G. L. Pease Maltese Falcon

This probably has to be one of the most well balanced mixtures from mr pease the Latakia runs smoothly with all the other components instead of being the main attraction, packs easily and lights better, granted my tin had 7 years of aging I think that this is probably well behaved even at young age, solid blending all around and a good introduction to the world of Pease´s blends, would I buy this blend again...absolutely but not enough to hoard

Maltese Falcon is a creamy, full bodied English smoke that I truly enjoy. This is a full flavored, in your face Latakia blend that is sure to delight any fan of Latakia. Upon opening the tin, I am greeted by thin to medium sized uniform ribbons of mostly dark colored tobaccos. The smell is truly amazing in the tin, and the tobacco has a rich earthy smokiness that reminds me of a campfire. There are hints of sweetness from the Virginia, but that rich smoky aroma is definitely in the forefront and make it hard to find any other aromas in the tin. The moisture content of the tobacco was as expected with most GLP blends spot on perfect and ready to smoke upon delivery. Due to the cut and moisture level, it was easy enough to load the pipe and the tobacco took a light with little to no fuss. The first flavor that I taste once the pipe is up and going is the creamy, and smoky Latakia, which should be expected with the amount of Latakia that this blend contains. Like the tin description reads, this tobacco is silky smooth, and it reminds me of a dark beer like a Guinness, kind of like a milkshake, it’s so thick and creamy. As for the Virginias and Orientals in this blend, there is a slight sweetness and crispness that can be found if one searches and ponders long and hard over what they are tasting. As for the “discreet and mysterious spice” that the blend is supposed to contain, I just simply can’t find it, due to the Latakia stealing the show. Burn Characteristics of the tobacco were alright, although I find myself tamping and relighting this blend more frequently than I like, but again that should be expected with this much slow burning Latakia. The room note, according to those around me was strong but tolerable, but I would suggest smoking this one outside or away from those that don’t tolerate the smell of a strong English blend. I am lucky enough to have a loving wife that will just simply go in the other room if she doesn’t like the smell of the tobacco. Overall, I am very pleased with this tobacco and will keep a tin or two around for evenings when I want a Latakia forward blend. I would recommend this to any fan of heavy Latakia forward blends or lovers of thick, dark, dessert beers.

As I enjoy some other GL Pease blends, I was intrigued to try Maltese Falcon, perhaps because of the name, perhaps because of the suggestion that it has a secret spicey ingredient.

Initially I was disappointed. The secret ingredient, which might be ginger as others have suggested, came across as very dominant, so much so that it almost completely overpowers the smoking experience. I put the tin to one side thinking that at last I'd found a GL Pease that wasn't good. However I kept returning to the tin to have another smoke. Something about Maltese Falcon kept drawing me back to it. And after another few smokes I got used to the ginger topping and began to identify some sweeter nuances underneath.

Now, about half the tin later, I'm actually quite enjoying this one. Took a while to get used to it and 'identify' with it. I find I'm looking forward to it, particularly in the mornings with a cup of hot black tea, which goes nicely with the ginger taste of the tobacco.

So: an unusual tobacco to smoke. It can't be called English or Oriental because it really doesn't fit with those genres. It's pretty much unique, and after a while become very moreish. I don't think it can be a four star tobacco due to its uniqueness, but it's worth trying by anyone who fancies that special ginger topping. Packs and lights easily and produces nice clouds of smoke.

Not much extra I can add to all of the previous reviews. Opening the tin smells of Latakia and orientals. The tobacco colors range from light blonde to dark black. The taste starts off all Latakia and quickly lets you know this will not be the usual smoke. It is sweet in a way that is not overbearing but delicious. It has hints of spice and smoke and I am immediately happy. I know that this is a blend I can smoke a lot of. The nice ribbon cut is almost perfectly smoke ready, but letting a few pinches sit out for 15 to 20 min helps. Some reviews say their tin was a little dry and some say a little moist. Mine seems perfect. I will order again most certainly. Yummy sweet spicy delicious and yet remains mild enough to not scared away nic shy smokers, although it is a medium strength. Overall another winner from G.L.Pease!

