G. L. Pease - Mephisto pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 37 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >
mrmcmc	03/09/2010	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable
Hello All! I am smoking my last can of Mephisto. This can is six years old, opened about 9 months ago, and laid away again. It is RATHER UNFORTUNATE that this is no longer available, as this is one of my all time favorite Latakia blends, and too soon, this can shall pass. This is an exquisite smoke. Upon opening the tin, one is impressed by an aroma of smoky Latakia. This is not the case upon smoking. A very nutty almond-like flavor strikes you upon first light, balanced by a generous touch of sweetness from the Virginia Tobacco. A minty smokiness from the Latakia frames the background, holding this perfect symphony together. This structure stays with you through the first half of the bowl. The last half of the bowl presents a somewhat different structure. The Latakia comes on in the forefront, the mint and smoke taking center stage. This is balanced by a more subdued nuance of the nutty aromas, and the Virginia sweetness lingers in the background to hold everything together. This blend smokes cool and slow, and works well in bowls of varying shape, size and design, and is simply delicious from start to finish. A salute to Mr. Pease, Master Conductor, Master Arranger, of this fine Symphony. Mr. Pease, Please, Please bring this one back!!!
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Beer	02/17/2008	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable
My first experience with GLPease tobaccos! The craftmanship involved in this blend is evident: it does not look like a mass-produced, impersonal mixture. From the first look at the cut of the tobacco, you see bits of different sizes and shapes with the occasional broken flake, and the first tin smell is very subtle: an overall impression of a very natural blend. The latakia presence seems clear, but not overwhelming: the aroma is more of a unique, rounded, tone rather than a contribution from various elements. Only a slight hint of rum makes its alcoholic presence felt, but not too much. I packed it lightly (I found that this blend smokes much better if this trick is adopted), and lighted it: wow! Sweet, deep, full and perfectly rounded at the same time! The rum is barely perceived in the smoke, too, but adds an extra touch of sweetness and roundness. This is not an aromatic, but a medium english blend: traditional in spite of the alcoholic beverage added. I usually don't like medium english blends (if there is Latakia, make its presence strong and felt!) because I find them boring: as a matter of fact, I don't like stuff like Celebrated Sovereign at all. Mephisto has a Latakia rate which is the minimum acceptable for me in an english mixture, and this does not put it in my all-time favorites. Nonetheless, it is great under all other points of view (and certainly better and tastier than Frog Morton). Burns well, rather dry and cool, and perfectly satisfies when you are in need for a medium strenght, smooth, tobacco that is fulfilling and rich at the same time. I even like to inhale some puffs! 2008 Update: smoking a 2002 tin right now... Smooth, smooth, smooth!!!! A wonderful smoky sweetness, creamy and thick! The stoving of the leaf is wonderful. I appreciate this tobacco even more today, and I sorely miss its departure. Latakia content seems perfect now, not light at all: simply perfect, without being overpowering. A very welcome change of taste, absolutely unique... at least until my cellar reserve will last!
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
thedstnguishdgntlmn	06/15/2007	Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable
This was a very pleasant surprise. I thought this would be another full English with no particularly distinguishing characteristics about it. I was completely wrong. It has a peculiar depth and richness to it. An English mixture with very little spice due to only an iota of Orientals present yet still strangely intriguing. I would say this would be akin to perhaps Gawith's Commonwealth mixture with an added splash of rum.The Oriental component is just barely there. It adds a little tang to the blend. The rum is almost impossible to detect but for a slightly sweet after taste. The backbone of this blend are the wonderful Virginias that are used. They are heavily stoved and work well with the copious portion of Latakia allotted to this blend. All in all, a fantastic steady, smooth, and rich smoke. It is a shame it is no longer made but alas, all good things seem to be fleeting these days. If you can't procure any for your consumption try either Gawith's Commonwealth Mixture or Navy Flake and you'll get the general idea. 3 of 4 stars.
