Odyssey and Abingdon are better in regards to more balance, but still not balanced enough for me. Samovar, by McClelland, is full in flavor, rich in Latakia and Oriental tobaccos, yet punctuated with the occasional sweetness breaking through that I like.

If I were a lover of ladles of Latakia, I think one could do better even in the GLPease lineup, thus two stars.

The tin aroma promised an enjoyable experience. But the tobacco was very dry and the smoke would become tasteless within the first 5 minutes.

All the tins I had were as such.

The Falcon is smooth, creamy and just a little sweet. Not in any sort of cloying way. There is a flavor that you just can’t put a finger on. Something different in this leaf jumps out at you from time to time. I have dedicated my meerschaum solely to this blend, and find that I am smoking that pipe more frequently than ever before. This smokes velvety smooth, and I think it has a great room note. This is one that is great to blow thru the nose. There is definitely nothing harsh about this English blend.

My 1st tin arrived VERY dry, but this did not seem to affect the smoking qualities. My next tin had a more typical moisture level, and seems to smoke even better for it. I play around with my packing methods with this one. I am finding some methods are so-so, while others make this one shine. I recently ordered a pound of this blend, and plan on ordering more.

If you are looking for something unique, give this one a try. If it doesn’t float your boat, you can send what’s left to me. Happy puffing!

Well, that was me. I guess I'll have to change my tune. Is it the cold S. New Jersey winter this year? I don't know.

This is wonderful. It's complex, but still is a treat if you don't have the time to think about what you're smoking. Latakia? Yep it's there all the time and it tastes and smells beautifully. Is it taking over the blend? In no way. It, along with the Virginias, play very well together to let you know you're smoking a true English masterpiece. Not enough Oriental? It's not an oriental spice takeover, which I do enjoy sometimes, but it is probably not supposed to be- or he probably would have blended it in that fasion. But, with that being said, they are there in a condiments fasion weaving in and out to keep things interesting.

Green? My tin is dated with one month on it- and it tastes superb. Age will only marry the flavors more and make it unbelievably spectacular. But green, no way, just a tad young because it does have a wonderful virginia leaf base. To me, green means weed still in the field. Processing, pressing and curing kill the green leaf. Just my two cents.

You can't go wrong with this one. And I'm screwed because I don't have a large Balkan/English cellar. My wallet's gonna take a hit.

And, I like the descriptions on the tins. They are fun to read and can help an idiot like me decide which direction to go when chosing a blend. But, don't go by me I once wanted to buy a VW because it came with a bicycle- I'm a marketer's dream!

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.

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