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History of Perique Tobacco
Perique tobacco was discovered by Pierre Chenet (born 1758)
in the 1780's when he observed the local Chocktaw Indians smoking a tobacco that had been fermented under pressure in tree stumps using a press and a lever. In the 1820s he developed a process of fermenting Perique tobacco anaerobically under pressure that endures essentially unchanged to this day. After fermentation for about a year, the tobacco is jet black, glossy and aromatic with a moist silky texture. The tobacco came to be known as Perique and although the term has various reported origins and meanings, it is generally regarded by the family
as having been a knickname for Chenet. Pierre Chenet's grandaughter, Coralie Decareau married Celestin Poche' in February, 1829 and the Poche' family has been involved in the cultivation and proccessing of Perique tobacco through current times. Mr. Leon Poche is pictured in our G.R. Rimboche' logo and is shown with brothers Neal and Carol in the photo above right. There are currently only three farmers who grow tobacco commercially in Saint James Parish, Louisiana and D&R is privileged to blend tobacco grown by the LeBlanc family. (They have grown Perique tobacco for many generations in Saint James Parish). A youthful Dudley LeBlanc is pictured in the S.J. Rimboche' logo and is shown in the photo at left with son Lonnie
and nephews Ricky and Lee. Among the finest people we have ever met, both families bear immense pride and tradition from their unique Perique tobacco heritage.
