There is a lot of latakia in Maltese Falcon, but that should turn no one away. In fact, I would recommend it to someone who thinks they do not like latakia. The VA and Oriental component is perfect in counterpoint, but always playing second fiddle. There is just enough to keep this blend from disappearing into a gray and boring lat-bomb.

There is a noticeable spice added that is wonderful. I don't know what it is, and I have tried to unveil the mystery by sniffing everything in our spice cabinet to no avail. It has a north african flavor such as coriander, cumin, and cinnamon. But like the label says, it is discreet, and only serves to enhance the smoke -- never distracts. It BELONGS in the blend.

Maltese Falcon is my favorite blend to blow through the nose. It gets the nostrils huffing and flaring in the same involuntary manner that you might experience smelling some incredible food in a frying pan...or after witnessing a sultry smile from your object of desire. The ribbon is slightly damp, but dries quickly and burns well regardless of dry time.

I can only highly recommend GLP MF without reservation. If you enjoy Pease's English blends, Maltese Falcon will not disappoint.

Unlike the leaden bird in the John Huston classic, this Maltese Falcon my in fact be made of gold beneath it's dark veneer.

I found in only one bowl this to be a high quality GLP blend as I have come to expect from him. The presentation is superb and the tin aroma is of spicy Lakakia and Orientals. On first light the Latakia makes itself known and remains throughout the bowl but never in my opinion overpowering. I smoked this as walked down the shoreline and knew I had waited too long to try this fine blend. I am a fan most of GL's blends that I have tried and this is not an exception. There are heavier less sweet overings from GL and conversely lighter sweeter blends. This falls in the middle between Chelsea Morning and Westminster. To me it was kind of like Oddessy just not as bold and easier to keep lit.

The sweetness of fine Virginia mixed up with a great spicy sweet oriental makes this blend very special for my taste. As I said, Latakia is present only for a cool delicious smoke, which does not mask the sweet exotic mixture of Virginia-Oriental.

The Orientals in this mixture are loaded with sugar and a silky, oily, spicy taste. I am not sure but they may be Yenidje or Izmir (or both) leaf. I don't remember when I've tasted last time this well some Orientals and Virginias in a English mixture. IMO the English mixtures of the market are generally loaded with much Latakia, again IMO, mainly for masking the unsuccesful Va-Oriental mixtures. Well Maltese Falcon is not one of those blends. It is sweet, exotic, flavorful and extremely nicely balanced. The Latakia power suits very well for a mild to medium strength Smokes cool and slow, leaving a long lasting delightful taste on my palat and tongue.

I favor Latakia blends, and this one certainly doesn't lack in that department. I think GLP struck a good balance here, it's not too heavy, but there's enough focus on the Latakia for you to enjoy its dimension. Smoky and sweet - as I said, this is one of my regulars.

As with many Latakia blends, this one is not so popular with the non-smokers. That being said, my wife has gotten used to the sweetness, and she enjoys it now (or just lies about it to keep me happy).

Wife loves the aroma. She says it smells manly.

Smoked this in an 80-yr. old Kaywoodie Super Grain.

I absolutely love the first 1/4 of the smoke. The interplay between the virginias (which at times have that sweet/sour mix that I usually associate with a McClelland virginia) and the latakia is so perfect and profound that it makes me forget I usually crave the oriental components of an english blend. The rest of the bowl is rich and smooth, very consistent, and quite lovely in its own right, though it's almost a letdown after the beginning. Almost.

Part of me wants to say this blend is good, though may not become a favorite. Yet I keep going back to it, perhaps hoping to extend those magical first few puffs somehow. Maybe I like the rest more than I'm inclined to believe. It's tough to say. I don't think I've quite figured this one out yet, but I'm intrigued enough to stock a bit more. Maybe that's what it's all about, after all.

I typically smoke it on the way to work each day and at night.

Pease has really done it with this one.

-The wife loves it. -The leaves are not balanced. They support in varying degrees. -It's relaxing as hell.

I endorse this one every day and always have cans in stock.

****

Gone is my local Pipe Shop, where one could try a bowl of many of the proprietors hand blends, or have one's own tastes met by a custom blend. Gone is Balkan Sobranie, and nearly all the Dunhill line, including my favorite tinned tobacco - Nightcap. My jaw dropped when I saw what a tin of the venerable Nightcap goes for on E-bay!

