G. L. Pease Bohemian Scandal

I never took the opportunity to smoke the now infamous Bohemian Scandal during its brief tenure before the fire that ended the future of the blend. This is based on a half tin of BS from 2004. The tin description describes a “wine like character” and I find that to be very true as BS smokes through the bowl. Any rough edges that may have existed are now gone as this smokes very smooth. I have to admit that it seems that anyone that doesn’t rate this as a four star blend gets down voted. I guess I will have to get my down votes too. This is a good tobacco. I repeat, a good tobacco, but it isn’t manna for me. This is a complex blend and that makes it interesting. As stated above its smooth too. But there is a sour note in BS that just doesn’t agree with me. Maybe it’s a body chemistry thing? . I initially thought it was the Syrian Latakia. But I have now investigated further and I am certain it is a particular Oriental when it is well aged. I am not sure which Oriental leaf it is, but I can now say that with confidence. I had the same issue with Margate and Penzance, both blends that I really enjoy. But when those two get more than 15 years old, that same sour taste prevails here for me with BS. For me, that makes it a three star affair, and not a $100 tin. Sorry guys (and ladies!)

The smoky, woody, wine-like Syrian latakia is a team player as it takes a light lead over the other components. The Orientals are woody, a little earthy, buttery sweet with some dry and sour floral notes, and a couple mild spices in a support role. The base of the blend are the bright and red Virginias, which provide some citrus, tangy dark fruit, earth, and a few blades of grass. I noticed the red a tad more than the bright. The nic-hit is a step less than mild to medium. No chance of bite or harshness even if pushed. Well balanced, you’ll observe most of the aspects of the tobaccos in virtually every puff. Burns at a moderate pace, cool and clean with a smooth, very consistent flavor from start to finish. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a nice after taste. Not quite an all day smoke, but it is a repeatable one if you’re ever lucky enough to score a tin or two.

-JimInks

Colors run the range of light brown to black and more of that incredible cheese aroma in the tin, mixed with latakia. Mouth watering aroma. More "Balkan-y" than Raven's Wing, which I see as more of an "English". Both smelled wonderful.

I've been reading more reviews here lately on TR, and 100% agreement is hard to come by - we are, after all, blessed or cursed with different taste buds. But Steel Cowboy nailed my feelings about this blend almost perfectly. Smooth tobacco indeed, and very complex. But I found the same sour note he tasted and it reduced the enjoyment I got. Still a very nice tobacco, but I can't call it great. Raven's Wing did not have this sour component, and I enjoyed it much more. I'm not as sure as he is about what is causing it, but I can't disagree with his findings. That underlying sourness might very well be what kicks this blend over the top for some folks, but it worked an opposite magic on me. Like Steel Cowboy, I can only recommend this to those who haven't tried it if they can find it for less than $100 (I paid $76). Those who know they love it, of course, would gladly pay more. Good blend, but it doesn't stand up to Raven's Wing for me.

Hey, that speed reading course I recently took worked. It only took me three days to read the above review. And I pretty much agree with the parts that talked about this blend.

One correction is in order. All Syrian Latakia on the face of this earth did not get burned up in a fire. As many of you know, there was a tragic fire that did destroy a great deal of stored and aging Latakia owned by a plantation house that exported to Mr. Pease and others.

BS is a treat worth lighting up. (IMO, of course.)

Ok, before I get crucified for giving "only" a "I smoke this on occasion", let me explain... I think this is a great blend, but it still has some edges that I would like to see smoothed out by age. I have full confidence that this will happen, and then I'll come and upgrade the recommendation rating.

Ok, so my tin is still quite young: the virginias have not fully evolved into a round, soft sweetness, thus making the latakia more muted. Yes, because here it's not your usual latakia... The Syrian Latakia is incredible, completely different from anything else: I had already tasted Syrian in some Ashton blends, but this is a world apart. Now that I could taste it in big doses with this blend, I understand its true nature: I realize that some hints of it were already present in Renaissance and Raven's Wing (only I couldn't place the exact "tone" of their instrument in the orchestration of these two blends), here they are left free to sing their solo voice without being assisted by the very different voice of the Cyprian cousin. It is a very tasty blend: I won't say that this is better than the Cyprian latakia blends made by Greg, but it surely is unique and "different". It has a spicy, thick, "heavy" and dark flavor (wine-like the tin says...) that is simply exciting, similar to that of some Dunhill blends of decades ago.

