G. L. Pease Maltese Falcon

With long-time favorite tobaccos in short supply, I have been going through some of the Pease offerings. I'm glad I have. Maltese Falcon is another fine tobacco. However, for me, it was lacking some of the balance and complexity that I found in Chelsea Morning and others. I thought it was a bit Latakia heavy, and would have liked a bit more Virginia in the mix. Different blends for different palates, of course. I'm not going to get this one again because there are so many other good blends out there that suit my preferences, but I'm not going to hammer it either, because I think it's a quality blend for the right smoker.

I smoked a bowl of this a long time ago, and one tonight from a freshly opened tin. The tobacco was fairly moist and I should have let it dry out a bit more, probably. I found this rather sweet, but a nice medium English that developed some strength in terms of flavor down the bowl. I did find it just a bit spicy, and also just a bit bitey but I have problems with bright VA and of course it was a bit moist. I will smoke more, but for now, it's definitely recommended for someone looking for a medium English with flair. UPDATE Drying it out produced a less sweet smoke and less bite but oddly it didn't burn as well. Seems counter intuitive.

I was really looking forward to this. I like the can, I like the idea behind the name and I like the quality and care of G.L. Pease. Top notch folks. I wish it had more Orientals and less Virginias but I'm an Orientals fan so please keep that in mind when reading this review. That said, a good smoke. Good moisture right out of the can, a lingering spice taste on the tongue and no hot spots. Says lit well and an over all good burn. Since I don't smoke any tobacco more than 2/3 of a bowl, I can only guess that it burns clean to the end. I will always keep a tin of this handy and fire it up 1/2 dozen times a month I'm sure. Maybe Mr. Pease could do "The Big Sleep" next with Cyprian Latakia, Orientals and just a smidge of really quality Burley. A man can dream can't he?

I was in San Diego yesterday and picked up a tin of MF as well as a tin of Fillmore from Liberty Tobacco, a shop that has been there since 1975. Fillmore I have had and obviously enjoy seeing that I purchased more of it but this review is of MF which until yesterday I have only read about.

I found in only one bowl this to be a high quality GLP blend as I have come to expect from him. The presentation is superb and the tin aroma is of spicy Lakakia and Orientals. On first light the Latakia makes itself known and remains throughout the bowl but never in my opinion overpowering. I smoked this as walked down the shoreline and knew I had waited too long to try this fine blend. I am a fan most of GL's blends that I have tried and this is not an exception. There are heavier less sweet overings from GL and conversely lighter sweeter blends. This falls in the middle between Chelsea Morning and Westminster. To me it was kind of like Oddessy just not as bold and easier to keep lit.

After polishing off a 2oz tin, this one is still a little difficult to fully grasp.

I absolutely love the first 1/4 of the smoke. The interplay between the virginias (which at times have that sweet/sour mix that I usually associate with a McClelland virginia) and the latakia is so perfect and profound that it makes me forget I usually crave the oriental components of an english blend. The rest of the bowl is rich and smooth, very consistent, and quite lovely in its own right, though it's almost a letdown after the beginning. Almost.

Part of me wants to say this blend is good, though may not become a favorite. Yet I keep going back to it, perhaps hoping to extend those magical first few puffs somehow. Maybe I like the rest more than I'm inclined to believe. It's tough to say. I don't think I've quite figured this one out yet, but I'm intrigued enough to stock a bit more. Maybe that's what it's all about, after all.

I had such high hopes for this blend. It smelled great! I loaded it up and as soon as the fire hit the tobacco I knew I would really enjoy the time I had with Maltese Falcon. For half of the bowl, I thought I had found my new favorite.

Perhaps it was the pipe, or the way I was smoking, but the last half was just not pleasant at all. Not sure what the problem was so for now it only gets 3 out of 4 stars. I will try it again in a different pipe and see what happens.

UPDATE: Tried it in a larger pipe. It was much better than before, but still not up to what I had hoped it would be. Then again, I have not ever been a real fan of GLP blends that I have tried. Not sure why. Not bad, wouldnt turn it away, but I dont think I will ever sit around thinking to myself, "Wow! I sure could use a bowl of MF."

This is a good blend. Try as I might, I cannot quite declare it a great blend.

There are moments when it really shines, but when it does it brings to mind other blends (e.g., Westminster, Samarra) that provide those flavors/moments more consistently. Too much of the time it borders on hard edged -- almost ashy -- while not providing the depth of pungency or complexity that I really crave in my English and Balkans. Perhaps time will soften some of those edges and let the better moments linger longer.

Blends affect different smokers differently, and I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that something in the Falcon disagrees with my constitution (the "discreet and mysterious spice" perhaps?). I tend to like latakia-heavy powerhouse blends and don't think I'm particularly sensitive to heavy smokes, but I haven't had a full bowl of the Falcon that didn't leave me with a headache afterwards. I originally thought this was a fluke of coincidence, but -- a full tin into my Falcon experience -- I am regretfully convinced otherwise.

To note these things is almost to complain too much: As noted, Maltese Falcon is good, and it has an assertive enough character that I can understand how it might align wonderfully with some smokers' tastes. It is well worth trying, and I'm not about to jettison the tins from my cellar.

This is a fine English blend with a hint of spice that sets it apart. Unlike Westminster, I have not had any difficulty keeping MF lit. The tin I just finished was only tinned on October 1, 2008 so some time in the cellar will do wonders for this blend. A fine effort by Pease.

Very nice full latakia blend. Remeinded me of Odessy. Burns cool. Will do more reviews as I get through the tin.