G. L. Pease The Virginia Cream

The following review take a look at Virginia Cream in the context of other G.L. Pease blends, as well as other vanilla blends. Reviewed in a vacuum, I think that it's a very nice blend. However, in the context that I suggested, it's below expectations.

The vanilla jumps out immediately in the tin note. It reminds me of classic (although stronger) typical Danish Cavendish vanilla aroma, although it's completely different in the smoke itself. I'm not really getting bourbon in the tin nor in the smoke.

Rather than being a smooth vanilla blend, I see this as a very two-dimensional smoke, which, if we compare to music, has a very strong high note and very strong low notes, never meeting each other and missing the very important middle. If this was mixed into an album, you would feel that some "meat" is missing in there and both the guitars and bass would mask over the singer, drums, and piano. I would assume that the Cavendish's role was to make that bridge between the creamy and the strong, but it doesn't really translate in the smoke.

It's possible that what I conceive as a rough Virginia is actually the combination of the Virginia with the Perique and Kentucky. I wouldn't have guess that the two stronger leaves are there. To me it felt like a stronger red Virginia. But unfortunately that doesn't meld very well with the more delicate (especially when it's called "Cream") vanilla topping.

It's just below medium in strength, about medium in body.

Aside from that, it's easily packed and smoked, no relights. Moisture is fine out of the tin. While the vanilla just slightly disappear later in the bowl, the Virginia comes to the fore. Can be an all-day smoke for those who like it. It doesn't get too hot or bites. Mechanically, it's very easy to deal with.

As I said in the beginning, on its own, this is a very nice blend and deserves good attention. I'd give it three stars easily. It's high quality, easy to smoke, and an enjoyable experience. However, it's not a typical vanilla blend, nor a typical Virginia blend. If you're looking for the best of either, look somewhere else. And most of all, I have to rate this in considering Greg Pease's masterful blends. In that context, this is largely a miss. Greg admitted that he's not much of an aromatic smoker, nor blender. I think that this is his only aromatic blend. Unfortunately, it shows. Two stars.

I enjoy medium intensity aromatics, English blends, Latakia and even Lakeland essences … But with this one, I’ve come to realize I really don’t like Virginia forward tobaccos. In my neophyte opinion, this was like smoking a cigarette and not pipe tobacco. The tin note was of souring fruit starting to ferment with no vanilla.

Perhaps my tin was just too new? I didn’t get any flavors or aroma, just the smell you get at a Poker game where a group of guys are chain smoking crappy cigarettes. Anyway, I stuffed it in a jar for now and will try it again next year. Maybe it was just too “green”. I gave it a “somewhat recommended” only because I realize too many other people enjoyed it … so it must be me.