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sounds7	05/30/2007	Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable
Now this is an unusual tobacco. And I am favoring it more and more with every bowl. The Rum is right there on top of the smokey Latakia and the two marry well. I like it as a change of pace English and It is about as close to a cased tobacco that I am going to get. I will be seeking more of this out whenever I am lucky enough to come across it.
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VAman	08/05/2006	Medium	Medium	Full	Tolerable
Should i sing oh danny boy or the minstrelboy. I still pine for this long lost blend and am aging(weeping over) my last tin and wishing that i had not greedilly puffed so many of its ancesters. Really if they needed a fire exstinguish at the warehouse why didn't someone say so? alas the world goes on, and i like cyprian latakia very much. so i'll sit on this tin until i can smoke it with a clear consciance, and just enjoy the memories and smoke.
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Collezionista	10/07/2005	Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable
Mephisto is the only GLP blend I can't, as hard as I may try, get into. The rum topping seems to disagree with the other components, perhaps the Latakia. There is a lingering sourness to the blend that detracts a bit from my overall enjoyment. Also, I find the sweetness to be a bit cloying in this blend. Like all of Greg's offerings, Mephisto a well made blend of exquisite subtlety, but it simply doesn't agree with my palate.
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smoker390	08/03/2005	Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
This may be premature, but I am giving this a review halfway through the tin. I plan to stop there and break out only for special occasions since Mephisto is no more. It's been a couple years since I've last smoked this particular GLP offering, but I'm going to work from memory and from this most recent lucky acquisition. I have to say, it's every bit as good as I remember. Pease can add subtle flavoring to a quality Balkan blend like no other. Any other way would ruin a perfectly good medley of tobaccos. To start, the rum is dominant right out of the tin, peaking curiosity. To the touch, the tobacco feels just right with moisture and packs easily. Upon lighting, the senses are flooded with the smokey sweet floral spice of the finest exotic Oriental tobaccos, with a good healthy dose of Latakia. The aroma is of the typical campfire Balkan scent, with the added hint gingerbread. I attribute the gingerbread like aroma to the rum presence. Aside from the tin and burning aromatic effect, the rum is virtually absent in the taste. I think the Jamaican rum provides a quorum to bring the tobaccos into fine agreement and produce a unique taste, but nothing more. I believe those who are disturbed by the rum topping, may be thrown off by the psychological effects of the tin and smoke aroma. Hey, that's just my opinion, but try some if you can find it - you won't regret!
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Mephisto	07/23/2005	Medium	Mild to Medium	Full	Tolerable
Much has already been said. I like the burning proporties and the taste. It is smooth and provides a thick smoke that dances around in front of you. A unique english blend worth giving a try. I think this joins the ranks of my favorite englishis (others are penzance and squadron leader).** Has now become my everyday blend and a most favorite for sure. Very complex but not too powerfull and great burning properties. Gladd I got about 10 tins on a trip out of town to a store that had got this in but never moved any because the locals didnt want the stuff in the strange not so flashy looking can. I dont think you can get fresh anymore as production has been stopped. Maybe it will pick up again some time soon. Airing out and ageing help the smothness of this blend. Truyly great.
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Simenon	04/08/2005	Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable
Mephisto combines the qualities of a fine english blend (on the smoky side) with the pleasure associated with a nice aromatic. The tin aroma is splendid: sweet tangy, barbecue, orange marmelade, clementines. At the match, the first puff is the best. If by chance, you have just popped the tin open, then you will feel the sweetness and the rum and the latakia litteraly mixing in your pipe and coating your mouth. Few other blends can produce such sensations. The only dissapointment is that -- as usual in virtually all the Pease blends -- the virginias burn hot. This is unpleasant. It is too bad that a blender of the reputation of Pease has to work with such raw virginias --or doesn't care enough to remedy the situation. It is true that the older tins from a few years back don't burn as hot, I wonder: have we really reached the satge were we consumers have to "cellar" tobaccos for 4 to 5 years before smoking them. I would say that this is a little much to ask the consumer, to put it mildly! Despite this nagging issue, and considering the quality level of available blends, I would have to say that this is of the best light aromatic english tobaccos today. Strangely, this blend is currently suffering its second shortage in four years due to a lack of Syrian Latakia, and according to the manufacturers (the good and unheralded folks at Cornell and Diehl), it will never be available again. Time will tell.
