G. L. Pease Piccadilly

Piccadilly, as noted, is one of the original blends in the G.L. Pease Classic Collection, along with Blackpoint, Charing Cross, and Kensington. Of these four, Piccadilly was the lightest, though to me it seemed a close cousin to Blackpoint, the same riffs in the higher register, the same contribution from the Perique throughout.

I have read many reviews comparing Piccadilly to Dunhill's Early Morning Pipe, and if the Latakia content is the sole criterion, the comparison is fair. Apart from that, these blends could not be more different. EMP is far more reliant on the Oriental component than Piccadilly, which derives its unique qualities from the combination of Virginias in the blend and their interplay with the Perique.

Pipe selection matters a lot in the taste and enjoyment of many blends. In a small Sasieni, the grassy notes of the pale Virginia component are quite noticeable. In a large Dunhill billiard, this is muted by the other tobaccos raising their heads from the start. In a tobacco mixture with as many subtleties as Piccadilly, I would recommend a larger bowl to open-up the blend sooner. This will happily not cost any loss of nuance and change as one makes his way through the smoke; there are surprises aplenty.

This is described as "the perfect English breakfast smoke." Not for me; no matter how little Latakia there might be in a blend, it does not sit well with me until after lunch. In the morning, I stick to my favorite Burleys.

The can used for this review is 19-months-old, wonderfully improved from the fresh can I smoked in 2003. A couple of years should only make it even better.

Refreshing, surprising, smooth...Four out of four stars.

I have to admit, that I was prepared to dislike Piccadilly. I didn't like the name, and I generally don't like lighter blends because they can end up tasting and smelling bland. Not so with this blend! I think this tin is dated 2003, but it's hard to tell because the stampings are always so faint on GLP's tins. The smell in tin is light, but delicious and rich. Others have described the look and feel, so I'll not repeat their observations. The tobacco is at the perfect hydration for firing up, and wow, was I rewarded from the very first bowl for doing so. This blend possesses a rare harmony of tastes and textures. There's a clear Virginia base here, but it combines beautifully with the small amount of latakia and perique in the blend. Piccadilly is the model of sophistication in a pipe blend. As you can tell, I was completely won over by GLP on this one because I came into the experience expecting flat, hot air. What I got was a great viognier experience.

This is one blend I was hesitant to review due to my preference for "fuller" flavored tobacs, but after a tin, I am hooked. Upon opening of the tin, you are greeted by mostly bright leaf with an occasional speck of black. The tin aroma is a delicious smoky-sweet raisin aroma. Moisture is perfect and packing and lighting is a breeze. Initial flavor is of sweet virginia with the occassional flavor of the latakia coming through. The perique is sensed more than it is tasted. This is a perfect morning blend that can be smoked back to back without tongue-bite or flavor overload. For being a lighter blend, it still has a complexity that keeps you interested. Greg has used different types of virginia leaves in this blend and the "layering" can definitely be noticed as you smoke. There is not much of a building of strength as you finish the bowl and I have found myself suprised many times that I was finished with just powdery dry ash left! While this blend is not my main staple, I find myself reaching for it in the mornings quite often. Another winner. Rating 4 out of 5 points Enjoy...

G. L. Pease -Piccadilly (Classic Collection).

Having smoked the final bowl of a new favourite English, Charatan Eventide, I wanted another English for my morning smoke. So, after looking through my stash, seeing this is supposedly a 'Perfect English Breakfast Mixture', and noting all the high recommendations, I figured this was the blend to fit the slot. I'm happy I chose this.

Tan ribbons with a few lighter and darker pieces thrown in. My tin had a perfect moisture content and the aroma's one of a milder English.

The smoke? What a smoke! There's just enough Latakia to make it a definite English but the Lat' doesn't seem tumultuous, or out of hand. The Virginia calms any excess vibrancy the Lat' might have and smooths the smoke with a subtle sweetness. The Perique gives the smoke a final touch of class; easy to identify, but it isn't a spicy mess. I find the burn can't be faulted and there's no bite to be had.

Nicotine: medium. Room-note: not the best but when a blend tastes this good I couldn't care less about the 'note!

Piccadilly? Easy, four stars:

Highly recommended.

What a delightful smoke! The Virginias are complex with high quality reds, brights, and blonds. The flavor has sweetness, that is playfully enhanced with the wonderful interplay of the Lousiana Perique and a Latakia that had a touch of sweetness. The flavor begins when one first lights up. All of this flavor, the enhancements of citrus notes and a persistent nuttiness completely fill the bill for me. Four stars, and I will never be without this blend.The

The Continuing Adventure of the Holy Trinity: Virginia, Perique, and Latakia.

Having fallen in love with C&D Buffalo Soldier, I had to try Pease's Piccadilly. How were these blends going to be different and which one was Going to be Superior. Same blending house. Same tobaccos? I think not.

