G. L. Pease Bohemian Scandal
(3.38)
Fine small leaf oriental tobaccos and rich Virginias weave a tapestry of intrigue, serving as an exotic backdrop to showcase the exquisite Syrian Latakia, Bohemian Scandal is a delicious Balkan blend in a style not produced in decades. It has a delightful wine-like character, with a delicate and fascinating spice. Wonderfully balanced, it is excellent in its youth, yet sturdy enough for long aging. Enjoy it now, and be sure to cellar plenty for future adventures.
Notes: From Gregory Pease website: Bohemian Scandal was introduced in August, 2004.
Nearly a year in the making, this blend, the first in the new Heirloom Series, features some truly magnificent Syrian Latakia, possibly the finest example of this exotic leaf that's been seen in 40 years. When we arranged for its import, and the first samples arrived, I fell quickly and deeply for it; Bohemian Scandal is the love child of our little tryst. The Syrian is wine-like, possessing subtlety and nuances that would be easily lost to a heavy hand at the blending table. I chose bright and red Virginias, and rare oriental tobaccos to compliment the spice of the Latakia; hints of cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon are present, along with a gentle smokiness. A soft, slightly tangy sweetness continues throughout the bowl, with the complex, earthy notes from the oriental tobaccos providing depth. The flavor is bold enough for casual smoking, but sufficiently refined to be engaging during more contemplative moods. Wonderfully balanced, it is excellent in its youth, yet sturdy enough for long aging. Enjoy it now, and be sure to cellar plenty for future adventures.
In November, 2004, a warehouse fire consumed our supply of the exquisite vintage Syrian Latakia that was used in Renaissance, Raven's Wing and Mephisto, as well as Bohemian Scandal. These blends have been discontinued, indefinitely.
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | Heirloom Collection |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 2oz Tin, 8oz Tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
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
|
3.38 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 12 of 12 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 01, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
After visual examination of the mixture, I have found this one uses Two different Oriental tobaccos as a "base", one for sweetness, the other for a naturally aromatic "spice". A small quantity of Virginia leaf, and the small leaf Latakia in a larger proportion to the Virginia. This blend is a full flavored one. The mystery presented, comes from the Orientals, with the Latakia leaf being a less sweet variety compared to mixtures using a sweeter Cyprian latakia. Most latakia we know of today is made from the Smyrna(Izmir)leaf variety. The Smyrna is the most naturally aromatic of the Orientals, prior to fire-curing with the smoke of Asaitic oak wood and herbs. The advertised Syrian condiment latakia is a pleasantly less sweet component to this blend--the base Orientals compensating. To my taste, to harmonize a blend of this sort--"panning" of the mixture, after blending, with heat, tends to make a harmonized end product, as the people of Rattray's of Perth, Scotland, have done, in years past. For a further study of the differences of Oriental tobaccos, Milton Sherman's "ALL ABOUT TOBACCO" is useful. This blend was a nice surprise, and pleasant to smoke, but a bit overrated because of the shortage. If you really like Syrian latakia, McClellands has some to offer, readily available, in the style of Balkan mixtures.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 25, 2004 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
October 2004
Smoking BS (???!!!) is . . . OK, let's start again . . . Smoking "Bohemian Scandal" was a terrific way for me to get a handle on the difference between Syrian and Cyprian Latakia, as this blend contains the former but apparently not the latter. Although some of the other reviewers have characterized the Syrian Latakia as heavier than its Cyprian cousin, I find just the opposite to be true. The Syrian does seem to be creamier, and it has a certain spice that I don't taste in the Cyprian, but to me the flavor is somewhat lighter and less nutty. While this is a terrific blend, I found that I like a mixture of the two Latakias even better: hence, my preference for Raven's Wing, and the subjective three-star rating for Bohemian Scandal. Objectively, this blend deserves four stars all the way, as its every aspect is spot-on perfect IMHO (with the exception of a few too many stems, which I can get past in a New York Minute). Greg Pease doesn't seem capable of producing an inferior blend--more Kudos to the "Dark Lord!"
Smoking BS (???!!!) is . . . OK, let's start again . . . Smoking "Bohemian Scandal" was a terrific way for me to get a handle on the difference between Syrian and Cyprian Latakia, as this blend contains the former but apparently not the latter. Although some of the other reviewers have characterized the Syrian Latakia as heavier than its Cyprian cousin, I find just the opposite to be true. The Syrian does seem to be creamier, and it has a certain spice that I don't taste in the Cyprian, but to me the flavor is somewhat lighter and less nutty. While this is a terrific blend, I found that I like a mixture of the two Latakias even better: hence, my preference for Raven's Wing, and the subjective three-star rating for Bohemian Scandal. Objectively, this blend deserves four stars all the way, as its every aspect is spot-on perfect IMHO (with the exception of a few too many stems, which I can get past in a New York Minute). Greg Pease doesn't seem capable of producing an inferior blend--more Kudos to the "Dark Lord!"
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