seems to have a large dose of perique- it is a very peppery taste all the way through and the spicy perique
leaves a pleasant tingle and aftertaste on the tongue. Be sure and smoke this one on a full stomach.
5 out of 5
Post Script
Mar 24, 2016
I guess I just can’t say enough about this blend.
This is what I imagine tobacco to taste like when standing in a tobacco shed full of pungent, spicy, aromatic hanging leaves. This is what I think of when I picture Voyageurs whacking ribbons of tobacco from their plugs with their scalpers, beneath canoes, after the evening meal. All romantic nonsense, but isn’t that part of our smoking experience? The visceral pleasures, memories, and contemplations. This rich flavorful blend evokes all of this, and more.
As Frank Sinatra sings, “That’s America to me.”
5 out of 5
The ol' go to
Mar 24, 2016
This is easily my go to tobacco. I would consider myself a novice when it comes to tobacco knowledge but my I can't deny that I love this blend. It is just like Kevin explains it, evolving flavors with a great little peppery kick. The only thing this tobacco lacks is the amount I can order it in, wish it could be bought in bulk.
5 out of 5
Holy Smokes!
Mar 22, 2016
That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout! This is what I conjure when I think of perfect tobacco flavor. Rich, flavorful, robust, smoky, with enough bite to keep it interesting, but not at all un-pleasurable. The Perique is there, but not over powering.
I suspect this would blend well with a Cavendish, or a nutty Burley, as the rich tobacco flavor would hold up well, and perhaps, synergize.
Definitely going on my favorites list. Well done, sir.
5 out of 5
Great Perique blend!
Mar 10, 2016
I'm usually not a big Perique fan but I bought it since it was recommended by Kevin. I have to say I love it a lot and it is probably becoming one of my favorite tobaccos. Great job Russ!!! Very smooth, easy to the tongue and very satisfying.
5 out of 5
A Sweet Virginia/Perique Blend
Mar 01, 2016
Tired of the same ol' vanilla/cherry/fruit & spice type Cavendish blends? Want to branch out into something a little more adventuresome without giving up too much of the aroma? Are you curious about what Perique will do do a tobacco blend? Viprati is your answer. It burns fairly slowly, thus making a cool smoke. Recommended.
3 out of 5
"PUT SOME CAVENDISH IN IT MWAHAHAHAHA"
Feb 05, 2016
I was not impressed by this. I love vapers like Dunhills DNR, Elizabethan, and others (i find escudo to be sub-par). I have come to know by smoking this that I'm not a fan of cavendish or dark fired leaf. It seems Russ is all about putting cavendish in everything.. his name should be Russ Cavendish. This misses the mark on every point i like about VaPers, which is interplay between virginias and perique.
5 out of 5
My new favorite..
Jan 29, 2016
To start I will say that Mississippi River got me on periques so I did some looking around to try something similar. This blend surprised me! Just enough perique to satisfy me with a smooth and sweet taste. Might be my new favorite. Great blend, could smoke it all day!
5 out of 5
My new favorite!
Nov 07, 2015
The title says it all. Heavenly taste and aroma. Vinous, earthy, spicy, balanced. I only ordered one tin, smoked one bowl and then immediately ordered more. I currently have 4 tins of various tobacco open and they are all being neglected. I keep reaching for this one. A must have for the VaPer lover in all of us.
5 out of 5
Favorite
Oct 30, 2015
I am a new pipe smoker and have enjoyed trying different blends. I have really enjoyed vapers the most. This is my favorite so far and I have been adding extras to my cellar Very relaxing and flavorful with no bite.
5 out of 5
Just buy some, man!
Oct 26, 2015
An amazing tasting and smelling non-aro! Don't think...just buy it!
5 out of 5
Deep, rich, complex, yet low maintenance.
Oct 13, 2015
Ditto pretty much everything nice other folks have already stated. DEEP and rich. The "aromatic" part is the aroma of the tobaccos, not stuff that went ON them. The "room note" is exceptional because it's not the flavorings added so much as the complexity of the blending.
5 out of 5
Dr.Joseph D.
Sep 04, 2015
Great taste. Good burn and mild
5 out of 5
One of my all-time favorites!
Jul 28, 2015
Even though it had been on my radar since its release, I first smoked Viprati at the Chicagoland Pipe Show this May (2015) without realizing it. It was one of the entries to the Chicagobowl (#27), and I remember commenting to my friends on how much I was enjoying its smooth qualities with great VA flavor and just enough plum and spice. Needless to say, once I learned what I was smoking, I immediately bought some and haven't been sorry. I'm a bit sensitive to nicotine, so this is the edge of my comfort zone, but man this stuff is brilliant--easily one of the best VaPers on the market, and definitely in my top 5. Excellent work, Russ!
Customer Testimonials
It kind of reminds me of Macbarren HH Acadian Perique on Prozac. The HH smokes like a meal, but this smokes like a snack. The dark fired tobacco is not nearly as prominent, but it gets a whiff in here and there, and it makes this a much better all-day smoke. While I generally prefer something like Dunhill Elizabethan in this range, I won't turn down a bowl of this if someone offers it.
AH of Kenner, LA
THIS!! Deep, earthy, rich & delightfully peppery. Dare I say, "better than Escudo?" Not as strong as Pease Triple Play; I'll smoke that when I want my butt kicked. Kudos, Russ. You. Nailed. This!
JW of Wurtland, KY
It's good will be buying more... always nice when your money is spent on something you will smoke. If you like orlik golden slice then this will be enjoyed too
WS of Pitkin, LA
I received this tobacco with my monthly shipment, It is very smooth, and has a good taste, but you have to smoke it a little hot to get the flavor, because it is so mild. A little too mild for my taste. It has no bite, even smoking it hot. Packs easy and I didn’t find it hard to keep lit, after I tamped it down a couple of times after the first light. Good blend. I have a new pipe on order and when it comes in I will be using it to break it in with. Highly recommended for anybody looking for a nice smooth Non-Aromatic all day blend or anybody looking for a nice relaxing smoke!
GA of Katy, TX
This is a great blend that smokes smooth throughout the entire bowl, and has quickly became my go to VA/PER.
MF of Birch Tree, MO
This is a very interesting tobacco blend. The burley adds a nuttiness to the naturally sweet virginias and the perique adds that extra element. Hints of sweet and sour are throughout the bowl. Burns a little hot and its hard to keep lit. Packs easy but doesnt take to flame very well. Good blend though.
BW of SPRING, TX
H&H's Viprati blend is an instantly likeable smoke. The flavor is rich and satisfying, full and deep but not overpowering. I love Sutliff's 1849 VA/Per blend, and that too is a great all day favorite, but this has a little more depth, a slightly fuller take on the VA/Per recipe. A definite home run in my opinion! Highly recommended for any serious pipe smoker.
SN of Philadelphia, PA
Of all of my tobaccos, this is the best. It has a very smooth, sweet, smell. It burns somewhat hot, sometimes, but isn't too terribly hot. Definitely my favorite. I just recently purchased 'H&H Namaste.' Can't wait to try it!
MB of Jasper, IN
Viprati is a fantastic Va/Per blend that will leave you asking for more. One of the best Perique blends out there. Can't wait for Russ's next blend.
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