G. L. Pease Ashbury

When I first met Greg about 4 years ago at a pipe show, my first thought was: Who is this hippie in the hawaiian shirt? And then, I started talking with him. This man is warm, deep, friendly, and has an incredible knowledge of tobacco and of its chemical compositions. This blend reflects that knowledge!

Appearance and Tin aroma: Beautiful leaves of yellow, red, mohagany, and black leaf. It smells delightfully fragrant and sweet. The predominant boquet is that from the oriental leaves.The leaf itself is oily and pliable, a good sign!

Packing and Lighting: I found it best in large pipes. Normal method of packing works best. Moisture is perfect! 2-3 lights max.

Initial Flavor: From the get go, the wonderful interplay between the oriental anf red VA is apparent. The VA in this tastes very much like that of "Montgomery". The initial smoke of this has a woderful fragant pungency typical of a Balkan, albeit a little more restrained.

Mid-Bowl: This blend continue the journey with the latakia giving a good support to the other leaf. There is a delightful interplay between the sweet and bitter elements of the different leaves. Room note is to die for, at least to those of us who like Balkans!

Bottom of Bowl: I get here too quickly and have surprised myself that I had finished the bowl. There is not much of a build up of strength, but that is ok with me. The ash is dry and mottled grey. I immediately start thinking of which pipe I should use next to smoke this blend.

Overall: This is an all-day blend. It is a "breakfast-balkan" IMO. But, lately, when I choose to smoke this blend, I smoke it exclusvely all day and then come back to it a few days later. This blend is very complex, but not in an overpowering way. I am amazed everytime I smoke it of the new nuances I detect. Will it replace some of my other favorite Balkans such as Charing Cross, Abingdon, or Oddessey? No, but it is a welcome addition. My admiration for Greg's skills continue to grow. Thank You Greg!

Greg was very kind in sending me a generous sample of this fine weed about 1 month before it "shipped" to distributors. I have to date smoked 5 bowls, in various pipes at different times of the day. As soon as it's available from distributors, I'm ordering two 8 ounce cans, one to smoke and one to age, I'm just that impressed with it!

Appearance:

A nice mottled mixture consisting of bright and red Virginias, darker Orientals of various hues and black Latakia. My guess is nearly equal proportions of each. The cut is a course ribbon cut and nearly uniform.

Aroma:

Complex, earthy, with a mild astringent quality that I associate with Orientals, raisin and hay-like tones of well aged Virginias and a nice smoky undercurrent from the Latakia. Though I would characterize this as a Balkan mixture, it is not a Latakia "heavyweight", the balance seems more in favor of Orientals. One whiff is not going to be enough, plan on burying your nose in this one for awhile.

Initial Taste:

Very well balanced lighting taste, at once sharp deep and stimulating. The slight astringency is there right off with a strong tannin like taste found in strong black tea, with resonant Virginia tones of dark and mysterious fruits, with Latakia bringing up the remains with a bold yet somewhat muted smokiness. The first few puffs bring an ever-changing presence of each component more in "synch" with what promises to be a rich and rewarding experience. I tamp it all down and then re-light, again the Orientals seem to arrive first on the scene, a little less astringent now, but still very much in the fore-front with the Virginias deepening and the Latakia bringing things full circle.

Mid Bowl:

At mid-bowl, everything has deepened and widened, and all seems to work in a careful cooperation. The astringent quality of the Oriental has mellowed and matured with qualities similar to bergamot or other aromatic herbs (don' t confuse this with aromatic tobaccos) perhaps hints of rosemary. The Virginias have deepened considerably even bringing a very subtle sweetness into play, and the Latakia tones in with its dark leathery smokiness, still playing a following role. The complexity of this blend is astonishing, not lending itself well to anything save pleasure in the extreme. One could easily forget the maelstrom outside the door smoking this! While building it has never become overpowering in any way, yet it demands full attention.

Final Third:

Every puff brings greater complexity, as this mixture continues to build in flavor and intensity. The Orientals have finally mated and mingled with the Virginias and are courting the Latakia to make it's final play. Deep resonant and bold the Latakia begins to lead the final chorus with an astonishing finish. It still does not dominate, it just makes its presence known and felt bringing a throaty smokiness together with the slightly sweet marriage of Orientals and Virginias.

Concluding Thoughts:

While nearly perfect in all respects, I suspect this could benefit with some age, 6 months at a minimum. I do not wish to leave the impression that this mixture is in anyway "green" I just think the flavors will "meld" with time. For those with an interest in cellaring tobacco mixtures, this should be a prime candidate for long term aging.

