G. L. Pease Abingdon
(3.40)
Abingdon is the fullest Balkan style blend in the range. It is rich and robust, powerful and forthright, yet still possessing subtlety and finesse. Dark flavors of wood and leather mingle with delicate undercurrents of sweetness, and deep earthy notes, while the Oriental tobaccos provide hints of their verdant, sometimes herbaceous character. A big Balkan blend, reminding us once more of what these blends used to be. Because of the high percentage of dark and oriental tobaccos, it's recommended to pack Abingdon a little less firmly than you might a lighter blend.
Notes: Abingdon was released in July, 2003.
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | Classic Collection |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 2 ounce tin, 8 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.40 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 21 - 30 of 45 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 08, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
Mr. Pease has done it again. I don't know how the man continually comes up with winning blends, but am beginning to subscribe to the Dark Lord theories. So be it. Abingdon is a full and rich Balkan, blended of Virginia, Latakia, Orientals, and Turkish tobaccos, which come together beautifully as a mix of golds, light and dark browns. The tin aroma is strong and leathery, with almost a hint of what I can only describe as the aroma of shoe polish. To me, the aroma of a Balkan is not the most desired, but getting past that aroma and loading a good one into the pipe brings a flavor pleasure not found in other blend types. The moisture level of Abingdon, as with all Pease tobaccos, is ideal; when you buy a Pease blend you aren't purchasing PG or water. The shorter ribbons of the blend pack into a bowl nicely. I find, with Pease blends, that I have a more successful smoke when my first layer is pressed a bit more than with most blends. Once lit, and lighting is easy, the blend reveals the smoky taste of the latakia but also the leathery, somewhat spicy flavor of the Turkish. The Turkish/Oriental component of the blend takes control after a few puffs, and while the latakia remains a presence this blend is not driven by it. The amount of Virginia used is enough to placate the other tobaccos without ever really announcing itself. There is, of course, a mild, sweet flavor, as an undertone, to this blend which is delightful, but if you are looking for sweetness don't look here. It is not until the end of the bowl that the real sweetness comes through; in fact, the last eighth to quarter of the smoke do take on a sweetness that is quite different than the rest of the smoke. Yet even at this point the control is that of the Turkish and Oriental tobacco, and I can't help but think that some of the sweetness comes not from the Virginia but from the latakia, which has been stewing through most of the bowl. The flavor, throughout the bowl, is a wonderful, layered, complex mix of smokiness, spice, leather, and herb, and reminds me of why I like a good, rich stew – each ingredient adds to the mix, each ingredient enhances the others, and the overall mix, being balanced perfectly, is far more than the sum of the components. I wouldn't consider this to be a Balkan for beginners. If you are a smoker looking to explore a new direction, you might want to play it safe with other, less rich Balkans in order to get an idea of what these blends have in store in terms of taste and complexity. But for those who know and enjoy Balkans it will be hard to find a better blend; this is one you'll want to always have on your shelf.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 23, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Tin note of smoke and spiced wine. The very thin ribbon cut is brown, black and tan. Tobacco is moist but not dry, no prep or drying needed. Burns moderate with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and mostly consistent, with notes of very spicy, moderately smoky, musty woody, earth, floral, mild ripe fruit, herbal spices, bread, mild lemon grass, and a moderately peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Oriental/Turkish supporting the best they can. Virginias are lollygagging around in the background. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.
Pipe Used:
2013 J.M. Boswell Poker
Age When Smoked:
6 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This blend is to me an all day English blend. This is a totally balanced tobacco that will appeal to the latakia lover and the English purest. This blend is a ribbon cut and the moisture content was smoke ready out of the tin. To me the Virginia and oriental tobacco takes front seat with the latakia not ruling the party. i hope this explanation helps in the pipe smoking endeavors.
Pipe Used:
Dunhill Bulldog
PurchasedFrom:
Havana Port Cigars
Age When Smoked:
2 Months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Strong |
I received a sample in my Tin Society box and was happy as this had been on my list to enjoy.
