Sit back and sip this outstanding tobacco. You won't regret it.

Why Mr. Greg Pease's Piccadilly blend? Well, the packaging and eloquent tin description sold me. And its the first blend I stumbled upon as a novice that had Perique in it. You see, I'm from Louisiana. Support your states growers!

My older & only sibling noticed my interest in all things pipe, and told me about driving thru the fields of Grand Point during his summer down south and having his breathe taking away and his eyes brung to tears by the pungency of the drying barns. He says that the locals smoke this stuff full strength! Thats his story any way.

I remember trying to force myself through a bowl of this stuff thinking that I had to train myself to appreciate such acquired tastes like I did with beer & wine (go Landry Vinyards!). Well, after four children, I have settled into my early 30's and lost all such pretensions, feeling now that life is too short to do things that make you miserable with the promise of deferred benefits.

After some poking around on the web this summer, my old love of pipe smoking started calling to me, and after a little digging I found a drawer at the office with my old volcano-shaped, briar sitter next to the remainders of my old tin of Piccadilly stamped 2003. I was as a giddy as a one of my girls watching Barbie commercials on a Saturday morning as I immediately went to my walking spot at Black Bayou Refuge to burn a bowl.

It was too dry. Failing the Charmin Test (squeezable with no breakage). I followed the rehydrating advice of Eric over at smokingpipetobacco.com by using a moist paper towel in the tin. This worked very well and I am pleased enough to not try other methods of hydration in the future (eg fruit slices, humidifier tablets...check Greg Pease' site for his own method of rehydration).

This is like a fiery, cajun woman. She'll please your interests, but watch you mouth or this bitch'll cut 'ya. After getting the moisture situation worked out, it burned much better to a white ash and stayed lit to the dottle, but took some maintenance mid-smoke with a pipe cleaner (I am able use q-tips on this pipe as a result of redrilling the shank - try at your own discretion).

I found the effort by Pease, along with his reputation and the sheer number of reviews he gets, intriguing enough to tempt me further into his collection in the future and regard him with the admiration due. I enjoyed this tin to the last, but I don't expect to reinvest in Piccadilly for years to come as there's just too much out there from him & his peers. Get you some if you have never experienced a VaPer. Cheers

Without Me Its Just Some.

AWE

Tobacco Tracker:

Previous Reviews:

Captain Black Gold Label **

Prince Albert (Standard label) ***

Next Review:

To be determined (I think I'm ready to move on to a flake)

The tin opens to display a medium brown mix of short ribbons with a sprinkling of darker strands. The tin aroma is unremarkable, just good solid tobacco with a whiff of the Perique, while the Latakia just makes its presence known. Moisture has ranged from perfect to just a little dry, and is more consistent than some other Pease/C&D offerings.

On light up - and it does light and burn exceptionally well - the first impression is of a mild sweetness. As the bowl progresses, the Perique builds, while the Latakia stays in the background. Unlike some other 'light' blends, though, there is enough Lat in the blend to satisfy me. At the end of the bowl, all three components balance and somehow add up to more than they should. It finishes with very little ash and a dry bowl.

I have rated this three stars, but it only just misses four because it IS so mild. The very quality that makes it perfect for summer leaves it a little lacking once the weather turns colder. It will certainly remain in my rotation as a seasonal entry and I highly recommend it as such.

My rate: 3,85

The perique is a bit more than I would like in this blend but it is not totally overwhelming. It builds as the bowl progresses and gets peppery to the end. Not bad, it just leaves a peppery sensation on my tongue for a while. It does get at my throat a little, but not as bad as some other periques do. I will smoke this till the tin is gone but it is not my favorite Pease blend.

For Vaper lovers wanting a milder perique. This is not bad. In fact I am more critical on the Pease blends because I have very high expectations from them.

I would reccomend it if you like a definite note of perique in your smokes. This one should get a lot smoother with age. We will see.

Update: actually this one has grown on me a lot and I smoke it every day, Its pretty much my all day smoke lately. To be noted the tins always need to breathe a little. I dont mean leave them open- not at all. Just open for a minute or two every day and after 5 days or so they are much more friendly to smoke. In my case by the fifth day of smoking I hit the stride of the tin, look at it however you want but all the Pease blends to seem simillar in this manner. More so than other brands.

The burning characteristics are about average. Expect some relights and you might need to tamp a few times, but nothing too onerous. It will bite you if you rush things, which is easy to do because of the mild flavor. Again, a little more perique would be nice here ...

