What this is is a mild balkan-type blend with a light, refreshing flavor. The latakia is present but doesn't overpower the virginia and orientals. Refreshing is the best word I can think of for this, as it reminds me of some of the McClellands Green Label orientals. And it falls into the same trap for me that those do, there just isn't enough there for my personal taste. There is a pleasant complexity to this one, but certainly it's nowhere near as complex as Chelsea Morning, which is IMHO the genius blend that this one aspires to. The orientals bob and weave throughout the virginia/latakia base and the whole thing is quite good. I get the impression that this blend is everything Mr Pease intended.

But I can't help wishing this had either no latakia or more of everything. It's good but for my taste, it either has too much of something or not enough. This would be two stars for my personal taste but I'm giving it three because I think there's a market for this kind of thing and I think it does what it's supposed to do very well. Try it if you like a light dose of each of the constituent tobaccos in a blend and don't want to be overpowered with flavor.

Aroma: The aroma is mild and slightly sweet, with the typical sweet-tang provided by VA-Oriental mixtures. The Latakia is there, but certainly in the background, adding a light smokiness.

Appearance: This is more like a ribbon than many of GLP's "ribbons." Overall a darker-colored blend, perfect moisture, great packing and burning. The occasional Latakia leaf is evident in the blend, but is not the star of the show.

Flavor: This is great stuff! Some of you know that I am not a big fan of that oriental tang, but this blend has a very unique flavor that really speaks to me. The Pease website talks about "an alluring assortment of exotic Oriental tobaccos" and I have to agree. The Orientals really provide a unique flavor, similar in some ways to some of the Grand Orientals from McClelland. That Oriental tang seems to always cause a kind of burning sensation in my nose and throat, but perhaps because my tin is four years old this one seems to be quite mild. The flavors are good, the Latakia provides just enough cool smokiness to tame the beast, and I rate this an easy three stars, probably three and a half.

To my tastes, it's a bit more approachable than Westminster, with a bigger influence from the orientals. Not as rich and smooth as Abingdon, possibly because of Abingdon's high Latakia content (I am a self-confessed Latakia hound). Don't know what this stuff tastes like fresh, but my four year old tin is really treating me right!

BTW, I got this tin from Barlow's in Lafayette, CO last week. They still have some four year old tins on the shelf, so if you're near the Front Range, and you like Ashbury, go get yourself some good tobacco!

[UPDATE, AN HOUR AND HALF LATER:] Just had a pipeful in my trusty Meer - this stuff is fabulous! I think it gained its fourth star tonight. I had my wife - a devout non-smoker - try a puff to ask her what is this flavor that's eluding me...and she nailed it: truffles! First she said mushrooms, then she said no, it's "truffley." That's it! Earthy, truffley, absolutely delicious in a Meer. I really think this will become my go-to Oriental blend. No idea what it's like fresh, but with a little time, this is one sublime smoke. Four stars! [END UPDATE]

Update: Having gotten around to smoking some of the new Dunhill Early Morning Pipe, I must say that Pease's Ashbury and Chelsea Morning are far superior in every way, better quality and better tasting orientals and Virginias all round, and perfectly spiced with latakia.

UPDATE This blend can be a bit fatiguing on the palate, and I suspect that I'm having a reaction to the amount of bright VA in the blend. Still a very interesting blend, but probably not going to make it to four stars.

After 30 plus years, I remembered the taste immediately. Orientals dominate this blend. The little bit of latakia gives it the right amount of smokiness. I would have given this a 4 star aside from the fact that I had a hard time keep it lit. I will keep smoking it and update this review.

Ashbury is great for warm weather when a strong latakia might be too heavy. Kind of remeinds me of nuts and berrys and a spring or fall day in New England. Feel the blend is perfect for the Jamaican climate where I am now. This would be awsome if it could come in flake form.

Someone else said the blend reminded them of Rattray's No. 7 Reserve, and I do believe that is a good comparison, too. But, I think 7 Reserve actually contains Latakia with an Oriental presence that actually outshines the Virginia leaf. Not so with this Pease offering where the Virginia sparkles.

I can see where Ashbury will be absolutely perfect for someone who enjoys this combination in a somewhat light and mild form. That Pease sure can blend!

Mildly sweet, slightly smoky, and moderatley spicy from the orientals, and there is this citrus undercurrent that plays in and out in the background. This one is so easy to enjoy.

I think this may be an excellent all day smoke for me. It runs all the bases and is well balanced and rounded.

If there is such a thing as a VA balkan this is it.

This is one of the best tobacco's I have had the pleasure of smoking.

How Mr. Pease gets the flavors to come out in the smoking is magic. How they smell to others is a different story.

