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Penny Farthing is a shag cut blend of bright and red Virginias, spiced with Louisiana perique and a hint of fire cured dark Kentucky. It's easy to pack, easy to smoke. Sipped gently, Penny Farthing opens with a sophisticated sweetness, evolving in depth and complexity throughout the bowl to a rich, satisfying finish.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JimInks (3025) |   |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The grass and hay, along with the spice are the dominating characteristics of this blend. That potent spiciness comes from the plumy, figgy, lightly raisiny, earthy, woody, very spicy perique, and the woody, earthy, dry, floral, smoky, nutty, rather sour, very spicy dark fired Kentucky. The latter is a condiment that also sports a hint of cocoa. The former is a very strong supporting player, but much less sweeter than my description would allow you to think. It’s minimally sweet. The exceptionally grassy/hay-like, tart and tangy, citrusy, lightly lemony bright Virginia is the lead component. It also has a tinge of a cigarette note. The tangy dried dark fruity, bready, earthy, woody red Virginia is also plays a support role. The strength and taste levels are medium. The nic-hit is a couple of steps behind that mark. Won’t bite, but has a few rough edges, and may get harsh if puffed fast. Burns cool, clean and a little fast as shag cuts will do. Has a mostly consistent, mildly sweet, rather spicy and savory flavor that also translates to the moderately lingering after taste. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl. Requires very few relights. Can be an all day smoke for the veteran, and is repeatable in any case.
-JimInks
25 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StevieB (2076) | |
Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
G. L. Pease - Penny Farthing.
I normally shy away from shag cut blends, favouring flakes, kakes or coarse blends; enabling a longer smoke. But Penny Farthing? Mesmeric! I can't put a pipe of it down; I best order some more as this tin's going fast!
It's a medium brown, fine shag, with a very enticing aroma. The smell's one of very rich tobacco, with a touch of spices, and a slight hint of lemon. The moistness of it's good, and the fine cut makes for easy filling.
The flavour's nice and full. Plenty of sumptuous, opulent, Perique; this takes the lead. Although the Perique leads it doesn't have the taste of just pepper. The Perique's fruity, and rich, as well as being spicy. The Virginias are nicely balanced with one another. I note fresh, sharp, bright Va's and more than enough decadent reds. The Kentucky gives a smoky, woody, 'rural', note in a subordinate role; I don't find P.F. to be a smoky, fire-cured, bitter, mess! Because the cut of it's fine a bowl doesn't last too long. But, although it burns quicker I don't find the temperature too much. Bite? I've smoked half a tin in quick time (I love it!) and haven't been bitten once by it.
Nicotine: strong. Room-note: not too bad.
Penny Farthing? As you probably gathered, I love it! Highly recommended:
Four stars.
Pipe Used: Peterson #221
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com
24 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastor Padron (4) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This shag cut blend is a mix of bright and red Virginia, Perique and a bit of Kentucky fire-cured. It packs and lights easily and burns fast because of the cut. There are notes of sweet hay and grass from the Virginias and plenty of spice from the Perique. The Kentucky brings some earthiness and hints of nuts here and there in a supportive role, but the Virginia and the Perique are the major players. As the description says on the tin, sip slowly, or it will burn hot! If you like shag cut tobacco and VaPer blends, this is definitely worth a try. I think it will age well too. I'll get back to you on that... Highly recommended.
Pipe Used: Savinelli Impero 920KS
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: Twins Smoke Shop, Londonderry, NH, USA 609-421-0242 www.twinssmokeshop.com
21 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RonR (85) | |
Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
3rdGuy
I am loving this blend. First off I love a shag cut. Easy to pack, you can even overpack it and probably get away with it. 2 or 3 touches of the flame and most times you can put your lighter away on this one. Plenty of bright Virginias and Reds. Perique is very present as well. I have been smoking a fair amount of Exclusive recently and I can readily pick up the perique in here. The Kentucky adds some body. Puts off plenty of smoke. On occasion some of my bowls get a little harsh at the end.
You know this is going to age well. Solid blend but I am not surprised considering the pedigree.
Pipe Used: briars, cobs.
Age When Smoked: June 2019 tin dates
Purchased From: Smoking Pipes
12 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fr_tom (393) | |
Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The cut is a chopped shag, and the tobacco components are a mix of browns and tans. Pouch note is untopped tobacco with a whiff of bread. I did not pick up any other notes. It came on the slightly dry side of perfect. I smoked it as delivered and packed it firmly in a pot.
It is a great smoke. I found it was easy to keep lit, and it is a goop-free smoking experience. It has a solid Virginia base with the hay and heavy sweet you expect. There is a little of the overripe fruit, and that may be the perique or the Virginias. There is a spicy quality and some earthy notes I attribute to the Kentucky. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I did not find this to be a quick smoke. It was easy to sip, and burned cool for me.
I find the perique & Kentucky combo to be one that works very well. Another one in this category I like a lot is GLP Cumberland. The Cumberland is a little fuller on the taste for me, and the Kentucky gives it a more burley-forward flavor.
Don't get this if you have a nicotine aversion, but it is very tasty and well done. It is an easy 4 if you qualify given the nicotine disclaimer.
10 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrokenRecord (124) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Penny Farthing: A Shagging VaPer
With this new blend, Mr Pease—also known as the Willy Wonka of the tobacco world—has produced a solid new VaPer that fits nicely in his existing line up between Stratford and Telegraph Hill.
