G. L. Pease Telegraph Hill

I managed to procure a sample of Telegraph Hill blended by GLPease. This was truly an amazing smoke. With first inspection of the tobacco you could tell this was a quality tobacco with the different Virginia tobaccos and perique. The tobacco packed and burned well with just a couple of matches and light tamping the bowl burned to the bottom.

Upon first light I also found the taste to be very mild to the point of almost bland but after just a few more puffs the flavor began to build and became a very enjoyable smoke. First I tasted the sweetness of the Virginia tobaccos and as the smoke progressed then I noticed the underlying sourness of the perique, which only enhanced the enjoyment of the experience.

This was a very enjoyable tobacco with nice complexity that smoked very cool all the way to the bottom. I am eager to find out how this tobacco ages.

I've just started exploring more basic virginia blends and was surprisingly enchanted by Montgomery. But I was a bit gun shy of this one -- Greg's reputation for heavy handed perique at times made me think I should quit while I was ahead and skip this one.

Boy am I glad that I didn't. The perique didn't seem even noticeable to me and simply seemed to give the blend a bit more complexity especially in the middle of the bowl. Stays cool and I absolutely love the room note -- don't notice much it much when I'm smoking it, but get that delicious smell when I come back in the room. A great job all around. Give it a try!

at his time im happy to live on the other side of the puddle, so i got this fantastic tobacco a bit later.saying this i have in mind that most of gregs virginias working better by time passing by. just as i got the tobacco a brand new stiegler pipe arrived at home and i let play them together. first i thought its a bit much to say: you wont worry about earthquakes but greg is right to say it so. for me the brand new standard for virginia perique blends. run out to try this one, no one will regret...

This has to be one of the few Virginia-Perique blends I REALLY like. The Virginias are of great quality and the Perique is just in the right amount. As many GL Pease tobaccos, it's a pleasure to look at this one, it makes you want to smoke it, and when you do it's a great experience. The first part of the bowl is dominated by the Virginias, while the Perique starts digging his way from about half bowl down, building up his flavour more and more till the final taste "explosion", just like a musical "crescendo". The packing and lighting has been very easy and the smoke really cool all the way. Really recommended even to people who usally don't like this kind of blend. My tin hasn't been aged.

GL Pease Telegraph Hill - Smoking a tin from 2005 . Almost 19 yrs old . Moisture was about spot on ,maybe a wee dry . Very rich and sweet .Spicy and fruity . No grassiness and no bite . A little malty and a hint of vinegar tart .A lovely smoke . Age did its thing. 4

I'll start this review by saying I prefer Fillmore from the Fog City Series. It's a bit stronger, and there is slightly more Perique. That aside, Telegraph Hill is an excellent blend. The Virginias are predominantly woody and sweet, with a spiciness that enhances the Perique's own contribute to the zest. There is a slight creaminess to this blend that makes it delight to smoke. A bowl of this leaves a wonderful aftertaste. Despite being ribbon cut it burns slow and cool — smooth as silk. Telegraph Hill is definitely an all day blend. Very enjoyable to retrohale this blend, it doesn't kick you in the sinuses with spice. Nicotine is a bit mild for a Va/Per, which is where it loses half a point for me, but that might be perfect for you. My rating is a 3.5/4 rounded up to a 4.

Very good mix, spicy with pepper, very clean taste, burning well, for a change I would add a bit of SG Golden Glow to enhance the presence of Virginia.

Tin note of pungent, tart raisins and sugar. Tobacco is a Ribbon cut of yellowish tan and light brown with a little dark brown. Moisture content is great. Burns moderate with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild to medium. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and mostly consistent, with notes of sugar, raisins, orange peel/zest, savory, spices, floral, rich earth, wood, fermented musty vegetation, sweet grass, bready, slightly spicy, a tangy dark plums and tart citrus background note, and a peppery retro. Virginia is leading with Perique supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

The tin note of dry fruit and a bit of citrus does not come near to tell us everything there is to this blend.

It is a very enjoyable smoke, with spice and sweetness come out as you go. Led by red Virginias, supplemented by decent amount of Perique. The lighter Virginias are far in the background and produce the slight flavor of citrus. Sip slow to enjoy all the flavors. Some of the sweetness develops towards the middle of the bowl. More spiciness comes in towards the end.

It's fairly complex, with all the main flavors come out pretty loud, but with great balance between them.

Like other blends in the Fog City series, Telegraph Hill also comes in perfect moisture, easy to pack and smoke. Can be an all-day smoke, although because of its complexity and fullness you might want to save it for less frequent occasions.

Full body, medium strength, some complexity.

For me this is definitely a fantastic Virginia-Perique blend to get more of and set some aside for aging. It reminds me of my favorite Stratford, but with enhanced flavor, body, and strength. In terms of flavor alone, this is the best G.L. Pease blend for me. Easy full score.