G. L. Pease Maltese Falcon
(3.25)
Stylish, dark and alluring. Generous quantities of Cyprian latakia are blended with matured red Virginias, exotic Orientals, and just a little bright flue-cured leaf to offer a deep, full-bodied yet silky smoke with an intriguing sweetness, enhanced by a discreet and mysterious spice. Maltese Falcon possesses an exquisite balance - a wonderful all-day English style mixture.
Notes: Originally conceived as a replacement for the old Raven's Wing, Maltese Falcon quickly evolved into something bigger. It's a rich, bold blend, with excellent body, a beguiling sweetness, and solid structure, ideal for those who enjoy a sophisticated, yet comfortable and refined English-style mixture.
Maltese Falcon was introduced in January 2008
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | Heirloom Collection |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 2 ounce tin, 8 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.25 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 21 - 30 of 172 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
This was gifted to me by a pipe smoking friend who swore it is great. I couldnt wait to try it. Opening the Can I was greeted by a strong mixture of aromas that took me by surprise. This is supposed to be smooth? I found that hard to believe but took another whiff to find a rather earthy and woody blend that had rich musty smell with smoky overtones that were pleasant joined by a spicy smell, yet almost overpowering.
The tobacco seemed perfect in moisture and I did not dry it on paper towel as is my habit. This burned slow, steady, required minimal re-lights. The cut was ribbon and burned evenly. It is smooth, very smooth and it does not bite, I am a sipper but I did a few puffs just to test and it didn't heat up the bowl, it didn't increase in heat or even hint of a bite. Very pleased when it burnt to the bottom of the bowl with no unpleasant taste and left a darker gray ash with just a touch of moisture.
Upon lighting I was greeted by profusive smooth smoke.... then the flavor hit and I was pleasantly surprised for I was met with a pleasant smoky, earthy and woody taste that had a light spicy background with a subtle hint of orange and Ginger which I love... mmmmmmmmm..... The taste is nothing like the explosive aroma when you open the can. It is pleasant and the different flavors play excellently together. I was really relishing this bowl.
At around the halfway point in the bowl a pleasant very mild peppery taste appeared and it absolutely topped off the experience with this smoke. My mouth experienced a very nice sweet smoky aftertaste from the beginning of the bowl that 45 minutes after finishing the bowl is still there and I am enjoying.
For this bowl I used a Weber Squat Bulldog with saddle bit and a meerschaum lining. Sort of fitting for a English blend I thought.
This proved to be one excellent experience and Matlese Falcon is definitely a favorite that will go into my regular rotation. Don't be fooled by the overpowering aroma when opening the can. This is a wonderfully flavored tobacco that has a bit of complexity in its flavors but they play excellently together to produce a smooth, wonderfully pleasant experience. The only other thing approaching overpowering is the amount of smoke this produces and the strong smoky room note that is pleasant and was enjoyed by those around me.
This is not an all day smoke, it is perfect for after dinner to cap the day off with. Perhaps with a Stout or a Johnnie Walker or your favorite adult beverage.
This is a full blown 4 star and if there were five stars I'd give it to Maltese Falcon. The only reason it is not my absolute favorite blend is because I couldn't do multiple bowls of this, absolutely fills my tobacco needs in one bowl.
The tobacco seemed perfect in moisture and I did not dry it on paper towel as is my habit. This burned slow, steady, required minimal re-lights. The cut was ribbon and burned evenly. It is smooth, very smooth and it does not bite, I am a sipper but I did a few puffs just to test and it didn't heat up the bowl, it didn't increase in heat or even hint of a bite. Very pleased when it burnt to the bottom of the bowl with no unpleasant taste and left a darker gray ash with just a touch of moisture.
Upon lighting I was greeted by profusive smooth smoke.... then the flavor hit and I was pleasantly surprised for I was met with a pleasant smoky, earthy and woody taste that had a light spicy background with a subtle hint of orange and Ginger which I love... mmmmmmmmm..... The taste is nothing like the explosive aroma when you open the can. It is pleasant and the different flavors play excellently together. I was really relishing this bowl.
At around the halfway point in the bowl a pleasant very mild peppery taste appeared and it absolutely topped off the experience with this smoke. My mouth experienced a very nice sweet smoky aftertaste from the beginning of the bowl that 45 minutes after finishing the bowl is still there and I am enjoying.
For this bowl I used a Weber Squat Bulldog with saddle bit and a meerschaum lining. Sort of fitting for a English blend I thought.