The red Virginias seem to be the core component of this blend and offer an earthy-tangy foundation. The lighter Virginias gives the smoke some grassy-bright notes. The perique is noticeable with a hit of fermented spiciness that plays well with the small amount of dark-fired leaf, which adds a delicately oak-smoky undertone to the mix. The shag cut is quite nice, burning evenly with no harshness.
Even with the addition of a small amount of dark-fired leaf, I would still consider this blend a VaPer.
Edit August 2019: Though I normally smoke unfiltered pipes, this blend is absolute perfection in a 9mm filtered pipe.
Similar Blends: Rattray's VaPers and GL Pease Telegraph Hill and Stratford.
7 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Gr8tefuldawg (87) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
G.L Pease- Penny Farthing
Smoked this on the road trip from California to Virginia, it was a nicely sweet Virginia, with some smoky yet rich Kentucky, it’s been in the tin since it first released. I thoroughly enjoyed this and could get another tin. The shag cut was an easy pack and smoked easily in my MM General.
Somewhat smoky kentucky, some slightly sweet Virginia a little pepper and it tasted great, looking forward to this again.
Pipe Used: MM General
Age When Smoked: 1 year
Purchased From: Liberty tobacco
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Eduardo Mildner (3) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A real good VaPer! Full-bodied, medium nicotine, full-aroma and full-flavours. This shag cut is different. It's shorter than the regular Shags and not to tangled, like angel's hair. The combustibility is awesome, like the humidity. I loved this blend! Super recommended!
PS: sorry about my english. I'm brazilian.
Pipe Used: Vauen Natura Bent Apple
Age When Smoked: 9 months
Purchased From: Tobacco Pipes
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| BingCrosby (161) | |
Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
With the weather dipping down I am continuing to enjoy finer cut tobaccos.. they tend to burn fast but some of them can take you by surprise with the flavors they offer.. so as the hype of this new release is finally calming down.. and as the Instagram pictures fade away into oblivion.. I find myself finally popping a tin of penny farthing.. It is an even finer shag than I imagined.. but one whiff and you know right away it is not a roll your own.. deep fruity, sweet, spicy on the nose.. and that is almost precisely what I get in the smoke.. very peppery retrohale and much thicker and meatier than you would expect from the cut.. this is almost a punch you in the face kind of smoke for the first part of the bowl.. it does calm down and it slightly unfolds.. definitely some sweetness and citrus.. but also darker fruits and earthiness.. it does taste like a va/ken/per for sure.. but the Kentucky is a very light accent.. I would compare it to old gowrie/hal o the wynd in that respect.. the perique is maybe the main star.. lots of pepper and winey fruitiness.. a very pleasant flavor.. mechanics wise it is surprisingly cool smoking.. it can get hot towards the bottom of the bowl.. but overall it is impressive how easy it is to just sip.. it has enough flavor to almost force you to slow your cadence.. This is my kind of smoke.. been digging royal yacht lately and this kind of scratches that same itch.. plenty of strength in this one too.. the nic will creep up on you.. I love the mixture of tobaccos and the simplicity/complexity.. some might find it one note.. and it can be.. but I do detect changes in flavor throughout the bowl sometimes unexpected depending how you puff it.. I think if you like sixpence you will definitely like this one too..
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| ChadwickGHurlburt (24) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
It took me several bowls of this before I found out how it likes to be treated. This is without question one of the finest shag cuts I've ever seen in a pipe tobacco blend. It's really easy to puff on this blend too hard and ruin what it has to offer. This is sipping tobacco. My first 3-4 bowls ended with me puffing too hard and transforming this tobacco into a cigarette-like hotbox. Eventually I found a pipe and a pace this tobacco agrees with. A medium to medium small pipe works well for me. The best pace for this tobacco is to smoke it so slowly that you feel like it's barely alight. This is what works best for me.
As for the blend itself, given that you sip it slowly and keep it from overheating, it is wonderful. This is a very naturally sweet smoke. I can taste the sweetness on my lips after a few minutes of smoking this. The Virginia tobaccos in this are very naturally sweet. They are front and center in this blend. The Perique comes through nicely to contribute a fruity compliment to the sweetness of the Virginias. The dark fired leaf is barely noticable to me. Although, I suspect it is responsible in part for the full richness of flavor. One large surprise this tobacco gave me is the delightful room note. It smells like the most pleasing aromatic pipe smoke in the world despite this not being an aromatic blend. Just be careful, if you get carried away and puff on this too hard, all of these great things go away. For that reason, it is understandable why so many were not impressed with this blend the first time they tried it. It requires discipline to smoke this properly. It certainly rewards those who learn to take it slow with a wonderful pipe smoking experience.
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| HabaneroHardy (396) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Unnoticeable |
At my past weekly pipe club meeting, our local brick and mortar tobacco store had this as a new addition. I try to make a point to buy something because for me I do not want to spend hours at someone’s establishment and not support the store. So, in a way it is like paying informal pipe club dues. I am getting somewhere so bear with me. California has some of the highest tobacco taxes I have ever seen. This is no reflection on the store because they have to pass the taxes on to the consumer but this tin set me back $18.25 a 2 oz tin plus sales tax. On line I can get it for $11.05 plus shipping or even free shipping with a certain price point. There are actual very few pipe and cigar stores left in this state due to the high cost of operating a business, tobacco taxes, etc. We do have a lot of cigarette stores but no place to sit down and converse with like fellows who enjoy the hobby. So, to all my fellow pipe club smokers wherever you are, I encourage you to support your local shop as I am sure we all do or we won't have anyplace left to rest our pipes. Since I got my sticker shock experience out of the way on to the review. This is definitely a fine shag cut with a few broken pieces scattered throughout the tin. Nice mild sweet smell, can’t really put in words what it reminds me of but it is a pleasant sweet Virginia smell. This of course lights quickly and can burn fast. I took the suggestion from the tin and tried sipping this blend. Sort of reminds me of a milder version of D&R’s Picayune blend. Good blend, especially if you like shag cut tobaccos like I do. And by the way I am surprised I beat out some of the Legends on this site that have not yet reviewed this one. Yea! And it is even advertised on the page of the website.
