I was unimpressed with my first few smokes of Ashbury. Aha! So Mr. Pease can take all of those fine tobaccos that I do enjoy and create something I don't like after all. I was kind of happy that I wouldn't have to fit one more blend in my rotation.

Six months of aging changed all that. While I do enjoy Balkan blends,they take second chair to Virginias. Well, at least they did. Ashbury is an extaordinary and complex blend. I'm reminded of Dunhill's Durbar of years past, at least so far as I can remember its nut like flavor. The tobacco burns perfectly with only on re-light (unless DGT is employed) down to the bottom of the bowl leaving a clean grey ash without a hint of bite.

Highly recommended to anyone who can appreciate what a fine alchemist has to offer.

It is a light balkan or English-Oriental, not as rich as Caravan. But still rich. Light handed on the latakia, beatufiful virginia as usual, and just the right touch of fine, fine turkish leaf. The sweetness of the virginia and nuttiness of the turkish meld just right now. It develops down the bowl.

I like his straighter virginias best in this series, Montgomery for all day tang, hay, and a wee bit of richness; Laurel Heights, for richness & sweetness; and Telegraph Hill for more body. I can't think of too many blenders today that can give you three blends that are so good in a single series. Not to say that Lombard and Ashbury and any less good, they are just more into the English department than the above three that I personally preferred the most. You may like the others more.

Ashbury is recommended for oriental smokers.

I find that the sweetness of the VA?s and the Orientals are balanced quite nicely with the Latakia- which is not overpowering or over pronounced. Nor are the Oriental leaf?s muted by the other components of the blend. Ashbury packs and lights easily and the quality tobaccos present in the blend require very little maintance throughout the bowl. The Orientals peek in and out through the bowl, and the sweetness of the red Virginias keep an even tempo throughout the smoking experience. This is undoubtedly a fantastic blend. I highly recommend this blend to all pipe smokers- new and experienced.

****Important Notice****On a side note I noticed that the same reviewer mentioned above had the same ?personal? tone in his review of the GLPease blend ?Cairo.? Makes me wonder? Tobacco blending is in that unique position in that it is both an art form and a science and certainly Greg Pease is an artist who knows a thing or two about the science of blending tobaccos. There are some critics of art who ?like or dislike,? or ?get or don?t get? a painting, but the reviewers of such- much like those of tobacco- that I respect and observe as credible do not ?cruelly and personally? bash a creation of the artist. They state their opinion based on facts and observations in an unbiased way that is intelligent and beneficial to the fellow consumer at large, the review that I just read by the supposed ?Professor? was neither. I dislike that this fine website has become a venue for a personal attack at a blender?s fine name.

I tend to smoke many bowls per day and often seek a tobacco that compromises between aroma (for the Mrs), flavor and taste, and easiness on the mouth.

Biotene mouthwash is the only restorative steps that can be taken once a trashed out, salted palate comes to light. I prefer to not be in this position!

The latakia is perfect and the virginias taste beautiful.

I am reminded thus of a scene where a wolf droolingly shakes a captured rabbit and the anticipation of his prey's death-cough. The feast that follows ushers sated desire and illustrious conquest.

Appearance and Tin aroma: Beautiful leaves of yellow, red, mohagany, and black leaf. It smells delightfully fragrant and sweet. The predominant boquet is that from the oriental leaves.The leaf itself is oily and pliable, a good sign!

Packing and Lighting: I found it best in large pipes. Normal method of packing works best. Moisture is perfect! 2-3 lights max.

Initial Flavor: From the get go, the wonderful interplay between the oriental anf red VA is apparent. The VA in this tastes very much like that of "Montgomery". The initial smoke of this has a woderful fragant pungency typical of a Balkan, albeit a little more restrained.

Mid-Bowl: This blend continue the journey with the latakia giving a good support to the other leaf. There is a delightful interplay between the sweet and bitter elements of the different leaves. Room note is to die for, at least to those of us who like Balkans!

Bottom of Bowl: I get here too quickly and have surprised myself that I had finished the bowl. There is not much of a build up of strength, but that is ok with me. The ash is dry and mottled grey. I immediately start thinking of which pipe I should use next to smoke this blend.

