Top 11 Best-Selling G.L. Pease Blends
Revised for Spring 2024, this article has been updated to incorporate current data and edited to reflect product availability.
Few names within the field of pipe tobacco are as renowned as that of Greg Pease, and his journey began in the late 1970s at the famed Drucquer & Sons tobacco shop in Berkeley, California. A college student at the time, Pease quickly became enamored with Drucquer's tobacco selection as well as the shop's atmosphere and tight-knit community. Soon he was working there, helping to restore, clean, and repair pipes as well as tinning tobaccos, labeling tins, and learning the elementary stages of tobacco blending. For Pease, tobacco blending is an alchemical process, combining disparate elements to create something new, and over the years, his approach developed into two starting points: beginning with the flavor profile and mixing the necessary components to achieve it, or beginning with characteristics of an already extant blend and modifying them in interesting, more nuanced ways.
Since 2000, Pease has developed his own line of G.L. Pease pipe tobaccos, having partnered with Cornell & Diehl to realize his recipes on a mass-production scale while retaining an intimate, hands-on, and artisanal approach to blending. His mixtures are among the most celebrated within the community, lauded by novice and veteran pipe smokers alike for their sophistication, complexity, and balance, and his portfolio comprises over 40 distinctive blends — all available at Smokingpipes. Ranging from traditional Virginia and Virginia/Perique mixtures to discerning English blends of varying strengths and flavor profiles to more avant-garde tobaccos of singular character, G.L. Pease pipe tobaccos cater to and celebrate the diversity of pipe-smoking preferences, and to help guide in your selection, we've compiled a list of our top 11 best-selling G.L. Pease pipe tobaccos. Use it as a starting point for exploring Pease's work for the first time, or perhaps find a new favorite to enliven your regular rotation!
- 11. Windjammer
- 10. Jackknife Plug
- 9. Haddo's Delight
- 8. Maltese Falcon
- 7. Chelsea Morning
- 6. Gaslight
- 5. Odyssey
- 4. Géométrie
- 3. Union Square
- 2. Westminster
- 1. Quiet Nights
11. Windjammer
Released in February 2021, Windjammer is Greg's personal interpretation of old-school, navy flake pipe tobaccos. It combines naturally sweet Virginias and nutty Burleys with a significant percentage of spicy Perique, married and elevated by a splash of dark rum for a rich, flavorful smoke marked by notes of cocoa, black walnuts, and dried fruits. Fans of Pease's other Virginia-based blends like Haddo's Delight, Barbary Coast, and Fillmore are sure to find a new favorite here.
Available in: 2oz
G.L. Pease always hits his mark, but this one is phenomenal! If Virginia and Perique are your thing, don't miss out on this. I keep finding myself picking this over my other favorites. - ECSteele, 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
10. Jackknife
The second plug-cut pipe tobacco on this list, JackKnife Plug is a study in Dark-Fired Kentucky leaf. Deep and earthy, this traditional plug tobacco combines ripe Red and Golden flue-cured Virginias with an ample portion of Dark-Fired Kentucky, offering a natural sweetness throughout the bowl that anchors the subtle, natural mesquite qualities of the Dark-Fired leaf. Though available in a ready-rubbed version, the original plug is the popular favorite for its sheer versatility and aging potential. Whether you prefer a chunky ribbon, a fine shag, or slow-burning flakes, how you prepare it is entirely up to you.
Ready Rubbed Available in: 2oz | 8oz
This is a great straightforward tobacco blend. The flavor profile is sweet, smoky, and spicy. The Kentucky adds a lot of depth to this blend. I love it! But be warned, it is a strong blend. - Bob T., 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
9. Haddo's Delight
While many of Pease's blends feature Perique, few showcase the condimental leaf quite like Haddo's Delight. Rich, piquant, and redolent of stone fruits, this stout blend places its generous measure of long-cut Perique right up front, while select Virginia varietals, unflavored Black Cavendish, and a little air-cured White Burley balance the fermented leaf's body and strength. Though not a traditional Aromatic, it is cased with subtle notes of booze, cocoa, and dried fruits serving to underline Perique's natural character rather than mask or overpower its qualities.