I suspect that there isn't much Syrian percentage-wise, but I'm not sure I would want more: its taste is already true and bold, and more would be overkill (while I can't help but wishing for higher and higher doses of the lighter Cyprian latakia).

It's a quality product, made with great care (usual mixed cut of Greg's blends, but drier than usual) and with a stunningly unique taste. It is quite strong (but not exceedingly so, and full of subtleties) so I wouldn't advise you smoke it too many times a day. Me, I probably still prefer a bit the classic taste of Caravan and Blackpoint (and this is another reason for not giving full rating), but it may just be a matter of habit. It sure is better (though a completely different genre) than the 20 years old tin of Balkan Sobranie 759 I have smoked during the same days of the test... and that is saying something!

BTW, I have never found a blend that would smoke as consistently well as this in EVERY pipe I own. Most blends have their "favorite" pipes, but this one shines on every occasion.

UPDATE: OK, I have smoked more of this tobacco and it keeps being delicious... 4 stars is the right rating, even on a young tin! Superb!

I got very lucky a few weeks ago and while shopping in a large tobacconist on Long Island ( I should say cigar shop with some old pipe tobacco's and a nice selection of pipes that no one seems to have been interested in for years) and stumbled on a dusty tin of Bohemian Scandal. It was yellowed with cigar smoke and sticky and grimy to the touch but I was very excited. I found a few other old difficult to find blends as well, 3 different years of Christmas Cheer, Wilderness, and some of the Oriental series tobacco's from McClelland. The guy told me he was cleaning out the basement in January and he would send me a list of what he finds. I also bought a few pipes at a very good price as well. One of the only days I recall enjoying shopping so much in my life. One of the best parts of this hobby other than the obvious smoking component is the hunt. Finding that old pipe you are looking for, occasionally finding it at an antique shop or garage sale where someone thinks you are doing them a favor taking that old Sasieni off their hands for $40 or in this case buying an old tin of pipe weed that hasn't done anything but collect dust and grime. It was quite a rush to see these blends and this one in particular. I am a fan of Syrian Latakia and have only tried one of G.L. Peases blends prior with Syrian leaf.

On to the review. I have smoked about 1/3 of the tin and I have been trying to ensure I have tried the right pipe, the right moisture level and packing method before I reviewed, with such a small amount you can only do so much. The tin note was sour, some from the Orientals and much I think from the Syrian Latakia. I have smoked pounds of HH Vintage Syrian and pounds in combination of some McClellan and Brebbia blends so I am familiar with this rare leaf. That wine and vinegar like scent is present, but in this blend so much so that it was off putting. Maybe age has done something to amplify the aroma. who knows. The tobacco was dry, not crispy, actually just how I like to smoke it as I like my leaf on the dry side. The leaves are dark from a black to light and dark brown. Despite being dry I found a few minutes of dry/air time allowed the vinegary smell to dissipate, making for a more enjoyable smoke. When smoked straight out of the tin the vinegar smell translated into the taste too much for me and persisted throughout the smoke. With some air time the acrid vinegar taste turned into a red wine like flavor that I have not experienced in any other smoke. I would say it was a port/sherry like flavor that was blended with smoky sweetness. The orientals were woody and had a sour note that was pleasant (again when aired out). I also picked up some spice like from pumpkin pie: nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. The Virginias had a citrus sweetness and added to the mouth feel. The mouth feel was also unique in this blend, what I usually attribute to Canvendish was present in this blend, despite there being none in the mix. A round lush feeling in the smoke. Very pleasant. As the bowl passes the halfway point the malt flavor that I love so much in Balkan blends becomes present. This with the port flavors and spice from the Orientals made the second half of the bowl far superior to the first half, consistently. I expected something different, I don't know what but at first I was disappointed, but once I figured out the air time prior to smoking this blend is quite delicious and very unique. Sadly it is gone and perhaps the world will rid itself of the poison that destroyed that nation. Then maybe we will get the gift of the famed tobacco fields of Syria. Until then I will smoke this along with my other cellared blends, occasionally and reverently.

