G. L. Pease Stratford

I first smoked a sample of this at the Chicago Pipe Show this year, and loved it immediately. It does arrive a bit moist so a little drying out helps it. I have now smoked little over 50g and it has me hooked. It is a very light Virginia, mostly yellow and gold with dark flecks of what I take to be the Perique. I would place this blend in the same genre as C&D Three Friars and Bayou Morning in the way it is constucted. There is very little tin aroma, an almost imperceptible smell of some sort of fermentation which reminded me of wine vinegar. It is fluffy and takes a firm pack. The smoke is mild with unique flavor. I think it is the preparation of the Virginias that is the key. The Va. in this blend in combination with the very restrained application of Perique produce a truly distinctive flavor. This tobacco did not bite me, but I think it could if the smoker became agressive. This is the sort of smoke that can be taken in sips and yet provide lots of flavor. Stratford never moves into the Perique zone where it dominates. The Perique remains part of the orchestra and never takes a solo, although occasionally a bright Perique note will burst through. Most highly recommended. Paddy.

This is what I consider an everyday Va/per. The red Virginias seem to be the main component of G.L.Pease's Stratford and carry earthy and sweet flavors and less grassy and citrus notes than Escudo or Dunhill DLNR. The perique tastes of raisins with only a little spice. The flavors merge well into a well-balanced va/per. The ribbon cut is nicely uniform, packs easily, and smokes evenly. The nicotine is noticeable but not overwhelming, as with many blends with red Virginias from C&D. There are some sharp edges to the smoke when only a few months after being manufactured, which is the only reason why Stratford doesn't get fours stars from me.

**Update** I picked this up after about a ear of it sitting in the tin, and I now really appreciate this blend. Its pretty great. Subtle and sweet. The perique adds complexity to the blend while remaining in the background. Great Smoke!



I'm not really feeling this one. It has some sweetness and is a little peppery at times, but just not so appealing to me. Maybe because I usually don't smoke vapers, i don't know. To me it just doesn't have much flavor. I used to like it. This was the first tin of tobacco i have ever tried and before i discovered English blends, or even other vapers i really liked it. Now it just doesnt do a thing for me. I do like haddos delight on occasion, which has much more perique, but i don't know. It isn't the lack of perique in this blend that makes it bland to me its just the over all flavor. In fact i wouldn't even say there is a lack of perique in this blend, i think there's a perfect amount. I rarely smoke vapers but as of right now i think when i do ill stick with my tin of dunhill navy rolls, then i probably wont buy another vaper for a long while.

Stratford is another great tobacco from GLPease and a very fine VaPer, one which pleases me every time I smoke it but that hardly makes me zone. Even when I tend to prefer darker Virginias, I like Stratford with its lemon dose better than the all-red Fillmore. Perique is also more noticeable, sometimes getting a bit overwhelming.

A solid 3-stars, maybe I'll upgrade it after more tins.

A good VaPer and one which fits into the Telegraph Hill, Montgomery, and Haddo's family well. There are many similarities to Montgomery except the high notes are more pronounced. Slight citrus and lemon overtones with only a hint of perique. Here perique is used rather sparingly and adds just enough pep for an enjoyable smoke. Less fruity than the other mentioned above, but this is not a bad thing.

aj

I tried several Vaper blends, but Straford impress me most, or to say it fits me most. After three tins were tried, a very very big freehand was assigned for Straford exclusively, and it works well in the right way.

Perique produces nice flavor from top to the bottom, and Virginia tastes sweety at the beginning, then mild and peaceful. I found it's not like other tobacco I tried, it can be smoked till the real bottom of the bowl, to finish all, while the taste did not change too much. That's why I did NOT realize it's finished until it turned off.

I'll come back with my experience later, when I try more into details. Enjoy your Straford!

The can just sat on the tobacoonist's shelf and never moved. No one seemed to know it. I pulled the orphan off and rescued it. Found a new friend. It is now a regular.

The smoke reminds me of why we all started smoking a pipe. A halcyon joy to smoke. It has a clean tobacco taste with no gloppy flavors added. It is pure tobacco that is blended so well.

It lights quite easily and burns with delight. In fact it burns too well. Use a large bowl this rascal escapes to the gods too quickly.

The Virginia and perique combination is exquisite, but watch it. On an empty tummy this has enough zip to give you the hiccups.

This tobacco reminds me of a slightly milder version of Haddo's. The Perique makes its' presence known from the rim to the bottom of the bowl with a spicy, sometimes peppery note. A subtle sweetness from the Virginias contrasts nicely with the spicy notes. Packing, lighting, and burn are all good. My wife only gives the room note a so-so rating, however she just quit smoking (cigarettes) and has been giving tough ratings to most of my blends lately. What else is there to say? Another winner from the one of the world's best blenders. Three stars for Stratford.

Update 6/04

As suspected Stratford improves incredibly with age. Fuller body, sweeter and spicier flavors. ------

Interesting Blend.
I concur with the impression of many that it seems to be "Haddo's Light". It has the fruitiness and nuttiness of that blend - the hallmark taste of dried plum and spice - but not nearly so potent.

I'm just warming up to Perique based blends so this may be subject to revision later:

Initial Impressions: Light colored. My tin was very new and the tobacco within was packed to the brim. Typical Pease ribbons that needed a bit of mixing up. I've taken out a sample for the next week or so and resealed the rest to give it a bit of age. I think maturity will do this blend some good.

Nice tobacco flavors through out - especially the sweetness and spice. Similar to Redwood though not as zesty as that. The flavor is fairly full and there is a predominant cigar/cigarette like odor and taste. This element is the only thing that causes me to not give it 4 stars. And this is a subjective taste issue. Otherwise I think I'll enjoy this tobacco when I want the fullness of the leaves - but not the overwhelming kick in the $%# from something like Haddo.

A well crafted blend of lighter tones. Very good burning quality - stays lit and not too fast. Not as complex as other Pease offerings - but also still very young.