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pagansmurf	02/12/2005	Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
On smoking this I feel like I am in a log cabin, no electricity, relaxing by the fire, taking my ease. Can certainly taste the rum, it makes me wish for some. I regret not being able to get this any more. I do indeed think of this as the devil's weed, I could easily think of him smoking such a blend. 8/10.
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Ranger	01/24/2005	Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant
One of the first Pease tobaccos I ever tried and one of my favorites (does he ever produce a sub-par blend?). A robust blend of Virginias, Latakia and Turkish with that dash of rum that made for a delicious combination. A perfect cold weather smoke. I was saddened indeed when I read a fire had consumed the fine Latakia for this blend. Alas, as I have none stashed in the cellar, I only have memories. If you were wise enough to cellar a few ounces of this, I bid you a fine future smoking experience.
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
UncleGar	12/19/2004	Medium	Mild to Medium	Full	Tolerable
I hesitated at writing this review for fear of sounding like another well-known contributor: præternaturally pompous and pretentious. (I really do like his reviews, though.) Greg characterized this eerily all too well on the can: this blend is evocative of temptation herself: sweet, velvety, rich and seductive. The kind of combination that leads to trouble and you damn well know it, yet you allow yourself. This blend has the appeal of another man?s flirtatious wife. You discreetly take big puffs hoping you don?t get bit, savor them and slowly release them. When you think you can sneak another, you do, but it?s different somehow, urging you on deeper to more fully explore the range of possibility. I just cannot do anything else when I smoke this. It?s not the rum; it has to be an opiate casing. Indulge, fools, and rationalize! ?I know someday I?ll walk out of here again, but now I?m trapped ? ooh yeah!? (J. Cliff)
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CaptainMcPipey	10/27/2004	Medium	Very Strong	Medium	Tolerable
Don't get me wrong-- I like this blend. I have bought a tin and will finish it sooner than later. However, as I am not really an aromatic enthusiasist, I find the rum casing in this to be too much. The idea of a "semi-aromatic" tobacco appealed to me greatly-- more flavors to enjoy, with all the complexity of an English! Well, I've been somewhat sorely disappointed after about six bowls. Perhaps I need to smoke more of this and pay more attention, but the rum flavoring overpowers everything in scent and smoke. I am considering jarring this one, to let the mixture marry a bit. One good idea: If you have a friend who only smokes aromatics, and want them to try an English, this would be just the blend to start with for an easy transition. I must reiterate though, if you like latakia, there's a lot of other blends out there.
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Lbarraa	10/10/2004	Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is my fourth experience with GL Pease`s blends, Mephisto is great and different in many ways to the others. The Latakia, the turkish and the virginias are enhanced by the note of rum, this is not a classic english mixture or a classic aromatic blend... may be is a semi-english or semi-aromatic? Any way, this kind of blend really works. I'm cursed by the flavor and taste of this blend. Lucho Barra
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CaptnDan	03/28/2004	Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant
I have to admit, I was drawn to this tobacco for a silly reason: One of my favorite computer games is Diablo II - Lord Of Destruction. Mephisto is one of the 'Prime Evils' in the game. I was intrigued. The Devil's weed and the Daemon Rum. OK, you have my attention. There is nothing evil about this tobacco, that's for sure. I would smoke it all day, except for the fact that I would run the risk of getting tired of it - and that's not something I want to do. Mephisto, typical of Pease blends looks wonderful in the tin (can, whatever). It's an attractive tobacco. Good mixture of dark leaf, with just enough light brown to make it interesting. The aroma was a mixture of Latakia and rum. Packing is a breeze. So is lighting. The rum pops up to say 'hello' right at the start, then the Latakia joins the party. Also typical of Pease blends is the amazing complexity. The flavors intermingle in a way that never gets boring. Not quite English, not quite aromatic - it's in a class all it's own. The flavor stays with you in it's ever-changing way, all the way to the end of the bowl, and leaves you wishing you had put it in a bigger pipe - you won't want the ride to end. My only complaints are two: 1-The tin is a bit small in diameter; and 2-Mr Pease, yuo are really messing with my pipe rotation here! I find that I want to dedicate a pipe to every one of your blends that I try. I guess I'm going to have to buy more pipes - not that this is a BAD thing! Another winner from GL Pease.