06-06-2006 June 1 was my 40th birthday and I celebrated by opening a tin of this spectacular blend. The tin had a date of 07-09-2004. This ageing has already made a big difference! The sharpness is totally gone, the flavors have melded ever so wonderfully! This is truly a blend worth celebrating with. It is a pity that I can only open a tin per year for the foreseeable future.

09-17-04 Finally!

Disclaimer: I am a big fan of GL Pease blends, but to smoke this sublime blend everyday, would be a crime!

Appearance and Tin Aroma: Perfect medium ribbon cut with mostly brown to dark brown leaf. Smells delightfully spicy after the gasses leave tin after openning.

Packing and Lighting: Easy, moisture perfect out of the tin.

Initial Flavor: delicious! Reminds me of the initial flavor of a fine Russian imperial stout. Wine and clove undertones abound.

Mid-Bowl: A wonderful fugue of flavor, begs to be French inhaled through the nose (only I don't know how to do that so I just sniff it close to the bowl for the same effect, LOL!).P.S. the room note is absolutely delicious! (at least to those of us who love Balakns)

Bottom of Bowl: a nice spicy kick develops that approaches that of Perique, but more complex than that named weed and without the allergy triggers. Burns to the bottom without of fuss and have been suprised many times that I was done!

Overall: I smoked this blend in many different pipes, even a meerschaum, but my oil-cured ones seemed to smoke this best. This blend begs to be smoked slowly and methodically due to its sublime complexity and richness. The patient puffer is rewarded with an exceptional journey that leaves one satiated and relaxed. This blend does have a bit of a nicotine kick as well, so eat first! I am amazed at what Greg has concocted for us this time! A blend that truly surpasses anything else I have smoked, but because of that, it is better to smoke this blend when you have time to enjoy it and travel long with this "Bohemian Scandal" Also, I will dare to say, this is way better than Balkan Sobranie!

A blend worthy of the original "Bohemian Scandal", namely the reformer John Hus. Enjoy!!

This tobacco is destined to become a ?classic? whatever fairs in the world of Syrian latakia availability in the USA! With the recent tragic fire destroying all remaining leaf, it seems we are at the mercy of whatever powers look over our leaf.

I have tried several Syrian Latakia mixtures, and understand the vast difference between Syrian and Cyprian forms quite well. Among all Syrian mixtures I?ve tried, Bohemian Scandal stands alone on a very high mountain. Other blends have used it well; most notably Santa?s Mistake by C&D, but Greg?s unique understanding of this eastern cayenne pepper of a leaf mixes it in a masterful way to present it.

Appearance: This looks to be about 25% dark tobaccos, 20% golden-yellow, 20% red and the remainder is a golden colored. It is varied in cut yet mostly medium ribbon cut.

Tin aroma: This is one the most complex mixture I have ever encountered. The Virginias are evident, with rich earthy tones and under-currents of fig/raisin and cocoa. The Syrian latakia makes the main statement, complex and enticing, plenty of smokiness with underlying astringent tones of bergamot and sandalwood. Just under the surface I detect the Orientals giving the mixture?dryness? and lending even greater depth to the mélange of flavors.

This tobacco is nearly perfect in moisture and I employed the ?once like a baby, once like a lady, finally like a gentleman? method of layered packing. I was gifted a small (but generous none the less) sample to taste this wondrous mixture (thank you Zach).