Available in: 2oz | 8oz | 16oz
This is a Va/Per with an Aromatic touch. Some cocoa, some fig, and sweet on the tongue. I try to keep a tin or two around, but once I crack one open it's pretty much all I smoke until it's gone. - socketdrips, 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
8. Maltese Falcon
Much like the classic noir film of its inspiration, Pease's Maltese Falcon has a strong cult following of its own. And for good reason: It's a stylish, dark, and alluring all-day English blend that continues to surprise with each bowl. If Odyssey (fourth on this list) is a study in Latakia's boldness, Maltese Falcon is a testament to the Cypriot leaf's nuance in concert with other varietals. Matured Red Virginias, Bright Virginias, and Oriental leaf add a deep, full-bodied, yet silky quality and intriguing sweetness to the smoke, enhanced by a discreet and mysterious bit of spice. It's extremely balanced and perfect for those looking for an all-day English/Balkan mixture.
This is a great English blend. It is smoky and mild with just a touch of spice on the back end. The kind of smoke you could have all afternoon while reading a book. It will keep you interested without wearing you out. - JohnnyB, 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
7. Chelsea Morning
Chelsea Morning showcases Greg's affinity for balanced Latakia mixtures, offering just the right level of smokiness for those who prefer more mild-mannered English blends over Latakia bombs. It all starts with a base of sweet Red and Bright Virginia leaf, with fragrant Orientals, smoky Cypriot Latakia, and a pinch of Perique added in layers during the blending process. The mixture is briefly pressed, then sliced and tumbled into a broken flake; it's easy to pack and offers a mélange of flavors and aromas, with a creamy foundation that highlights bright citrus and subtle fruity notes balancing a bit of spice on the retrohale. As the name implies, it's a great start to your morning, especially with a cup of strong coffee.
This blend is exceptional: rich, creamy, smooth, and cool burning. It is not a Lat monster but has just enough to satisfy; it is rich and complex but not too strong. I could smoke it all day. - rrg991981, 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
6. Gaslight
Among Greg's most unique and evocative creations, Gaslight is a blend for Latakia connoisseurs. Red Virginias provide a sweet, tangy backdrop all the way through the bowl, allowing the spicy Oriental leaf to showcase its peppery, piquant character while the Latakia fills out the body with a rich creaminess and smoky nuance that keeps you coming back for more. Overall, it's deep and rich with an impressive complexity — the perfect complement to a peaty Scotch on a cold winter's night. Moreover, it's presented in plug-cut form, offering excellent aging potential and convenient versatility when it comes to preparing your next bowl.
This plug is an extraordinary example of how Latakia can be used to make a perfect smoke. Far different than any other blend that I have tried, this blend seemingly transports you to another time. Relaxing on a calm night with this blend is to die for. Each slice of this plug is a slice of heaven. - Logan C., 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
5. Odyssey
A Cypriot Latakia showcase, Odyssey is undoubtedly one of Pease's biggest blends in its bold flavor, generous use of Latakia, and overall popularity. From charring light to final draw, the dark, smoky Latakia dominates, offering abundant complexity and spice, as well as a slight creaminess that allows the fragrant Orientals and sweet, stoved Virginias to shine in their supporting roles. While not brutish or unrefined, Odyssey isn't subtle compared to some of Pease's other English mixtures: It's unashamedly Latakia forward, catering to those who prefer blends that prioritize the smoke-cured leaf. While the Orientals and Virginias offer a good bit of balance, the Latakia remains the focal point, arresting your attention all the way to the dottle.
This blend is by far my absolute favorite out of all GL Pease's blends. It trumps every English I've ever smoked. The name is a foreshadowing of an Odyssey you will embark on that is full of rich, creamy, perfectly balanced smoke. Please do yourself a favor and try it! - ALoverOfLats, 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
4. Géométrie
The second entry in master blender Greg Pease's Zeitgeist Collection, géométrie is a strikingly modernist reinterpretation of traditional Virginia/Oriental mixtures. Aged Red Virginias artfully layer with and accentuate vintage Basma and Izmir leaf, reinvigorating the Virginia/Oriental archetype in an elegantly pressed, plug-cut format. It offers considerable aging potential and a deep, matured flavor right out of the tin: Notes of freshly baked goods overlap planes of subtle spice; rich, malty sweetness; and a hint of floral zest on the palate. Captivating, expertly balanced, and inventive, géométrie captures the artistic vision behind Pease's Zeitgeist Collection.
