G. L. Pease Westminster

"A perfect every-day English" The label says it all. A blend of such harmony that it evokes a symphony of ones senses. On initial light Latakia takes the forefront which quickly gives way to the VA sweetness and the tickle of the orientals weaving in and out. As the bowl progressed each of the different tobaccos took turns taking center stage and then stepping back for the next soloist. If you like English tobacco or are looking for what one is, then look no further.

Highly recommended.

This is another great GLP English mixtures (BTW the contents includes Orientals which were left out of the description). There seems to be two types of mixtures as reviewed in this website, all-day mixtures and special occasion mixtures. This is an all-day mixture. The tobaccos are medium ribbon cut and a wonderful experience to see. I like the interesting mixtures of light and dark tobaccos. Part of the experience when opening a tin for the first time that is special.

The pouch aroma is wonderfully Latakia-dominated, a big plus for me. The stuff loads easily, lights easily, and burns cleanly down to a grey ash with nary a drop of moisture in the heal. The mechanics of this mixture are first-rate. I think an every-day smoke would not require my undivided attention to enjoy and this tobacco is very friendly in that respect. It does have complexity in the way Vanilla Bean Gelato has complexity. Really great flavour from top to bottom. I think the characteristic that dominates this mixture is the superb balance of the flavour components. Not too much or too little of any one flavour.

I believe this mixture will surely age very well, but right out of the tin, it is an exceptional English mixture that can be enjoyed all day long.

Obviously not the new GL Pease Westminster (Jan '07). I'll submit the form to get the Pease version listed under the GL Pease section.

I bought a pouch in Switzerland a year ago. This is a good bargain, a nice tobacco at a very low price. The shag cut make it easy to pack and smoke, but pay attention not to rush it. It's a good medium English, though not exceptional, suitable for an all day smoke. Probably there's some burley into it, I detected a nutty tone, while I couldn't detect any Perique altough it's mentioned in the content. On the pouch the manufacturer name is as follows: Pipe Tobacco made in Switzerland by F.J.Burrus S.A., but also Westminster Tobacco Co.Ltd. London. Probably it's manufactured in Switzerland on licence.

I have only found this in Switzerland, in 40 gramme pouches and 100 gramme tins. It is a bit of a bargain as a pouch could be had for just above 4 Swiss Francs.

It is a cool smoking Balkan but with a slightly odd flavour. I would be tempted to say that there is perhaps a touch of burley in it, but cannot be sure. The shag cut makes it burn hotter than comparable mixtures and one has to be careful with the packing. Good enough if nothing else of the kind is available, but there are too many better blends available for this to be a permanent part of the rotation.

This mixture is a rather full Englis/Balkan blend. Lots of smokey flavor and is strong. I smoked quite a bit of this while in Switzerland and France in the mid 90's and came across two 100 gr. tins of this the other day in my tobacco storage area.

A very fine cut ribbon... almost shag cut which you don't see often with this type mixture. Easy to pack, light, and stays lighted without problems. Aroma and taste are smokey and strong, yet very fragrant and with little or no bite. I would say that this is more in the Balkan range and perhaps for the experienced smoker who will appreciate the strength.

Predominantely a Virginia Plug smoker, I like this mixture as I rotate in and out of various Balkan blends from the straight Virginias. Sipping on a good quality single malt scotch and enjoying this mixture is wonderful!!!

While I haven't been able to locate this mixture anymore it is a worthy smoke. Most of the current tin I have smoked has been with a 1958 dunhill, straight stem,shell billiard, group 5 type.

Regards, Peter

If you enjoy medium to full English blends sans perique, Westminster will not disappoint. It is excellent and a perfect example of the style. Wonderful flavor, smokes cool and dry, and is a superb post-prandial indulgence. This is very close to 4 stars for me. However, since there are so many quality English blends out there, I need to reserve 4 stars for the ones that really blow me away. This is fantastic, but not life-changing in the way Bengal Slices or Lancer Slices was. I would certainly recommend this and would buy it again, but don't think it would be THE heavy English I keep in my rotation.

One of my favorite blends. A terrific, full English, one of the stars in flavortown. Burns easily. Intoxicating aromas. Some spice. Lots of Latakia. Heady. Calming. Consistent.

Like a friend who is constant and steady. Says what he means. You don’t have to strain to get what the friend means. Assertive not passive-aggressive. Clear.

I don't understand why some categorize it as a Balkan. It's clearly a Latakia forward blend and as such rich, smokey, musky, dry in a delightful and never overpowering way.

The orientals are centainly there but subdued as a sweet sour and everpresent dark undertone. They lack the sour brightness often associated with orientals.

You get a rich smokeyness with a lower base of sour orientals. This combination makes this blend stand out as not just another English blend.

Smokability is the only downside I experienced. Burns to fine white ash but does not goop. But keeping it lit seems difficult.