This is realistically somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. It doesn't strike me as anything special, but it's certainly enjoyable when I'm in the right mood. For now, I'm giving it 3 stars because I enjoy it enough to cellar a couple of tins, but I'm unlikely to go through more than a tin in a year. I heartily recommend this to the Frog Morton crowd or those looking for a replacement for the aforementioned EMP. If you like full-bodied smokes, however, look elsewhere.

It is dry and packs very easily in any size pipe. The flavor develops as you burn down toward the bottom, but the perique really kicks in toward the last third of the bowl. What an exceptional tobacco this is.

In the morning or after a light meal, I usually smoke Piccadilly or Kensington. Later in the day I gravitate to Charing Cross, but have found myself delighting in Piccadilly as well...denoting how versatile this tobacco is.

I'll definitely keep this on the go. Whilst it doesn't quite attain the dizzy heights reached by Blackpoint (nothing I have tried - so far at least - does) it has the advantage of being smokeable at any time of day, whereas Blackpoint is definitely one for the evening.

*UPDATE 07/23/08* I just opened a new tin today, it appears to be lighter colored than my last couple. I got a strong citrus taste out of this tin. I didn't like it at all. I am going to shelf this a few weeks and see what happens. Something is different but what??????

Enough latakia to satisfy my craving but that's about it.

won't buy again.

Packing & Lighting: Wouldn't say it packed so well in a small bowl. Being dry, it burned quickly. A small, tapered bowl seemed easy to overpack, giving a restricted draw; there is the same concern in a large bowl.

Taste & Aroma: Initially, not much flavor, but mildly sweet cardamom. I can even imagine a whisper of honey oats and citrus tone, although I may not have, if it hadn't been suggested. After that, if you lose concentration, it migrates toward a neutral taste and aroma.

The effect on the mouth is somewhere between peppery and mildly bitey, that persists after finishing.

Nicotine: mild; for some reason, towards the bottom of the tin, it seems to have more kick.

Room Note: fairly pleasant mild to medium, but with a perique shadow cast over it.

Overall: Piccadilly is a lightweight. I need to take a pass on this one. Not that it's a bad tobacco, but it just doesn't click with my smoking habits. Based on types of tobacco, this should compare to Lombard in the Fog City Selection. 2.4 stars.

This blend requires solemn contemplation, to fully appreciate the hidden nuances. It likewise doesn't do well outdoors, in that these sublities get lost in the wind, and this leaves you with a singular pepper feel. Definitely an indoor smoke.

P.S. Piccadilly seemed much more flavorful towards the end of the tin.

I suppose if one enjoys bland English style tobacco with loads of Perique, this would be a good choice. Otherwise, there are far to many classy blends of this genre to recommend Piccadilly to anyone.

Could I recommend this as a "Morning smoke"? Well, the effect the perique had on my mouth alone says no. However, maybe I went to fast, etc... But then my morning smoke isn't one of quiet contemplation. It's a (small bowled) pipe shoved in my mouth while I prep for the day ahead, drive to work.

As far as a pleasure smoke, I'd much rather have something a bit more full to sit and contemplate my navel with. I can think of several blends with "Gold" in the name I'd pick up before cracking another tin of this. I've sat with it and smoked slowly... It's better, but still not what I'm looking for.

A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this blend 9.5 out of 10.

Those seeking heavey blakan blends look elsewhere. No orientals are present, and the latakia is a condiment not a component in this fine blend. The taste is natural and unique. It can be smoked any time of day or all day. This is one of my favorite Pease blends and most definately has my highest recomendation for anyone looking to try something different.

I have read many reviews comparing Piccadilly to Dunhill's Early Morning Pipe, and if the Latakia content is the sole criterion, the comparison is fair. Apart from that, these blends could not be more different. EMP is far more reliant on the Oriental component than Piccadilly, which derives its unique qualities from the combination of Virginias in the blend and their interplay with the Perique.

Pipe selection matters a lot in the taste and enjoyment of many blends. In a small Sasieni, the grassy notes of the pale Virginia component are quite noticeable. In a large Dunhill billiard, this is muted by the other tobaccos raising their heads from the start. In a tobacco mixture with as many subtleties as Piccadilly, I would recommend a larger bowl to open-up the blend sooner. This will happily not cost any loss of nuance and change as one makes his way through the smoke; there are surprises aplenty.

This is described as "the perfect English breakfast smoke." Not for me; no matter how little Latakia there might be in a blend, it does not sit well with me until after lunch. In the morning, I stick to my favorite Burleys.

