G. L. Pease Cumberland

I had a bit of trouble when I first opened this. I experienced a lot of tongue bite and ashy taste. However, the initial flavor was good, so I stuck with it. I think, in retrospect, that my problem was that I was thinking of this as a burley blend rather than a Virginia, and was smoking it too fast. I have now settled into a smoking pace with this and have been rewarded. Additionally, I have finally settled into the idea that I am unsatisfied with any tobacco during the first 2-4 weeks after initially opening the tin.

The flavor of this tobacco is very good, with the red virginia dominating. The burley provides a depth across the middle section of the palate as well as body. The perique provides a nice fruity sense in companionship with the VA resulting in a nice all around smoke.

This does require some care in packing to prevent an ashy taste in the bottom of the bowl, which I find true also of Haddo?s and Cairo. However, the attention is well rewarded in terms of the flavor. It responds nicely to DGT.

This is a bit stronger than I normally care for, but I am a bit of a nico-wimp.

Overall: Flavorful, strong, and requires a bit of patience in airing, packing, and smoking pace.

October 2002, updated November 2002

Today caps the 10th bowl that I have sampled of G.L. Pease's newest blend, "Cumberland". Cumberland represents the Company's 10th entry into the market (excluding limited edition blends), the fourth in a little over a years time. For a company with one "Chef in the Kitchen"... that's a hell of a lot. So much so that I can't help get the feeling that a tumble is coming up, that the man is due for a stinker. Thus far it hasn't happened. I'll state that some of his tobaccos aren't in my rotation, Mephisto and Cairo come to mind. But not because they aren't well made, they just don't fit any of the holes that I perceive I have in my lineup. When I first heard about Cumberland, I had some high hopes (American Blender, American Tobaccos) and some trepidation. Va/ perique blends are very easy to "screw the pooch" on. At their best, they are tangy, sweet, nuanced and satisfying. At their worst, they'll make you regret that you didn't buy stock in Biotene Mouthwash. The following review is an amalgamation of 5 different smokes, and notes taken during. Any anomaly that didn't appear twice, I tossed out, assuming I was just having a flashback to the days when I was possessed by the Spirit of Lillian Gish.

Packaging 2 oz. Tin, Gray/ White paper Blue characters and accents. Tobacco appearance and fragrance: Fairly uniform in color, medium brown, reddish brown, and Mahogany, with several different tobaccos evident, even upon cursory inspection. Tin fragrance is rich hitting primarily middle and upper olfactory registers, without any of the Acetic tones found in many American produced Va blends. At the very top of the melange of scent is the tiniest hint (hint!) of juicy fruit and raisin. The cut of the blend is interesting, and makes it easier to pick out the components. If you are a stickler for an exact ribbon cut look elsewhere, but if the tin aroma is any indication, the loss will be yours. Good moisture content, a smidge on the moist side, if I had to pick a direction. Packs great. Miles Davis "Sketches of Spain" on the stereo..... let's rock. Flame touches weed freeing a wonderful, round smoke. At first glance it's all here. Elements of sweet toast and nuts. Tangy, date like flavor without any hints of the sour that, at times, can be associated with that aspect of taste. Va is the dominant taste coming through... but there's so much more. The Kentucky registers on the mid and back palate, perique taking to the air, adding a dash of pepper. A constant subdued, swirling parfait. Taken both on the fresh, as well as the jaded palate, the smoothness is undeniable, the fullness unmistakable. The tobaccos are newly acquainted ones, to be sure, but the 20 year old Kentucky provides a harmonious bridge between the strangers. I can't wait to see what this is like in as little as a year of marriage. Mid bowl, none of the of those elements seem to be going anywhere, they're happy to be here. Nicotine is here, well represented. Not a jagged shrill presence, more like an IV drip. This blend while full, is very inhaleable, so if you tend to such things, take it slow. End bowl, burning exceedingly well, one relight at about 3/4 down, seems to be about the norm. The Aspect of dates has faded, with the flavor of nuts taking the forefront. I'm not much of an "end bowl" guy, but there's something here that makes me want to keep it rolling till there ain't no more. Summary: If Va is your thing, I think you'll find this the best G.L. Pease ever. If you have been put off by most American Va/ Periques, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot. I give this one an unqualified recommendation. 9 out of 10 Bearclaws.

-- Bear Graves

A few things need said first. If you are new to pipe smoking, and have little experience with tobacco. This is the wrong blend. You will not appreciate it, and you will not understand the comments made about this tobacco by seasoned smokers. However if you are a lover of Virginia perique blends, you will enjoy this tremendously. If you are a person who really does enjoy good cigars, and understands them. You may enjoy this blend

I believe Virginia/perique smokers are a small minority of pipe smokers. I think a lot of other pipe smokers put up with vapors and try to sing along, but I don't think they really "get it".