Enter the internet, and shopping by tobacco review. I purchased a smorgasbord of English-Balkan - Virginias based blends, with a couple others which included some burley for an alternative universe.

I must say that the only tobacco I ordered in any bulk was 4 ounces of Squadron Leader, based in no small part the recommendations of this forum. I regret to say it has been the most disappointing of all the selections I am trying out.

To my palate, Squadron leader is is too bitter, doesn't have enough Latakia smokiness, and the Orientals are too forward, leading to a flavor which is too arid. The flavors don't 'dance' for me, and after several bowls under different conditions, I just can't recommend this blend.

However, in contrast, I find GLP's Maltese Falcon to be extremely satisfying. Smoky, sweet, complex - now this blend 'dances' for me, with flavors developing intriguingly throughout the bowl. And very mild compared to S.L., despite arriving too dry in the tin.

Twenty-five years ago I spent a lot of time trying to find the 'perfect' English blend, and I think I have stumbled upon it here with Maltese Falcon. Rich, sweet, smoky and complex yet smokes like velvet.

It smokes smooth and cool and I find it to be very well rounded and mild mannered.

No bite at all. Every so often you get a taste of the mysterious spice. Great stuff.

It is full bodied, mildly sweet, spicy, and has some creamyness to it. To deal with the large cut leaves, I've dedicated a jumbo bowled Savinelli Baronet to this and Robusto. These course cut blends work well in this pipe and smoke nice and cool.

Perhaps it was the pipe, or the way I was smoking, but the last half was just not pleasant at all. Not sure what the problem was so for now it only gets 3 out of 4 stars. I will try it again in a different pipe and see what happens.

UPDATE: Tried it in a larger pipe. It was much better than before, but still not up to what I had hoped it would be. Then again, I have not ever been a real fan of GLP blends that I have tried. Not sure why. Not bad, wouldnt turn it away, but I dont think I will ever sit around thinking to myself, "Wow! I sure could use a bowl of MF."

Upon opening the tin, I was greeted with a nice, lightly sweet aroma. The coloration was a mixture of darker and lighter tobaccos and the moisture level was essentially perfect. I packed my pipe, struck a match and started puffing. I found that in many ways, this blend is an "Odyssey Light" - meaning that it is a lighter smoke than Odyssey due to there being less Latakia - but the more I have smoked Maltese Falcon, the more I appreciate its complexity. I can taste the sweetness of the Virginias, the smoky punch of the Latakia, the spice of the Orientals, and that added little something in the "flue-cured leaf" (which is apparently an unsweetened Cavendish). And all these flavors mix together perfectly, without anything overpowering the rest of the blend.

If I were to have one complaint about Maltese Falcon, it would be that it seems that the cut is not as great as it could be. I have found a couple of full uncut leaves in my most recent tin, and some of the cut leaves need to be cut even more. Still this tobacco is a truly great blend that, as the tin accurately states, is "a wonderful all-day English style mixture."

Marked by a dark sweetness, in the bowl it offers creamy notes of coffee and caramel underscored by the slight sourness of Orientals and the pine-like smokiness of Cyprian Latakia. Possessing little in the way of high notes, the individual components of the mixture are well balanced, working together in such a way so as to avoid the heavy, cloying character often associated with Latakia-heavy preparations such as this. The smoke is medium to heavy bodied with a smooth, silky richness that lingers on a long finish. Tongue bite is never an issue.

Although the reviewer's first experience with the mixture was, it seems, with one of the tainted "February batches" in which sweetened Cavendish was mistakenly substituted for unsweetened, the tin on which this particular review is based came straight from C&D with the assurance that it was the real deal (dated 4/12/09). An enjoyable change of pace from the everyday English/Balkan style smoking mixture, Maltese Falcon smokes like it looks, tastes like it smells, and delivers what it promises.

I tend to review blends I really like, and this is one. Primarily, I prefer straight VA's, with a weakness toward Red VA's, but switch to Latakia/Oriental blends as a balance. As such, I like blends with a light sweetness or caramel undertones of which MF is consistent from start to finish. It requires a couple re-lights, but that's ok as the moisture content passes the flavor through nicely. Also, the flavor doesn't become too strong nearing the bowl's end, it's a nice linear build up, and enjoyable to the last crumb. It's also a cool smoke, never detected a bite.

