Good flavors, too much humectant
October 23, 2024
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
It seems the strategy here is to mitigate the lack of vacuum sealing, but it's ruining the product. Because Pease tins don't get the vacuum seal, someone thought a little glycol or glycerine would help maintain moisture content (and make the tobacco heavier, costing consumers more $$). This is a terrible idea, at least in my humble opinion. It changes all the characteristics of the leaf: the way it ages, the way it packs, the way it burns, the way it tastes, and the way it smells both in the tin and in the bowl. I hate it that all the big production companies are doing this now. It seems the last holdouts still doing traditional packing in most of their stuff (for now) are Rattrays, Peterson, and both Gawith companies- thank God for European purity laws. Even McConnell has gone the synthetic humectant route, and Mac Baren has been bad for a while. I'm so disappointed. I have a whole cellar of 3-5 year tins I've been waiting to enjoy, pounds and pounds, and it's looking like at least half will be nasty because someone thought glycols were a good idea. What a waste. This is so depressing. I could almost give up pipe smoking over this. I'm giving serious consideration to never buying production brands again. This really upsets me....Read More
October 27, 2024
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
It is rather sad moment for me for I really wanted to love this blend.
Without question it is true Balkan indeed. Dry dusty/earthy Orientals take the front stage. Latakia ever present provides consistent slightly sweet smokiness without overwhelming and subtracting from other components. Virginias serve as the base and provide support from background. Smoke is very soft and almost creamy. Everything in balance and without doubt work exactly as master blender intended.
Problem lies with me. Going through different oriental blends I noticed that I usually enjoy interplay between Virginias and Orientals as a front stage contrary to lone Orientals taking that place. In this particular blend Orientals rule the ball. My palate demands more interplay with red/dark Virginias and more sweetness.
Therefore even though it is truly a great blend it is not my blend. May buy it again once in the blue moon when in the mood for the true Oriental Balkan....Read More
October 04, 2024
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
Balkan blends have grown to really capture my taste when I want a Latakia blend. This one immediately became the best I’ve ever tasted. The cut, handling and lighting, taste, aroma are all 5 star. There is an incredible Interplay between the dominant orientals and the second in line Latakia. Both dancing over the toasty base of Virginia. This blend isnt balanced because instead of becoming muddled, each component has its time to shine in the symphony. Excellent tobacco....Read More
Proof of Greg Pease's mastery of his craft.
October 07, 2023
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
Every G.L. Pease blend I've ever bought has been magnificent. The perfect moisture out of the tin. Never fussy on the light up. Flavor is always top notch Quality is always immaculate with G.L. Pease. This is a member of the G.L. Pease Balkan trifecta that I always keep in stock, along with Abingdon and Odyssey. The Balkan is my favorite style of blend. I've tried all the Balkans I can get my hands on, Arango, Sutliff, Peterson, Hearth and Home, Cornell and Diehl, Sobranie, Sasieni, Bill Bailey's blend, and Joe Lankford's. Mr. Pease's blends rank above them all in my opinion. I don't know how G.L. Pease maintains such perfection, but I thank my lucky stars that he and his brand do. A God amongst us pipe-smoking mortals....Read More
January 30, 2023
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 8oz
Back when I was introduced to the YouTube Pipe Community, I saw multiple videos exclaiming how stout and strong Dunhill Nightcap was. When I finally tried it, while I thought it was decent, it seemed pretty middle of the road. Of course, I think my early love affair with Billy Bud had something to do with it.
Anyways, I’m supposed to be talking about Charing Cross.
I bought an 8oz tin of this stuff and it struck me as an English blend for a man’s man. I cellared two jars of the stuff back in 2014 and just recently cracked one back open.
This reminds of GL Pease’s Odyssey but more oriental forward. Like makes your mouth tingle level of orientals.
I don’t enjoy Latakia like I did as a novice pipe smoker, but when the mood takes me, I load this up on my biggest stoutest pipe a float off to Neverland....Read More
November 29, 2022
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
Tin note of tart fruit, smoky, and mildly sour. Tobacco is dark brown, black and a little tan. Cut is a mix of fat ribbon and course cut. Tobacco moisture is good, no prep or drying needed. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and consistent, with complex notes of very spicy, very musty dry earth, herbal spice, very woody, sour citrus, smokey, floral, bread, tangy dark fruit, a sweet grassy background note, and a peppery retro. Oriental/Turkish is leading with Virginias supporting a little more than Latakia. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great....Read More
June 18, 2022
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
Rich and satisfying smoke. For me a close second behind Quiet Nights. This is delightful.
March 15, 2022
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
The fresh smoke character of the Latakia is the same here as Westminster.
Unlike Westminster this has an underlying malty sweetness which makes it unique. Made in the classic British style of vintage Dunhill, Sobranie and others, but not reminiscent of any particular classic mixture.
The latakia is very fresh, and a few years of age might soften that. Still tire easily of the dominant , heavy smoke character of the Latakia used in these blends. Tin age was 6 months....Read More
October 05, 2021
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
This is the reason I lean towards English blends. From light up to final puff, C.C. delivers. Great English. Great Blend. Great smoke.
May 08, 2021
Product: G. L. Pease Charing Cross 2oz
Although they call it a Balkan, I don't think that it's quite there. Not quite enough spice.
But a Very Good English, why yes it most certainly is.