This is hard to review because the two vintages are radically different. In fact, if I tried these in a "blind test taste" setting, I would never guess they were the same blend! The 2000 is very sweet, and as the bowl progressive it shifts from being a latakia-forward blend to one that seems all about the orientals. Exotic notes and powerful blasts of spice that remind me of sandalwood, myrh, and even patchouli seem to overwhelm the smoke. Both types of latakia play only supporting roles. If I didn't like complexity so much I would consider it almost too busy to enjoy, but as it is I'm thrilled by it. It smokes relatively cool and isn't overly bitey, although it's a good idea not to rush it.

The 2003 mixture is quite a different beast, however. While the oriental notes are there and the Cyprian lat remains in the background, the Syrian is MUCH more pronounced. Some people describe it's flavor as wine-like, but this is the first time I've ever agreed with that description. The blend seems stronger, heavier, and mustier than the older batch. It's still nice, but there's an almost funky sour-sweet undertone to the blend that reminds me (vaguely) of some Dunhill mixtures. It's not as complex, but makes up for that loss with a much fuller flavor. I prefer the older batch, but this is still VERY good stuff.

In summary: Renaissance is apparently meant to be a medium-strength "English" mixture, which to me entails that it should have an appreciable amount of latakia but should nonetheless be all about balance. After having been thoroughly aged, however, I'm inclined to describe the earlier batch as having veered headlong into "Balkan" territory. The later batch, on the other hand, seems more balanced but still has such an exotic flavor profile that I can't really compare it to any other English blend. It's a shame that Syrian lat isn't available, as I would certainly buy more of this if it were still on the market. I've only had the chance to sample as single tin of Bohemian Scandal, but in all honesty I prefer Renaissance.

A light English? Not really; it is so much more than that. And, of course, with the loss of the Syrian Latakia which led to the hiatus of this blend, I miss it terribly.

If you can find a tin of the original and want a smoking experience that goes beyond the norm, put Renaissance in your pipe and prepare for an adventure that may never be repeated.

From 2005: I hate to keep pissing on GLP blends, especially this one, his only 4-star (with more than 5 reviews) as of this writing. From the ingredients, it ought to be my favorite. I enjoy the smoky phenolic tin aroma and virtually every characteristic about it... but the flavor. All I can taste is harsh latakia with an undertone of coarse steel wool. Extremely dry, ammoniacal and *green, like uncured tobacco, like drying latex paint. Orientals? Can't taste any.

My (second) tin is now six months old, and I'm praying for a mellowing effect with age. Raven's Wing started the same way, but became smokeable after a year, and very nicely so.

This may be a bad lot or it may be my body chemistry. Why similar C&D blends with similar (same?)leaves don't share this quality is a mystery.

I cannot recommend what I dislike, but will give it two stars, borrowing one from a hopefully better update in December.

* I use the term "green" as a euphemism for harsh, raw, astringent and noxious. I've grown tobacco and unfortunately recognize greenness when I taste it. This has it.

The Master of Latakia hits it again, Dead On. This is Oriental tobacco at its finest, with the Latakia and Virginias playing their important, but subdued, roles with elegance and grace.

Damn I miss Syrian Latakia!

A tobacco tapestry...NOT an Oriental rug. I get notes of toasted Irish oats, butter, brown sugar, smoke, sourdough bread, cherrywood campfires, bacon and Hoisin.

This is not a flavor bomb. Best to smoke while paying attention to smoking. Very relaxing and meditative. If you hoover this one, you're wasting time and excellent tobacco.

Many try. Few succeed. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. Masterful accomplishment with simple ingredients.

I'm currently smoking a tin from 2004, and it is a fantastic combination of incense-like Syrian latakia (from a truly memorable vintage), delicious Cyprian, and a delightful balance of Virginias and orientals. Among the Pease range of discontinued Syrians, Renaissance is tied for second place with Bohemian Scandal (to my palate), behind #1 Raven's Wing. Only you can decide if it's worth $50/tin (or whatever it'll be going for on eBay when you read this), but since that breaks down to only about $2.50 per 45-minute bowlful, I can't imagine passing up the chance to experience this.

I was looking for something special to celebrate passing the RS/REHS certification (an environmental health certification that involves a 250 question test that covers everything under the sun- nasty).

I pulled down the tin of Renaissance. Upon opening, I was presented with a very nice smoky, latakia aroma. The cut was very attractive.

Loaded a pipe, and put it to flame. It was too wet, and was hard to keep lit, but seemed to taste good.

I let the tin dry, and have worked my way about halfway through it. It is good, but does not seem to have all the nuance and the slight sweetness that Samarra does.

I will gladly smoke my way throught the tin, but I wish that I had sold it and bought five tins of Samarra instead.

Mr. Pease has outdone himself with this blend. So much has already been said abour Renaissance, so all I will add is this: although my palate is not as accomplished and sensitive as some of the other reviewers, it was immediately clear to me after a bowl of Renaissance that this is the most well designed traditional English blend of the dozen or so top names that I have tried. It's obvious that Mr. Pease cares a lot about his craft, and the results show. Kudos!

Looking at it, the hand of Greg Pease is readily evident. He just doesn?t make unattractive tobacco. The colors range from bright to black, and everything in between. The mid-tones dominate. The aroma is definitely Latakia and Oriental.

Packing was pretty easy, and lighting went better than I expected ? the leaf seemed a tad bit damp to me. I needn?t have worried. It burned very well, even in a deep narrow Bjarne. The tapered bottom of the bowl didn?t even keep Renaissance from burning down to a fine ash. In other bowl shapes, the tobac performed even better.

Renaissance is a very complex tobacco. It took me a few days just to get a handle on it. Every time I thought I had it nailed, it threw me another curve. The Oriental used is first-rate, and has a nice well-rounded flavor. The Va component rounds out the blend with very interesting high notes, while the Latakia takes care of the lower end. But the main focus of Renaissance isn?t either of those, this one is all about the Oriental. You will find the full gamut of flavors here, from woodsy and leathery, to the sweet-tang of the Va. But at no time do the Va?s or the Latakia ever upstage the Oriental. I enjoyed the multi-layered complexity ? the Syrian and Cyprian, and Va?s intermingling amongst themselves while at the same time dancing with the Orientals.

Renaissance is a truly wonderful tobacco. If you haven?t tried it, you should. You won?t be sorry. For its ingenious complexity and outstanding flavor and quality, I have no choice but to give it 4 stars. I?ll have it in my rotation. Is it better than Raven's Wing? Nope.

I cannot really detect the orientals, but the latakia comes through when sampling the bag aroma and also during initial lightup. It has less latakia and orientals than my beloved British Woods, but that is not a bad thing. BW is superb, but it can be heavy. Renaissance is markedly lighter without being flat and is therefore an excellent alternative. (If British Woods is my coffee then Renaissance is my tea).

Also as the weather gets warmer, I have noticed BW seems almost too heavy whereas Renaissance is almost perfect for spring temperatures.

The room note of Renaissance doesn't sit too well with the wife, but when outside it is somewhat complimentary. I smoked it during the Super Bowl and got evil looks from my wife and daughters. However during Easter, smoking on the deck, they gave it a "not too bad".

It does smoke very dry. Before you know it, it is almost gone from your bowl.

All throughout the bowl, Renaissance does not misbehave. As a newbie, a FNG, to pipe smoking--if this is what is meant by an English blend--I will be smoking English for a long time to come.