What ever the "secret spice" is, it seems to bridge the gap between sweet VA's & the astringency I sense in a lot of Latakia blends. Hopefully the moisture content on later production is the same as other posters noted later production a bit dry. For now, I will add more to the cellar.

Maltese Falcon will not be a contender. Above all else, the tobacco came out of the tin way too dry, which results in a quick, hot, harsh smoke, and deprives one of the smoky intricacies of the various tobaccos, particularly the Latakia, and the meditative qualities that come with a slow burning rich smoke. If I wanted dry tobacco flavor, a cigarette would do as well. It seems I am not alone in pointing out the dryness, but on the other hand, quite a few posters claimed it to be moist. So.. we might have a Quality Control issue. Little flavor, intrigue, or complexity noted. Not recommended.

There are moments when it really shines, but when it does it brings to mind other blends (e.g., Westminster, Samarra) that provide those flavors/moments more consistently. Too much of the time it borders on hard edged -- almost ashy -- while not providing the depth of pungency or complexity that I really crave in my English and Balkans. Perhaps time will soften some of those edges and let the better moments linger longer.

Blends affect different smokers differently, and I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that something in the Falcon disagrees with my constitution (the "discreet and mysterious spice" perhaps?). I tend to like latakia-heavy powerhouse blends and don't think I'm particularly sensitive to heavy smokes, but I haven't had a full bowl of the Falcon that didn't leave me with a headache afterwards. I originally thought this was a fluke of coincidence, but -- a full tin into my Falcon experience -- I am regretfully convinced otherwise.

To note these things is almost to complain too much: As noted, Maltese Falcon is good, and it has an assertive enough character that I can understand how it might align wonderfully with some smokers' tastes. It is well worth trying, and I'm not about to jettison the tins from my cellar.

Highly recommended.

Well gentlemen, this is my first venture into a GL Pease tobacco, and I'm not disappointed. I love Latakia, and this stuff has a bunch of it. The cut is unusual, almost looks like it was cut by hand. There are some very unusual tastes, which like others have mentioned, is hard to describe. This stuff reminds me of a stronger version of Bombay Court, which is in my top five favorite blends. I like this stuff alot. In fact it's even better than I was expecting, and it only got better towards the end of the bowl. Sweet, salty, smokey, and I think this might have some Turkish in it as well? Yummy stuff. If you like a moderately strong English blend, this one won't disappoint...

10/27/08

I wouldn't have thought that a few days after opening a tin would make such a change, but a change it has gone through, without a doubt. It's gotten a sweeter taste, and the Latakia isn't quite so overpowering, as it was upon the initial opening of the tin. Definitely a keeper in my rotation...

This one should NOT be missed!

I have never really liked Latakia much. In most blends it strikes me like a burning gunpowder taste. (Like all those cheap fireworks we used to set off as kids...)

On my last large order from Cornell & Deihl, they were kind enough to send me a small sample of Maltese Falcon. (1oz. I think.)

I can't rave enough about this tobacco, and the smoking experience you will no doubt enjoy. Yes, some reviewers who like their English strong, (bordering on industrial paint stripper,) will find this one not as strong as they are used to.

The blend just sings from 1st to last light. The Latakia is always present, but weaves in and out with a symphony of other flavors and notes. It stays interesting throughout the bowl, and one flavor never takes over. The Virginia and Orientals are top notch. Truly another example where the sum of the parts creates a whole new entity, eclipsing what you thought the sum would be.

It lights well, smokes clean, burns down to a fine ash with little dottle. It gets a tad stronger past mid-bowl.

I can't stress enough that, as I have tried many different blends, and making a true study of blends, this one is tops. So many Latakia blends to me are just monotone. Full-on smokey, burnt flavor.

This blend has me actually craving that unique Latakia flavor. Probably because it is not overwhelming.

If you are already a Latakia fan, this one could be a great lighter smoke. If you have hesitated on trying an English, this one is a great starter.

Best of luck, and happy smoking!

Congratulations to Pease for the blend -- clearly, "a man of nice judgment and many resources" -- and ZuluCollector for the excellent label design.

The unique added flavoring, whatever it may be, made this interesting to me for a bowl, but that was about it.

