G. L. Pease Ashbury

Greg Pease recently told me that he based this blend on the old classic Sullivan Powell Original Gentleman's mixture. Well, naturally I had to pop another tin of Ashbury and "give 'er a go." A little milder in both strength and flavor than the Sullivan Powell.... that is my initial thought. As usual though, Mr. Pease's combination of varying leaf in a blend continues to impress, and I sure do find Ashbury to be enjoyable, I just prefer more strength, which probably means it is just right for most pipe smokers.

Someone else said the blend reminded them of Rattray's No. 7 Reserve, and I do believe that is a good comparison, too. But, I think 7 Reserve actually contains Latakia with an Oriental presence that actually outshines the Virginia leaf. Not so with this Pease offering where the Virginia sparkles.

I can see where Ashbury will be absolutely perfect for someone who enjoys this combination in a somewhat light and mild form. That Pease sure can blend!

I enjoy English blends on the very full side like Pirate Kake and Nightcap, but on a day to day basis, I gravity more toward medium to light English fare. The challenge for me has been finding those that stand out. Like many of Pease blends for me some added age is a must. Ashbury fills that role very nicely. There is enough Latakia to satisfy me and with time, the Orientals and Virginias really make this a very good blend. Now aged, the tin note is that of the sweet combination of red and bright Virginia tobaccos with a hint of sour that I assume comes from the Oriental component. There is a light smokiness too, but it isn’t center stage. In the pipe, Ashbury follows the tin note pretty closely. One of the things that I like about this blend is that too many lighter English blends mute the Latakia to the point where its barely there while this one has enough to let me know that it’s a player, albeit more of a minor one. What makes Ashbury stand out for me is the mixture of the Virginias in harmony with the Oriental. While more Virginia flavor comes through, but the combination of the two is well done. Ashbury is “clean” in taste if that makes any sense and offers a moderate amount of complexity and is fairly mild in nicotine too. Ashbury is a solid choice for those that enjoy light English blends.

Having already tried Montgomery and Telegraph Hill in this Fog City selection, I already knew what to expect. I knew that I shouldn't judge this new blend from the first minute, as both previous entries had a slow, gradual development and taste buildup. And I was right, as Ashbury behaves exactly the same way: the first 5-10 minutes are very subtle, slightly grassy, very delicate. Even a bit boring, if I may say so. Then the great crescendo starts... As expected, the Virginias slowly build to a nice milky sweetness, a pleasant "toasted" nuttiness, while still remaining very delicate. Delicate, but tastier and tastier. The Latakia provides an interesting complement, not as wonderful as the earthy, nutty and cocoa-like Kentucky in Montgomery, but definitely worthwhile. Less Latakia, and it would have been quite a boring experience. More Latakia and it would have been another mild English. As it is, it strikes the perfect balance between the excellent base of Virginias and the dry smokiness of the condiment leaf. Sure, it remains a "middle of the road" experience (in the good sense) as sometimes you'd like more of the Virginia sweetness of Montgomery and at times you wish it'd take flight and become a stouter English/Balkan blend, but if you understand this blend and hit the spot (not rushing it) it is very good and rewarding. My only complaint is that, contrarily to Montgomery, this blend can go a bit downhill after the great crescendo. Yes, after 45-60 minutes there is no more evolution, and it can actually become a bit unidimensional again, a bit uninteresting and bland. But this doesn't happen if you limit to a medium-sized pipe (or even a medium-large one). I'd definitely avoid very huge pipes for Ashbury, while Montgomery was very fine to my tastebuds in all bowl sizes, and especially in big ones. I am curious to see if aging will solve this minor nitpick, too. Now I can't wait to find a good moment and open one of the tins of Lombard I have recently bought, to see how it compares and if the even lighter touch on Latakia will manage to intrigue me (a diehard Latakia fan)...

This one contains some really fragrant, spicy orientals! The citrusy Virginias and smoky latakia play second and third fiddle respectively to the orientals in this blend, but they're there and taste/smell good too. With a few years of age on it Ashbury becomes a bit more sweet (red Virginia-wise) and has more of an incense-like (cinnamon-clove) quality to it. It does contain some rather large pieces of tobacco and some stems/veins which I typically just break up before packing. Smoked slowly, this blend is sublime, and I can detect individual tobacco flavors. Smoked fast, this blend is still a great mild-medium English breakfast blend, though it tends to get a bit ashy/harsh by bowl's end.

Update: Having gotten around to smoking some of the new Dunhill Early Morning Pipe, I must say that Pease's Ashbury and Chelsea Morning are far superior in every way, better quality and better tasting orientals and Virginias all round, and perfectly spiced with latakia.

