Boy oh boy, what a great smoke! This is a cleverly crafted bit of cigar leaf pipe tobacco. It's similar to Billy Budd but the latakia flavor is farther in the background and the perique gives it a bit of pepper. After reading that it only has a spoonful of cigar leaf I was surprised how upfront and at attention the cigar leaf tastes. I keep going back and forth on whether I think this, or Billy Budd, is more robust. In the end, with the perique peppery flavor, this ends up being slightly more robust in taste. It has loads of flavor without tongue bite no matter how hardily puffed. The nicotine is medium to strong . If the vitamin N has you by the sack and you're needing a stress pipe, this will really hit the spot.