It burns cool and is stronger than mild with a taste that sticks around for awhile. Recommended.

I must say, though, that this is one Latakia blend that can be smoked all day in warm weather without becoming too ponderous--a definite boon for those who must have that delightful, smoky weed everyday, regardless of the season. Perhaps that is what he was aiming for; to me, English/Balkan blends usher in autumn, and I always look forward to the half-lighted, crisp October day I can find an aged can of Greg's best efforts.

There is nothing in Maltese Falcon that will offend the sensibilities of the aficinado of Latakia-laden tobaccos, but neither is there anything to excite them, either. It is an acceptable smoke, and one not without its own distinction.

I must admit that I have never been fond of Red Virginias (except in the REAL Red Raparee) and a certain other domestic blender makes far too much use of them. Greg puts that particular strain to much better use.

I would recommend all Frog Morton smokers to give MF a try; you will receive a gratifying education. 'Nuff said.

Greg, where are the Orientals?

On my second bowl, I detected a hint of my beloved Dunhill Nightcap of yore plus a number of other 'truly' English blends I've tried (and some that I still smoke) over the years. But while there's generally nothing truly new under the sun when it comes to English blends, Maltese Falcon is the exception to the rule. It has a full-bodied taste to me that is lacking Nightcap (which I find "medium" bodied), and it has just enough Latakia to give the smoke some spicy zest that a good, solid English should have. The Virginias in this blend are exceptional, adding 'just enough' sweetness to the blend so that it has something to offset the bite that is often present in blends with cheap Virginias. The Orientals give it a sweet, velvety undertone and seem to be of equally high quality.

If I could afford it, this would be a 3-4 bowl-a-day smoke for me. As it is, I take for granted that the great tobaccos used here are a bit costly even though I do keep in mind that the tin is closer to 57 grams than the standard 50 gram tines, and I have to stretch this out each month. I would also note that, because of the popularity of this blend, I suppose, I've found it out-of-stock more than once, so if you become a fan and can afford it, it might be wise to stock up.

Highly recommended as a solid English blend that all should find simply delightful.

In the end, MF is a solid and enjoyable medium-strength English with flavorful Virginias and a solid latakia element. Ignore the stated references to Raven's Wing (which, judging from the character of this blend, was more of an inspiration than a direct influence) and think of this as the all-day version of Westminster. Maltese Falcon has less overall richness and complexity -- and much subtler orientals -- but it still retains Westminster's basic flavor profile.

Bob

Not something I'll buy again. Westminster and its Balkan cousins will fill this spot in my rotation.

The Virginias, orientals, and latakia all play their parts throughout the smoke. I think it's an excellent all day blend.

What else to say to avoid repeating myself? It is a great tobacco, with a perfect cut and moisture, which packs and smokes great, with loads of flavour, easy to enjoy casually or contemplatively. A great medium-full English mixtures with no frills: simply great respect for tradition, and for a truly classic style.

Personally I enjoy Westminster a bit better (it is even more consistent, and more "unique" in my rotation)... but you really can't go wrong with such a tobacco. Its main asset is that it already tastes aged and timeless straight from a fresh tin... and that alone is a huge feat!

I ave put off reviewing this till I have smoked enough to try and see beyond the Latakia- This was GLP conception after trying to reinvent Raven's Wing. I've had Raven's Wing- This is a Bird of a different feather Though I would be surprised if the receipes weren't much alike.

Raven's Wing boasted Cyprian and the much missed Syrian Latakia. For me that lended a smokey, sweet, exotic flavor.

This is much the same, yet the Orientals take the place of the Syrian- I really want to say Yendjie? Not just Izmir- There is a wisp of something in the background that is hauntingly familiar....But I can't put my finger on it. I'm currently smoking this in a Kinsale XL26- Fully rubed out and Air Packed. The flavor is in every exhale and it makes this latakia mixture so interesting I want to forget I generally don't like Latakia mixes.

This does benifit from some Air time as it comes a bit damp, But too dry, for me, made the Latakia a bit sharper- so I did like it a bit moister than usual. Either way it burned very clean didn't get bitter at the bottom, and never got tedious (which is my general curse for Latakia blends)-

I could see this being an all day blend for the english lover. I will stock up a bit for those Champagne days when I look away from my usual Burley/Virginia blends. Very much worth trying- 2 thumbs up.

