G. L. Pease Ashbury

Ribbon cut with almost equal amounts of bright, darker brown and black pieces. Tin aroma is quite intense and very beautiful: fragrant floral and woodsy orientals on a background of a measured sweet smokiness. I feel like it has been sprinkled lightly with some kind of gentleman's perfume, but it may be that it's just the natural tobacco smell. In any case it smells like a Dunhill tobacco to me...

Easy to light as it has the right moisture to go straight ahead without any preparation. From the start Ashbury is very Oriental forward, with fragrant but rather dry-tasting woodsy, floral and spicy taste. Virginias provide a juicy and sweet counterpoint. Small amounts of Latakia give the blend a smokiness and maybe a reminder of dark chocolate. The overall taste is earthy, spicy and floral with just a trace of smokiness and the Orientals really shine.

Strength is a nice medium with a good amount of nicotine and it smokes all the way to ash and needs just a few relights.

Had I tasted Ashbury blind, I would have guessed an Oriental forward blend made by Dunhill, something in between Early Morning and Durbar as far as Latakia content is concerned. And though I did not sense any topping, it did have the Dunhill feel for me. Yet from the current Dunhill incarnations, for me Ashbury is far superior.

Ashbury is a quintessential Balkan blend, a blend which will appeal to those like me who prefer Va/Or blends and enjoy Latakia but not on a regular basis. Actually Ashbury is one of the few blends with Latakia that I feel I could smoke on a daily basis. Top quality!

An excellent VA with some latakia. Burns evenly, slight natural sweetness,slightly acid (citrus?vinegar?) no bite, satisfactory. Its my first tin but looks very very promising. I am smoking it instead of C&D 2 friends Bed & Breakfast and Ashbury seems more round and complete, still going in the same direction. An all day tobacco for both VA and Mixt lovers. Maybe I will update after few tins.

Ashbury is another masterpiece from GLP. The tin verbiage alludes to our departed Scandal and the contents deliver a marvelous smoking experience somewhat reminiscent of that august blend. This is the first offering with Cyprian lat that really matches Scandal's creamy character. First rate leaf, as always, forms a sturdy foundation. Ashbury has become a regular Balkan component of my rotation.

My first exposure to this blend came as part of a C&D sample pack. I have continued my interest with tins in my cellar because it's a worthwhile addition to the appreciation of diversity in balkans. This soft expression of tobacco choices is to be enjoyed with a quiet spirit or one may miss some of it's charms. The room note is a reminder of the smell of rain drying on rooftops after a spring shower. I feel as tho I may have smoked this as a young man. It evokes a gentle sense of dejavu, a sense of familiar expectation... For me the experience builds as the smoke continues. This is lighthearted chamber music in the orchestral movements of tobacco blends. Can you tell I like it? The Virginia leaf is almost submissive but not subserviant to the bolder Cyprus as both combine in a smooth, quality smoke with the Oriental providing moderation. Don't rush. Make it last... The presentation of the tobacco is like eye candy to me - a festive bouquet of colors. The finish is like watching the curtain slowly close on a string quartette before the song is over. This is not modest but instead elegantly understated. Meerschaum Man Smoking a Gezer Flying Dragon

Wow!! what a great blend.This could be my favorite Balkan blend. Perfect moisture level. The flavor is complex and just wonderful. I can't say enough good things about this tobacco. Words just dont do this blend justice. If you like Balkan style blends try this.