Very nice. I bought a tin as a result of recommendations from Greg and others that it came close to a blend I smoked in the 70's called London Express. I hadn't smoked LE since 1973 when I bought a tin at Georgetown Pipe Shop. At the time, I found it interesting but really didn't like but I didn't like latakia back then in any great quantities and now I love it so I decided to try to find LE. Was told it was out of prodduction but a few inclding Greg himself, recommended Ashbury.

After 30 plus years, I remembered the taste immediately. Orientals dominate this blend. The little bit of latakia gives it the right amount of smokiness. I would have given this a 4 star aside from the fact that I had a hard time keep it lit. I will keep smoking it and update this review.

Ashbury is great for warm weather when a strong latakia might be too heavy. Kind of remeinds me of nuts and berrys and a spring or fall day in New England. Feel the blend is perfect for the Jamaican climate where I am now. This would be awsome if it could come in flake form.

While this is not my ideal Balkan -- to my mind, a proper Balkan has significantly more latakia than Ashbury -- it is a very good, Oriental-focused English and I recommend it if you have a fondness for Orientals (or want to see if you do).

The Orientals here are of the acrid, not rich-and-sweet, variety. Because of that -- and the fact that Ashbury moves the latakia so much to the background -- this blend is much more in the Charing Cross family than the Caravan/Odyssey family of Pease Balkan(ish) blends. I enjoy them all, but just be aware that there are distinct differences.

And lest anyone be misled by the sly wording on the older labels or the description above (which, I believe, has been changed on the latest tins), this is *not* somehow a Syrian-free version of the late, lamented Bohemian Scandal. To my mind, the Pease Syrians were distinct and unique from any currently produced Pease blend; Ashbury shouldn't be sampled with the expectation that it will echo the Scandal. You'll be disappointed.

And you shouldn't be. . . because Ashbury is a fine blend that can stand quite capabaly on its own two feet.

EDIT - I'm bumping this down a star because I've found one light latakia blend that I like better, Kensington. Still very good and very much recommended.

That I registered on this site yesterday so that I could give Ashbury my first review should say something about the blend.

I've been smoking for two years now. I only smoke aromatics if someone gives me some (bless their effort), and my favorite blend style is Balkan. I like the taste of orientals above latakia.

This blend is the perfect light-medium Balkan. I was nervous about this blend smoking too hot when I first got it, based on my experiences with the Virginia-heavy Lombard. This blend, however, seems to be much more balanced. It was wet when I bought it, and I've been working out of the same tin for a few months now (I smoke about once a day and have a large rotation), and it's getting easier to light and keep lit.

I find this blend perfect for driving to work or walking to class in the morning. Just enough kick to wake you up, but overall, a very balanced blend. Highly, highly recommended for Balkan lovers who aren't latakia hounds.

I can't add much to the fine reviews and won't touch any that are out of the ball park. I found this to be more complex of the Fog City series so far, and at first I could not appreciate the fine turkish/virginia wrap. So I aged it a few months, and tried again. Master Pease's touch is too great to be ignored but sometimes too subtle to get right away. And aging helps bring out his deftness. Yes, after several months of aging the turkish shined just fine. Reminded me of the unique tones of great turkish leaf blends from the 70's.

It is a light balkan or English-Oriental, not as rich as Caravan. But still rich. Light handed on the latakia, beatufiful virginia as usual, and just the right touch of fine, fine turkish leaf. The sweetness of the virginia and nuttiness of the turkish meld just right now. It develops down the bowl.

I like his straighter virginias best in this series, Montgomery for all day tang, hay, and a wee bit of richness; Laurel Heights, for richness & sweetness; and Telegraph Hill for more body. I can't think of too many blenders today that can give you three blends that are so good in a single series. Not to say that Lombard and Ashbury and any less good, they are just more into the English department than the above three that I personally preferred the most. You may like the others more.

Ashbury is recommended for oriental smokers.

Great first pipe of the day. Agrees with me more than Pease’s other breakfast blends, Picadilly and Chelsea Morning. With Picadilly I miss the orientals and I find Chelsea Morning a fine daytime smoke but too complex for me first thing in the morning. (I’m also not big on perique until later in the day). Smoother to me than Early Morning Pipe which I find at times a bit harsh late in the bowl. Low nic hit. Just enough smoky lat to know your smoking an English. Oriental forward on the creamy buttery end of the spectrum rather than earthy spicy sour. The VA holds it all together with a touch of sweetness so the smoking experience isn’t too dry like Kensington can be. Pairs well with either coffee or tea. Just a nice smooth mellow morning mixture.