October Tobacco Crawl with Greg L. Pease

[jpmcwjr]

I heartily agree on the bowl size and quick smoking. Even in a medium bowl, with medium pace, it goes past my tolerance, although to be more accurate, it was the third or fourth bowl of the morning—may have had some effect! And that I like it on the dry side may be another contributor. And/or burley may be my nemesis beyond X%.
Note to GLP: I had a nice chat with Stephen at Piedmont Tobacco, and he proudly showed me two photos on the wall by a good photographer. B+W's of.....Pipes in a sill life! I started asking about what tobaccos he had and had not, but were interrupted by other customers, so I never got far with that.
They do have some two year old Margate in a jar, at $6.50/oz. for anyone local to Piedmont Ave. in Oakland.

 

[glpease]

Note to GLP: I had a nice chat with Stephen at Piedmont Tobacco, and he proudly showed me two photos on the wall by a good photographer. B+W's of.....Pipes in a sill life! I started asking about what tobaccos he had and had not, but were interrupted by other customers, so I never got far with that.

Damn. Those photos are almost ancient history at this point, in so many ways. As I recall, one was shot on 4x5 in my Sinar with some old Kodak SuperXX, and souped in a custom brew that I made to keep the fog down. The tonal range and grain structure of that film was fascinating! The other was done on 6x6 with my Bronica. The Dunhill 120 was, maybe still is one of Steve's as I recall. What a blast from the past…
When I moved 14 years ago, I had to give up my tiny but functional darkroom. (I could do 16x20s with some caution). I was dragged into the digital age for realz, and pretty much embraced it. But, I do miss the amber glow of the safelight, the smell of fixer, mixing chemistry and watching the magic as the print would appear in the developer. I started in the darkroom with my dad when I was 8. I think there's probably phenidone in my veins.
If you want to see some of my more recent stuff, albeit mostly more minimalist in nature, there's a slideshow here.
I really need to make the time to go by Piedmont. It's been too long. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[brass]

Why JKP for the crawl, and why did I choose it to be the second blend in the series?

Thank you, Greg, for the above post. Your insight as creator of the blends we are smoking is invaluable and lends a perspective not possible from any other source. Pax

 

[jpmcwjr]

Thanks for the link to the photos! Gorgeous pipes, fine photography. I used to count myself among pro photogs, largely because I could sell essentially high quality snapshots of sporting events to the doting parents. I did social events free for the local newspaper, and had a couple of commercial gigs, but I don't count myself among the real pros, as I couldn't live on what I earned.
Had a darkroom in the West Village in the late 60's- actually a railroad style kitchen which had great counter space. When I left there, I hung onto the gear, but never really set it up again. There was definitely magic in watching the developer bath!
When PS came along and I got my first digital camera, I dove in headlong, and was a Beta tester for a couple of PS versions, and quite involved with Lightroom. Now I can remember a fraction of what I used to know by rote. Hardly ever touch PS; Lightroom does what I want for the most part.
Oooops, back to tobacco. Yes, agree with brass totally!

 

[northernneil]

I have to say, as much as I like JKP, it is just too strong, to my tastes, for an all day smoke. So, what I have been doing this week is to enjoy Six Pence throughout the day, with JKP reserved for before bedtime, after a hearty dinner.
These two tobaccos really do complement each other nicely with SP offering a subtly sweet, slightly peppery flavor; and JKP closing off the day with an earthy, creamy, bold smoke.
Great selections Mr. Pease!

 

[orobusto]

I am really enjoying JKP. I am usually a cube cut guy, but I enjoy it rubbed out much more (same with sixpence). Like most already stated, it is rich and full flavored without any harshness. I really love the heft of the smoke. I am a big fan of having a dense smoke that you feel you can almost chew. There is nothing negative about JKP for me, great flavor, no burn issues or bite and the crosscut view of that brick is awesome!

 

[misterlowercase]

Finally had some downtime and opened my tin of JKP.
It is such an impressive entity.
My first encounter with it left me awestruck.
Indeed, I count JKP as being my pipesmoking saviour, as I was at the end of my rope, a dangling mess, having an extremely difficult go of it, being either plagued with devastating tongue bite, or under the impression that I was smoking slightly flavored air, I was close to giving the whole exercise up --- then, JackKnife Plug waltzed into my life.
I was quite bewildered having never encountered such a monolithic tobacco block - although I was quite familiar with traditional American chaw, being from the South, I had as yet to come across anything in plug form which was meant to be cut up and stuffed into a pipe.
This was something else entirely.
JKP delivered me to the other side in a truly divine manner, giving me my first bacconalian transcendental experience, and it was the bringer of the big bulb :idea: :!: indicating just how absorbingly wonderful a good pipe baccy could be.
I owe JKP my pipesmoking life.
For real.
If I were to do a simple pictographic review of JKP,

it would be this:

And, many other people echo my sentiments.

