GL Pease Embarcadero

[danimalia]

I threw in a tin of Embarcadero in my most recent order because I'd never had a Virginia/Oriental blend without Latakia before. And boy, this stuff sure is unlike anything I've had before. Pease describes it in champagne terms as more brut than demi-sec, and that's right. The first bowl I smoked I was a bit surprised by the lack of sweetness, even though I'd read the description before jumping in. I've heard some Oriental tobaccos described as having an un-flavored seltzer type of flavor sensation, but that is usually applied to Yenidje, and it's Izmir in this blend. But I absolutely get that with this blend. As you work through the bowl, I can taste a bit of cinnamon. Eventually a bit of that red VA mulch flavor comes through (which tastes much better than it sounds). It tastes wholesome and satisfying, and in many ways reminds me more of a top quality burley blend than a standard VA-based.

Though the flavors are fairly subtle, this is surprisingly full-bodied blend for a Virginia-based blend. The smoke is dense and has a velvety texture if that makes any sense, and it packs a surprising nicotine punch, which I'd rate as a bit past medium. I'll definitely get more in the future, and now I want to explore more VA/Or blends, starting with Caravan and Regents/Temple.

Anyone else smoke this blend and have thoughts on it? I see Cortez mention it in the WAYS thread, but otherwise, it doesn't seem to be one of the more well-known GLP tobaccos.

 

[lightmybriar]

This is an excellent write-up and I’m thankful for it. I’ve had this on my list for a long time, but I have always been worried it would be a little too earthy or mulchy, as C&D Virginia blends tend to register that way for me. You haven’t caused me to lean any more towards getting it or not, but you have made me feel okay in my hesitance hahaha.

 

[mso489]

danimalia, thanks for that! And for making it clear what's in the blend at the outset. You really make this sound good. You can't promise everyone they'll like it, but you certainly give them a few reasons to do so. I have so much on hand that I haven't tried, and so much that I have, but this one will haunt me and I may order it down the road.

 

[danimalia]

In my own case, my hesitation was due to the fact that I generally like my VA blends on the sweeter side. I thought maybe it wouldn't have enough going on for me in the flavor department for my tastes. As it turns out, that's not true, but it is different from most VA blends I've had. In some ways, it reminds me more of the high-end burley flakes out there than a more traditional VA-based blend.

Mso, one of the things I really like about GL Pease is that he does such a nice job writing about his blends. It really helps when looking for something to try. As I mentioned above, this one shares some qualities with a good burley blend, so it might be up your alley.

 

[3rdguy]

I just picked up a tin of this, has 3 years of age on it. Have not popped it yet but now I am anxious to.

 

[rogers]

@lightmybriar Earthy and quite spicy as I recall.