Today, I take a closer look at Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls, a classic Virginia/Perique coin-cut blend with a long-standing reputation among pipe smokers worldwide.
I’ve known Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls since the days when it was sold under a different name. I have to admit, I’d considered buying this blend more than once over the years, but for one reason or another, I kept putting it off. That went on for quite some time.
Eventually, curiosity got the better of me. When the opportunity finally presented itself, I picked up a tin. Contrary to the advice of more seasoned and patient pipe smokers, I didn’t cellar it for future enjoyment. Once the tin was opened, it didn’t take long before I was staring at the bottom.
Now it’s time to share my impressions.
Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls
Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls is a blend of Virginia and Perique tobaccos—a classic VaPer that has earned a strong reputation among pipe smokers worldwide. The recipe is built primarily around Virginias grown in Brazil and Africa, complemented by a measure of Louisiana Perique from the United States. The tobacco is spun into a rope and then sliced into the familiar coins that have become synonymous with this style of blend.
De Luxe Navy Rolls is typically sold in 50-gram tins. Personally, I have yet to come across it in any other format, whether as bulk tobacco or in larger factory-packaged tins.
While researching this review, I repeatedly encountered a description that appears to originate from distributor or marketing materials:
„Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls are premium coins of Virginia and Perique. The Virginias are from Africa and Brazil, hand-stripped, aged perfectly and give a sweet raisin quality to harmonise with the Louisiana Perique that has a deep, fruity, figgy-plummy flavour and mild peppery spice.„
Source: distributor websites
The Cut
The blend is presented in the form of thinly sliced, uniformly cut coins. Upon opening the tin, you’re greeted by the pleasing sight of neatly arranged discs stacked in a tight spiral. There are no loose scraps or smaller pieces mixed in—just perfectly formed coins. The presentation reflects a high level of care and attention to detail.
At first, I assumed I would need a knife to prepare the tobacco, but it quickly became apparent that the coins rub out effortlessly between the fingers. Preparation requires very little work. In my experience, fewer than two coins were usually enough to fill a pipe.
The tobacco feels delicate and somewhat fragile in the hand. Once rubbed out, it produces an attractive ribbon with a slight spring and curl, still hinting at its original coin-cut form.
Tin Note
From the very first opening, this tobacco makes an impression. My initial thought was of fruit purée and raisins, accompanied by a deeper, more mature aroma of dried plums. It was immediately apparent that there was more going on here than Virginia alone could offer.
A few days after transferring the tobacco to a jar, the aroma seemed to evolve. At that point, it reminded me more of chocolate-covered plums. What struck me was how the balance appeared to shift from one bowl to the next—sometimes the tin note came across as more fruity and raisin-like, while at other times it leaned toward a sweeter, chocolatey character.
Unable to settle on a single description, and finding my impressions changing with nearly every bowl, I decided it was best to mention both. One thing remained constant throughout: the aroma was consistently inviting. Every time I opened the jar, it was enough to get the mouth watering in anticipation of the first light.
How Does De Luxe Navy Rolls Taste?
As I mentioned earlier, two coins were usually enough to fill a bowl. There was almost always a little tobacco left over, which I simply returned to the jar. After rubbing the coins out, I packed the tobacco using a traditional three-step method, taking care to level the surface as evenly as possible. The blend is very easy to pack and prepare.
One thing I do regret is never trying to smoke the coins folded and stuffed, with only minimal preparation. I didn’t realize I had missed the opportunity until I was staring at the bottom of the jar. Oh well—there’s always next time.
After packing the bowl, I perform a charring light with a single match, gently tamp the tobacco that rises from the heat, and then apply a second match for the true light. After a brief pause and a final touch with the tamper, the tasting begins.
The opening is surprisingly assertive—I’d even call it spicy. Sweet-and-spicy raisin notes quickly move to the forefront, accompanied by black pepper, citrus, earth, and wood. A red-fruit sweetness lingers in the background, while a hint of cocoa occasionally makes itself known. Early in the bowl, the Perique is more noticeable to my palate. As the smoke develops, the Virginias gradually step into the spotlight and reveal their full character.
There is also a certain creamy quality to the smoke. I wouldn’t describe it as truly creamy, yet there is undeniably something cream-like about the texture. The peppery spice and Virginia tang remain present throughout the experience. As the bowl progresses, I begin to pick up notes of dried plums and chocolate-covered raisins. There is a great deal happening here. The blend is remarkably rich, engaging, and never becomes monotonous.
I would rate the strength as medium. While certainly not a powerhouse, it is a blend I generally preferred after a substantial meal.
De Luxe Navy Rolls rewards a slow cadence with a fuller and more nuanced flavor profile. In the room note and retrohale, I found many of the same characteristics present in the taste itself—fruit-forward sweetness accompanied by a peppery spice that occasionally brought a slight sting to the eyes.
The tobacco burns exceptionally well. Although it produces a modest amount of moisture during the smoke, it remains cool and bite-free when treated gently, ultimately burning down to a fine white ash.
Final Thoughts on Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls
I have to admit that I went through this tin at an alarming pace. As I write these final words, I have only recently finished the last two coins. In fact, from the moment I opened the tin, I barely rotated any other blends into the mix.
Much like the aroma in the jar, my impressions during the smoke were not always consistent. At first, I was thoroughly impressed. „This is the best VaPer I’ve ever smoked,” I found myself saying. Then came a period when our time together seemed somewhat less enjoyable. For reasons I still can’t fully explain, there were bowls during which I wondered whether I actually liked the blend at all.
Strangely enough, the closer I got to the bottom of the tin, the more I began to appreciate it again. Today, there is less tobacco left than would be needed to fill a single bowl, and I find myself wishing there were more.
Do I still consider it the best Virginia/Perique blend I’ve ever smoked? To answer that honestly, I would like to revisit a few old favorites—Escudo, Telegraph Hill, and perhaps even Bayou Morning—for a fresh comparison. What I can say with confidence is that De Luxe Navy Rolls is a delicious, complex, and consistently engaging blend. It never becomes boring. There is also something distinctly serious about it, a quality that reminds me somewhat of Telegraph Hill.
Would I buy another tin? Absolutely. In fact, if the opportunity presented itself tomorrow, I probably wouldn’t hesitate. This is a blend I would very much like to revisit in the future.
The tobacco reviewed in this article was purchased with my own funds.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