The mix was a little drier than normal, might just be the baggie.
Easy to pack and light. Smoked fairly warm, once again might be the dryness. No bite though
Really enjoyed the tastes. The Latakia wasn't overpowering and there was a woodiness (guess that is a word) like juniper/cedar. This was perfectly paired with a gin and tonic which really seemed to bring those notes out. There was some background sweetness which I'm guessing is the Virginias.
Well done and I'm ordering a 8oz tin to cellar!
The mix was a little drier than normal, might just be the baggie.
Easy to pack and light. Smoked fairly warm, once again might be the dryness. No bite though
Really enjoyed the tastes. The Latakia wasn't overpowering and there was a woodiness (guess that is a word) like juniper/cedar. This was perfectly paired with a gin and tonic which really seemed to bring those notes out. There was some background sweetness which I'm guessing is the Virginias.
Well done and I'm ordering a 8oz tin to cellar!
Pipe Used:
various Canadians
PurchasedFrom:
Tin Society Box
Age When Smoked:
unknown
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 03, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is in not full in a way I am familiar with- not like Nightcap or London Mix, though it is similar to 965. It could be seen as a less satisfying alternative to S. Gawith's Skiff Mixture- not as dark, with more sharpness- think cafe au lait vs mocha. Halfway down the bowl the flavour starts to build a lot, but in intensely citric, almost harsh tones. This would be dreadful if produced by a second-rate company, but in Abingdon it just feels strange. The latakia does seem work with the lemoniness of the Va which correspond well with the orientals- it's all well thought-out but I am not quite sure why Mr Pease would want to produce something so sharp and one-dimensional. I wil return to this review, but right now I suspect this blend is giving me something I didn't ask for. Please note:- the description above is totally misleading marketting speak. Their is no "darkness" whatsoever and the only "herb" in this blend is lemon verbena in huge quantities. "Rich"? No.
Addendum 1: After 30 minutes breathing and employing a rather firm pack, I enjoyed this blend more. The taste was fuller, the Va less harsh and there was even a hint of caramel coming through. Still less than full, I can get a hint of the potential of Abingdon. I would very much like to taste a 5-10 year old tin.
Addendum 2: After several bowls of Abingdon, I would say that Skiff Mixture is definitely better. While not as heavy on the Latakia, Skiff is far richer & more full of flavour. (add some Frogmorton to Skiff and you have a blend very similar to Abingdon, but much, much better)
Addendum 1: After 30 minutes breathing and employing a rather firm pack, I enjoyed this blend more. The taste was fuller, the Va less harsh and there was even a hint of caramel coming through. Still less than full, I can get a hint of the potential of Abingdon. I would very much like to taste a 5-10 year old tin.
Addendum 2: After several bowls of Abingdon, I would say that Skiff Mixture is definitely better. While not as heavy on the Latakia, Skiff is far richer & more full of flavour. (add some Frogmorton to Skiff and you have a blend very similar to Abingdon, but much, much better)
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 17, 2012 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Abington was yet another reminder of how important it is to take time to get to know a blend. My early experiences with this blend were rather off-putting as I got nothing from it other than a Latakia blend with not much else to offer. After finding the right pipe and cadence, the flavors of Abington came alive for me. I also took the blender's advice and packed a little bit more lightly than usual. There is a lot of spice here and they may be a turn off to some pipers, especially if you are a puffer like me. Abington is best described as a spicy Latakia-Oriental smoke. I don't detect very much sweetness from the Orientals or the Virginias'. When sipped from the very edge of my lips I get an almost incense like quality to the smoke. Abington is definitely not a tobacco that I would be smoking while doing other activities as it's a little too heavy for me (I don't mean in the nic department). Overall a good smoke, but not one for my daily rotation, but one to be recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 04, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This review is of a four-year-old tin.
