Kevin Godbee
I must be one of the luckiest people alive!
Everything is great! Business is great! The weather is great! The view is great! I have a smokin’ hot girlfriend, great staff working on PipesMagazine.com with me … and most importantly – I have great friends.
I am so lucky that, not only does Greg Pease write two columns for PipesMagazine.com, and is the Associate Editor of our sister site, CigarChronicles.com, but we have become friends as well. We have common interests outside of pipes, tobacco and cigars … but this post is about pipe tobacco … and … uh … how damn lucky I am.
I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the few taste testers of the soon to be released, G.L. Pease Sextant.
Don’t hate me.
This stuff is really awesome, and I am not just saying that, although I’m sure there will be a few cynics in the audience rolling their eyes and thinking I’m just pimping out my friend’s new product.
Hint: That was my full disclosure, so don’t give me any grief. These are my real impressions.
My initial email to Greg after the first bowl was as follows –
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This is an extremely tasty blend. Whether you like it or not, I will always consider you a Master Blender. 😉
[That’s an inside joke.]
I would not have known there was [censored] in it if you didn’t tell me. My perception after one bowl was not that of a [censored] style. For most of the bowl I had Fajitas on my mind – seared, and slightly charred meat with some tanginess, mild spices and citrus. The finish was dark roast coffee / espresso.
The Latakia was subtle. I wouldn’t have been sure it was there, just like the [censored], without you telling me in advance. All of the tobaccos work great together with none of them dominating. I didn’t get a buzz, but I was very relaxed. I almost could have closed my eyes for a little nap. I had a couple of hiccups from the nicotine near the end, but they quickly subsided.
I think this is going to be a real winner. I love Lagonda, and Sextant isn’t too far behind for a nice full-flavored, charred-meat, tangy-tasting blend.
The 5 guys smoking cigars at the shop all said they liked the room-note, that it smelled natural and good to them as cigar smokers.
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Some additional impressions after a 2nd and 3rd bowl are that this is a full-flavored, yet extremely smooth blend. Nose-exhales brought out even more flavor, and didn’t burn at all. The smoke has a nice heavy, full mouth-feel, but is mild and light when exhaled through the nose with your mouth closed.
Sextant is the latest edition to the Old London Series, therefore I presume Greg has classified it as an “English blend”. However, I feel that label may be a bit limiting.
If I were told nothing of what the blend consisted of, and had to categorize based on my smoking experience, I would have a hard time doing so.
It does not have a strong campfire flavor or aroma, although there is smokiness, but more of a meaty-smokiness, and it is full of flavor.
Sextant reminds me of the old tag line for Chunky Soup – “So thick you could eat it with a fork, but bring a spoon because you’ll want to get every drop”. In this case, bring a pipe.
I would recommend trying Sextant if you like English blends, but also if you like Virginia / Burley, Heavy Burley, Full-Bodied Virginia / Periques, Oriental (Balkan) blends, or anything that has a full flavor, subtle tangy notes, mild smokiness and well-hidden background sweetness. I am not saying there is Burley in this, and I am not saying there is Perique in it. I know what is in it, but I am sworn to secrecy. Even if I told you what was in it, you wouldn’t believe me anyway.
Sextant doesn’t taste like any other pipe tobacco I’ve ever smoked. There is nothing to compare it to. It’s so unique and delicious that you just need to try it for yourself.