Pipe Used: Altinay Meerschaum Poker
Age When Smoked: New
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Dr.sadik (120) | |
Medium to Strong | Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Very rounded mix where ingredients mixed around in unified taste experience. Although the cut is fine but its not as fine as 5 brothers/dark birds eye kinda cut, it look like mini ready rubbed cut blend, looking at it reminds me of McClelland black s... hag. It is slightly sweet and smokey did not overwhelm me by strength so the perique is not heavily added but you can certainly feel it on the retrohale. Burns relativly ok for a shag, they usually go faster but as with all shag cut tobacco packing it carefully is required so you dont plug the draft. Typical gl pease taste from the same component, think jack knife triple play/six pence in a shag form. I bought few to see what age may add to it but for the time being 3 stars and some change. Al janabi
Pipe Used: Narrow chambered briars
Age When Smoked: Fresh
Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com
Similar Blends: Triple play gl pease, six pence gl pease.
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| McClintock (15) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I’m not entirely surprised this blend isn’t more popular as it takes some effort to maximize it’s potential. That said, it’s worth the effort. It’s modestly dry out of the tin and ready for packin’. It’s a different cut than other shags I’ve tried as it’s a chopped shag. Extremely easy to pack as it’s not a long stringy cut like one finds in a shag such as Three Sails. Lights easy, but use caution not to scorch as it becomes ashy tasting (and stays that way) off the launch if overzealous with the flame. Take your time when smoking to keep the flavor at it’s best - the cut makes a slow pace effortless without worry of constant relights. Follow these steps and you won’t experience the cigarette note mentioned in a few reviews. I don’t get as much sweetness as some other reviewers have noted but it’s not entirely absent. Penny Farthing is equally savory as it is spicy, being fairly consistent with this flavor profile throughout the bowl. It’s Virginia dominant and more bready than grassy in flavor and aroma. The Kentucky presence is subtle but rounds out the flavor quite nicely. All in all, highly recommended. It’s a shag cut... treat it right and I think you’ll find it worth keeping in the rotation. If you scorch it too heavily on the light or puff it into ashy oblivion, dump it out and start again with a softer approach before making a final judgment.
Pipe Used: Small shag pipe ( bruyere echt)
Age When Smoked: 14 months
Purchased From: Tobacco pipes
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preacher Pipes (12) | |
Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Penny Farthing
This blend has really grown on me. In the tin it is a much lighter color than I expected given the description. It has a nice dark fruit and natural tobacco tin note. It packs and lights easily, smokes effortlessly. It has a nice dark, earthy-sweet flavor that’s not too strong. In fact, the blend, to me, is rather smooth and "gentle” given the amount of flavor the i get from it. The Perique is definitely a background player; the dark fired Kentucky and Virginias are the star, coming through on every puff. I don’t think it’s a very complex blend that evolves throughout the bowl; it’s consistent from start to finish, which I rather like. It smokes dry and to a nice grey ash. Being a shag cut it can burn a bit fast or hot if you push it but even then it doesn’t get harsh or bite. I’ve been enjoying it in small to medium sized bowls.
Pipe Used: Moretti Poker, Morgan Blackjack
Age When Smoked: 6-9 months
Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DrumsAndBeer (217) | |
Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Penny Farthing is quite delicious. In the tin the tobacco looks like the bottom of a bag of shredded wheat cereal. The tin aroma is sweet, smoky & sharp and the moisture content is relatively low. Being a shag cut, Penny Farthing is somewhat pipe dependent. With the accelerated burn rate, I found this blend smoked cooler and tasted more dynamic in a pipe with a longer than average stem and with thicker walls. In an effort to confirm my preference I did smoke several bowls in a few group 2 sized pipes and as expected the smoke was not as nuanced, but in trade the overall experience was more intense.
The flavor of Penny Farthing is rich but never overwhelming. It reminds me of a few of the best blends that Daughters & Ryan has to offer, in that it’s rugged with a sense of elegance still at play. The Virginias are toasty & sweet tasting and the Kentucky adds a slightly bitter, smoky counter balance. The perique seems to be blended for seasoning more than overt flavor, and comes across as peppery rather than fruity. The whole experience of smoking a bowl of this blend is quite delightful and if you enjoy spicy tobacco this is a must try. I wouldn’t smoke this as an all-day blend, it’s a bit too potent for that. However, it makes for an excellent evening smoke and if you enjoy a bit of spirits with your pipe I found that this pairs wonderfully with bourbon or even better a few fingers of rye.
Of all the other blends in GL Pease’s catalog, Penny Farthing reminds most of Cumberland. Comparatively Penny Farthing is more sprite and slightly sweeter, but it shares Cumberland's complex yet balanced interplay of flavors coming from the trio of Virginia, Kentucky and perique tobacco.
