October Tobacco Crawl with Greg L. Pease

[rhoadsie]

Where does this rank on the nicotine amount?

 

[atskywalker]

@rhoadsie it barely registers for me on the N scale but then again I'm used to smoking large amounts of JackKnife and Irish Flake.

 

[hakchuma]

It's difficult for me to judge nic in pipe tobaccos as I have chewed tobacco for most of my adult life. Still. There is something different about the effect with pipe tobacco. Maybe because when I smoke a pipe I tend to focus more on the act of smoking.

 

[rhoadsie]

I'm picking up a bit vitamin N but I was so excited to try it that I haven't eaten since lunch. To me, this a fuller blend than a "traditional" Va/Per owing to the Kentucky as Mr. Pease stated.

 

[gloucesterman]

I'm a great fan of Pease blends. He seems to be able to formulate mixtures that just work for me. My day starts with some Piccadilly or Chelsea Morning, progresses to Abingdon and ends with one of the four in this month's crawl. I must confess to some deviation several times a week during the evening but the daytime is remarkably consistent. This is my first crawl and I find it a lot of fun. Sitting here all smoking the same thing and swapping thoughts, toss in a little "Pease Perspective" and it's a pleasant evening indeed. Thanks brass for inviting me.

Now to Sixpence. When I first decided to give it a try there were two things that convinced me I should. They were in Greg's notes about the development of Sixpence.

The taste and aroma are deep, full and satisfying, reminiscent of traditional tobaccos from long ago.

Virginia lovers craving a tobacco that is bold and robust, as well as devotees of latakia mixtures who enjoy virginias as a change of pace will find their reward in every bowl of Sixpence.

I couldn't agree more. It is all those things, from the first sweet notes of the light to the last mouthful of smoke it has evolving flavors that keep your interest and please your palate. I find it benefits from some drying time as do many flakes. The addition of dark fired is wonderful. I have fallen in love with the stuff this year. The perique is ever present but not overwhelming. No sooner do I finish a bowl, I want more.

 

[tedswearingen]

I adore Sixpence. I've been smoking it regularly since around the time it was released last year. The smell of a freshly opened tin is magnificent.

 

[hakchuma]

After 3 bowls I'm gonna jar it up for the cellar. It's a reasonable blend. Just doesn't have much character. Not to worry, I have a boat load of Gas Light and for that, thank you GLPease.

 

[swhipple]

I have to admit, I cheated a little and opened my tin a couple of days ago. I usually only smoke one bowl a day, and I wanted to give this a few tries to give it a fair taste. This is my first time trying Sixpence so I was looking forward to it. I've had a few bowls now and my impressions are a composite of those experiences. I also haven't read the other impressions since I didn't want my writing to be swayed by others opinions.
When I opened the lid the first time, I was taken in by the tin note, it reminded me of a Burgundy laced steak sauce. There is a hint of aged Virginia in there somewhere. Since I knew I would be writing about the experience later I really took the time to enjoy the smell of it. If nothing the else, participating in this crawl has made me think about the process of smoking a bit more, focusing on each step and the pleasures it holds.
I've been prepping the tobacco by lightly rubbing it out and packing with no drying time. The moisture level seems "ready to smoke" right out of the tin. This is somewhat unusual in a flake but it seems to work here.
When you light up the first impression is a smooth, sweet Virginia. I haven't had any problems getting it lit and it burns easily and consistently. Once I settle into a pipe full, the predominant flavor I taste is of dried fruits, maybe apricots and dare I say it cherry? No, not cough syrup cherry like you find certain OTC blends but, a rich, deep cherry flavor, like a dessert at a nice restaurant. It's not a strong flavor but it's the most present of the flavors to me. As I think about it now, the hints of fruit in this blend reminds me of the hints of flavors found in wine.
I don't know what I was expecting but I was surprised by the mildness of this blend. I guess most of the Pease offerings I've tried, and I haven't tried many of them, have been robust and wallop you in the mouth with their both flavor and nicotine level. Sixpence seems to be more in the middle, as far as flavor intensity and so far I haven't noticed any nicotine induced effects. I did like this blend it seems like something you could smoke "all day" if you chose to.
Now, I've turned in my homework and I can go back and read all the other comments. I plan to smoke a few more bowls over the next few days and look for the things that others have found within the blend.

 

[misterlowercase]

The smell of a freshly opened tin is magnificent.

No doubt about that.
I've been working an insane schedule as of late, like 16 days straight, but now finally winding down.
Looking very much forward to tasting SixPence.
I opened my tin on thursday, it was dated 0406815, and the heavenly aroma was a real treat - deep inhalation invoked blissful feelings, a very deep and rich scent, reminding greatly of an old Scottish cutter-top I once opened, with SixPence exhibiting predominantly (to my nose) an intense sensation of moist raisins set upon a backdrop of pure tobacco smell and fleetingly laced with fruity undertones.
The flakes are lovingly arranged in a graceful state,

a beautiful presentation.
Very soon, it will be a mystery no more,

as I shall smoke it.