Upon opening the tin of Piccadilly, I was granted a slightly different tin note than Buffalo Soldier. Piccadilly was sweeter(Bright Virginias) with a slight mushroomy sourness, with smokey BBQ. Buffalo Soldier being more sour than Piccadilly.

First light, is Gaslight grade Latakia. Where Buffalo Soldier is tangy perique and soft red Virginia. The Latakia in Piccadilly is not from the same source as the Lat. in Buffalo soldier. The first 3rd of Piccadilly is nice Gaslight Latakia leaf transforming into bright Virginia's with hints of honeysuckle, cinnamon and cardomin spice. The perique slides around in second gear, lending a nice mushroom sourness, waving in and out throughout the rest of the bowl.

The bright Virginias and a bit more Latakia make Piccadilly slightly different than Buffalo Soldier. Although, essentially both blends have the same flavors and are on the same team. The flavor that I couldn't put my finger on with Buffalo Soldier was a musky cinnamon, that has deeper tangy complexities, if you take your time. The Latakia is better in Piccadilly but the red Virginia's and perique are better in Buffalo Soldier.

I like Buffalo Soldier better in only that the perique shines and the Latakia really takes a back seat. But not always. Which makes it a fun ride.

I guess the main difference are Do you like your perique at the beginning of the bowl? Fading into a spicy Virginia. Or do you like your perique fading in half way through, to the end? Personally, I like perique asserting itself right up front.

I must admit that I have only had two bowls of Piccadilly verses a whole tin of Buffalo Soldier. I couldn't wait to do the review. I could tell the differences immediately. Which is a good thing, I'm gaining some experience.

If your looking for nicotine, both of these blends deliver.

I'll update if something changes.

The Lat and Per and modestly used making the a lovely light blend and beautifully balanced. Another stellar performance by GLP.

Pease Pilgrimage Reviews (a tasting journey through every GLPease blend) Tin date: May, 2010

Many of you are familiar with the operatic tune "La Donna Mobile." Although Luciano Pavarotti's version is likely better known, I am particularly fond of Andrea Bocelli's rendition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmTJ0bUG8mo

But what many may not realize is that the English translation goes as follows:

This woman is flighty Like a feather in the wind, She changes her voice — and her mind. Always sweet, Pretty face, In tears or in laughter, — she is always lying.

In defense of you pipe smoking women, I am not making a statement regarding the truth or falsehood of these lyrics. I am only pointing out that the first few bowls of GLPease's Piccadilly fit this description. However, this is one of those true sleeper blends that has really grown on me as I get to know it better.

Fickle as Pavarotti's flighty woman, Piccadilly has nevertheless begun behaving itself to the point that I have come to really appreciate it. It's a strange blend to me in that I could swear I taste a significant Oriental character, but the tin description states otherwise: "Piccadilly is a provocative blend of several Virginia tobaccos, delicately spiced with Latakia, and finished with Louisiana perique." This blend requires the right pipe and good technique, which bring out some fantastic flavors and nuance.

The Latakia is very light when visually inspecting the leaves, but comes across a little stronger than expected in the flavor. However, it always remains far in the background. The Perique is not all that noticeable, unless it's what gives that Oriental-esque character in the absence of Oriental leaf. There is toastiness, there is some good Virginia sweetness not unlike that found in Union Square, and the faint smokiness of the Latakia balances the rest perfectly. This might just be a genius blend. Time will tell as I gain more experience with it and age a couple tins.

What began as a two and a half star blend for me may very well become four stars, especially with some age. Perhaps Bocelli is correct in concluding:

"Yet one never feels Fully happy Who on that bosom — does not drink love!"

This is perhaps one of the most unique pipe tobacco blends I've ever encountered. Mr. Pease's mention of citrus & cinnamon on the tin ring very true. There's almost a note of leomony orange with a cinnamon/cardamom note. You'd almost think it was flavored, but upon more careful tasting, you realize this is simply a master blender at work. My tin dates from 4/8/04 and it did seem quite dry to the touch, almost a papier-mâché like texture, but it burns well, i.e. not too fast and reveals a nice not too dry moisture. frankly, I'd say that the perique here is much stronger than the latakia, though both sort of synergize to spice the predominant VAs, which are quite rich & wonderful.

Update 11/16/16: I've recently opened a tin from July 2007 and am flabbergasted at how much better this blend has become and it was fantastic when I've smoked relatively fresh tins. The component tobaccos have melded into perfection. The VAs predominate, but the latakia and perique are less distinct from one another than a hybrid flavor. I'm a big fan of many blends, especially others of Mr. Pease and of the classic Dunhills, but I think Piccadilly could be my favorite blend at the moment.