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| moniker (217) | |
Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
So, is Penny Farthing “zesty”, or “hot”? I’m going with “zesty” (and 4 stars). YMMV, of course, and my guess is that some smokers who are more used to or attuned to more “conditioned” tobacco (English or European) might find this GLP offering to be more intense than expected, and most of this this tobacco forward taste is in a higher register than usual. My young tin full was cut to a classic fine shag, with some broken flake to prove real, flue cured VA flake was included. Colors range from golden, to red brown and dark brown, reflecting predominant bright, flue cured VAs, air cured and maybe a little stoved red VAs, a significant portion of Perique, and a dash of KY. Tin note is muted, smelling somewhat of fresh wheat bread, a tiny bit sharp, and a little yeasty. PF handles, loads, lights and smokes like a dream. I pack it snugly in a larger bowl, because of the cut, and it’s best, I think, to follow Mr. Pease’s advice and just sip this one, not only to minimize bite but this also affords one’s best chance at getting the most from this blend, which might come off as a codger RYO without due consideration. Given proper consideration, PF is a high quality VA/Per with some KY added for undertones and interest. The bright VAs lead with tangy grasses that either sparkle or bite, depending on how one smokes it, also how one handles flue cured VAs that are not all that mild to begin with. The small quantity of red VAs takes it down a notch, at least in terms of “frequency”, but their paucity yields just a trace of earth and dark fruit. There’s ample Perique that’s rather dry and a little sour, also more zippy spice than fruit. The KY adds just a little nutty tannin and smoke, along with the aforementioned under tones. If you insist that tobacco be sweet, pass on this one. Strength just toes over medium. Tastes are just over medium. Room note is pretty nice for a blend with Perique. Aftertaste is a slow trailing off of the best of the smoke. It lingers long and leaves a great taste in my mouth.
Again, the “trick” with Penny Farthing is to take it easy, top to bottom. Not sure how it will age, given the cut, but I like it fine right out of a young tin. It hasn’t replaced any of my favorites yet, but that doesn’t stop me from giving it 4 stars.
Pipe Used: various #5 and 6 briars
Age When Smoked: 3 months
Purchased From: Liberty Tobacco
Similar Blends: Compare/contrast to C&D Redburn or Rattray's Hal O' the Wynd.
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Ryan (7) | |
Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The tin note is typical of the component tobaccos, with a hint of dark chocolate and fruity alcohol. The moisture content is perfect, no drying time needed for me. This is my first experience with a shag and it behaved very nicely. I pack it tighter than usual and it burns relatively slowely to a fine white ash. The flavor weaves through the component tobaccos depending on your cadence and gets spicier throughout the bowl. It’s similar to Sixpence, but stronger and with less boozy casing. Nic level is on the high side of medium for me. I’ll be buying more for sure.
Pipe Used: Tekin meerschaum
Age When Smoked: Fresh
Purchased From: Smokingpipes
Similar Blends: G.L. Pease Sixpence.
5 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pipesINpairs (19) | |
Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Here's a blend that does NOT get better with age.
When fresh, it's ripe and rich, but after a couple years it mellows and becomes a bit monochromatic. Disappointing. Nevertheless, it's a really enjoyable smoke when fresh. Shag cut, so pack your pipa con fuerte. Small bowl to bring out the flavor, or large bowl to billow down the block on your Victorian bicycle trailing smoke like a locomotive.
Monocle not included.
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeQuincey (1) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
My tin was dry as a bone. Properly hydrated, it packed easily (using Frank method) and has been going well from the first lite, which is a first for me.
Mildly sweet, with a touch of spice, the flavor is consistent throughout the smoke. Dark fruit, with a touch of sharpness and some body. Tangy, lightly nutty with a natural sweetness. Midway through the bowl, a bready flavor rounds out the proceeding with spice ever present. Finally, it requires a re-light mid bowl. Smokes cool, without excess moisture. The nic hit is noticeable. I'm no light weight, but I'll need to set it aside and take a pause. The room note is divine.
This is a winner for me. I'm so glad I have another tin, and will likely pick up some more for aging.
Pipe Used: Roma bent Dublin
Age When Smoked: Tin w/ 1 year age of in it.
Purchased From: smokingpipes.com
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GabrielCRT (115) | |
Strong | Very Mild | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a versatile tobacco. Need a quick smoke with some impressive nicotine? This can be puffed quickly without bite. Want a calm, complex sweet and spicy smoke? Sip this blend slowly and tamp as needed. The tin aroma is intoxicating. The tobacco smells like honey, bbq, chocolate, and wine. The sweet honey and chocolate flavors really shine during the initial light. The Kentucky leaf is smoky and tangy which marries well with the spicy/peppery perique. The red Virginia is earthy and has a little sweetness. I sense a light topping in the first 1/3 of the bowl but it doesn’t hide the tobacco notes for me. It really tastes like a Mexican hot chocolate with cayenne pepper. I’m flying through this tin and it has quickly become a top 5 favorite for me.
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle H Brothers (10) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I put off purchasing Penny Farthing for as long as I could because there are only so many smoking hours available in a day and I have A LOT of blends that I needed to finish up. But I decided to pull the trigger because I'm really looking for that all day smoke for the Summer months here in Florida. My tendency to smoke during the months of June-August goes down quite a bit as it is just too hot, even in the evenings, to enjoy a pipe since I'm relegated to smoking outside at home, or in my car during my daily commute.
So I was looking for something that might be flavorful enough to keep me interested, but light enough to not make me wonder why I'm adding fire to the already blistering surface of the Sun.
I'm not sure if this blend fits that niche, but it is a very good blend nonetheless.
Cut - Very fine cut with Bright Virginias, Red Virginias and Perique/DFK readily recognizeable. Moisture content is a little on the dry side, which suits me just fine as it makes it easy to just pack a bowl with no dry time.
