G. L. Pease Piccadilly
(3.12)
Picadilly is a provocative blend of several Virginia tobaccos, delicately spiced with latakia, and finished with Louisiana perique. The alluring flavor is revealed in layers throughout the smoke. It's lighter and sweeter than the others, but still rich, with hints of cinnamon and citrus. A perfect "English Breakfast Mixture."
Notes: Piccadilly was released in March, 2003
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | Classic Collection |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 2 ounce tin, 8 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.12 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 15 of 15 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2005 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Having tried all of GLP ordinary blends, I decided to start tasting his Classic Collection by its lightest offering: the description is dead accurate, as there's just a sprinkle of Latakia and no orientals here. Well, I can't comment on the quality of the tobacco (certainly high, and moisture level is perfect, guaranteeing a great burn rate), but it's not exactly my stuff. While delicate and with a subtly complex flavor, this blend does not appeal to me very much (making it the less interesting for me of Greg's Latakia blends): the Virginias are never very sweet (quite grassy instead, if I may say, but it might be because my tin was too fresh), and the Latakia is not very bold (though clearly perceivable). I am smoking it right now in a Dunhill Shell Pot which has only seen strongish Latakia blends, and the taste is rather bland. I also perceive some slight spiciness due to the Perique which in an English blend leaves me puzzled. It probably has some aging potential, but I won't smoke much of this in future. If I had to find a similar blend, I could think of some of Samuel Gawith's or Rattray's lighter Latakia mixtures. Anyway further bowls in an Ashton lovat brought out some nice nuttiness and killed of the grassiness: for me it's still too much of a delicate EM, but to be fair you can't find much better in this genre (and it's growing on me so the rating may eventually improve in time!).
UPDATE May 2005: I opened a tin which was aged for two years, and the tobacco has truly improved. Much more tasty, both on the Latakia (toastier and nuttier) and on the Virginia (less grassy, sweeter). This tin was from the same batch of my first and slightly disappointing one, so this isn't due to batch variation: maturation in the tin was the only responsible of such a great improvement! A nice, lighter EM, which is truly good to smoke in the morning in a small bowl. Similar to Dunhill EMP, but never as heavy or cloying. I am almost tempted to raise my rating to three stars!
UPDATE May 2005: I opened a tin which was aged for two years, and the tobacco has truly improved. Much more tasty, both on the Latakia (toastier and nuttier) and on the Virginia (less grassy, sweeter). This tin was from the same batch of my first and slightly disappointing one, so this isn't due to batch variation: maturation in the tin was the only responsible of such a great improvement! A nice, lighter EM, which is truly good to smoke in the morning in a small bowl. Similar to Dunhill EMP, but never as heavy or cloying. I am almost tempted to raise my rating to three stars!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 29, 2004 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The tin I am sampling is almost two years old prior to opening.
This mostly blond and light brown blend is speckled lightly with Latakia and Perique. The cut is very fine, small pieces- almost like whole coffee beans ground by "pulsing" once or twice. The cut requires care to not overpack, thus potentially causing heat and moisture in excess.
In smoking, there is a tanginess and just a hint of Perique's presence, which keeps this from being as sweet as its lighter tones might promise.
Piccadilly has a bright, plucky, almost grassy flavor, and some of the bitterness I noted in my review of Blackpoint. The tanginess and bitter notes are hard for me to explain without Orientals (which I think are there despite lack of mention on the tin).
It is a score for the pianissimo, piccolo, flute, and tenor brass. Not much in deep, broad flavors associated with fuller English blends.
Lighting, burning and smoking properties are indicative of a quality concoction. The flavor demands repeated bowlfuls, but be careful to puff gently, use a large pipe and do not overpack the bowl or your tongue will suffer.
This mostly blond and light brown blend is speckled lightly with Latakia and Perique. The cut is very fine, small pieces- almost like whole coffee beans ground by "pulsing" once or twice. The cut requires care to not overpack, thus potentially causing heat and moisture in excess.
In smoking, there is a tanginess and just a hint of Perique's presence, which keeps this from being as sweet as its lighter tones might promise.
Piccadilly has a bright, plucky, almost grassy flavor, and some of the bitterness I noted in my review of Blackpoint. The tanginess and bitter notes are hard for me to explain without Orientals (which I think are there despite lack of mention on the tin).
It is a score for the pianissimo, piccolo, flute, and tenor brass. Not much in deep, broad flavors associated with fuller English blends.
