October Tobacco Crawl with Greg L. Pease
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The subtleties of Syrian would have gotten lost in this one, I think. Years ago, I did a Syrian based mixture with a whisky topping called Inverness (under the F&P marque). It was quite an interesting blend, but didn't hold up as well over time as I'm hoping this one will.
As to the difference between the two types, it's dramatic. So much so that I'm stunned some manufacturers have been less than forthright in their reporting of "Syrian Latakia" in mixtures that clearly have not contained it for many years, and not only have people not complained about it, but many still believe the claims. But, unless someone has had the real Syrian deal, they won't know that what they're smoking isn't that. It's kind of like some "re-released" tobaccos on the market today. They taste nothing like the originals, but only those of us who were around and smoking pipes 30 years ago would know that. Those more recent to the pipe will either not know the difference, or will assume that the difference is because of aging.
I've often wished tobacco manufacturers were held to the same standards as wine producers; as there's no AOC governing what's on the labels, I suppose just about anything can be claimed. But, that's a whole other tin of sardines...
I've often wished tobacco manufacturers were held to the same standards as wine producers; as there's no AOC governing what's on the labels, I suppose just about anything can be claimed. But, that's a whole other tin of sardines...
I enjoy trying and comparing a blend in different pipes. The flavor differencs are easy to detect - sometimes the difference is subtle, othertimes, it can be dramatic.
I loaded Sextant in a Savinelli 316 Porto Cervo for my morning commute. The 316 is a wide, shallow pot and one of the prettiest shapes in the Savinelli line, at least to my tastes. The only drawback to the shape is that it takes several charring lights before you can get a good cherry, especially if you are smoking a somewhat moist flake.
I use what I refer to as the accordion method to pack flakes. The method is simple to execute. You take a flake or two and simply insert it into the bowl lengthwise, and twist the flake as you compress it into the bowl. The method leaves plenty of room for expansion as the blend burns, eliminating the plug problem sometimes encountered with the fold and stuff method.
As mentioned, the difference can be subtle or dramatic when smoking a blend in a different shape. Smoking Sextant in the 316 pot produced a dramatically different experience than when smoked in more billiard like shapes. The pot bought the Latakia to the forefront while simultaneously subduing the Kentucky flavors. I could easily have mistaken it for an entirely different blend.
It was so tasty that I sat in the car for 15 minutes after arriving at work, and continued to savor the bowl with a cup of black coffee.
From my experience, producing a Latakia blend that is truly unique in the market is a challenge. They just blend together if you'll pardon the poor pun. Sextant is unique in the marketplace in the sense that it is unique. (Is this a tautology?) Sextant will take a place beside my other favorite Latakia blends, e.g., Samuel Gawith Navy Flake, Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader, G.L.Pease Quiet Nights, and Esoterica Penzance.
I loaded Sextant in a Savinelli 316 Porto Cervo for my morning commute. The 316 is a wide, shallow pot and one of the prettiest shapes in the Savinelli line, at least to my tastes. The only drawback to the shape is that it takes several charring lights before you can get a good cherry, especially if you are smoking a somewhat moist flake.
I use what I refer to as the accordion method to pack flakes. The method is simple to execute. You take a flake or two and simply insert it into the bowl lengthwise, and twist the flake as you compress it into the bowl. The method leaves plenty of room for expansion as the blend burns, eliminating the plug problem sometimes encountered with the fold and stuff method.
As mentioned, the difference can be subtle or dramatic when smoking a blend in a different shape. Smoking Sextant in the 316 pot produced a dramatically different experience than when smoked in more billiard like shapes. The pot bought the Latakia to the forefront while simultaneously subduing the Kentucky flavors. I could easily have mistaken it for an entirely different blend.
It was so tasty that I sat in the car for 15 minutes after arriving at work, and continued to savor the bowl with a cup of black coffee.
From my experience, producing a Latakia blend that is truly unique in the market is a challenge. They just blend together if you'll pardon the poor pun. Sextant is unique in the marketplace in the sense that it is unique. (Is this a tautology?) Sextant will take a place beside my other favorite Latakia blends, e.g., Samuel Gawith Navy Flake, Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader, G.L.Pease Quiet Nights, and Esoterica Penzance.
Thank you guys for the article pointer and for Greg for the insights. It confirmed my view on Latakia.
I'm assuming HH Vintage Syrian, and Frog Morton on the Bayou contain the Syrian variety. Can anyone confirm (or deny this) - since I loved those but seem to get overwhelmed by Cyprian? To my taste, Cyprian is bolder and more assertive.
Sextant seems to approach that sweet spot for me. I'll smoke another bowl in the same pipe tonight and write up my final review.
Question for Greg: If I may ask, what percent of Latakia is in Sextant vs. Odyssey (ratio comparison)? I'm also assuming the Latakia leaf in both is more or less of the same variety?
