It is full bodied, mildly sweet, spicy, and has some creamyness to it. To deal with the large cut leaves, I've dedicated a jumbo bowled Savinelli Baronet to this and Robusto. These course cut blends work well in this pipe and smoke nice and cool.

Perhaps it was the pipe, or the way I was smoking, but the last half was just not pleasant at all. Not sure what the problem was so for now it only gets 3 out of 4 stars. I will try it again in a different pipe and see what happens.

UPDATE: Tried it in a larger pipe. It was much better than before, but still not up to what I had hoped it would be. Then again, I have not ever been a real fan of GLP blends that I have tried. Not sure why. Not bad, wouldnt turn it away, but I dont think I will ever sit around thinking to myself, "Wow! I sure could use a bowl of MF."

Upon opening the tin, I was greeted with a nice, lightly sweet aroma. The coloration was a mixture of darker and lighter tobaccos and the moisture level was essentially perfect. I packed my pipe, struck a match and started puffing. I found that in many ways, this blend is an "Odyssey Light" - meaning that it is a lighter smoke than Odyssey due to there being less Latakia - but the more I have smoked Maltese Falcon, the more I appreciate its complexity. I can taste the sweetness of the Virginias, the smoky punch of the Latakia, the spice of the Orientals, and that added little something in the "flue-cured leaf" (which is apparently an unsweetened Cavendish). And all these flavors mix together perfectly, without anything overpowering the rest of the blend.

If I were to have one complaint about Maltese Falcon, it would be that it seems that the cut is not as great as it could be. I have found a couple of full uncut leaves in my most recent tin, and some of the cut leaves need to be cut even more. Still this tobacco is a truly great blend that, as the tin accurately states, is "a wonderful all-day English style mixture."

I tend to review blends I really like, and this is one. Primarily, I prefer straight VA's, with a weakness toward Red VA's, but switch to Latakia/Oriental blends as a balance. As such, I like blends with a light sweetness or caramel undertones of which MF is consistent from start to finish. It requires a couple re-lights, but that's ok as the moisture content passes the flavor through nicely. Also, the flavor doesn't become too strong nearing the bowl's end, it's a nice linear build up, and enjoyable to the last crumb. It's also a cool smoke, never detected a bite.

What ever the "secret spice" is, it seems to bridge the gap between sweet VA's & the astringency I sense in a lot of Latakia blends. Hopefully the moisture content on later production is the same as other posters noted later production a bit dry. For now, I will add more to the cellar.

Maltese Falcon will not be a contender. Above all else, the tobacco came out of the tin way too dry, which results in a quick, hot, harsh smoke, and deprives one of the smoky intricacies of the various tobaccos, particularly the Latakia, and the meditative qualities that come with a slow burning rich smoke. If I wanted dry tobacco flavor, a cigarette would do as well. It seems I am not alone in pointing out the dryness, but on the other hand, quite a few posters claimed it to be moist. So.. we might have a Quality Control issue. Little flavor, intrigue, or complexity noted. Not recommended.

There are moments when it really shines, but when it does it brings to mind other blends (e.g., Westminster, Samarra) that provide those flavors/moments more consistently. Too much of the time it borders on hard edged -- almost ashy -- while not providing the depth of pungency or complexity that I really crave in my English and Balkans. Perhaps time will soften some of those edges and let the better moments linger longer.

Blends affect different smokers differently, and I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that something in the Falcon disagrees with my constitution (the "discreet and mysterious spice" perhaps?). I tend to like latakia-heavy powerhouse blends and don't think I'm particularly sensitive to heavy smokes, but I haven't had a full bowl of the Falcon that didn't leave me with a headache afterwards. I originally thought this was a fluke of coincidence, but -- a full tin into my Falcon experience -- I am regretfully convinced otherwise.

To note these things is almost to complain too much: As noted, Maltese Falcon is good, and it has an assertive enough character that I can understand how it might align wonderfully with some smokers' tastes. It is well worth trying, and I'm not about to jettison the tins from my cellar.

Highly recommended.

Well gentlemen, this is my first venture into a GL Pease tobacco, and I'm not disappointed. I love Latakia, and this stuff has a bunch of it. The cut is unusual, almost looks like it was cut by hand. There are some very unusual tastes, which like others have mentioned, is hard to describe. This stuff reminds me of a stronger version of Bombay Court, which is in my top five favorite blends. I like this stuff alot. In fact it's even better than I was expecting, and it only got better towards the end of the bowl. Sweet, salty, smokey, and I think this might have some Turkish in it as well? Yummy stuff. If you like a moderately strong English blend, this one won't disappoint...

10/27/08

I wouldn't have thought that a few days after opening a tin would make such a change, but a change it has gone through, without a doubt. It's gotten a sweeter taste, and the Latakia isn't quite so overpowering, as it was upon the initial opening of the tin. Definitely a keeper in my rotation...

This one should NOT be missed!

I have never really liked Latakia much. In most blends it strikes me like a burning gunpowder taste. (Like all those cheap fireworks we used to set off as kids...)

On my last large order from Cornell & Deihl, they were kind enough to send me a small sample of Maltese Falcon. (1oz. I think.)

I can't rave enough about this tobacco, and the smoking experience you will no doubt enjoy. Yes, some reviewers who like their English strong, (bordering on industrial paint stripper,) will find this one not as strong as they are used to.

The blend just sings from 1st to last light. The Latakia is always present, but weaves in and out with a symphony of other flavors and notes. It stays interesting throughout the bowl, and one flavor never takes over. The Virginia and Orientals are top notch. Truly another example where the sum of the parts creates a whole new entity, eclipsing what you thought the sum would be.

It lights well, smokes clean, burns down to a fine ash with little dottle. It gets a tad stronger past mid-bowl.

I can't stress enough that, as I have tried many different blends, and making a true study of blends, this one is tops. So many Latakia blends to me are just monotone. Full-on smokey, burnt flavor.

This blend has me actually craving that unique Latakia flavor. Probably because it is not overwhelming.

If you are already a Latakia fan, this one could be a great lighter smoke. If you have hesitated on trying an English, this one is a great starter.

Best of luck, and happy smoking!