This is indeed an excellent vapor. (Vapor =Virginia perique blend). Even though the perique is not overused, it is right there in the center. Not only that, it is so noticeable that you can safely say they used very good perique. Fruity, peppery, all the normal things that YouTube pipe reviewers rattle off. (Most have no idea what they're talking about and are simply posers). If you really appreciate perique anyway that is noticeable but not overpowering. This is it. The virginias are also quite good. But the Kentucky is what makes this a big boy blend. It adds the aftertaste and a background flavor that reminds you of strong tobaccos of yesterday. I don't think this blend is as complex as other reviewers say. I think it has three main components, and three things going on at any given time. It does remind me of Dunhill Elizabethan, but stronger. Hado's delight? Possibly. This is not a big full very smooth smoke. It's got some rough edges for sure. But there is a group of smokers that really desire that in a tobacco. It really does have a cigar flavor, minus the connecticut shade wrapper. In my own words I would say it has a dry flavor. Which is not uncommon in vapors. But in this one it could easily be mistaken for harshness. I found no tongue bite and I found that it does not burn at an especially high temperature. If you're getting tongue bite, you're doing it wrong.

Here's how you smoke a vapor. Keep it lit. Clinch it between your teeth so that the mouthpiece points towards the roof of your mouth. Puff very gently out of the opposite corner of your mouth. Do not hold the pipe in your hand, keep it clenched out the side of your jaw. This will help you regulate very well. Never pull large mouthfuls of smoke. Never puff up a great smoke cloud. It's not only numbs your palate, it also raises the temperature of the tobacco in the pipe and totally destroys the good flavor. Vapors taste best and smoked very gently from a pipe that is almost going out.

Final thoughts. I smoked this tobacco a bit, but I have found myself wishing I had smoked something different. It's not a bowl dumper. I did enjoy it some. I guess I prefer an American smoke to be more rounded and smooth. A little more tamed. A little more luxurious. 5 years of aging might do absolute wonders for this smoke. So for some perspective about myself. My favorite non-english blends blends from Mr Pease are triple play and Stonehenge flake. Cumberland for me simply isn't as enjoyable. But I will keep working with it.

I had a lot of expectations given the comments on the web and I tried it for several smokes with different pipes, including meershaum. The aroma is nice and reveals clearly the presence of Kentucky.

The moisture level was correct.

The nicotine is well visible although not at top levels.

However the virginia disappears against the Kentucky and Perique. At the end each smoke was harsh, quite bitter and acrid.

I tried with smaller pipes and also with meershaum pipes that tend to smooth the stronger blends, but the result was always the same. Unpleasant.

It is plainly a well done manufacture, but I do not like it.

I tried other blends similar to this one. For example the Lakeland and the Bracken flake from Samuel Gawith and they had a quite pleasant side, although not so straight forward. But this Cumberland could not be resolved.

Nice red brown and dark brown tobaccos, in fine ribbon cut. The tin aroma is earthy, sweet, fruity, woodsy, fermented and of course I get hay. I get just a wisp of vinegar too, may be the perique is responsible.

Once lit Cumberland burns cool and its strength is noticeable. The Virginias red and matured are the base components and are always in front, with sweet, fruity, earthy, hay flavors. The Dark Fired Kentucky makes his presence very noticeable more woodsy and earthy than nutty, a little bit toasted, and it’s more than just a condiment. DFK presence is evident through all the smoking experience. The Perique is also evident but a condiment; it adds a pepper and some little plum/figs flavors here and there. Cumberland produces an abundant thick smoke also creamy, sometimes a little bit acid. Half way down de bowl the perique is more evident, and the smoke turns more piquant and a little vinegary/ acidic. To me it’s a medium to strong tobacco, in strength and in flavor, and has a medium nicotine level. It pares well with black coffee. Room aroma is tolerable, beard note it´s ok. I recommend comparing it with Rattray´s Old Gowrie, the have some similarities, and differences, but kind of the same alley smoking experience.

Cumberland has fairly faint aroma from the tin. I notice the hard cider note that seems fairly common from the Virginias, but the Kentucky and Perique mellow it out and add more of an earthy, toasty note. The tobacco itself is dry enough to be smoked right away as well.

Right away I notice a very strange room note that took me a while to figure out. The best way to describe the smell is tartar sauce. The odd smell of the lit tobacco doesn’t take away from the flavor and luckily I don’t taste any tartar sauce or similar flavors while smoking it. I do get some earthy spice, floral, and toast though. On the retrohale the floral turns more fruity and the spice is a bit more pronounced.

Cumberland burns quite well and only required a few relights. The slightly above medium strength make it more of an afternoon smoke as well.

This is a delightful Dark fired Kentucky blend. The flavor is fine ,the nic hit is in line for a Kentucky blend. The flavor is complex and full with a little playfulness from other components. The flavor is full and robust. I love the room note, but non smokers might be put off by it. I found it a delightful smoke for those who like Kentucky blends. 4 stars for me.

Tobacco of excellent quality.

But I tend to agree with most people here, Cumberland is a bit drab.

Quite possibly if I smoked one pipe per week, then Cumberland would be deeply satisfying.

Starts up somewhat flat and muddled in flavor delivery and strength. Then smooths out to good tobacco flavors, medium strength and flavor. Always a hint of sweetness present, with the Virginias and burley weaving in and out as a predominant flavor. Perique hits as a subtle hint on the exhale. Retrohale has a pepper note. Quite a pleasant experience. Stays lit well, with a consistent burn. A solid 3 star blend, with very good tobaccos.