Westminster lights readily and burns well: the moisture content in the tin seems about right for this smoker. The taste varies between the slightly sweet notes of the VAs, the smokiness of the Latakia, and the creaminess of the Orientals. Ideally, for me at least, there could have been a little more oriental and a little less Latakia component. I used to like a lot of the dark smokey weed in my blends but have mellowed out somewhat.

Greg's blends are not the cheapest on the market but they use only the highest quality tobaccos. I also like the packaging of the new tins much more than the old ones.

Scores for Westminster? Taste- 15 of 20; lighting and burn- 8 of 10; value- 8 of 10. 31 points equals a very high *** rating.

Upon opening the can, there is a very distinct, strong "smoked wood" scent to this tobacco. Nice mix of medium brown and dark tobaccos. Nicely cut ribbons, with no need to rub out.

Moisture content was perfect with my fresh 2 oz tin, with little pipe moisture and little need to relight. Smoked very well down to the bottom of the pipe. Probably one of the better smoking experiences I have had in awhile, with very little caretaking needed while smoking.

No bite, and yet very distinct, complex flavors last the entire smoke; more mellow and "earthy" in the bottom half of the bowl, but never becoming bland or boring. The Oriental flavors can definitely be tasted and are a little overpowering at first, but after a couple minutes, the other flavors start to balance out; you can then taste the VA and Latakia more. A very nice balance of tobaccos resulting in complex flavors.

I have little patience for tobaccos like this, having only been smoking pipes for a few years. perhaps I will "grow into it" but I doubt it.

I'll stick with my sweet delicious smokes that taste nothing like tobacco, if this is an example of what is the "best" tobaccos are like.

Update: awefull stuff

Ironically enough, I wanted to use the name of a famous dog show in this review and would you believe what the number one hit is when you google “famous dog show?” WESTMINSTER. Apparantly, the storied district of London is home to more than an Abbey.

Westminster is dry in the tin. A mix of broken flake and ribbon, each piece of tobacco could have snapped like a twig. For me that's not a problem as I care about how it smokes much more. Easy to load (just tumble in) and I found it to burn very well as it crunches beneath your tamper. The VA’s are luscious and sweet, the orientals are toasty and high, and the cyprian is top notch smoke and spice.

The tin I’m sampling was made a mere 3 months ago, so this has zero age on it. I liked it from the start, but as I’m at the bottom of the tin, I have experienced some really special smokes where the flavors of the blend’s components were so well integrated, that the result was something different altogether – a symphonic representation of , what to me, might be absolutely classic. There is nothing unusual or surprising about this English blend other than it’s unapologetically snooty supremacy over every other english I’ve tried (and I have not tried them all). In the world of English blends, Westminster is the Bentley-driving Guru.

I will DEFINITELY be buying more of this!

I started with aromatics and quickly progressed to the remarkable English blends. The wonderful aroma and taste of Latakia, orientals and virginias overtook my senses and I have fallen in love with the blends. The smell and taste of pine reminds me of a campfire in the fall.

I just recieved my tin of Westminster and finished my first bowl - and my second! This blend is fantastic. NO tongue bite whatsoever, burned cool and dry. I love this tobacco and will always have it in my rotation.

Three cheers to Mr. Pease.

Westminster is a perfect symphony of tobacco's !!!

I understand the trouble Mr. Pease went through in making Westminster. I too read his account of combing though 20 year old tins of London Mixture with forceps, isolating the components to identify the leaf and proportions. I appreciate the effort, and if I had more time with the London Mixture of old, then maybe I could advance a better review comparing the two. I admit being puzzled how he was able to distinguish between Turkish and Virginia leaf by eye, as similar as they might appear. But who is to question a man with passion? I'd honestly have given up after a few minutes.

My tin was dated 9/14/09, and I began smoking the contents about a month after the production date. The cut is varied, with long and short ribbons, including pieces of rubbed out Virginia flake. There are a few errant stems of Latakia, which represents a good 50% by my account, maybe a bit less. The tin is filled to the brim, though loosely packed, unlike the classic Dunhill, which is almost pressed together. The tobacco is dry, drier than I've ever seen a Pease blend, and drier than I remember London Mixture, so I wonder how the lack of moisture will affect aging. In the short term, it works well. It's ready to go as you crack the tin, no need for airing out the tobacco.

This is a classic English mixture, with Virginias and Latakia playing the lead roles. I have a difficult time detecting the Turkish, but I don't doubt that it's in there. Westminster is rich and full, suggesting the strength derives from heady Virginias. To me, I put the nicotine at something just over medium. In part due to the dryness of the leaf, Westminster burns rather quickly if packed loosely, while the smoke billows in great magnitude. I enjoy this in a bigger pipe, and have mostly smoked it in a large Meerschaum, packed tight. The crispy tobacco will crackle a bit as tamped.

Westminster embodies tradition, which is interesting as an English tobacco blended by an American. Sure, we'll churn out monstrosities like Fox & Hound, but we know our stuff, when it matters. Westminster is tasty, damn tasty, and that's what counts.

Five of Five.

This stuff is quite good, I've never had a number of the "classic" tobaccos (3 Nuns, Sobranie 759, etc.), so perhaps I have nothing to compare against, but other than a cellared tin of Westminister, I don't know if I can think of a better english tobacco. This is my favorite late night smoke.

Have you ever put vinegar on chips? We'll about 1/2 a bowel down, that is what I get - very lightly. I like this tobacco. It calls my attention, but without being in any way "needy."

I think this is one of those I might keep renewing. Right now the only ones I am relatively sure about restocking are Balkan Supreme or Saseini (sp?) and Butternut Barley.

What a great gift this one is!