It is like a mouthwateringly juicy steak, resplendent with the nurturing curve of complete satiation.
It makes me feel like a carnivore.
After the hunt.
Alive and in the thick of it.
Rewarded.
The most meatiest baccy I've ever smoked.
Dense and chewy and fulsome.
And

for me, it is actually mildly psychoactive in that it seems to release the happy juice in my brain,

no lie.
JKP is a true soother.
With several years under its belt,

my pictographic image slightly shifts to this:

A luscious smoked brisket, gaining a fathomable deep succulence with elements of smoky char.

It retains its robustness and becomes slightly smoother as well,

a thick velvet fog as it were.

The tin I opened had developed streaks of glistening sugary plume.

I cut it with my faithful Yankee Slicer.

I smoked it in my favorite Ryan Alden pipe which always delivers the true character of tobacco.

I packed it loosely, with rubbed on bottom and cube on top.
JKP swept me away yet again.
It never fails to do so.
It is ever-reliable as a conduit to Nirvana.
I love the stuff!

::

 

[jpmcwjr]

Wow! That review is.......mouthwatering! (and several other encomiums)
It's extra nice to see someone really stoked about a tobacco in the Crawl!
Thanks.

 

[misterlowercase]

It's extra nice to see someone really stoked about a tobacco in the Crawl!

I first came across JackKnife Plug around 3.5 or 4 years ago and I was totally stoked,

and I continue to be stoked by it.
When I first tried it,

it was an epiphany,

a tremendous revelation.
It set the spark of passion in me,

to be not just a smoker,

but an enthused smoker.
JackKnife Plug carries a very wide world on its broad shoulders,

and it gave me the gift of bringing me into that world.
JKP is tattoo'd upon my heart!

::

 

[swhipple]

Tried JKP in my Pre-WWII Kaywoodie today and its smaller bowl worked much better for me. I've been trying to smoke JKP in a typical group 4 ish sized pipe and it was hitting me with the lady N quite a bit. Today was smoother and milder but, the smoke was still rich and sweetly smoky. I don't think you lose a lot of flavor with the smaller bowl just some of the nicotine strength. In fact, I think you might actually pick up the subtleties of the tobacco better with the smaller pipe toning down the tobacco better.
I also wanted to take a moment to say thank you to Greg for taking the time to join us for this crawl!! Your insights are much appreciated!!

 

[brass]

Friday, October 16

Blend of the Week: G.L. Pease Sextant (Old London Series)
From TobaccoReviews.com
Sextant is a classic mixture harmoniously married to a Navy Flake. Ripe Virginia tobaccos are first blended with Cyprian Latakia, fine Orientals, and a touch of dark fired Kentucky leaf, then infused with a hint of dark rum before being gently pressed, matured and sliced. The flavour is rich, bold and satisfying, the aroma an enchanting interweaving of traditions.
Brand G. L. Pease

Blended By Gregory Pease

Manufactured By Cornell & Diehl

Blend Type English

Contents Kentucky, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia

Flavoring Rum

Cut Broken Flake

Packaging 2oz Tin, 8oz Tin, 16oz Tin

Country US

Production Currently available

Where to Buy SmokingPipes.com

4noggins.com

Strength: Medium to Strong

Flavoring: Mild

Taste: Medium to Full

Room Note: Pleasant to Tolerable
3.3

46 reviews Reviews

4 star: 27

3 star: 10

2 star: 5

1 star: 4

 

[brass]

I decided to try JKP in a small billiard, a 2012 Stanwell Pipe of the Year. It significantly altered the flavor characteristics of the blend, mellowing the taste noticeably. It was also burned a bit easier, requiring fewer relights. This is becoming one of my Favorited flake pipes.