There is something odd about Maltese Falcon and I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps this resides in its persistent sweetness which somehow and surprisingly enhances the experience. A sweet latakia mixture. I think that alongside Westminster this should cover your bases for new world quality english mixtures. A cigar to anyone who can tell me what the "secret ingredient" consists of....

Update from early 2016: now that my tins are over 5 years old this blend is even smoother -- upgrade!

This is a dark collection of leaves. It makes me think that there might be some stoved VAs in here. The nose of the tin is a smoky sweetness.

In the pipe, this one burns well right out of the tin. There is a nice play between smoke and sweet, almost like certain barbecue sauces. Weaving in and out, but mostly out, is a little bit of incense-like spice. But mostly this is a sweet latakia blend above all else, and if you like that, you can smoke it all day. This is a bit of a departure from the inspiration for this blend, the old Raven's Wing, which was quite a bit fuller and deeper, and maybe with a bit less sweetness.

The quality is evident with this one, just as it is with all GLP blends. But the sweetness is overbearing to me, just as it is with the Frog Morton blends. If you find yourself liking that sweet latakia style, you'll like this. It's just not for me, which isn't a problem, since most of the rest of the Pease latakia blends tend toward the smokier, drier blends.

I will say, however, that I did have one of my favorite pipe weekends with this blend. We were visiting relatives for Thanksgiving in SW Portland, and in the early morning I'd get up and walk the dog through the hilly neighborhood around his house, and being able to look east and see Mt. Hood with some smoky sweetness smoldering away. It was a couple of really nice mornings, even though the tobacco wasn't really for me.

Probably my favorite tobacco and so far the only Latakia heavy mixture whose aroma is appreciated, maybe tolerated, by my wife. I tried Maltese Falcon as part of my seemingly never ending search for a Cyprian Latakia heavy tobacco with an aroma that my wife would not complain about. I was lukewarm on this blend at first but it really grew on me. Its flavors and aromas seem to become deeper and more interesting with each bowl. It’s a good cool smoking blend with full Cyprian Latakia flavor and aroma, set on a solid sweetish red Virginia/Oriental back bone, and enhanced with a touch of Perique like spice. Whatever this "mysterious spice" is it seems to have the dual benefit of "improving" the room note and dressing up the smoke. I find that it pairs well with black tea, scotch, or just a glass of water. Bottom line: A good cool full flavored smoke that won't knock you on your ass with nicotine and maybe, just maybe will prevent an argument when lit in the house. I recommend this blend to anyone who likes Cyprian Latakia, Perique spiced blends, or cigars.

This reminds me of Frog Morton also, minus the sweetness. I'm finding it to be one of my go-to's and will surely buy another tin when I run out. Although the main flavor is earthy, woodsy, etc- I often taste a note of anise when smoking it. This is the first tobacco that really put me into kind of a trace/indian peace pipe moment. Smells and tastes great.

My English Blend experiences have been Nightcap, Early Morning Pipe as well as Sutliffe Westminster. NC is a 4+ blend for me, EMP a 3, Sutliffe a 1. MF has been very difficult to quantify, in part due to its taste changing as I progress through the 2 oz. tin.

I think I burned through the majority of the bright Vas early on, and now I'm into Orientals and Latakias, and seemingly equal portions of both. Am I now smoking a Balkan blend? I'll say this, the first severals bowls-with Vas present, seemed to require many many relights, aggravating to no end. Now I burn thru bowls with minimal fire, and the taste now is smooth and mellow.

I like this taste very much, would be better than EMP for all day smoke. It's coarse cut is pleasing to me, but maybe I should have mixed it prior to smoking. I'll buy another can if other GL Pease blends prove less tasty.

UPDATED: Absence does make my heart grow fonder for this blend.