::

 

[misterlowercase]

Make me think of Sherlock Holmes who could identify huge numbers of tobacco by ash alone

I've been curious about this book...

http://www.amazon.com/Distinction-Between-Ashes-Various-Tobaccos/dp/0860254992

David A. Randall, then manager of the rare-books department of Scribner’s Book Store on Fifth Avenue in New York. Later the head of the Lilly Library at Indiana University, Bloomington, Randall was a Baker Street Irregular himself. For this sale, he and Starrett created the memorable Catalogue of Original Manuscripts, and First and Other Important Editions of the Tales of Sherlock Holmes, as Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Together with Important Biographies, Pastiches, Articles, Etc., and a Few Extraordinary Association and Unique Items, which contains a strong streak of whimsy. Alongside legitimate entries for items in Starrett’s collection are convincingly written but entirely fanciful ones, for items such as monographs by Sherlock Holmes that exist only in Dr. Watson’s tales — such as Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccos, in which, said Holmes in the novel The Sign of Four, “I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar, cigarette, and pipe tobacco, with coloured plates illustrating the difference in the ash.”

 

[jaydublin]

I've now smoked another couple bowls (6 in total). First one I rubbed it out and focused on packing it lightly and this resulted in a nice, slow burn down to ash with very little dottle. Next I tried just a fold and very light roll and loaded the flakes very lightly once again. This also smoked slow and cool and down to ash. So - lesson learned - do not over-pack this blend. Despite my very much enjoying Sixpence the first few bowls, I had noticed it developing a dense clod in the last 1/4 of the bowl. As I said, backing off in the loading did the trick.
Maybe I've been over-loading in general. I plan to experiment now with a lighter loading technique with other blends.
Further updating my experience with Sixpence - his is a really nice, balanced tobacco. There is a very hearty and full, savory flavor early in the bowl. Mid-bowl it is a beautiful VaPer but with a more solid bottom end than Escudo, for example. The star of the show, for me, is the Perique, which is just fantastic and delicious. Light pepper, fruit and graham cracker on the retrohale. Really no negatives: zero tongue bite, and zero mouth/tongue/throat fatigue. I've smoke back-to-back bowls on 2 different occasions and the experience is very satisfying without being overbearing at all. A real winner for me.

 

[jpmcwjr]

No problem, JP. It is your tobacco. But I'm going to guess you were one of those kids who would sneak to the tree at 3am on Christmas, and shake the boxes. I know I was.

Tried that once, got caught. My parents really put on a show X-mas morning, and I didn't want to spoil another one. We were encouraged to shake boxes and try to guess what it was. Also: only one present could be opened at a time-by anyone. Made present opening last over an hour!
As to presents, I slipped into Napa Cigars yesterday to check out estates and tobaccos. Asked what Pease lines they carried, but the guy subbing for the owner knew little. He managed to find one tin of Lagonda, dated two years ago, so I snapped that up.($16.00) He didn't even know what an estate pipe was, and could not find much at all. Over all pipes shown, all new- under two dozen. I am afraid that's a store that may not be long for this world. Dang.
I am going to make a point of asking every store I visit what Pease lines they have.

 

[cobguy]

Actually, it's anise

I'm only believing that since it's straight from you! 8O
This tobacco has been an absolute chameleon so far. The initial tin note and charring light flavors delivered

somewhat of a grape / wine / brandy smell and taste that I thought may be an issue for me. However, after a week of being open, the power of the topping has diminished but still smells nothing like anise to me. Once dried, this smoke is a tasty Va/Per with plenty of pepper and only mere hints of the DFK. The Virginia itself does not seem as sweet or tangy as some Red Va's and almost reminds me of a dark or Brown Virginia. I'll still be smoking this throughout the week but can already say that it's growing on me quickly!
BTW ... so far, I'm preferring this lightly rubbed, dried thoroughly and smoked in a cob.

 

[bdebow]

Hi all,

First time posting here. Have read here and there but this particular crawl was so far in my strike zone I had to join in and post. Excited, as I'm a big fan of Pease tobaccos (and pipes, see below)
Preparation: Tried going with Greg's suggestion of rubbing it out extra fine. I like keeping flakes mostly intact usually, so I hadn't tried that method the last time I tried Sixpence.
Pipe: Smoking this (appropriately enough) in my Pease/di Piazza Brucianaso (nose warmer)
Notes: Initial light was sweet. Nice VA sweetness and some of the fruity tin notes present. Just as I was thinking "yeah, the Kentucky is really subtle in this" I caught myself smoking it a bit fast and it made itself known in the back of the throat. Slowed down a bit and it's really nice. It stays lit remarkably well, which is nice because it seems to be at its best when it's sipped slowly on the verge of going out.
Mid-bowl settles in with a bit more complexity. VA sweetness remains but I'm guessing the Perique is coming out a bit more. Aftertaste is a delightful, straightforward tobacco. Feeling a bit of the nicotine, but not too bad.
Didn't quite have time to finish last night, so re-started it tonight and it pretty much picked up where it left off. The perique seems to be adding a lot more of its pepper down at the end of the bowl. Much stronger flavor than it started with last night. Will probably try this in a cob later after I finish this. I think this is going to be a good week
Few pics:

 

[jpmcwjr]

Welcome! That's one of the best first posts I've ever read..... Nice pix, too.