Overall: This is an all-day blend. It is a "breakfast-balkan" IMO. But, lately, when I choose to smoke this blend, I smoke it exclusvely all day and then come back to it a few days later. This blend is very complex, but not in an overpowering way. I am amazed everytime I smoke it of the new nuances I detect. Will it replace some of my other favorite Balkans such as Charing Cross, Abingdon, or Oddessey? No, but it is a welcome addition. My admiration for Greg's skills continue to grow. Thank You Greg!

Now comes along Ashbury. Like a lot of Greg's blend I appreciate the complexity. I like the Latakia (I'm a moderate Latikia lover), the room note is okay, it smokes cool. Better than Frog Morton types but I'm not blown away. Would I go out my way to track it down or cellar it -- not sure. Would I appreciate it if it were around -- absolutely.

It lights easily and does not require an inordinate amount of fussing to keep it going down to a dry grey ash. One of the hallmarks of a GLP mixture is that sudden end of the smoke without warning. It burns cleanly to the bottom and never gurgles or becomes bitter or nasty toward the end.

If there ever was an all-day Balkan, this is it. It has a delicious taste that changes throughout the bowl. Th eprimary flavour component is the Oreintals with the Virginias sharing the stage with the Latakia as backup. Imagine a jazz band with the piano and horn plyer in front sharing the limelight backed up with an upright bass player. My olde favourite was Odyssey, but it think Ashbury will take its place. I ordered a ton of the stuff in 2-ounce tins so i could enjoy the development of the mixture over time as it ages and marries in the tins.

I highly recommend this new mixtre to all pipe smokers. This is a very easy mixture ot enjoy and rewards the smoker with a very delicious experience.

Appearance:

A nice mottled mixture consisting of bright and red Virginias, darker Orientals of various hues and black Latakia. My guess is nearly equal proportions of each. The cut is a course ribbon cut and nearly uniform.

Aroma:

Complex, earthy, with a mild astringent quality that I associate with Orientals, raisin and hay-like tones of well aged Virginias and a nice smoky undercurrent from the Latakia. Though I would characterize this as a Balkan mixture, it is not a Latakia "heavyweight", the balance seems more in favor of Orientals. One whiff is not going to be enough, plan on burying your nose in this one for awhile.

Initial Taste:

Very well balanced lighting taste, at once sharp deep and stimulating. The slight astringency is there right off with a strong tannin like taste found in strong black tea, with resonant Virginia tones of dark and mysterious fruits, with Latakia bringing up the remains with a bold yet somewhat muted smokiness. The first few puffs bring an ever-changing presence of each component more in "synch" with what promises to be a rich and rewarding experience. I tamp it all down and then re-light, again the Orientals seem to arrive first on the scene, a little less astringent now, but still very much in the fore-front with the Virginias deepening and the Latakia bringing things full circle.

Mid Bowl:

At mid-bowl, everything has deepened and widened, and all seems to work in a careful cooperation. The astringent quality of the Oriental has mellowed and matured with qualities similar to bergamot or other aromatic herbs (don' t confuse this with aromatic tobaccos) perhaps hints of rosemary. The Virginias have deepened considerably even bringing a very subtle sweetness into play, and the Latakia tones in with its dark leathery smokiness, still playing a following role. The complexity of this blend is astonishing, not lending itself well to anything save pleasure in the extreme. One could easily forget the maelstrom outside the door smoking this! While building it has never become overpowering in any way, yet it demands full attention.

Final Third:

Every puff brings greater complexity, as this mixture continues to build in flavor and intensity. The Orientals have finally mated and mingled with the Virginias and are courting the Latakia to make it's final play. Deep resonant and bold the Latakia begins to lead the final chorus with an astonishing finish. It still does not dominate, it just makes its presence known and felt bringing a throaty smokiness together with the slightly sweet marriage of Orientals and Virginias.

Concluding Thoughts:

While nearly perfect in all respects, I suspect this could benefit with some age, 6 months at a minimum. I do not wish to leave the impression that this mixture is in anyway "green" I just think the flavors will "meld" with time. For those with an interest in cellaring tobacco mixtures, this should be a prime candidate for long term aging.

This promises to be a simply ASTONISHING blend, it may eclipse Bohemian Scandal! It is a true masterpiece tobacco mixture. Very very well done Greg.

****+ four plus stars for anyone who values them.

kilted1