Available in: 2oz
Starts off grassy and spicy with a little bit of sweetness, builds to a medium to medium high in spice and flavor with med tones of what tastes like baking spices, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, reminds me of the bread pudding. - Joe, 5-star review at smokingpipes.com
3. Union Square
If you're looking for natural, pure tobacco flavor, Union Square delivers. This pressed, flake-cut blend is composed entirely of high-grade, flue-cured Virginias, ranging from sweet, citrusy Brights to deep, earthy Reds, without the added sugars or top flavorings common in many Virginia blends. Its complexity and flavor are derived entirely from its choice components, making Union Square a great choice for those searching for the purest Virginia tobacco flavor possible. Though not an Aromatic by any means, the room note is enticingly pleasant, evocative of freshly baked bread, with a delightful finish, and its aging potential makes Union Square a blend worth cellaring.
This blend is a masterpiece. My first experience was with a 10-year-old tin and it opened my eyes to the beauty of Virginia leaf. Even fresh, this is one of the most rich and complex Virginia blends I've ever had. Grass, hay, bread, toast, citrus, dark fruits. This blend does it all. Grab one for now and 10 for later. - Zrhunter86, 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
2. Westminster
Inspired by Dunhill's iconic, since-discontinued London Mixture, Westminster is a traditional English blend through and through. A mixture of Red and Bright Virginias, distinctive Orientals, and Cypriot Latakia, it personifies measured simplicity and elegant balance. The Latakia, though certainly present in good measure, never towers over the rest of the components; they all work symbiotically, with the smokiness of the Cypriot leaf adding dimension to the sweet, tangy notes of the Virginias and naturally complementing the earthy spice and floral notes of the Orientals. If you're looking for an all-day, everyday English pipe tobacco that will never lose its appeal, Westminster is near the top of this list for a reason.
Available in: 2oz | 8oz | 16oz
One of my favorite "all day" English blends. So much flavor, not too strong and smokes so well. Love it any time. - Stephen K., 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
1. Quiet Nights
An impressively complex mixture of ripe Red Virginias, Orientals, Cypriot Latakia, and a pinch of Acadian Perique, Quiet Nights is considered by many to be Greg's magnum opus, the one blend that could rightly define Pease's entire blending style, from the proportions of its components to its overall preparation. Pressed and matured in cakes before being sliced into delicate flakes, Quiet Nights exemplifies the care, dedication, and creativity from which Pease approaches pipe-tobacco blending. More Oriental-forward than, say, Chelsea Morning, it's full of mysterious nuance and sophisticated complexity, setting the stage for a rich, deep, and contemplative smoke — one best enjoyed, as you might expect, on a quiet night with a wee dram and a good book.
This is absolutely the best tasting tobacco I have ever experienced. It has locked my #1 spot. It has the right strength, the right burn, the right tin note, the right room note... I have smoked nothing but this since I bought the first tin. Greg Pease is to be lauded copiously for this mixture. For me, this is what pipe smoking is all about. Perfection. - PipeCat, 5-star review at Smokingpipes.com
Those are our top 11 best-selling pipe tobaccos from G.L. Pease. Keep in mind, these blends were ranked based on popularity, not by our own tastes or judgements. If you don't see your favorite on the list, leave us a comment and share your thoughts — perhaps it will make it in a future list!
- Quiet Nights stayed at #1
- Westminster stayed at #2
- Odyssey moved from #3 to #5
- Union Square moved from #4 to #3
- Géométrie entered at #4
- Gaslight stayed at #6
- Chelsea Morning stayed at #7
- Maltese Falcon moved from #10 to #8
- Haddo's Delight moved from #8 to #9
- Jackknife Plug moved from #9 to $10
- Windjammer remained at #11
A note on the tobacco information.
Strength: a measure of the tobacco's body and nicotine. One is the lowest. Five s is the highest.
Room Note: a measure of the pleasantness or intensity of the smoke's odor to everyone else in the room. One is the least intense room note, while five s would be the most noticeable to others.
Taste: A measure of the the power and fullness of the smoke's flavor, with one being the most mellow and five s being the fullest.
Comments
I'm surprised Abington missed the list I very rarely ever order the small tin.
I really love Cumberland and Triple Play!
great reviews. have had several blends and looking forward to trying new ones. enjoy!!
great selection of blends. my choice is maltese falcon; and all the others
Great picks. I would also add Cairo to the list. Its a very underrated blend and if you love oriental/virginia mixtures or just oriental mixtures without latakia it is a must try.