Maltese Falcon is an amazing tobacco. I particularly like the interplay between the dark Latakia and the sweet Virginias and Orientals. It is the perfect combination of a tobacco that is easy to smoke and tastes great. Highly recommended.

Some time ago I purchased a new Purdy zulu (based on the that Sixten Will owns). I decided to dedicate this pipe to Maltese Falcon. So I gave the pipe its maiden bowl with the first load of tinned Maltese Falcon.

This tobacco begins with dark chocolate and citrus; the latakia presents itself with confidence but recedes almost immediately as good quality latakia will. The citrus likewise recedes as the Virginia sugars present more sweetness. It is as if the dark chocolate sweetens. The orientals present flavors that are not unlike roasted chestnuts; there is a slightly bitter undertone in counterpoint with the Virginias. These virginias are not quite lemony; they are more like a blood orange to my palate.

Though I took no time to let the tin breathe nor to let the tobacco dry out, I had no undue problem with the burn at all. I think I relit once after the charring light about two thirds through the bowl. I was surprised that I did not experience the taste of charring briar as I smoked this tobacco; this Purdy's bowl was uncoated. From examining the bowl after smoking, it appears that the tobacco burns at a fairly cool temperature, but I am a fairly slow, cool smoker. The bowl ? which is fairly small ? gave me a 45-minute smoke.

I have decided to cellar this tobacco in significant quantities. It is, surprisingly, fast becoming my favorite tobacco. This is surprising because I am primarily a smoker of Virginias. I do love this blend, however.

Full disclosure: I have worked with Greg on marketing and market research for G.L. Pease Artisanal Tobaccos, commencing with the Embarcadero blend. I was creative director and art director for Greg's new logo, and for this new label design that you see with Maltese Falcon. So, it would be disingenuine of me to claim no association or interest. That having been said, I've marketed a lot of products that are not for me. This one, however is one with which I am infatuated ? a happy circumstance.

It fills and lights easily. The initial taste is the familiar balance of a medium to medium full English. But then you notice it - there is something else. An addition that tastes spiky in the mouth. It has a nose-tingle that is reminiscent of something... something... something... an old-fashioned odour, but not one you are immediately familiar with. It mutes the resinous quality of the Turkish and tempers the leathery whuft of Latakia, resulting in a smoke that seems spare and monastic. The bowl leaves no tongue-burn, the nose is not overloaded.

It is very satisfying (refreshing, even), but needs to grow on the smoker a bit. Burns dry and clean and leaves the pipe-smelling more exotic than usual. The tin aroma of the tobacco is quite pleasant.

He's done something. I do not know what it is. I've smelled it before, but I cannot remember where or when.

The Latakia in this stands out wonderfully against the Virginias. This smoke burns very cool producing a well rounded, medium taste. Mild floral notes in the nose and somewhat exotic flavor that's very mild on the center of the tongue.

Halfway through the bowl the nicotine was more noticeable after some heavy puffing but the burn remained cool with no bite. Impressive!

The room note was very unpleasant to the girlfriend, she asked me to return to the office(where I am frequently sent under these circumstances).

This new blend from G.L. Pease is something he should be well pleased with. I believe it is a perfect blend for both the neophyte as well as the experienced smoker. It has enough flavor to satisfy and burns remarkably well while staying cool the whole while. I will be buying more of this to age.

Upon first light I was blasted with that intense latakia flavor. I quickly learned that, like Red Rapparee, to smoke this blend too quickly would be a huge error on my part. Once I settled down, I began to really feel the interaction between the components of this blend. Just when the latakia would start to seem to cover all, there would be a little spice from the orientals, and then a touch of tang from the Virginias, begging to be noticed. It was a symphony of flavors, with the latakia often stealing the spotlight. All of the components are quality, and I'm sure this will be obvious with a little patience in smoking.

Overall, I found this blend to be delightfully intriguing and complex. I have only had one bowl thus far, and so I almost feel as if I am doing a disservice by reviewing it on first impression alone. This blend did have a little nicotine kick for me. I would really recommend purchasing several blends to cellar away. I can only imagine the greatness of this blend when the latakia mellows a tad, and all of the components really sing a wonderful song together.