I'm assuming HH Vintage Syrian, and Frog Morton on the Bayou contain the Syrian variety. Can anyone confirm (or deny this) - since I loved those but seem to get overwhelmed by Cyprian? To my taste, Cyprian is bolder and more assertive.
When I smoked GL Pease Odyssey 6 months ago I was completely overwhelmed by how deep and dark the Latakia presence was. To my senses it was more or less a traumatic experience :D . But I keep remembering how much I loved FMOTB which always propels me to try more Latakia blends to see if there's a sweet spot for me.
Sextant seems to approach that sweet spot for me. I'll smoke another bowl in the same pipe tonight and write up my final review.
Question for Greg: If I may ask, what percent of Latakia is in Sextant vs. Odyssey (ratio comparison)? I'm also assuming the Latakia leaf in both is more or less of the same variety?
Terrific Pipe Values at BriarBlues
http://www.briarblues.com/frugal.htm
Hey guys. If you're interested in some terrific pipe deals, Mike at Briar Blues has a "Frugal Buyers Page" with brand name estate pipes selling from $25 to $70. The pipes will need cleaning but are otherwise in good condition.
I picked up this 2005 J.M. Boswell Dublin/Bulldog for $60.00.
http://www.briarblues.com/frugal.htm
Hey guys. If you're interested in some terrific pipe deals, Mike at Briar Blues has a "Frugal Buyers Page" with brand name estate pipes selling from $25 to $70. The pipes will need cleaning but are otherwise in good condition.
I picked up this 2005 J.M. Boswell Dublin/Bulldog for $60.00.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
The October Pax Crawl will be extended one week so that we can try out Greg's newest blend, Virginia Cream.
Skywalker asked if it would be possible to extend the crawl by a week so that we could try Greg's newest blend. I thought it was a terrific idea and posed it to Mr. Pease. He agreed with enthusiasm. Virginia Cream is a lightly topped aromatic that can be enjoyed by all smokers. Here are the details from tobaccoreviews.com.
G. L. Pease - The Virginia Cream (Heirloom Collection)
Distinctively delicious! G.L. Pease seasons fine red and golden flue-cured Virginia tobaccos with rare condimental leaf, enhancing the result with a subtle vanilla/bourbon topping that is never overbearing. Rare for a blend of its genre, The Virginia Cream delivers on its aromatic promise from the first puff to the bottom of the bowl, while leaving the pipe clean and free of phantom flavors. An all-American blend ideal for Virginia fanciers craving something a little sweeter.
Brand G. L. Pease
Blended By Gregory Pease
Manufactured By Cornell & Diehl
Blend Type Aromatic
Contents Black Cavendish, Kentucky, Perique, Virginia
Flavoring Bourbon
Cut Ribbon
Packaging 2oz Tin
Country US
Production Currently available
Product Image
Strength
Medium
Flavoring
Very Mild
Taste
Medium to Full
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
4.0
1 reviews Reviews
4 star: 1
3 star: 0
2 star: 0
1 star: 0
You can order from SmokingPipes or your favorite vendor.
I've got 2 tins in the mail already! Special thanks to Greg and brass!!! This should take the already stellar fun factor of this crawl to a totally new level.
Our conversations with Greg had created a unique relationship between myself and the blends we smoked in this crawl. In today's over industrialized world it is very seldom to have a one-on-one exchange with the creator of the products we love. To enjoy a work of art is one thing. To take a closer look at it with the artist as your guide is something completely different! :
:
Our conversations with Greg had created a unique relationship between myself and the blends we smoked in this crawl. In today's over industrialized world it is very seldom to have a one-on-one exchange with the creator of the products we love. To enjoy a work of art is one thing. To take a closer look at it with the artist as your guide is something completely different! :
:
+1 SkyWalker. Yes, this is so cool. Thanks for the suggestion SkyWalker and thank you Greg, for extending your generosity. It is great to have you with us.
Well done, Mr. Skywalker! Agree completely.
And, it's a great idea, but I won't be doing that part, as I have six more Pease blends to try on top of what we are doing in the original crawl. But I will read with interest and will attempt to withhold opinions on that with which I have zero experience, e.g., the G. L. Pease newest blend, The Virginia Cream (Heirloom Collection).
I know that you believe you understood what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
And, it's a great idea, but I won't be doing that part, as I have six more Pease blends to try on top of what we are doing in the original crawl. But I will read with interest and will attempt to withhold opinions on that with which I have zero experience, e.g., the G. L. Pease newest blend, The Virginia Cream (Heirloom Collection).
I know that you believe you understood what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
So very true!
Well said.
:
:Mssr. Pease has an uncanny knack for making complicated issues more understandable, for condensing the intricate minutia into graspable form, and conveying topics which may be difficult into a digestible simplicity --- that is a tremendous skill and I thank him greatly for it.
Openly sharing and disseminating his knowledge and experience is a great gift for pipelore and for me personally it has been of utmost usefulness.