Perfect list of Pease blends.I have bought and smoked a tin of Westminster the same day.Could easily do two.Just so easy to smoke.Great flavors,one lite,no bite,clean bowl smoke.Just what a good blend should do.Chelsea Morning is one I haven't tried yet and soon will. Would be interesting to see what are considered the best Scottish blends.When so many are labeled Scottish but are not.
Great list. Wondering how it looks now in 2021 with Sparkplug and Penny Farthing being added to the lineup.
Glad that JKP made the list! That Triple Play didn't make it is a bit of a disappointment; perhaps it is just too sophisticated for many palates?
After watching the video regarding how Union Square is made and seeing not 1 hairnet worn by anyone or gloves on the person moving the flake from the hand shovel to the tray and then he pats/pushes the flakes. If anyone remembers the mold fiasco and I’m sure I’m not the only one who has gotten extra “gifts” in my tins... my last (somewhat) straw was when I received a hunk of hair in my tin. I would hope that C&D/Laudisi will implement, if they haven’t already, the use of hairnets and gloves for ALL employees and visitors that are on the production floor and/or have contact with the tobaccos.
@SJpipsmoker First let me say that I am very sorry that you had this experience with one of our products. If you did not contact us at that time so that we could make that situation right for you, I would like to offer that to you now. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] and I will be happy to help.As for the Union Square video, this was shot back in 2015. Just a few months later in 2016, we did implement the use of head coverings, beard nets and gloves for all employees handling tobacco. --Jeremy Reeves
I tried Quiet Nights and was really looking forward to enjoying it after all the great reviews. Unfortunately it wasn't to my liking. Gaslight was in the same order/parcel. Oh my goodness! It's by far the best blend I've ever smoked. I'm very surprised it didn't make this list, let alone the top three (as I'd expected when I started reading this article). The number of worthy omissions highlights how superb Greg is and how many terrific blends he's created. I haven't come across Spark Plug before. I'm looking forward to buying it in the near future.
Blackpoint is complex and simple in flavor at the same time,if it makes any sense!The balance between sweet savory and spice is fantastic it smokes great.Pipe smokers around the globe Blackpoint likes tea.Make a cup of tea that's when all of her flavor and complexity comes out.Cheers,George.
I haven't seen anyone mention The Virginia Cream yet? I know it's an "aromatic" and all, but it's NOT your typical heavily cased, tobacco-less flavored, dripping wet with Propylene Glycol and topping aromatic. The Virginia Cream is one of My favorites of all time, and I think it's definitely good enough to have made this list.
Surprised Gaslight didn't make it.
Where is #5 on this list, it’s missing?
@Julio Excellent catch, Julio! Sorry about that. It should be showing up now. #5, ironically enough, is Gaslight! @Elasmo and @Matthew
As much as I love all the ones listed, Caravan is my favorite. It would be one of my desert island blends.
Thanks Andy! I knew Gaslight was too good to not be on that list. 😁
I've really been enjoying Windjammer lately. What a gift to pipe smoking.
About the only thing I agree with in this article is the G.L.Pease makes great blends but I don't care for any of these blends listed. No mention of Kensington or Black Point? These I would have at the top and Gaslight would be unlisted as it doesn't burn well and leaves a weak Latakia impression.
I have 7 out of 12 in my cellar in large amounts. Looks like I need 5 more. *Fillmore is deeelicious and worth a try.
From my part i miss Stone henge flake a lot .Whats going on with it ?Will it ever be available again?
As much as I agree with many of the choices here, I’m still a big fan of the “old school” blends such as Abingdon, Charing Cross, and of course Sparkplug. And surprised no mention of Meridian and Lagonda, two more excellent blends.
People are missing out on Penny Farthing. It's a great va/per! Shag cut takes some getting used to but puff it slow and it's sweet, spicy, and has that perique funk. More for me I guess!
I continue to explore tobaccos, to try new things: but favorite remains Odyssey. The only thing I note is that it is listed as 'strong.' I am a lightweight, and many of the items listed as much milder have knocked me on my chair: but Odyssey does not affect me as strong, and everything about it appeals to me.
Café Asta Dynamic 45 grs
I have smoked and enjoyed a good number of Greg's blends, but admittedly that doesn't include the majority of blends on this list. Having said that, I would personally move Windjammer several places forward, and would definitely add Sextant and Navigator to the list. But that's just because I'm a huge fan of Navy style blends. I would also add Key Largo, a very enjoyable cigar leaf blend that doesn't try to be a "cigar in a pipe" blend, but instead does it's own thing wonderfully.