This proved to be one excellent experience and Matlese Falcon is definitely a favorite that will go into my regular rotation. Don't be fooled by the overpowering aroma when opening the can. This is a wonderfully flavored tobacco that has a bit of complexity in its flavors but they play excellently together to produce a smooth, wonderfully pleasant experience. The only other thing approaching overpowering is the amount of smoke this produces and the strong smoky room note that is pleasant and was enjoyed by those around me.
This is not an all day smoke, it is perfect for after dinner to cap the day off with. Perhaps with a Stout or a Johnnie Walker or your favorite adult beverage.
This is a full blown 4 star and if there were five stars I'd give it to Maltese Falcon. The only reason it is not my absolute favorite blend is because I couldn't do multiple bowls of this, absolutely fills my tobacco needs in one bowl.
Pipe Used:
Weber Squat Bulldog Saddle Bit Meerschaum Lined
PurchasedFrom:
Gift from friend
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 05, 2020 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
The flavor here isn't too strong. It's actually kind of weak for an English. It has a subtly sweet, sour and savory flavor. I always feel like I'm not getting enough flavor or smoke from this blend, so I tend to burn myself on it. This is probably operator error though as I'm not used to smoking this type of mixture. I tend to gravitate toward burley that has plumes of billowing smoke in every puff. Definitely not unpleasant. I managed to smoke two bowls in a row, despite this being a bit stronger than what I'm used to. I actually enjoyed the nic-hit here since it seems to be square in the middle for me - not too strong, not too weak. I don't like that the nicotine seems so much stronger than the flavor, almost like it doesn't fit the overall strength in a way. Regardless, I think this is a great introduction to GL Pease and a fantastic smoke. If this is what all Pease blends are like then I can't wait to try some more.
Pipe Used:
MM Cobs
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 04, 2020 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The falcon has a cult like following, and it should. This is an incredible blend, and in my opinion, the best GLP has to offer and that is saying a lot, as they have a very extensive lineup with outstanding products. Falcon for me has just the right amount of Latakia when I'm not reaching for something stronger. The spiciness of all the orientals tickles my nose and delights my pallet. I have struggled with some GLP blends that tend to need a ton of relights or ghost my pipes. Not so with the Falcon. This is a superb blend that I recommend to anyone, of any experience with pipes. I think its perfect for someone looking to just break out of aromatics and trying an English or Oriental blend for the first time. Or, for the more experienced, this is a brilliant break from overpowering, strong tobaccos. This, for me is the easiest and most enjoyable smoke from GLP. A classic tobacco with a great name to boot. (Which does not always guarantee a great product, see my Haunted Bookshop review LOL) You can't go wrong with this. If you don't like the falcon, well maybe your palette needs adjusted.
Pipe Used:
Big fat Velanis
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 24, 2019 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Smoked a tin of this a few months ago and with the fast approaching fallwinter season I knew this was a blend I had to restock, purchased 2 more tins and opened the one I had left dated 3/19. Just as I remembered it, a somewhat sweet ginger casing, with Latakia that is smoky but not as rich as other English blends, these components compliment each other perfectly and I can see why this always flies off the shelves. I will be buying more for the cellar as this is a top 5 blend.
100% an all day smoke. Buy it if you want a change of pace for English blends, if you don’t like it now let it sit for a bit.
100% an all day smoke. Buy it if you want a change of pace for English blends, if you don’t like it now let it sit for a bit.
Pipe Used:
MM general cob
PurchasedFrom:
Tobaccopipes.com
Age When Smoked:
7 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 13, 2019 | Medium | Mild | Medium to Full | Strong |
Deep and rich Latakia blend. It’s very well done. There are multiple types of tobacco in here, but they meld harmoniously into this blend. Taste is Latakia forward, and it’s meaty and buttery, like burnt steak gristle. There is some sweetness in there to balance out the savory. Also, in my opinion the “mystery spice” is fresh ginger. My tin was less than a year old and I have another tin I’m going to let rest. I think this could improve with some age. The Latakia could use some mellowing.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 02, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I purchased several tins in Mid 2008 during the initial release of this blend, so my review is for an 11 year old version.
Tin appearance: Majority of dark brown leaf, along with the darkness of the Latakia. Very little bright Va makes up this blend. Aroma of intoxicating smoky Latakia, woody (cedar-like) and somewhat sweet smelling.
Packing/lighting/smoking:
Packs with ease, as you would expect with a fine ribbon cut. 2 charring lights are usually all that is required. Seemed to burn a bit uneven, no matter how I packed it. If there was any ginger spice added, it is all but gone from aging. I do not detect any spice whatsoever. I also do not detect much sweetness, especially after the description said there was. The Perique does leave a pleasant, almost menthol mouth feel, which I like, but it also leaves my mouth dry and "chalky" as DK said. Had it not been for the dry mouth feel, this would've been a solid 3.5 stars. Would make a great all-day English for those who enjoy it.