Abingdon is a chunky-cut mixture, with large pieces of tobacco and some broken flake bits. The tin description is accurate, as far as the flavors go. In the forefront is the latakia, followed by the virginias and then orientals. Not much oriental flavor here, only enough to fill in the gaps and such. Mostly latakia. As with most Pease english/balkan blends, the flavor improves to my taste after a few to several weeks after opening the tin. It mellows a bit, the bitterness recedes, and you get more sweetness from the virginias. I did get a wee bit of bite from this one; maybe I didn't dry it out enough. More nicotene than Westminster, which is to me a good thing. Solid, quality latakia mixture. Not outstanding really, but worth a try.
Abingdon is a chunky-cut mixture, with large pieces of tobacco and some broken flake bits. The tin description is accurate, as far as the flavors go. In the forefront is the latakia, followed by the virginias and then orientals. Not much oriental flavor here, only enough to fill in the gaps and such. Mostly latakia. As with most Pease english/balkan blends, the flavor improves to my taste after a few to several weeks after opening the tin. It mellows a bit, the bitterness recedes, and you get more sweetness from the virginias. I did get a wee bit of bite from this one; maybe I didn't dry it out enough. More nicotene than Westminster, which is to me a good thing. Solid, quality latakia mixture. Not outstanding really, but worth a try.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I'm not one prone to lofty prose of blends, and could care less if my tastes are like others here on this esteemed site. I've always been one to march to my own beat. That being said, I do like this blend very much. As do many of my brother and sister pipers.
In it's youth, this is not a very enjoyable blend. It has all the nuance of a backwoods redneck at a bar-mitzvah. Given about 5 years in the cellar on the otherhand, this sings to you with great balance and power. The aged version will provide hours of layered goodness changing notes from oriental, to latakia, to virginia and then back again for another round.
Pease has a way with tobacco, but with most of his blends aging is essential. He says so himself, and I take him at his word. I cannot say enough about this fine blend if you have a few years to spare. I do.
In it's youth, this is not a very enjoyable blend. It has all the nuance of a backwoods redneck at a bar-mitzvah. Given about 5 years in the cellar on the otherhand, this sings to you with great balance and power. The aged version will provide hours of layered goodness changing notes from oriental, to latakia, to virginia and then back again for another round.
Pease has a way with tobacco, but with most of his blends aging is essential. He says so himself, and I take him at his word. I cannot say enough about this fine blend if you have a few years to spare. I do.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2009 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This is my second review, the first being for English Oriental Supreme from Stokkebye. As far as quality and depth of character, both blends are comparable.
Abingdon has a lighter touch, though. This provides more room for nuance. It's as good as any blend currently in my possession, and may very well be the best-burning blend I have. That's got to count for something.
I could see this easily remaining in my English/Balkan rotation indefinitely. While I tend to prefer a little more kick, this is a very, VERY nice middle-of-the-day smoke.
If GL Pease's other blends are at this level -- and the word is they are -- I look forward to sampling Mr. Pease's other offerings as I continue to explore the diverse and wonderful world of pipe tobacco.
This may very well be a four-star blend, but -- like my previous review -- I'll initially give it only three, for fear of over-reaching. I'd rather save the four-star designation for the truly transcendent blends. This may very well prove to be one. If so, I'll update my review.
In the meantime, it's still a very nice, not-too-powerful Balkan. Enjoy!
Abingdon has a lighter touch, though. This provides more room for nuance. It's as good as any blend currently in my possession, and may very well be the best-burning blend I have. That's got to count for something.
I could see this easily remaining in my English/Balkan rotation indefinitely. While I tend to prefer a little more kick, this is a very, VERY nice middle-of-the-day smoke.
If GL Pease's other blends are at this level -- and the word is they are -- I look forward to sampling Mr. Pease's other offerings as I continue to explore the diverse and wonderful world of pipe tobacco.
This may very well be a four-star blend, but -- like my previous review -- I'll initially give it only three, for fear of over-reaching. I'd rather save the four-star designation for the truly transcendent blends. This may very well prove to be one. If so, I'll update my review.