This promises to be a simply ASTONISHING blend, it may eclipse Bohemian Scandal! It is a true masterpiece tobacco mixture. Very very well done Greg.

****+ four plus stars for anyone who values them.

kilted1

Pease Pilgrimage Reviews (a tasting journey through every GLPease blend) Tin date: 08/15/06

Aroma: The aroma is mild and slightly sweet, with the typical sweet-tang provided by VA-Oriental mixtures. The Latakia is there, but certainly in the background, adding a light smokiness.

Appearance: This is more like a ribbon than many of GLP's "ribbons." Overall a darker-colored blend, perfect moisture, great packing and burning. The occasional Latakia leaf is evident in the blend, but is not the star of the show.

Flavor: This is great stuff! Some of you know that I am not a big fan of that oriental tang, but this blend has a very unique flavor that really speaks to me. The Pease website talks about "an alluring assortment of exotic Oriental tobaccos" and I have to agree. The Orientals really provide a unique flavor, similar in some ways to some of the Grand Orientals from McClelland. That Oriental tang seems to always cause a kind of burning sensation in my nose and throat, but perhaps because my tin is four years old this one seems to be quite mild. The flavors are good, the Latakia provides just enough cool smokiness to tame the beast, and I rate this an easy three stars, probably three and a half.

To my tastes, it's a bit more approachable than Westminster, with a bigger influence from the orientals. Not as rich and smooth as Abingdon, possibly because of Abingdon's high Latakia content (I am a self-confessed Latakia hound). Don't know what this stuff tastes like fresh, but my four year old tin is really treating me right!

BTW, I got this tin from Barlow's in Lafayette, CO last week. They still have some four year old tins on the shelf, so if you're near the Front Range, and you like Ashbury, go get yourself some good tobacco!

[UPDATE, AN HOUR AND HALF LATER:] Just had a pipeful in my trusty Meer - this stuff is fabulous! I think it gained its fourth star tonight. I had my wife - a devout non-smoker - try a puff to ask her what is this flavor that's eluding me...and she nailed it: truffles! First she said mushrooms, then she said no, it's "truffley." That's it! Earthy, truffley, absolutely delicious in a Meer. I really think this will become my go-to Oriental blend. No idea what it's like fresh, but with a little time, this is one sublime smoke. Four stars! [END UPDATE]

Tin: Mostly shades of brown to black, with some light tan and green. The singular aroma standing out from the base VA is the mildly smoky Latakia. The VA has the somewhat acetic smell of good quality fermented and cured tobacco, although this seemed to fade away after a few days. Date on bottom of tin: 030507(MAR 05, 2007).

Packing & Lighting: Contrasting with other Fog City Selections, Montgomery and Laurel Heights, Ashbury did have a tendency for the tobacco strands to adhere when rolled into a ball. This gives a concern of packing the bowl too tight, resulting in a more forced draw, though the moisture level does feel appropriate. Generally, one relight is needed.

Aroma & Taste: The primary aroma and taste is that of light orientals, a creamy, fragrant, herbal essence akin to rosemary, with smoky Latakia hiding well off of center stage.

There is no bite.

I do agree that the orientals in Ashbury have a slightly acrid character, contrasted with other sweet, more mellow varieties of orientals. The quantity of orientals in Ashbury cast them in the limelight, not the spotlight, being lightly applied, the VA providing a light toasted-fruit-like base in the background.

Nicotine: Not much buzz at all, mild to medium, quite tame compared to Mont. and LH.

Room Note: Fairly nice Va quality of mild hay, and fragrant oriental.

Overall: Ashbury could easily be smoked throughout the day. It is rather more complex than the unidimensional Mont. or LH. Although Mont. may have impressed me more, Mont. was the first of the Fog City Selection I smoked. 3.8 stars.

Something strange and wonderful happened to me in ordering this Pease Balkan. I am prone to imagine my ideal smoke characteristics of taste, aroma, texture etc. before I order a blend. This usually sets me up for disappointment since virtually no tobacco I have tried is "exactly" what I hoped or expected it to be in my imagination beforehand. I shouldn't conjure up these images prior to, but oh well, I can't help it. In short, I build up unrealistic expectations.

Plus, I suppose I'm too darn picky. But this time there is a happy ending.

Might I say that Ashbury turned out to be everything I imagined for my "ideal Balkan blend".

This is my perfect (non-aromatic) smoke - period.

The tin aroma is similar to McClelland blends, which some call vinegar, yet I don't think so. Its simply the smell of HIGH QUALITY fermented/aged tobacco which McC and GLP use in their products - and perhaps some similar curing techniques. Not a problem for me. Even if it is vinegar, bacteria naturally produce acetic acid (vinegar) when fermenting natural sugars under aerobic conditions.