Lighting usually is a single match affair, and with a friendly ?lighting tamp? I was well on my way to ?nirvana? each time. As expected, the initial flavor is very smoky with an astringent (very gently so) quality I?ve come to expect from Syrian latakia. Syrian latakia and Orientals tend to live ?nasally? for me, so I often employ the ?French curve? method of inhaling the slipstream smoke. Syrian latakia is challenging for me to define in most cases, and the special leaf used in this blend defies all attempts to do so. The complexity is very nearly overwhelming of this single component (not to say the blend as a whole is) it?s just nearly impossible for me to describe this particular Syrian latakia to anyone who hasn?t tried it. The composition of this blend is perfect to the degree that I easily loose myself and stops wondering about each component.

Mid Bowl: Approaching mid-bowl, the fullness tends to build and the flavors mix and match very nicely. The initial strength of the Syrian latakia is slowly giving way to other components, the Orientals slowly numbing (not at all in a bad way) my soft pallet and nasal regions. The Virginia comes through a bit more assertively from time to time with rich fruity and sweet tones. Each mouthful is slightly different (as in many a GLP presentation) and unexpected tones creep gently in from time to time. There are tones here drawn from the abyss and several tones that seem to float in on billowy clouds of exhaled smoke. I?m fairly sure that the room note is rather potent, though rarely offending to those tolerant of strong tobacco.

Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, I?m absolutely in smoker?s heaven. The fullness and character of this blend really come into their own during this final stretch. The Virginias have deepened to a wine like goodness and the Syrian latakia and Oriental has widened and mellowed with the passage of breath and time. This is a heady blend indeed and care must be taken not to over do the puffing rate. Not that one is ever in danger of tongue bite, rather, the subtle nature and underlying character can be ruined. While this tobacco blend is fantastic, it does not replace my favorite Balkan blend GLP Odyssey. I imagine that were it ?available? on a wide market that I would pursue it with vigor. Bohemian Scandal has won a very special place in my heart and on my pallet, and I can only pray the powers that be allow Greg to blend more soon for us to enjoy.

A truly astonishing blend from America?s premier tobacco blender

Supplemental Notes: This is truly fine Balkan blend, standing head and shoulders above nearly everything I?ve tried. Rating for those interested in numbers ****

I begin this review by making a statement that I have never made before about any blend. I say this because it is the ONLY blend that has ever required this statement. Please bear with me as this is a bit awkward for me...This blend made me happy. Not only in the way of enjoying the many features of this tobacco as a pipe smoker but a genuine happiness seemed to fill my soul upon my first few puffs. It made me happy that I am a pipe smoker...it made me happy that Mr. Pease created this blend...it made me just...happy. After several puff a visible smile appeared on my usual depressed/grouchy looking face causing my wife to wonder just what exactly was I really smoking.

Smell is rich and inviting...appearance is complex but unmistakably premium leaf...taste is magical...full, complex and a true adventure in every bowl.

My big worry about this blend is that the government will classify Bohemian Scandal as an illegal drug due to it's addictive nature.

Ever since the UPS man knocked at my door, I have been entwined in a scandal. A Bohemian Scandal. I have smoked more of this since I received it than any normal person would ? but it is good. I am going to forego the puff-by-puff description type of review here, there is simply too much going on with this blend to do it that way.

Bohemian Scandal is a wonderful Balkan blend made with Syrian Latakia. It?s delicate at times, bold at other times. All good quality leaf with no bad habits. The Syrian Latakia and the Orientals combine wonderfully, and the Virginia even has enough gumption to speak out now and again. The slightly dry, smoky, delicately spiced flavor is the main attraction. I often find that a blend with a lot of Orientals can tend to get a bit sharp around the edges. Not the case here. You can easily lose yourself I this stuff. Scandal isn?t a Latakia powerhouse, but there?s plenty of it there to keep most people happy.

My normal ?preferred? tobacco is Raven?s Wing, so for me to become this enamored over a Balkan came as a bit of a surprise to me. If this is what Balkan blends were like ?decades ago?, well, then I guess I was born too late.

There is more good new to be had. This blend promises more good things to come. The tin tells us that it is part of the Heirloom Series. It would appear that the Dark Lord has something more up his sleeve. (Man, I?m going to need to ask him if he minds being called that!)

Oh yeah? No dottle, bowl dry, burns great, blah, blah, blah? It?s a Pease blend. Of course it does.