G. L. Pease Key Largo

i wasn't too sure whether to buy this as I was conflicted as to whether or not it was a ribbon or a broken flake. The site I bought it from said the former while here it is listed as the latter. I took the plunge anyway, hoping the listing here would be right. Thankfully, my faith was well rewarded.

Upon opening the drum, I was treated to a waft of something deep rich and of the earth. The tobacco itself reminded me of Sextant, those lightly pressed broken flakes look so delicate yet inviting, yet more light brown as opposed to Sextant's darker, almost black as they stared out at me. The flakes were dry and easy to rub out and pack, lighting was equally non-eventful, proving Mr Pease's moisture levels are right once again. The smoke itself is stunning, it really is something earthy and balanced, nicely changing. I'm not sure I can pick up the flavours described as such, though it's in that kind of league, dark, rich and sensuous. It is also an incredibly smooth smoke, no roughness or tonguebite.

I thoroughly enjoyed this blend even though I couldn't pin down the flavour. Perhaps it's physical likeness to Sextant might have helped, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if this is used as a base for it, or at least closely related in it's manufacture. This is almost the kind of tobacco I would expect to be handed around one of those dinner tables where folk pass round port and cigars after a good heavy dining session. I don't move in those circles which is probably just as well as I doubt like the company. That doesn't matter though, I'm a lot happier sitting here with this stuffed in my pipe.

Upgrading to 4 stars. A nice subtle blend. Got a tin of this after establishing Havana Daydream as my everyday smoke. It comes a little on the moist side as is usual and needs a tiny bit of drying. I've loaded up by simply stuffing in the tobacco or by carefully rubbing it out: a good rubbing seems to enhance the flavor and burn rate. Doesn't need a lot of relighting. From my own experience and in reviewing other smokers comments, "cigar blends" will virtually never taste like cigar: if thats what your expecting you'll be disappointed. I'm a regular cigar man and frankly don't necessarily want my pipe tabak to taste like that anyway, but the added leaf gives this blend a hint of something more mysterious. It plays in the backround with orientals and latakia, while the red VA carries the lead. It does however, as the label says, seem to develop as it burns and the finish shows more of the backround leaf toward the end. Overall a nice medium strength blend with some oomph. I plan on keeping a tin around for a once or twice a week smoke. Recommended for those who want to try something with some character that doesn't seem to have anything other than tobacco taste: no hint of artificial flavoring here!

I have had several bowls of Key Largo over the last month and I really enjoy this smoke. The flavor is moderate on the Latakia and cigar leaf side and there is a hint of mocha throughout the bowl. The nicotine has a moderate kick and I particularly like to partake of this blend in a small meerschaum pipe. I've smoked a large bowl once and during the hour it took to contemplate my rear deck world the leaf almost overtook me. This is a great mixture and I highly recommend it.

I'm primarily a cigar smoker and my experiences with tobacco containing cigar leaf have always left me wondering why someone would smoke a cigar leaf blend instead of a cigar itself. Then I smoked some key largo. Wow! This blend isn't pretending to be a cigar, it's just adding another dimension to some great pipe tobaccos. Whether it is the pipe or cigars, I always like to find a somewhat sharp and pungent taste/aroma that makes me think of the sharpness in cheddar cheese. This tobacco has something like that, but it's deeper--like a blue cheese. The more I smoke it, the more I want it!

For no particular reason, I resisted Pease blends for a long time. That was dumb! This is a masterpiece that will give you a nice change of pace from your standard English or Balkan blends.

This G.L. Pease blend was a surprise for me. The addition of cigar leaf added a bit of class to this blend and for my personal taste, the bitterness was not present. A smooth creamy smoke that was one of the coolest I have smoked in a while. A must try for those who are contemplating.

Another excellent tobacco from Mr Pease. A perfect blend to start the morning off right with a cup of joe. I went through a tin before posting to let my palette adjust. This blend is creamy, spicy, and sweet. The nicotene blast is strong at first. But, after a few bowls, I became imune to it.

I load this straight out of the tin in a jumbo bowl Savinelli Baronet I have dedicated to this and Robusto. The large flakes in these tobaccos burn nice and even in this bowl for a nice long session of "sipping".

I don't normally like cigar leaf in my pipe tobacco. I don't normally like anything in my pipe tobacco with the exception of pipe tobacco.

I like this.

I spent a great deal of time trying to discern the specific cigar leaf used in the blend. While I suspect jalopa, I cannot be sure. The only reason I would spend that much time trying to discern this, is that I have found the marriage of the tobacco's ( Virginia, orientals,Cigar leaf, Cyprian latakia, etc) to be intriguing and delightful. I modified my cadence somewhat to pull out all of the flavors. This is an exquisite blend that is best smoked slowly to release all of the complexity and sophistication present. My tin is 6 months old. Given the quality of the virgina base and the added continental tobacco's, I would anticipate that this blend will age very well I have no delights with this blend and I routinely go down to nothing but ash. A very fine blend, I look forward with a marked anticipation to the impact of age on it. This is a highly recommended blend which I joyously give it four stars.

My first cigar leaf-based pipe tobacco, and my 1st from GL Pease. A very well behaved rubbed flake that comes at the right moisture. At first, the tin note is very cigar-ish, but with time it subdues. At first light, it is a bold, creamy, slightly spicy, but mostly robust smoke, with a noticeable presence from the cigar leaf. As you progress further down the bowl, it gains subtlety and complexity, the sweetness from the virginias adds a very interesting dimension, so does the latakia. What i like most about this blend is that it may at first seem quite brash and bitter, a heavy hitter, but then it reveals many other layers of taste, which make it complex, complete and very, very satisfying. Its a welcome surprise, since I've come to expect most baccys to start with clear, high notes and then fade into muted undertones, this one seems to do the opposite. If puffed hard, the cocoa/bitter notes come to the fore, if sipped, you are rewarded with delicate fruits and spice. In windy conditions, or if puffed too hard, it will become acrid and tasteless, but will never bite. The room note, though maybe less offensive than most cigars, still probably won't please non-smokers. Considering the quality of this blend, i'm now eager to try other offerings from Pease, espcially in the english/balkan genre for which he is most reputed.