 

[glpease]

Question for Greg: The description on the tin is very alluring. Can you shed some light on what inspired such imagery?
You enter the dark paneled room, its walls lined with ancient books. An antique table stands beside a leather club chair. Upon it, next to a small silver coin, an open tobacco tin entices you with an aroma deep, rich, authentic. You fill your bowl, strike a match. The first puff stops time as the smoky magic weaves its spell... Sixpence. The mystery continues.

After I'd finished the label design, and as I was getting set to write the copy, I filled a bowl and let it speak to me. Those were the images that came into my head as I was contemplating the smoke. The silver coin, of course, is a sixpence, minted in silver through 1947, and in olden days often used as a touch piece, a good luck coin.
As for the nicotine content of this one, I'd put it on the high side of medium strength. It's manageable for me, a confirmed nicowimp, but not on an empty stomach, else my sixpence would buy me a ticket for a spinny ride on the Mad Hatter's Tea Cups.
The not-too-sweetness is by design. As I've always created my blends with aging in mind, I wanted to keep the natural sugars at a point where the thing wouldn't go crazy with fermentation. It'll develop more of that natural sweetness over time, like any good virginia based blend will, but will do so in a way that won't overshadow the tobaccos' tastes. But, I also wanted a bit of sweetness early in its life, so there's a hint of high-sugar bright leaf in the formula. My thoughts at this point are that the two year point will start to really show what this blend is capable of delivering, and it will continue to evolve over many years, probably reaching something of a plateau, or at least slowing down after a decade in the tins, but with careful storage, it's one our grandchildren could enjoy if we leave any for them…
I find young Sixpence to be a tiny bit finicky about the pipe, and always get the best experience from a well rested, well seasoned and very clean briar, from which the most complexity and sweetness can be coaxed. On those few occasions when I've found it to be a bit harsh, (bear in mind, I've been smoking this stuff in all its various incarnations for well over a year), I've always found the pipe to be the culprit. A few pipe cleaners and a little alcohol has always set things right again. It's also been lovely for me in cobs and clays, each bringing out different dimensions of the smoke.

 

[northernneil]

My thoughts at this point are that the two year point will start to really show what this blend is capable of delivering, and it will continue to evolve over many years, probably reaching something of a plateau, or at least slowing down after a decade in the tins, but with careful storage, it's one our grandchildren could enjoy if we leave any for them…

The tin I cracked for this crawl was dated January 12th, giving it 9 months I the tin. Absolutely sublime, showing to me, no signs of harshness or disarray between the components. Needless to say, I am very excited to see where this tobacco ends up in 5 years time.

 

[aggravatedfarmer]

Sixpence in a very large Ehrlich Billard accompanied by Sierra Nevada Nooner Pilsner.
I am an accidental crawl member for this round. Having thought the crawl was an "in person" event, I skipped over the topic in the forum. However I happen to have sixpence (and gaslight) on hand I feel compelled to put my two cents in on sixpence.
This is my first blend by Mr Pease I have tried. I have always been a skeptic of any product with a huge following, thinking it caters to a majority that in some way it will disappoint. I think in this case I am wrong. The tin note to me is a very luxurious dark fired Kentucky with the sweetness of Virginias behind it. It runs out easily into the bowl and packs best in a large bowl (for which I'm thankful since the folding method gives me troubles). It's quite sweet, even fruity at the beginning. Somewhere around ten minutes I recognize the perique coming into play with a subtle to firm taste, which I thoroughly enjoy. Hints of the sweetness linger for a while, even when the Kentucky leaf takes notice. It finishes as well as it starts. "Good till the last drop (sip)". Comes to mind.
The tin art and the write up are perfect descriptions of this blend (as well as gaslight which has become my misty night go to). I must say this will become a staple in my rotation and cellar. Thank you Mr Pease!

 

[bdebow]

Tried it last night rubbed out relatively fine in a cob. It was good, but it didn't seem to change at all the whole bowl. All of the flavors were there right in the beginning, slight pepper from the perique, just a tad of the dark fired, and an overall mild-sweet VA base. But in the briar they seemed to change places, taking turns as to which was in the foreground. Not unpleasant, but I kind of enjoyed the more mysterious smoke in the briar.
Tonight I'm trying it cube-cut in a bent meerschaum. Immediately upon lighting, Mr. Perique banged in the door and made himself known. To which I simply replied "Welcome friend. What's got you so peppery this evening? Do sit down and make yourself at home." I'm about mid way through and it appears he has obliged. Very peppery, but enjoyable.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Upcoming: side by side comparison Six Pence and Escudo...

Yes, this one is just for fun. I did try to make a reasonable test. More later.