G. L. Pease Stonehenge Flake

Lakeland overpowers this entire blend to me. Some people love Lakeland, while others do not. Just like some love aeromatics, and others do not. To each his own, but I do not enjoy them, and likewise, do not enjoy this blend. To my friend that posted "I do tire of newbie reviews..." - I notice that you spammed that review among all the tobacco sites. Either your work for the manufacturer, or you really should learn to be more creative. While I realize that this is a G&H collaborated blend, #1 - all descriptions of such blends note the Lakeland essence, #2 - No descriptions of this blend note similar essence, #3 - this is a collaboration, so I don't feel that it's too offbase to not expect it, and #4 - I personally feel that it has been left out to spur sales.

Dark colored very thin flakes with a tin aroma of a light Lakeland blend, and very earthy undertones. I struggled with folding, so ended up rubbing this out a bit. I actually tried different levels of rubbing out and settled on a light rub.

Unfortunately, no prep took away a seriously vexing problem I had with this blend. It sizzled my tongue from start to finish. It wasn't an all-out burning assault but it was most unpleasant. As a smoker of many aged Pease and aged G&H blends, I have no real idea what caused this disconnect. Clearly, this didn't require further aging! But it detracted from what could have been a pleasant experience, because the taste of this (what I could discern) was what I expected... a marriage of a light Lakeland essence with it's attendant burly sweetness a la G&H, with the robustness and full flavor of a Pease creation. Two of my favorite blenders - what could go wrong? A chemical imbalance with my palate, I guess. Talk about disappointment!

As I seem to be the only one with this issue, I can definitely recommend that G&H and Pease lovers give this a try if they find a tin reasonably priced. As someone who rates based on personal experience, however, this merits 2 stars. Great tasting but that tongue sizzle ruined it for me. My problem rather than the blend, so if this union interests you, by all means check it out.

So after trying and being disappointed by Haddo's and Black Frigate in the same smoking session, having had my expectations dashed twice in a row, I pulled out my last American-bought tin.

I thought if the other two were misses, this one can't be anything but a bullseye. Gawith manufactured VaPer, I reckoned it's hard to not be good.

Yet again was sorely disappointed.

Smells very faintly of cocoa from the tin. Flakes are chunky and thick, typical Gawith, and likely due to the time it had sat before I opened it have a light dusting of plume (whatever it may be).

Taste is again not there as the other two American tobaccos I had that weekend. Neither is strength. It's more like smoking a light cigarette. I don't get anything I know from Virginia, Perique, cocoa, or Lakeland. I don't get much at all to be honest.

Will keep the tin to give it more time than I gave all but two of the other C&D/GLP blends I smoked, only because it's made by Gawith, but know for sure that with the exception of Bayou Morning Flake I am not buying any C&D/GLP again. Their style just doesn't agree with me.

A somewhat disappointing blend I have to say. I never had the original but the new release is a semi aromatic (reminds me of Hyde Park, that Gawith Hoggarth makes for peterson). The cocoa is not all that mild. In fact it obscures a lot of the Virginia taste so what you have, really, is a very good and stronger version of Carter Hall. That said, its very tasty and the nic hit is almost medium. Its just that it isnt really as good as what Gawith does when they add casings. Let alone the G&H lakeland flakes and plugs. If you go this route why not smoke Rum Flake or Bosun Cut Plug. 2 and a half stars.

Review revised November, 2002. I was the recipient of a generous 3-pipe sample of this very-limited-edition tobacco at a pipe show, and was entranced by the idea of a GLP/Gawith combo, with Perique. After an uncharacteristic one bowl and a boatload of preconceptions, I declared this tobacco to be heaven-sent.

A few months later, I read that some ASPers don't think this stuff is so great. Impossible! So, I smoked another bowl, then my last bowl. Darn it, they're right. Stonehenge tastes like a subdued, slightly flat, GH Brown Flake. Nothing bad about it, just less good in most respects than BF. The Perique doesn't seem to work well either. Now, I'm obviously no Greg Pease, but this tendency of two good things creating one diminished thing is the usual result when I try to blend two tobaccos that I like (aromatic with McClelland VA, or FVF with Bright CR Flake, or so many other haphazard experiments).

The attempt was noble, but I don't begrudge the impermanence of this tobacco on the regular market. Each mfr has many finer blends that I prefer.

Preparation & Burn: 6/10 A bit moist. The flakes are fairly pliable though. Burns fairly cool, not much bite. A few more re-lights than I prefer.

Taste: 12/20 This is a decent blend, although a bit strong in taste. Has a floral essence. Nothing amazing compared to all the G&H Lakelands.

Mildness: 7/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better. Not much nicotine.

Total: 25/40

Stonehenge Flake is a very interesting take on a VA/Per. I am all over the map with the addition of "essence" to my tobacco's, and any flavoring for that matter. Let's just call it highly discriminating. It took me awhile to weigh in on this one. The tin note is, well, Cocoa Puffs (US chocolate kids breakfast cereal). I do get some grass and hay notes but once my memory rung cocoa puff's that is all I can smell. I like it, but it is odd from a mason jar bull of loosely packed flakes of tobacco. This tobacco needs some drying time and I have experimented with damp to dry (not cripy), and dry seems to be the best for me. I also find that it is best with an air pocket pack but does well with the 3 pinch method if I use the breath method of smoking. It can get hot and tend to bite if you puff too fast. For a VA/Per blend this is a bit light on Perique for me or maybe the added essence masks the flavors for me, even the trademark sting on the retrohale is barely noticeable. The flavor profile is very interesting. There is always the hint of chocolate, but almost barely noticeable. I found coffee to be the best beverage with this and it helps me taste the bready and slightly grassy Virginia's. Toasty burley comes out in this (and I have a hard time tasting burley in general in a blend). There is a citrusy flavor, subtle, that goes from lemony to grapefruit and back again. I also get a leathery, earthy flavor that is hard to pin down but I like very much. Due to the temperamental nature of the blend and my desire for more perique, I give it 2.5 stars, but I could see this ranked higher by others. A very enjoyable smoke.

I'm a big fan of Pease tobaccos, but this one isn't among them.

The cocoa and Lakeland " flavorings" dominate and really detract from the actual tobaccos; Burley, Perique and Virginia. A very definite floral aroma is present, and when combined with the noticeable cocoa aroma, produces an odd and confusing smoking experience.

I agree with some of the review points below by Ehrling and drbarryk. I'll stick with Pease Union Square and Fillmore, and with Haddo's Delight if I want a VA with some sort of enhancement from its Cavendish component.

Update April 2019. Much more acceptable after letting an open tin rest for 8 weeks. It's grown on me, so I upped the star rating. The Lakeland impression has diminished and the cocoa too. I can now enjoy it, but it's certainly not in my top end rotation.

A quite flavourful, dark mixture, tangy at times. I generally dislike artificially flavoured pipe tobaccos. This one is supposed to contain cocoa and chocolate, but I cannot find it. There is definitely abundant artificial flavour around, but I cannot identify it. I find, it covers up a lot of the natural tobacco flavours. Not my cup of tea. If you like Aromatics it might me for you.