G. L. Pease Laurel Heights

The tin aroma of the wide-cut ribbon is of nutty and sweet red virginias, behind which slight amounts of latakia is noticeable. Though cut for wide gauge chambers, this performed best when chopped to varying degrees in order to pair with the narrower chambers for which this blend seems suited.

The red virginia, while lacking aggression, is subtle and deep with tones of toasted crusts and baked sugars . The wafting of latakia lends adds stolidity and presence.

Unassuming, yet elegant, this is a charming and nuanced blend. Aging is highly recommended. This was best in narrow to medium gauge chambers.

GL Pease is arguably the best blender today. I now have seven of his blends in my rotation and at least one of his tins open at all times. Having said that, I must concur with Mainspring's assessment of this quality blend.

This is my "reading" smokes - what I like to smoke while sitting back and reading one of Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubry and Stephen Maturin sea novels. LH packs very easy and tamps down with a springiness to it before lighting. Obviously quality tabacco - wondeful fresh smell while still in the tin. On lighting, the initial taste for me is slightly bitter and slightly "woody". Perhaps the woody taste is GL Pease's term for "peat"; nevetheless, it is very satisfying. As the smoke developes, the bitterness (which is somewhat akin to bitter beer hops) disappears and the smooth natural virginia flavors kick in. This is an excellent tobacco and I believe it would be ideal for breaking in a new pipe. It doesn't burn too hot, it remains lit without constant puffing, burns perfectly evenly throughout and finishes with a fine whitish ash - and its flavor is fantastic. I have several tins stockpiled and will order more. I highly recommend this tobacco.

As much as I have tried to enjoy Laurel Heights, I just don't seem to be able to. It isn't the quality of the tobacco because it is obviously top shelf. My taste buds are to blame. To me it is a harsh and hot smoke. The moisture in the tin seems to be just right. From the charring light to the last shred in the bowl, it just doesn't give me any enjoyment. Maybe some aging will change my rating.

Laurel Heights made me feel like a rich man.

Not every pipeful, and not all the way through the tin, but in two or three smokes it just pushed the right buttons. The strong top note in the aroma is almost floral, the smoke feels and tastes good in the mouth, and the support in the middle is (not a word I like to use) perfect. The bottom notes are well in the background. This is simply a brilliant blend.

Two things I'll do differently next time: look for a discount, and don't scrabble around in the jar to get the last bits. The Latakia crumbles more than the Virginias, and at the bottom of the container the balance of the blend comes unstuck. But hey, a rich man can afford to throw out a teaspoonful of tobacco.

All of the tobaccos used by Greg and Craig are of the highest quality, and my two star recommendation should not reflect that fact. I have been "cursed" with an uncanny ability to shudder when latakia is even mentioned in a room, let alone smoked. When I attempted to smoke LH, all I could detect is latakia. Understand, the amount of latakia is minimal, almost microscopic, but its not a tobacco for me. The foundation of red and other virginias is wonderful, and I feel that this blend will receive the highest accolades.

aj

Unlike most reviewers, I find GLP's blends to be a little bitey on the tongue. This could be due to my smoking habits, and I have learned to "sip" his blends carefully to avoid bite. This is not the case with Laurel Heights. I made my charring light gingerly, hoping to avoid that initial sting, but it never came. Instead, I got a moutful of creamy, sweet smoke. The beginning of the bowl had some nose tingle that pleasantly offset the sweetness. Mid bowl became slightly nutty, but never bitter. The ending was very mild and dry, and left me wanting another bowl immediately. There was no dottle at all. It smoked down to a fine gray ash.

All that said, this is a terrible, terrible smoke. Don't buy any...at least not until I've stocked up;)

The Bordeaux Of Tobacco Blends. Like a Chateau Latour, or a Chateau Margaux, or an Opus One, the Creme De La Creme. This is the one.

Complex, distictly layered tastes among intertwining flavors!! Full bodied, unique, elegant, naturally aromatic, and Did I Say Flavorful!!!!

Dare I say the tobacco to end all tobaccos? With no offense meant to anyone!

Further, this tobacco smells so good in the tin you may not want to smoke it, but when you do, you will swear you died and went to tobacco heaven.

This is flavorful top to bottom, and fairly explodes upon the palate the way a fine red wine will, deep and dense, broad and full, luxurious and rich. With just enough sweetness from the Virginias to make this blend really sing. A true symphony of flavors.

And like a fine red wine, this is a blend to be savored, to be enjoyed leisurely, as you would not want to rush this. You absolutely would not want to miss out on the interplay and intertwining of the amazingly delicious flavors and aromas headed your way.

And by way of an extra bonus, the nicotine level is quite manageable. Just enough to let you know it is there, but no more.

As previously noted here, I too can only imagine the effect that aging would have on this blend.

Mr. Pease, Kudos To You, you have really done it this time. But alas, how do you top this?

Highly recommended! In fact, this is so highly recommended that it is off the charts. 100 out of 10!!!!

Happy smoking!!!

I've never given 2 stars to a Pease blend, but this is it. The tobacco looks and smells great. The burn is nearly perfect, I've never had more one match bowls on any blend before. I found the strength somewhat strong but the fullness in the mouth somewhat mild. Not a very rich, satisfying smoke for me. I kept trying it and expecting a different experience, but it was consistent throughout the tin, and that's good if you like this blend. Some obviously love this tobacco, but I can't seem to be satisfied enough.