Tin appearance: Majority of dark brown leaf, along with the darkness of the Latakia. Very little bright Va makes up this blend. Aroma of intoxicating smoky Latakia, woody (cedar-like) and somewhat sweet smelling.
Packing/lighting/smoking:
Packs with ease, as you would expect with a fine ribbon cut. 2 charring lights are usually all that is required. Seemed to burn a bit uneven, no matter how I packed it. If there was any ginger spice added, it is all but gone from aging. I do not detect any spice whatsoever. I also do not detect much sweetness, especially after the description said there was. The Perique does leave a pleasant, almost menthol mouth feel, which I like, but it also leaves my mouth dry and "chalky" as DK said. Had it not been for the dry mouth feel, this would've been a solid 3.5 stars. Would make a great all-day English for those who enjoy it.
Pipe Used:
several
PurchasedFrom:
Pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked:
11 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 02, 2019 | Very Mild | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Tolerable |
I didn’t like this blend. I got very little flavor from it other than what I assume was the ginger. The smoke seemed hot throughout the bowl, too.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli Mega 320
PurchasedFrom:
Gift
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
A very interesting take on the English theme. Maltese Falcon is indeed a full bodied English with considerable amounts of Latakia yet it does not offer that classical in-your-face campfire taste. Here the smokiness is exceptionally smooth and round and sweet but in a natural way. The matured red Virginias of course help. There’s no hay-like Virginia taste here. The Orientals are also ample and add a nice saltiness. And though full bodied, the strength is not more than medium. As for the secret spice, I do not detect any added flavoring but overall Maltese Falcon has a taste reminiscent of coffee or bitter chocolate, so if I had to place my bets on what the secret spice was, I’d say either or both of the above mentioned. Or it could be that it contains some unflavored Black Cavendish which gives these tastes.
The cut is ribbon and the overall hue is quite dark. I found a few twigs in it and it can be smoked without any need for drying. Room note is almost pleasant and sweet for a Latakia blend.
Overall Maltese Falcon is n excellent modern English which can be smoked all day and also pairs well with coffee and for me it’s a nice first smoke of the day.
The cut is ribbon and the overall hue is quite dark. I found a few twigs in it and it can be smoked without any need for drying. Room note is almost pleasant and sweet for a Latakia blend.
Overall Maltese Falcon is n excellent modern English which can be smoked all day and also pairs well with coffee and for me it’s a nice first smoke of the day.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Finally, A Pease Blend that lives up to the Hype. This is a Balkan.
It's a near perfect cut and moisture. This one has a lot of the oriental flavor I've come to recognize in the top blends I relish. I do taste the Virginia and Latakia and not much casing of this special flavor at all. It really is one of the smoothest Balkans I've tried. It's really oriental forward and I know the other stuff is there, but it's rounded and only embellishes the oriental to my taste. Reminds me of something between Blackhouse and White Knight which are both two of my favorite blends based of old Balkan Sobranie's.
It's nice to finally get something truly Balkan from Pease. Wish I'd hit this one sooner. And it is a good one. Plum Pudding, Magnum Opus, Blackhouse, Balkan Sasieni are all the best blends which are just so good calling any better than the rest is a superfluous gesture. This Pease offering is in that company.
It's a near perfect cut and moisture. This one has a lot of the oriental flavor I've come to recognize in the top blends I relish. I do taste the Virginia and Latakia and not much casing of this special flavor at all. It really is one of the smoothest Balkans I've tried. It's really oriental forward and I know the other stuff is there, but it's rounded and only embellishes the oriental to my taste. Reminds me of something between Blackhouse and White Knight which are both two of my favorite blends based of old Balkan Sobranie's.
It's nice to finally get something truly Balkan from Pease. Wish I'd hit this one sooner. And it is a good one. Plum Pudding, Magnum Opus, Blackhouse, Balkan Sasieni are all the best blends which are just so good calling any better than the rest is a superfluous gesture. This Pease offering is in that company.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 07, 2016 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
A full-bodied, solid Latakia blend. Very smoky, rich and surprisingly complex. Skillfully blended orientals. Not for the faint of heart.. Definitely blended for the English smoker. I would not recommend this for the beginning smoker.
Pairs well with port.
Pairs well with port.
Pipe Used:
Meer, briar
Age When Smoked:
New tin
target="_blank"
