Perique is actually a Burley type tobacco which is grown and processed in St. James Parish, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans.  Perique is air-cured like Burley, but for a slightly shorter time period.  After Air-Curing, the tobacco is placed in oak barrels and kept under heavy pressure.  The pressure releases some water content which did not evaporate during air-curing.  In addition, the pressure increases the temperature of the tobacco and facilitates a fermentation process.  Over the course of at least one year the leaves are removed, rested, re-piled, and re-fermented, numerous times.  This vigorous process creates an extremely robust tobacco that has a very high nicotine content.

Perique tobacco is very expensive due to the time and care needed to make it.  Fortunately, Perique is considered a “spice” or “condiment” tobacco which is used in very small amounts to accent other blends.