Tin Note - Fresh Bread, Hay and Dried Fruit are dominant with some earthy notes. Very pleasant.
Mechanics - Loads easily due to the cut and moisture content. Lights even more easily and I have to force myself to char, tamp and wait because you can smoke this right from the get go, but I've found that the charring light really does help open up the flavors. The blend smokes well all the way down to the bottom with ease. It is crucial that this blend be sipped. Overpuffing will cause the pipe to heat up something awful and the flavors will be harsh and muddled. But once I figured out the cadence, the flavor is outstanding.
Taste - I've found that this blend is very pipe dependent. It seems to shine best when in a medium size bowl (Group 3 or so) with just a hint of width to it. If the bowl is too wide, it burns very quickly and can get really hot. If the bowl is too narrow, the flavor is more intense, but the nuance gets lost. Once I found the right pipes, however, the blend is very good and evolves throughout the bowl. First 1/3 of the bowl showcases the Virginias and the Perique adds just enough spiciness to balance out the sweetness. Second 1/3 the Perique shows more of the dried fruit essence and the blend becomes deeper and more rich. Third 1/3 the DFK is more noticeable as it's earthy and smoky notes peek through the rest of the flavors.
Overall - I thoroughly enjoy this blend. It pairs wonderfully with my morning coffee. I love blends that offer different experiences as the bowl progresses and Penny Farthing certainly does that. I would also imagine that age will only help the blend to mellow and become something otherworldly. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure if this is my all-day, surface of the Sun, Summer Blend as it requires patience and thoughtfulness in order to keep it from overheating, but it is a great smoke on it's own merits.
It will probably be amazing on one of the 4 days of Fall that we get here in Central Florida.
Pipe Used: Various Briars
Age When Smoked: Fresh from Tin
Purchased From: SPC
Similar Blends: Escudo-ish, but less sweet and less Perique in my opinion..
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planet Scott (66) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I was skeptical at first regarding the shag cut, even more so when I opened a tin. Think more like pencil shavings. It is a very thin/fine cut. I could only imagine it burning hot and fast. It's possible, however as it is easy to light and keep lit, it is also to gently sip to get the full tobacco flavor without the heat.
There is a significant pepper/spicy component within the grassy/hay Virginia. My skepticism was shot down as my concerns about the burn were put to rest. It's possible, with any blend to over puff, but you don't need to here. Further, the smoke itself is rather nice and complex with the peppery Perique.
I give it 3.7 stars.
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| LannarkGent (145) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This blend struck me as a very sophisticated blend. The flavore profile is somewhat unique, having Kentucky, Perique, mixed with both Red and Bright virginia. Penny farthing seems to reveal the most of its flavor in a bowl with a large diameter. In my chase, the pot was clearly the best pipe to smoke it in. The nature of the blend demands a cleaan pipe, and a slow sipping cadence, otherwise very little of the intrigue hidden within is revealed. The shag cut burns very well, and is easy to control. The red virginia is fully sweet, and less grassy then expected. There is the toasty and deep bbq notes from the darked fired Kentucky and the perique adds the hint of spiciness that really rounds outvthe blend.
That gets me to the slight disappointment-- the bright Virginias. The Bright virginia is a little harsh and the lemon/citrus notes have not been fully liberated and married to the Kentucky and Red Virginia notes as of yet. I would fully expect that to happen with a full year age figuring from now.
Continued smoking continues to release complex notes of figs,raisins, Cajun rub, and a number of others. This complexity continues to the end. I currently rate thiis at three stars with one year of age most likely making this a four star. That rating comes with the strong admonition to smoke this by sipping gently and slowly in a large bowled pipe.
Pipe Used: Jobey Laurel Pot, Savinelli Autograph 5 Canadian
Age When Smoked: upon release
Purchased From: Indian River Tobacco Traders
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Train (118) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
There is a difference between shag cut pipe tobacco and cigarette tobacco . The Penny Farthing cut is so fine that it is difficult to smoke in a pipe . Such a cut in a pipe burns fast and burns hot . The tin note and composition of the blend is promising with its Virginia- perique- combination but any flavor that might have been captured seems lost due to the burn . I found that it caused tongue bite and a really hot feeling in the mouth . I know that Greg Pease is a serious blender who strives for quality but I think that this one got away from him .
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Tim D (12) | |
Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This came recommended and as someone who enjoys shag was glad I bought it. A tad moist so dried for 15-20 minutes, a very nice smoke, can taste a mild sweetness and definitely spicy perique stands out. You definitely get a nic hit if you smoke quickly Which if sipped helps. I wouldn’t say it is a smoke for a beginner, but overall it is a very satisfying blend and bought 10 more tins as it’s a very well rounded smoke !
Pipe Used: Doran custom
Age When Smoked: 4 months
Purchased From: Smokingpipes
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Gerry P (39) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Went into the b&m looking for Elizabethan Mixture. They were out, so I picked this VA/Per instead. I wasn't expecting the same thing, and they aren't, but I was not disappointed.
Tin note: Raisinets, among other things. I could sit here all day smelling this stuff like Dennis Hopper with his gas tank in Blue Velvet. Outstanding.
I think the perique is the more fruity variety. The chocolaty flavor from the Kentucky adds a good amount of depth.
This will burn a little hot if you don't smoke it slowly, which is not an easy task considering how delicious it is.
Great stuff from an amazing blender who, based on my recent purchases of this and Spark Plug, is getting even better.