The can used for this review is 19-months-old, wonderfully improved from the fresh can I smoked in 2003. A couple of years should only make it even better.

Refreshing, surprising, smooth...Four out of four stars.

To enjoy this blend to its fullest potential, take your time! This blend demands attention not because it might bite you, but because if you just puff mindlessly, it will seem bland.

But careful smoking can sometimes reveal a blend that changes with every puff. Once in a while a puff will hit some of the few latakia leaves, and it wil produce a smoky touch to the smooth blend of virginias; another puff will be spicier due to the perique. Another positive note is that this is one of the few Pease blends that is not full of raw impossibly hot smoking Virginias that need to age for half a decade or so.

So if you want a break from Latakia heavy blends or a nice progressive introduction to english blends for the Virginia smoker, this may be for you.

This fills a spot in todays selection which to my knowledge was heretofore only occupied by Dunhill's Early Morning Pipe. It provides a nice contrast.

When smoked slowly, this blend has potential and can be quite pleasant.

I highly recommend this masterpiece.

Typical of Greg's work, Piccadilly uses top shelf leaf and is masterfully blended. I'll keep this around for the occasional Latakia cravings between bowls of my dwindling supply of Scandal

UPDATE May 2005: I opened a tin which was aged for two years, and the tobacco has truly improved. Much more tasty, both on the Latakia (toastier and nuttier) and on the Virginia (less grassy, sweeter). This tin was from the same batch of my first and slightly disappointing one, so this isn't due to batch variation: maturation in the tin was the only responsible of such a great improvement! A nice, lighter EM, which is truly good to smoke in the morning in a small bowl. Similar to Dunhill EMP, but never as heavy or cloying. I am almost tempted to raise my rating to three stars!

Picadilly is an attractive tobacco (big shock!) that screams quality -- from the leaf to the scent to the burn. The smoke does have its mild moments, but there are enough punchy puffs in each bowl to warrant a strength rating of medium.

The dry, silky finish I enjoy in many of Greg's other blends is prominent here as well. Mouthfeel is balanced, and Picadilly is easy to smoke. This also is a prime example of how good Latakia can be when used as a condiment. I love Latakia-drenched tobacco, but not every English or Balkan blend needs to be bathed in the stuff to be full, bold, or rich. The Perique -- another so-called spice tobacco that I can't seem to get enough of -- is, as you'd expect from Greg Pease, used in an amount appropriate enough to give it the attention it deserves without trampling the other exciting components in the mixture.

I can't say for sure whether I'll add Picadilly as a regular to my rotation. However, it is unique and flexible enough that I will likely buy tins to age. This is a welcome treat at any time of day.

According to the tin, some of those dark flecks were Latakia. The tin aroma suggested Latakia. The flavor was more like an essence of Latakia. If you are considering this blend, but are put off by the idea of Latakia, don?t let that stop you. After the charring light, you may not even remember it?s there, because it stays well into the background providing a low-note base for the Virginias.

The Perique is ever-present, but well in the background. The Va leaf is most definitely the star of this show. The complexity of the Va is simply amazing. Every puff brings a new taste sensation. Subtle sweetness is intermingled with citrus-like nuances in a way that keeps you looking forward to the next puff.

Piccadilly burns well right to the bottom of the bowl, and in my most unforgiving briar I only had to use a pipe cleaner on a few rare occasions. As you reach the bottom, the Perique pops out for a little finale.

I tried DGT with Piccadilly a few times, ranging from 2 to 12 hours. At lower DGT times the overall flavor picks up a notch, and at 12 hours the Va becomes much bolder, but at the expense of the subtleties.

If it were possible to pull me away from my full English, Latakia-laden blends like Raven's Wing and convert me to Va?s on a regular basis, Piccadilly would be the best candidate for the task. While I appreciate the flavors the and superior qualities of this blend, it will not be something I smoke regularly. Based upon the rating criteria we use here, I have to give this blend only two stars, because I very well might try it again ? but I will not keep this wonderful blend on hand. It just isn?t the style I prefer. So, two stars ? but one of the finest two-star tobaccos you?ll ever run across.

Aroma: A marvelous bouquet of aromas from the Virginias, Latakia (not heavy) and the Perique. Definitely a ?breakfast blend?.

Packing:. Packing was quite easy in all sizes from group 3 through group 6.

Lighting:. Almost too easy. Often got a good burn with a single match.

Initial flavor: Initial flavor is like a medium English blend, with all of the parts right there. More taste than I expected from the description. On the down side, the smoke seemed to dry my mouth a bit.