The blend lights easily and burns very evenly without burning to one side or creating hot spots. Perfect moisture content right out of the tin, no drying needed for my tatstes.

The initial notes were light and herbaceous (not green mind you) and backed with just enough Latakia to be satisfying. I do love that herbal component so. It has such a "clean" taste and I suspect it is the orientals producing this flavor.

The tang of the VAs supported the dominating oriental "light-herbal-creamy-spiciness" (the best way I can describe the orientals here). This is an oriental dominated blend which I enjoy alternating between McC Yendije Supreme - a pure oriental. This has helped me appreciate both blends and detect the nuances of flavor in each by comparison of what each does and doesn't have.

This blend enjoys medium puffing and doesn't bite, and the moderate spiciness that lingers on the tongue is quite nice.

For me, this is the ultimate Balkan. I love this stuff.

(Hats off to "kilted1" for an outstanding 1st review of this blend)

Fog City Collection contains some of my favorite tobacco blends, and this is no exception! I enjoy all aspects of English/Balkans, from mild, to sweet, to chewy and salty lat bombs.

The tin appearance is thin ribbons of beautiful brights and reds, medium Orientals and dark, rich Latakia and Dark Fired.

The aroma is most intoxicating. Sweet Virginia, mild smokiness, and a wonderful floral scent from the Orientals. I could smell this all day.

The blend loads and packs very well due to the small, thin ribbons.

This first half of this blend is absolute heaven. Woody, smoky, earthy. Slightly salty and bready, with a great mouth feel. 2nd half is very Oriental forward. Spice, floral, and the mild smokiness continues. Excellent clean and refreshing feeling on the palate. Burns down to nothing but dark gray and dry ash. This is one of my favorite warm weather Balkan blends. Greg does it again!

Another Pease that deserves the fourth star. Maybe I am biased but as a lover of va and latakia/orientals this one is an instant hit.

Mildly sweet, slightly smoky, and moderatley spicy from the orientals, and there is this citrus undercurrent that plays in and out in the background. This one is so easy to enjoy.

I think this may be an excellent all day smoke for me. It runs all the bases and is well balanced and rounded.

If there is such a thing as a VA balkan this is it.

This is one of the best tobacco's I have had the pleasure of smoking.

How Mr. Pease gets the flavors to come out in the smoking is magic. How they smell to others is a different story.

Don't pass this one without a try.

I'm a big fan of Greg Pease. I enjoy every one of his blends save those that contain burley (to which I have an aversion), cigar leaf, and those with too much latakia for my tastes. So I was sure that I would enjoy this blend.

I was unimpressed with my first few smokes of Ashbury. Aha! So Mr. Pease can take all of those fine tobaccos that I do enjoy and create something I don't like after all. I was kind of happy that I wouldn't have to fit one more blend in my rotation.

Six months of aging changed all that. While I do enjoy Balkan blends,they take second chair to Virginias. Well, at least they did. Ashbury is an extaordinary and complex blend. I'm reminded of Dunhill's Durbar of years past, at least so far as I can remember its nut like flavor. The tobacco burns perfectly with only on re-light (unless DGT is employed) down to the bottom of the bowl leaving a clean grey ash without a hint of bite.

Highly recommended to anyone who can appreciate what a fine alchemist has to offer.

I had the opportunity to acquire a small sample of Ashbury at a meeting of the Sacramento Pipe Collectors' Assembly in Sacramento, CA. The mixture has black, brown, and yellow ribbon strands and a wonderfully round pouch aroma. It is apparent from the aroma that this is not a mixture dominated by Latakia, nor is Latakia (Cyprian) a subtle condimental component. Moisture level was perfect and the strands packed easily in my pipe as is did in other pipes i have smoked it in.

It lights easily and does not require an inordinate amount of fussing to keep it going down to a dry grey ash. One of the hallmarks of a GLP mixture is that sudden end of the smoke without warning. It burns cleanly to the bottom and never gurgles or becomes bitter or nasty toward the end.

If there ever was an all-day Balkan, this is it. It has a delicious taste that changes throughout the bowl. Th eprimary flavour component is the Oreintals with the Virginias sharing the stage with the Latakia as backup. Imagine a jazz band with the piano and horn plyer in front sharing the limelight backed up with an upright bass player. My olde favourite was Odyssey, but it think Ashbury will take its place. I ordered a ton of the stuff in 2-ounce tins so i could enjoy the development of the mixture over time as it ages and marries in the tins.

I highly recommend this new mixtre to all pipe smokers. This is a very easy mixture ot enjoy and rewards the smoker with a very delicious experience.