Pipe Used: Pete X105, MM Carolina Gent
Age When Smoked: 8 months
Purchased From: Mayan Import Co., Metairie LA
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| riobrew (80) | |
Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I enjoy VaPer a lot. But add the dark fired Kentucky like a Master and you're in another class. What a great and enjoyable smoke. But use caution because it is a strong nicotine blend. Stag cut demands you smoke slowly. Easy pack and light. Burns clean to ash. I compare this to a fine Havana cigar.
Pipe Used: Buckeye/Scott's pipe
Purchased From: Smokingpipes
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| raybrown55 (45) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Smelling the tobacco in the tin, immediately comes to mind a favorite of mine, Telegraph Hill, and smoking it I find also the same smooth taste; so it seems to me that it is Telegraph Hill with a bit of Kentucky added and then I think that, if you like Telegraph Hill and don't hate Kentucky, you should love Penny Farthing too. The shag cut is really unusual for me, it seems almost a RYO tobacco, but no worry: if you're not used to dry your tobaccos anyway, even when non needed, and don't puff too hard, it won't burn that fast and, packing a little more tightly than usual, your bowl will last enough to satisfy you.
Similar Blends: Telegraph Hill.
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Rustedrailsmokes (293) | |
Medium | None Detected | Full | Strong |
I think I might have found the perfect blend for my Radiator Pipes. The shag cut is not something I'd normally reach for as I think of the cut as being more for Roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes than for smoking.
The tin note is VaPer. The cut is a true shag and was the perfect moisture. It's easy to pack, just be careful not to over "tamp" it down so that it gets good airflow. Easy to light (doesn't even usually require a charring light) and easy burning.
No tongue bite even if pushed a little. Medium Nicotine content.
The perique is the star in most bowls being supported by the Kentucky which gives it some darkness. I find some sweet notes from the Virginias, but they are in the background.
Due to the cut, it wants to burn quick. It might be the perfect blend for commutes or even a lunch-time smoke. You can pack a medium sized bowl and get a good smoke which will last 20-30 mins.
I'll be stocking some of this in my rotation for those occasions.
Pipe Used: Radiator
Age When Smoked: Fresh from Tin
Purchased From: smokingpipes.com
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DragonBriars Josh (3) | |
Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is the perfect blend for all day summer sipping. This will be a great blend to just slow your roll with. The shag cut makes for a easy 1 match light with probably no relight. Immediately after lighting the show begins. First star of the show are the Virginia's. A well balanced ballet of hay and dried fruit. Then the supporting act brings a little spice and body. The dark fired and perique twirl around on the back side of the stage throughout the whole show. To me this is Sixpence lite shag cut. Very similar profiles, but with such complexity that they are completely different. I smoked this blend in quite a few different pipes and have narrowed it down to my 3 favorite styles. It basically comes down to your bowl size and depth. Reach for your deepest bowl that is 3/4" in diameter maximum. My 3 favorite pipes were a meerchaum billiard with a 3/4" diameter bowl at 1.5" deep, next pipe a very large deep cob, pipe 3 a briar stack straight billiard with a 3/4" bowl that is 2.25" deep. Whatever you smoke it in, the object is to barely keep it lit. Delights are fine. It just means you are doing your job. Great with iced tea, coffee, iced coffee, beer, whiskey.
Pipe Used: Dragon Briars, John Keller cob, meerchaum
Age When Smoked: fresh
Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com
Similar Blends: G L Pease Sixpence.
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stah (139) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
It's almost a classic virginia-perique type blend with a little Kentucky added in. The tin I opened had a production date of "November 12, 2020," so the tobacco had been lying around for a while.
Appearance: thin cut - shag, even brown in color without any flecks. It could easily be mistaken for cigarette tobacco. Moisture from the can - ready to use.
Flavor: Simple enough, even for a blend of this type. Grass, hay, figs, and a bit of citrus from the Virginia play along with the spice set from the perique, and a slight scent of nuts and cocoa gives away the presence of Kentucky. If it weren't for the perique, the blend could be mistaken for a cigarette blend.
Taste: very rich, but very simple. Hay, bread, and dried fruit are backed by plenty of perique, giving a rich peppery note mixed with coriander. Kentucky slightly softens the spiciness with a touch of chocolate. It doesn't bite, but it's pungent if you linger. The strength is medium. Nicotine kick almost certainly awaits lovers of large pipes. The blend does not change flavor throughout the smoke. Burns evenly and a little fast, as befits a shag, so can warm up a pipe to hot. Leaves almost no moisture in the bowl. The aftertaste is sweet and spicy, similar to the taste of paprika.
The smoke from the blend is sweet and spicy, light and pleasant, and quickly dissipates.
Bottom line: this tobacco will appeal to fans of virginia-perique blends and quick smoke breaks. It's hard to say anything else about it - just a good tobacco without any frills. In small pipes it's the best. I don't know what it will be like when aged, and I have no intention of buying it for that purpose.
Pipe Used: Peterson System 304
Age When Smoked: 2020
Purchased From: Online
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Lord Guyrox (24) | |
Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Tolerable |
The tin I opened was form the first batch produced. I was very disappointed to discover the tobacco was dry as bone, without any discernable tin note. Lighting up and afterward it was clear that things would not work. Despite being a shag cut and being dry as bone, there was no way I could keep it lit. When it also turned out the tobacco was flat in taste, I did not bother any further. If you are seeking a decent Shag Cut, look for some of the G & H offerings instead.