Mid-bowl:. By mid bowl, the blend settles down into a milder flavor. All the parts still sing in harmony, but there isn?t much volume. Nice interplay of nuances as ribbons of each component catch fire. Overall, a nice taste but not enough of it. Must be smokes slowly, as there isn?t much in the way of slower burning darker tobaccos to slow it down.

Finish:. Ends pretty much like the middle, maybe a bit more kick from the Perique. Dry and clean, very little guck for the pipe cleaner.

Summary:. As always with Greg, the best ingredients, and a masterful blending. I generally don?t care for this genre of blends, but this is quite nice for a change of pace. I will get some to cellar for the summer months.

Appearance: My original recollection of this blend, when newly made, was an abundance of very light tobacco, almost ivory in shade. This appears to have now darkened, although the overall color of the blend is fairly light. It now ranges from light through medium brown, with the lighter tones predominating. There is still some light yellow (lemon Virginia), as well as some olive tones. The latter suggests some oriental leaf, even if this is not listed in the ingredients.

The Perique is noticeable by smell in the tin. It is present in a moderate quantity. There is more than what might be simply used to tame the Virginias, but rather to also spice the mixture.

This is a delightful slow smoke. The blend can be best imagined as a bright and varied melody played over a pedal tone. The pedal tone in this case is almost flavorless and neutral when the tin is first opened. This develops into a sharp and flavorful tartness following a combination of air exposure and palate education. Above this tone, the melody of perique and latakia interplay amongst the Virginia. They make themselves known though brief periods of spiciness, chocolate, and fruity flavors. These come and go throughout the bowl, keeping it interesting and complex. The extent to which these flavors make their appearance varies with the air exposure of the tobacco.

The delicate and changing flavors of this blend are best appreciated on a clear palate, and with sufficient time to observe and reflect upon what you are experiencing. This is a great blend to enjoy with a book on a cool afternoon.

Despite an apparent affinity to EMP: both are lighter blends with respect to latakia and utilize marketing language evoking a sunny breakfast table, that is the extent of the similarity. The lighter blends do call for a clean palate. The interactions between the tobaccos can be best appreciated in this environment. However, the base flavor in this blend is derived from the sharpness of the bright and red Virginias. EMP, at its best, has always attracted me for its nuttiness from the orientals.

Flavor: 95/100 Smoking characteristics: 95/100 Overall: 95/100. Don?t let the 95s fool you..the only thing keeping this from a 100 is an optimistic streak that the world of tobacco will always bring a little bit more to the table. This is a great addition to GLP line-up.

January 2004 Revised

My highest praise - I just ordered the bulk bag for "right now" smoking...I can't even imagine how this would be with a year of two on it...not that I'll get to find out...I'm much to weak to let a tin of it sit anywhere near that long.

The tobacco is yellow, brown, and black ribbon; there is at least four different tobaccos present. The tin aroma is lovely; it's mild with a slight latakia aroma. The moisture level seemed to be just right.

I loaded Piccadilly into my only latakia dedicated pipe: a big, old Dunhill straight billiard. The initial flavor is rich and mild at the same time; I can taste the latakia, but it's not overwhelming. I taste the Virginias towards the front of my tongue and the Oriental near the middle; the perique is there too. As I slowly smoke, I can't help but think how well Piccadilly will improve with age, due to the high proportion of Virginia tobacco present.

Towards the middle of the bowl, the Virginias start to come forward. The latakia takes a back seat, but has not gone away. When I "French inhale" I can pick up the latakia a little better. Piccadilly has much less latakia the Samarra, but still has a rich flavor one would expect from an English blend.

Piccadilly may not have enough latakia for the hardcore "lataphile", but for a Virginia flake smoker like myself, it's a very nice change of pace. It will surely find a place in my tobacco rotation. I don't think it will replace Samarra though.

The last third of the bowl the flavors meld into one interesting taste. This is where I usually tire of most English blends, due to the latakia; here it's not too much.

Buy a couple of tins. Put one away for aging and try one now.

I was wanting to try a light English blend, in order to diversify from the stoved Virginia flakes I normally smoke. I was given a sample packet of Picadilly to try. My first bowl was lovely, and subsequent bowls have been equally good. A light, mild tobacco, with a nice citrus taste on the tongue. Refreshing is a word that comes to mind. I'm typically not a lover of latakia, but this was very nice. I like the way you can taste the various ribbons of tobacco fire up. The tin notes say this is a good morning tobacco, and I concur. I can see this becoming part of my regular rotation. I recommend this particularly for VA smokers looking to expand their horizons.