That he employs such poetic flair and well-crafted writerly composition is just more plume on the flake,
as it were.
Three cheers!
:
: :: :: Jolly good.
And,
the inclusion of TVC is most exciting!
A grand idea methinks!
Good stuff abounds.
Thanks Brass for putting all of this together and maintaining such an interesting concept to the fullest expression possible,
I have been educated by it all.
And thank you Gregory,
for being who you are,
and doing what you do.
:
:
Luckily, I'd already opened a tin of Sextant a month ago and started a tasting journal around the same time. I was able to give my initial thoughts via my journal. Now that I've dedicated a pipe to Sextant, and had about 11 bowls, Sextant still has that perfect balance of tobaccos. The oriental have revealed their spice, the Kentucky gives it balls, and the Latakia/Virginias tying it all together creating a very complex smoke. Of course the rum...the rum throws it up there in the stratosphere, making Sextant and Haddo's Delight the quintessential rum (Navy) blends. Haven't had Navigator yet, but it's on the short list.
Big Thank you to brass for hosting this crawl. And finally Thank You to GL Pease for settling the internal arugument in my head about Haddo's Delight and bring to us "Perfection" in our pipes, to aid us in our contemplations on the Mysteries of the Universe. Will be hanging around for the next two blends to see what GLPease reveals about them and how they review. :clap:
Big Thank you to brass for hosting this crawl. And finally Thank You to GL Pease for settling the internal arugument in my head about Haddo's Delight and bring to us "Perfection" in our pipes, to aid us in our contemplations on the Mysteries of the Universe. Will be hanging around for the next two blends to see what GLPease reveals about them and how they review. :clap:
I smoked another bowl of sextant in a different pot this morning, this time a 4 Dot Sasieni. I can confirm that pot shapes same to bring the Latakia to the forefront. I'm going to try it again this evening, in a stack or perhaps one of the original billiards, just to eliminate the possibility that airing it out for a week is the difference. Pax
I really enjoyed Sextant. I think it is the latakia and Kentucky combination that is what does it for me. The Kentucky seems to enhance the smokiness I love about latakia, but tapers the sharpness and pallete drying that sometimes occurs. The tin note was awesome upon opening but faded faster than I wanted it to. I'm glad I tried it and will get some more.
I smoke Sextant quite often. It is one of my favorite blends. I have been smoking it on and off all week and every bowl is a as good as the next. Not much else I can say about it that has not already been said. It is in my opinion, one of the best balanced blends out there. Looking forward to the next week with Quite Nights!!
Fall Crawl Menu for Friday, October 23, 2015
G. L. Pease - Quiet Nights (Old London Series)
From tobaccoreviews.com
Rich, deep, contemplative... Ripe red virginias, fine orientals, smokey Cyprus Latakia, and a pinch of Acadian perique are pressed and matured in cakes before being sliced. The sophisticated flavors and exotic aroma provide a wonderful backdrop for quiet moments of reflection, a good book, and if you are so inclined, perhaps a wee dram.
Brand G. L. Pease
Blended By Gregory Pease
Manufactured By Cornell & Diehl
Blend Type English
Contents Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia
Flavoring None
Cut Flake
Packaging 2oz. tin
Country US
Production Currently available
Where to Buy PipesAndCigars
SmokingPipes.com
BnB Tobacco
G. L. Pease - Quiet Nights (Old London Series)
From tobaccoreviews.com
Rich, deep, contemplative... Ripe red virginias, fine orientals, smokey Cyprus Latakia, and a pinch of Acadian perique are pressed and matured in cakes before being sliced. The sophisticated flavors and exotic aroma provide a wonderful backdrop for quiet moments of reflection, a good book, and if you are so inclined, perhaps a wee dram.
Brand G. L. Pease
Blended By Gregory Pease
Manufactured By Cornell & Diehl
Blend Type English
Contents Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia
Flavoring None
Cut Flake
Packaging 2oz. tin
Country US
Production Currently available
Where to Buy PipesAndCigars
SmokingPipes.com
BnB Tobacco
Final thoughts about Sextant:
I can make up my mind about Sextant at all. Its sophisticated and complex in ways I find difficult to describe. I think I need more time with it. I'm sure going to buy a few more tins to revisit it every so often. I really enjoyed it but I'm not sure exactly why
I can make up my mind about Sextant at all. Its sophisticated and complex in ways I find difficult to describe. I think I need more time with it. I'm sure going to buy a few more tins to revisit it every so often. I really enjoyed it but I'm not sure exactly why
Quite Nights: I lit a bowl of Quite Nights and WOW! I think I'm starting to become a Latakia convert... I had to take a picture of the setup. One interesting thing about the photo - the book you see on the right corner is a handwritten poetry journal (arabic) that is about 104 years old. This is the one and only copy (the original handwritten). I felt Quite Nights belonged side by side with this for some reason!
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