Don't pass this one without a try.

Packing & Lighting: Contrasting with other Fog City Selections, Montgomery and Laurel Heights, Ashbury did have a tendency for the tobacco strands to adhere when rolled into a ball. This gives a concern of packing the bowl too tight, resulting in a more forced draw, though the moisture level does feel appropriate. Generally, one relight is needed.

Aroma & Taste: The primary aroma and taste is that of light orientals, a creamy, fragrant, herbal essence akin to rosemary, with smoky Latakia hiding well off of center stage.

There is no bite.

I do agree that the orientals in Ashbury have a slightly acrid character, contrasted with other sweet, more mellow varieties of orientals. The quantity of orientals in Ashbury cast them in the limelight, not the spotlight, being lightly applied, the VA providing a light toasted-fruit-like base in the background.

Nicotine: Not much buzz at all, mild to medium, quite tame compared to Mont. and LH.

Room Note: Fairly nice Va quality of mild hay, and fragrant oriental.

Overall: Ashbury could easily be smoked throughout the day. It is rather more complex than the unidimensional Mont. or LH. Although Mont. may have impressed me more, Mont. was the first of the Fog City Selection I smoked. 3.8 stars.

The Orientals here are of the acrid, not rich-and-sweet, variety. Because of that -- and the fact that Ashbury moves the latakia so much to the background -- this blend is much more in the Charing Cross family than the Caravan/Odyssey family of Pease Balkan(ish) blends. I enjoy them all, but just be aware that there are distinct differences.

And lest anyone be misled by the sly wording on the older labels or the description above (which, I believe, has been changed on the latest tins), this is *not* somehow a Syrian-free version of the late, lamented Bohemian Scandal. To my mind, the Pease Syrians were distinct and unique from any currently produced Pease blend; Ashbury shouldn't be sampled with the expectation that it will echo the Scandal. You'll be disappointed.

And you shouldn't be. . . because Ashbury is a fine blend that can stand quite capabaly on its own two feet.

Plus, I suppose I'm too darn picky. But this time there is a happy ending.

Might I say that Ashbury turned out to be everything I imagined for my "ideal Balkan blend".

This is my perfect (non-armatic) smoke - period.

The tin aroma is similar to McClelland blends, which some call vinegar, yet I don't think so. Its simply the smell of HIGH QUALITY fermented/aged tobacco which McC and GLP use in their products - and perhaps some similar curing techniques. Not a problem for me. Even if it is vinegar, bacteria naturally produce acetic acid (vinegar) when fermenting natural sugars under aerobic conditions.

The blend lights easily and burns very evenly without burning to one side or creating hot spots. Perfect moisture content right out of the tin, no drying needed for my tatstes.

The initial notes were light and herbaceous (not green mind you) and backed with just enough Latakia to be satisfying. I do love that herbal component so. It has such a "clean" tatste and I suspect it is the orientals producing this flavor.

The tang of the VAs supported the dominating oriental "light-herbal-creamy-spicey-ness" (the best way I can describe the orientals here). This is an oriental dominated blend which I enjoy alternating between McC Yendije Supreme - a pure oriental. This has helped me appreciate both blends and detect the nuances of flavor in each by comparison of what each does and doesn't have.

This blend enjoys medium puffing and doesn't seem to bite, though there is a moderate spicey-ness that lingers on the tounge - I won't call it a bite, however.

This blend is light on latakia and has zero perique (thank goodness) and is unapologetic for such - as it should be!!

If one is looking for lots of latakia or the harshness of perique, I'm not sure why one would try this blend. These things are not implied or promised in this blend.

For me, this is the ultimate Balkan. I love this stuff.

(Hats off to "kilted1" for an outstanding 1st review of this blend)

That I registered on this site yesterday so that I could give Ashbury my first review should say something about the blend.

I've been smoking for two years now. I only smoke aromatics if someone gives me some (bless their effort), and my favorite blend style is Balkan. I like the taste of orientals above latakia.

This blend is the perfect light-medium Balkan. I was nervous about this blend smoking too hot when I first got it, based on my experiences with the Virginia-heavy Lombard. This blend, however, seems to be much more balanced. It was wet when I bought it, and I've been working out of the same tin for a few months now (I smoke about once a day and have a large rotation), and it's getting easier to light and keep lit.

I find this blend perfect for driving to work or walking to class in the morning. Just enough kick to wake you up, but overall, a very balanced blend. Highly, highly recommended for Balkan lovers who aren't latakia hounds.

Very nice natural tobacco that reminds me of the real English blends I smoked 20 years ago. Really, it's well made but I'm not interested in trying it again.