G. L. Pease Abingdon

This tobacco is close to my favorite Erinmore Balkan Mixture. However, it is not as complex and it looses all around in a comparision... even so, it's a very well balanced balkan, well worth to cellar a couple of tins.

I've been smoking English/Balkan blends for forty years. IMHO there is nothing available today that compares with this blend. Flavorful,smooth, and sweet in all my pipes; totally outstanding in some. Although I enjoy a few of the Pease blends, this has become my favorite.

I feel there are many similar tobaccos out there, but I will still give this a 4 star because of the slight sweet note that seems to add a new dimension to heavy Latakia blends. I really appreciate that little treat rounding out all the earthy goodness of this tobacco.

Another outstanding Balkan from GLPease, this one is so sweet and velvety that makes Charing Cross, Odyssey and even Westminster taste harsh, even when I couldn't tell which of all four is my favority. There is no Latakia, Orientals or Virginias lead in this mixture: they all play a starring role and share the script evenly.

I wish I had one or two Balkans to focus when it comes to cellaring, so I would have 100 tins and feel safe for the rest of my life. Mr. Pease keeps spreading my attention and I end up with the fear of running outta many tobaccos.

I smoke Balkan/English as a change of pace from my Virginia/Vaper diet......but with that said I have been smoking a bag of Abington dated 12-15-2003 the past dozen eveings..... and lets just say AWESOME! In fact I smoked this blend all day today (from morning coffee on) and it was a real treat. Balkan/English blends will not relace my Virginia/Vaper diet but as a change of pace Abington is truly enjoyable. Smokey, semi-sweet,herbal,complex......wondeful weed!

I'm currently smoking a lot of Westminister, Full Virginia Flake, and Chocolate Flake. WOW! Abingdon is great, even in direct comparison to these fine blends. It truly is a mild smoke with a good dose of Latakia. The Orientals add the curiosity and the Turkish mellows it out. Great Blend!! Of the ones I mention above, if I could only buy one...I would buy two cans of Abingdon. (By the way, I purchased it at the Tinder Box while travelling to Charleston,SC. Home of the Havana Club, the only place in Charleston one may smoke. Great place.)

Not overpowering and an example of what balance can do for a blend. This is one I could take to the mythical desert island and be happy for years. One of GLP's best and only improves if you can show some patience and not smoke it up as soon as you get it.

Update: I'm upping it a star, as it grew on me the more I smoked it.

I guess I had much higher expectations for this blend. In my opinion Maltese Falcon and Odyssey are better even though odyssey leaves me with terrible cotton mouth. I just don't find it that outstanding or complex. Mind you it is still an acceptable smoke. I also don't get that nic. kick like some explained. Maybe it the lemon virginia's or maybe it's just me. Possibly no little to no oriental and a little heavier on the Turkish would spruce it up.

This along with Maltese Falcon would be a good intro to the world of Balkans for those of you who haven't tried them yet.

Abingdon is everything a pipe tobacco should be... unless you are expecting an aromatic. But the smoker will love this smooth smoking, easy burning blend. This one will always have a place in my starting lineup. Delicious!