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cm1648 (107) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Prep: Perfect moisture
Tin note: spicy sweet, reminding me of Mexican watermelon candy with chili that I grew up around.
A more complex blend than I expected. The bright and red virginas bring the base sweetness, along with hay, some lemony citrus, and dark fruit notes. The Perique is raisiny and consistently peppery. The Kentucky isnt strong but is always evident, bringing an extra spiciness along with some earth and woody notes.
I found the sweetness similar to Elizabethan mixture, sans the kentucky addition. 8.5/10 A great Va/Per from G.L Pease.
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| THEM! (1) | |
Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Good to the last drop. This blend lights easily, stays lit and smokes without drama until there is simply none left. This is my first tin and I've been smoking it all through my work days. If I get carried away, for me anyway, it can give a pretty strong nicotine hit (another thing, besides the look of the cut, that it has in common with 5 Brothers). It's simply a tasty, mellow (and mellowing) smoke. I will be buying more.
11/24/19...I'm on my fifth tin and my opinion hasn't changed. I have found that it smokes best in my Falcon with a piece of pipe cleaner in the Humidome. If smoked too enthusiastically, it will give you a drink. As it says on the tin, it is best sipped and with the Falcon's roomy bowel, I have to set aside plenty of porch glider time. If you're sitting on the fence, go ahead and buy a tin. You will not regret it.
Pipe Used: clay/briar
Age When Smoked: new
Purchased From: Smoking Pipes
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stan (178) | |
Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Full | Pleasant |
Captivating blend. Spicy. Full mouth feel.
Shag yea. Pack firm. Puff slowly. Right moisture on dry side.
Citrus Va taste.
Reminds me of an old codger Va — Virginia Extra from LA. Too strong. This is not so, but full mouth feel.
If you don’t like some spicy Perique, don't be tempted. Could be a “Penny Deadful” to you then.
But to the rest of us a treat while hunting for a big foot.
A most unusual blend in Master Pease’s lineup. Smoked a full tin of course. Will grow on you.
Pipe Used: Modern kaywoodie
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: SPC
Similar Blends: Strafford, some D&R periques.
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScienceSmoker (60) | |
Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
In my experience, there is a remarkably sweet tin note right upon opening. It's fruity (a darker fruitiness), honey-like, or maybe maple or caramel-like with hints of chocolate. It's so sweet, I actually think there may be an added topping. I could just smell the tin for ages, it smells so amazing.
How it looks... Penny Farthing isn't a typical shag cut. When I think of shag-cut, I think of finely cut, long, ribbon style tobacco. Penny Farthing is more like a finely chopped flake or coarse tobacco. Still... I love it. I love most finely-cut tobacco, and seek out those blends. I find that finely cut blends tend to have a more uniform, well-blended flavor.
Upon lighting up, it's the naturally sweet Virginia's up front. Sweet and fruity. There is some tang and spice in the background, but mostly it's the really pleasant, high quality Virginia's at first. It's only about 1/3rd of the way through the pipe that the spicy Perique is really apparent, as are the complex sour tang and slight floral notes of the Kentucky. They add lots of richness and complexity and match with the Virginia sweetness and grassy notes perfectly. This is a masterfully blended tobacco.
I had zero tongue bite, although it can get hot. Shag, or any finely cut tobacco needs to be packed more tightly than most blends, and smoked a bit more slowly, in order to slow the burn rate and keep it cool. If you do that, this blend burns beautifully.
Bottom line: A brilliantly blended Va/per with a hint of Kentucky. I'm still not sure if there is a topping or not, but I strongly suspect there is a touch of something. And if not, it has the most naturally sweet Virginia's I've ever had. Either way, an outstandingly sweet, tangy, complex blend.
-=UPDATE=- I recently opened a 1.5 year old tin, and it seems aging does wonders for this blend. The tin note on this aged tin is much more chocolate-y, with an almost Nutella-like scent. Taste is smoother and much sweeter with a complex fruitiness. This is a top five blend. One of my absolute favorites. You need to try this blend aged.
Pipe Used: Georg Jensen Admiral
Age When Smoked: fresh
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Thepipehunter (43) | |
Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
From the tin, Penny Farthing is a finely cut shag. The tobacco is on the moist side, and I found it best to let it dry a bit. The tin aroma is hay that is on the sweeter side. There’s some grass, and bright citrus notes as well. The perique adds a plummy note to the nose, while the Kentucky has a pleasant smoky and woody aroma.
The Virginias are sweet with notes of freshly baked bread and hay. There is also citrusy nuances accompanied by lemon grass. The perique applied fairly heavily. There is a good amount of plums and black pepper. Its presence grows as the bowl progresses. The Kentucky adds a layer of complexity to the blend. It’s adds some campfire smoke, spice, wood, and earth. I know in Fillmore, another Pease VaPer, there is a touch of Latakia added (less then 3% I believe). It is interesting to see how Kentucky is used in this blend instead to add a bit of a smoky character and a added depth to the blend. It also helps merry the flavors of the Virginias and the Perique together. Overall, a fairly complex and nuanced VaPer. I believe this has good cellar potential, so I’ll be back in a few years to add to the changes time brings.
Penny Farthing, being a shag cut Virginia, can burn a little hot if puffed fast, and can sport a light ashy note. However I I never got tongue bite from this blend. It stays lit well, and leaves no moisture behind. The taste is full, and the Nicotine is a little past medium. Not an all day smoke, because of the complexity in the flavors, but certainly repeatable. 3.0 out of 4 stars.