In the meantime, it's still a very nice, not-too-powerful Balkan. Enjoy!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 12, 2009 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Preface: I have been smoking Dunhill Standard Mixture Medium for near-on 30 years, believing that it has no equal anywhere on earth. But it is gone now, and so I begin a quest for my Holy Grail: A substitute to replace the standard on which all English tobaccos are based.
Abingdon is good, but lacks the strength and complexity of SMM. It is rich and creamy, nice & smoky, but very mild. No harshness at all, but mostly satisfying none-the- less, which is a bit oxymoronic and difficult to achieve, so kudos there. Wouldn't be my pick due to the mildness, but if you want a rich flavored smoke with more complexities than the average heavy Latakia blends (Nightcap, Pirate Kake) but without a hint of harshness you might want to give this one a go.
Moisture perfect right out of the tin, and burn rate is also perfect. The tobacco is good looking, high quality stuff, cut in fat ribbons.
P.S. In a review below XYZZY said:
"Any reports of this blend as a "tongue biter" are in my opinion entirely unwarranted. Steam and tongue bite are more a result of new tin moisture and smoking technique than anything else.
1. If the tobacco is too damp, you'll have a hot smoke. 2. If you pack it too tight, the last half of the bowl will likely smoke damp, rank and hot. 3. Balkan blends should be packed _slightly_ more loosely. 4. Many GLP blends are tinned a bit on the moist side. Let the tobacco air out for a bit before smoking."
Nonsense.
1.) Dry tobaccos burn hot.
2.) Tongue bite is EXCLUSIVELY due to a tongue not yet conditioned to regular pipe smoking.
3.) Tobaccos that are reputed to not burn well, burn well enough, and as intended. It's just that their owners either have tongue bite, and hence subconsciously resist smoking to spare their tongue, or they are too busy talking instead of listening. A good tobacco is moist, it resists burning and demands constant attention if one is to be rewarded. But with practice, the constant attention simply becomes habit. No longer a chore, instead a delight: The expert coaxing of the tobacco to reveal it's pungent creamy self.
4.) Moist tobaccos produce wonderfully rich cool smoky flavor. Dry tobaccos do not.
IMHO.
Abingdon is good, but lacks the strength and complexity of SMM. It is rich and creamy, nice & smoky, but very mild. No harshness at all, but mostly satisfying none-the- less, which is a bit oxymoronic and difficult to achieve, so kudos there. Wouldn't be my pick due to the mildness, but if you want a rich flavored smoke with more complexities than the average heavy Latakia blends (Nightcap, Pirate Kake) but without a hint of harshness you might want to give this one a go.
Moisture perfect right out of the tin, and burn rate is also perfect. The tobacco is good looking, high quality stuff, cut in fat ribbons.
P.S. In a review below XYZZY said:
"Any reports of this blend as a "tongue biter" are in my opinion entirely unwarranted. Steam and tongue bite are more a result of new tin moisture and smoking technique than anything else.
1. If the tobacco is too damp, you'll have a hot smoke. 2. If you pack it too tight, the last half of the bowl will likely smoke damp, rank and hot. 3. Balkan blends should be packed _slightly_ more loosely. 4. Many GLP blends are tinned a bit on the moist side. Let the tobacco air out for a bit before smoking."
Nonsense.
1.) Dry tobaccos burn hot.
2.) Tongue bite is EXCLUSIVELY due to a tongue not yet conditioned to regular pipe smoking.
3.) Tobaccos that are reputed to not burn well, burn well enough, and as intended. It's just that their owners either have tongue bite, and hence subconsciously resist smoking to spare their tongue, or they are too busy talking instead of listening. A good tobacco is moist, it resists burning and demands constant attention if one is to be rewarded. But with practice, the constant attention simply becomes habit. No longer a chore, instead a delight: The expert coaxing of the tobacco to reveal it's pungent creamy self.
4.) Moist tobaccos produce wonderfully rich cool smoky flavor. Dry tobaccos do not.
IMHO.
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