Lighting, burning and smoking properties are indicative of a quality concoction. The flavor demands repeated bowlfuls, but be careful to puff gently, use a large pipe and do not overpack the bowl or your tongue will suffer.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 21, 2004 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
A fine blend, but too Virginia-heavy for my tastes. I prefer when Mr. Pease gets ham-handed with the Latakia, rather than his ?delicate? application of it here, as the description notes. Great for Virginia smokers who want a blend with a light touch of Latakia just to mix things up a little bit, but ultimately unsatisfying to Latakia-lovers like myself. If you are a fan of Early Morning Pipe, I suspect you will love Piccadilly. Personally, I?ll stick to some of the many other outstanding mixes made by Pease.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 17, 2004 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Piccadilly is an intriguing tobacco. Mostly bright Va?s with flecks of darker leaf here and there. I found a mixture of ribbon and fine cut pieces.
According to the tin, some of those dark flecks were Latakia. The tin aroma suggested Latakia. The flavor was more like an essence of Latakia. If you are considering this blend, but are put off by the idea of Latakia, don?t let that stop you. After the charring light, you may not even remember it?s there, because it stays well into the background providing a low-note base for the Virginias.
The Perique is ever-present, but well in the background. The Va leaf is most definitely the star of this show. The complexity of the Va is simply amazing. Every puff brings a new taste sensation. Subtle sweetness is intermingled with citrus-like nuances in a way that keeps you looking forward to the next puff.
Piccadilly burns well right to the bottom of the bowl, and in my most unforgiving briar I only had to use a pipe cleaner on a few rare occasions. As you reach the bottom, the Perique pops out for a little finale.
I tried DGT with Piccadilly a few times, ranging from 2 to 12 hours. At lower DGT times the overall flavor picks up a notch, and at 12 hours the Va becomes much bolder, but at the expense of the subtleties.
If it were possible to pull me away from my full English, Latakia-laden blends like Raven's Wing and convert me to Va?s on a regular basis, Piccadilly would be the best candidate for the task. While I appreciate the flavors the and superior qualities of this blend, it will not be something I smoke regularly. Based upon the rating criteria we use here, I have to give this blend only two stars, because I very well might try it again ? but I will not keep this wonderful blend on hand. It just isn?t the style I prefer. So, two stars ? but one of the finest two-star tobaccos you?ll ever run across.
According to the tin, some of those dark flecks were Latakia. The tin aroma suggested Latakia. The flavor was more like an essence of Latakia. If you are considering this blend, but are put off by the idea of Latakia, don?t let that stop you. After the charring light, you may not even remember it?s there, because it stays well into the background providing a low-note base for the Virginias.
The Perique is ever-present, but well in the background. The Va leaf is most definitely the star of this show. The complexity of the Va is simply amazing. Every puff brings a new taste sensation. Subtle sweetness is intermingled with citrus-like nuances in a way that keeps you looking forward to the next puff.
Piccadilly burns well right to the bottom of the bowl, and in my most unforgiving briar I only had to use a pipe cleaner on a few rare occasions. As you reach the bottom, the Perique pops out for a little finale.
I tried DGT with Piccadilly a few times, ranging from 2 to 12 hours. At lower DGT times the overall flavor picks up a notch, and at 12 hours the Va becomes much bolder, but at the expense of the subtleties.
If it were possible to pull me away from my full English, Latakia-laden blends like Raven's Wing and convert me to Va?s on a regular basis, Piccadilly would be the best candidate for the task. While I appreciate the flavors the and superior qualities of this blend, it will not be something I smoke regularly. Based upon the rating criteria we use here, I have to give this blend only two stars, because I very well might try it again ? but I will not keep this wonderful blend on hand. It just isn?t the style I prefer. So, two stars ? but one of the finest two-star tobaccos you?ll ever run across.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 21, 2003 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Tolerable |
Piccadilly, for me, is a very light smoke with a neutral, nearly tasteless base, overweighted sometimes with Perique and other times with a bitter edge that I took to be Orientals. Since no Orientals are listed in the ingredients, I am at a loss to explain the bitter edge that comes and goes as you make your way down the bowl. Piccadilly smokes well, to a fine, dry, gray-and-white ash. It just doesn't do much for me. I can think of any number of other "breakfast blends" that I prefer. This blend may improve with aging (my tin is about six months old), but it doesn't strike me now as on a par with Greg Pease's best work, which I take to be Renaissance, Cairo, and Caravan.
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