JKP is in my rotation and I plan on cellering a few tins that I will pull out for holidays. There are a few blends for which there are no substitutes. JKP is one such unique blend. Pax
P.S. Great review, mrlowercase. Love the pictures. I'm very happy that you've joined us again.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Time for me to cellar JKP, and move on to the next. (I grabbed the tin of Gaslight, popped it open (aroma!!), smoked a bowl, and realized it's not even in this crawl!) So I am enjoying the GPL GL and have prepped some Sextant for after lunch.
Question: to do a decent job of putting a little brick of JKP aside for a year, would I do well to double wrap it in aluminum foil and place back in the tin?

 

[brass]

Smoking another bowl, this time in my newest pipe, an estate Ben Wade. It is a large bowl and first impression is that JKP performs better in a smaller bowl. But it is still delicious.

 

[brass]

Damn,damn, damn. Every time I think I have a line on the best blends and can pick a few favorites, Greg and Russ come along and blow away my lineup.
I have to smoke through most of a bowl of most blends before I can say if I really like it or not. I knew I had a winner after the first few draws of Sextant. I smoked this in my small bowl Stanley 2012 POTY billiard.
Sextant is another beautiful GLP flake. The tin note is stunning, redolent of rum and Kentucky. The more I explore blends from around the world, the more I appreciate Kentucky tobaccos. I'm going to have to order some Kentucky blending tobaccos and smoke them straight, to familiarize myself with the family.
We had previously noted the elasticity of definitions for various styles of tobacco. Because of the rum, I would arguably call Sextant a Navy Flake. In fact, it reminds me of one of my all time favorites, SG Navy flake.
I don't know how much Latakia is in the mix but it is used as a condiment, not the main attraction. And that is exactly how I prefer Latakia. It should accent, not overwhelm. If you're looking for a Lat bomb, you'll need to go elsewhere.
Likewise, the Virginias are a nice spice, detectable but not overwhelming. Alkaline sensitive smokers should be able to handle without bite.
I think the oriental's are more forward than in many blends but still works as a partner in the medley.
The first bowl did require more than the average number of relights but a little drying time will likely fix the issue. This will not be a blend non-smokers are likely to appreciate. The room note is pungent and my wife complained a bit, which she normally does not do.
I have to catch a flight but I'll close by saying that I think I have found another staple in my rotation. I may not post again until Tuesday but I really look forward to your reactions, reviews and commentary.
Pax

 

[perdurabo]

Brass, I like how the drying time decides how much rum you want in the mix.

 

[misterlowercase]

Most excellent Brass.

::
I'm greatly looking forward to sampling Sextant as it will be my first smoke of it,

been sitting on a couple of tins - the one I'll be opening is from 8/13.
Also looking forward to read everyones interpretations and takes of this blend.

 

[perdurabo]

Alright My initial thoughts:
My tin date is 5-14.
Tin note is Smokey Kentucky and rum. For my first bowl I let it dry out for an hour. Every bowl since then, I've experimented with the dry time, leaving the smoker in control with how much rum they want. To me, this blend is well balanced and I get a smokey sweet molasses flavor, with Kentucky rearing its head around the orientals now and again. Is the base Virginia or Latakia? I only detect the Virginias if I smell the bowl, very sweet and rich. Even though I can identify the Kentucky and orientals at times, overall this blend a specific note...Rich Smokey molasses. I prefer fold and stuff and two bowls back to back, where the nicotine really gets you.
I started smoking a pipe looking for that iconic "rum" blend. McBaren Plumcake being the best that I could find. Finally giving up on Plumcake, because of a stale cigarette taste and

Bite, I stumbled on to Sextant. Sextant is the NavyFlake with rum that everyone has tried to do but just fail at. Thanks Greg for working your magick and setting the bar.

 

[atskywalker]

I've been traumatized by how HUGE Odyssey was. Since then whenever I catch a whiff of Cyprian Latakia in a tin I run. I was dreading the last 2 weeks of this crawl for that reason. But... I decided to not surrender to my fear. I took the car to work today and its usually a 45 minutes drive.. My companion today was Sextant... I'll put a proper review later but this is how it felt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5NcJWkWdPE
No more fear of Cyprian Latakia. Just Love :: More later!

 

[drunkblowhard]

Sextant is one of my all time favorites. In STEADY regular rotation, and sometimes will be the only baccy I smoke for a few weeks. I'm so excited to hear what everyone has to say about this amazing thing, especially Mr. Pease.
And if anyone decides it's not their cup o tea, I can assure you I know a place where it can be properly disposed of!