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonius Blok (190) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
The cutting of this tobacco was a first for me. Coincidentally, a week later I opened a tin of Rimboché S.J., from D & R Tobacco, which came with a somewhat similar cut, although not as thin as this one. Penny Farthing's shag is so fine it looks like sawdust. This makes it burn noticeably faster, that if the smoke is hurried it can heat the pipe, and that in order not to lose the flavor it has to be smoked very slowly.
The cold aroma is, above all, vinegary, a product of the perique. The feel of the tobacco when loading the pipe is very pleasant. After lighting, the flavor is rich and the ingredients that make up the mixture are well appreciated, as long as the rule written above is followed. Kentucky comes and goes gaining prominence at times, and other times giving it to the perique and the virginias.
In short, it is an interesting mix as long as the smoker does his part, since you cannot smoke carelessly.
Age When Smoked: 1 year and 6 months
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuvoleazzurre (36) | |
Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
Apriamo questa latta dal sapore vintage.
Siamo di fronte ad un tabacco di un bel marrone, né scuro, né chiaro, sono presenti strisce rossastre, proprie dei virginia. L’umidità è giusta e taglio sottile, proprio dello Shag , non è un impedimento ad una carica immediata della pipa. I profumi a crudo sono intensi, ricchi; presenti note speziate.
Accesa la pipa il sapore che pervade è quello del Perique; un Perique di classefruttato e piccante nel contempo. I Virginia sono molto ben bilanciati, ma chi rende la miscela unica e particolare è il Kentucky col suo cuoio secco che rende “rurale” questa miscela che sarebbe poi diventata snob. E’ poco il Kentucky, ma quel poco che fa si tutta la fumata scivoli via con piacere e godimento. Poi consideriamo che siamo davanti ad un tabacco dalla forza media, tutto giorno, adatto anche a coloro che iniziano ad esplorare tabacchi un po' più complessi.
Unica accortezza: tende a surriscaldare e se capita la lingua piange di dolore.
Conclusione un gran tabacco (non importato in Italia), come nella linea della G. L. Pease. Voto finale 4,5/5 stelle.
Age When Smoked: 1
Purchased From: Tabaccheria Dubini, Chiasso, Svizzera
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JaWiBr (453) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Tin note of smoky, musty vegetation and pungent sour. Tobacco is a shag cut of reddish brown. Moisture content is great. Burns fast with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and moderately consistent, with notes of tart plums, spices, herbal floral, tangy citrus, sour fermented vegetation, toast, wood, mild barbecue smoke, rich earth, sugar, savory, zesty, orange peel, dry, spicy, a semi-sweet lemon grassy background note, and a peppery retro. Virginia is leading with Perique and Kentucky supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.
Pipe Used: Peterson Bard Rusticated 221 Fishtail
Age When Smoked: 4 months
Purchased From: smokingpipes.com
Nobody has rated this review yet.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiterarySmoker (143) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I nabbed this one because it sounded interesting and because I've been smoking more of the Gowaith and Hoggarth shag cuts recently and wanted to try it out. Coupled with the fact that I love VaPer's especially with a little condimental Kentucky in them I thought I'd like this too.
The tin is simple but interesting. When I open up tge tin I see a fine shag cut that's just a hair coarser than the G&H blends I've been smoking. It smells of barnyard, fall leaves, and Perique mustiness with a touch of Dark Fired spice. The shag is relatively dry right out of the tin but in my experience with this type of cut that's pretty normal. I stuff this in my pipe a little firmer than I would normally. It takes a light really well, and as with most shag cuts once it is lit it will generally stay lit until you're done.
Once it's lit the first thing I note is a little sweetness like the tin suggests. The flavor is slightly Perique heavy adding a slight plum to all the hay notes. The Dark Fired adds a little wood to everything else. As it is, this blend strikes me as pleasantly complex. It's a solid medium in terms of strength and taste for me, with the taste being slightly soft. Even dry this tobacco burns slow and is hard to heat it up too much. It tastes good with a cup of black coffee in the morning. I like this and would buy it again if I saw it in a shop.
Pipe Used: Savinelli St Nicholas 311KS
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: B&M
Nobody has rated this review yet.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon (82) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Unique blend with a beautiful tin art. Opening the tin and sticking my nose I get smoke, stout, fruity notes.
Smoking notes are similar to the tin note. Smoky and bit of sweet fruit comes through. Reminds me of many cigarettes I've smoked over the years. The Virginias are used as the base and taste likewise. They don't stand out so much. At the forefront is the Dark Fired Kentucky with its smokiness. However, it's not as pronounced as other DFK blends such as Old Dark Fired or Irish Flake. I would've believed if I was told that there is no Perique in this blend. However, knowing that it's there, I can taste some fermented dark fruit and just a whiff of mushroom. This special balance, where none of the ingredients really stands out and keeps it relatively mild, makes it as an easy-going smoke, which makes me hope that this blend would come in an 8oz tin.
Shag cut, burns quicker than most blends, but not as quick as some might think. It is a good choice for a short smoke, though. To get the most out of the flavor, however, it's recommended to smoke slow. The cut makes it very easy to smoke. Doesn't require relights or much thinking. Doesn't get hot, no tongue bite. Easy to pack. Good moisture from the tin. Flavor is fairly similar throughout the bowl.
Medium-full bodied, medium in strength
It is a very enjoyable blend which I return to from time to time. Great for someone transitioning from cigarettes and for anyone else who enjoys a balanced Virginia with a bit of a kick in an easy-going smoke. Fairly unique blend. Three stars.
Age When Smoked: 1 year
Nobody has rated this review yet.
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