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badsneaker	03/09/2004	Medium	Medium	Medium
Just finished my third tin of this today. Mephisto (great name) is the tobacco I tend to reach for when I want something a bit more extraordinary to tease my olfactory nerves. Dark, sweet Jamaican rum and spicy Latakia do a seductive tango somewhere in the clouds of thick smoke swirling about my head. The more I smoke Mephisto, the more I find to love. The highest of kudos to GLP...
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Noorrmm	02/18/2004	Medium to Strong	Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Appearance: Fairly fine cut, mostly dark leaf. There are some medium to light flashes to give it some visual interest, but the overall impression is quite dark and rich. Aroma: There is a noticable aroma of Rum, underneath which can be detected substantial Latakia, and a stoved Virginia. The Orientals don?t contribute much to the aroma. Packing:. Packs easily into any pipe from group 3 through group 6. Seems to need a light hand to avoid overpacking.. Similar to Raven?s Wing in this regard. Lighting: Takes flame easily, but not overly fast. Usual charring light, tamp, relight to get started Initial flavor: The Rum and Latakia are in your face at once, really out there at the start. They settle down shortly to reveal some nice layers of dark Virginia and Orientals. Mid-bowl: The Va. component is rich, and combines nicely with the Rum to produce a slightly sweet Cavendish effect. The Latakia and Orientals provide layers of high and medium notes to harmonize with the Va. lows. This is always cool when enjoyed at a slow to medium puff rate, and delightful to the palate. Rich and tasty, and a dry smoker. Stays lit very well, down to the bottom of the bowl. Finish: Burns slowly to the end, less Rum and a bit more Latakia flavor at the bottom. Always leaves a fluffy gray ash, sometimes needs to be dumped for the last relight. Got some positive comments about the aroma, surprising when you consider the amount of Latakia present. Summary: I normally prefer booze in my glass, not in my pipe. However, this is the exception to my rule. A lovely blend, best enjoyed in the evening, when you can relax with it and savor the compexity.
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chaplikc	02/14/2004	Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
To me this is the perfect english crossover blend. It is wonderful and complex and very delicous. What I realy enjoy about this blend is that it seems to be very well blended with the idea of the rum being a twist or addition to the blend. I actually enjoyed the light backround flavor of the rum in this blend. I normally do not go for aromatics ( if this can even be classified as such ) but I felt that the rum was added in perfect proportion and flavor in this blend. Alot of english crossover blends I have had seem to be the other way around where the aromatic agent stands in the front or spotlight. This is very good and highly recomended for those who want to try an english blend with a litle bit of a twist in it.
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Devonshire	02/12/2004	Medium	Mild to Medium	Full	Tolerable
Although I am a fan of many of Mr. Pease's blends, Mephisto is my second favourite, after Haddo's Delight. Of course, comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. Mephisto is a full yet smooth blend. The dark latakia give it a fullness like Ravenwing, but the Turkish and light rum casing mellow the blend. I should note that rum is my favourite liquor and it is used in artful moderation in this blend. Overall, I can heartily recommend Mephisto. I smoke it to relax after a 12 hour shift, but it does not leave you lethargic.
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Briarabbit	01/08/2004	Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable to Strong
A great blend of tobaccos...RUINED BY LIQUOR! It tastes sweet and smoky and seems to want to break from the rum but can't. No thanks.
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 37 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >