G. L. Pease Union Square
(3.40)
A blended, sliced cake of high grade flue cured leaf, from beautiful, sweet brights to deep, earthy reds, without the added sugars and flavorings common to many Virginia flakes. It's rich on the palate, evolving in layers with the clean, natural sweetness of pure tobaccos. It offers a pleasant room note, and a delightful finish. For those seeking the pure Virginia experience, try Union Square.
Notes: Union Square was released in May, 2009.
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | Fog City Selection |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| 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
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.40 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
Union Square is boring, flat, and only propped up by Pease's reputation. It starts as hot air and ends with barely more satisfaction than the beginning. Pease isn't known for straight Virginias, and C&D is better known for handling Burleys and Perique than pure VA. Nothing about this blend plays to either the blender's strengths or the manufacturers.
I consider it a cut rate, uninspired copy of bulk McClelland 2010. I'd recommend any of McClelland's Mature Virginia tins over this. Folks who buy it hoping it will age into a beauty forget the first law of buying tobacco: never cellar a bad tobacco hoping it'll turn into a good one.
Also, the cigarette room note is impossible if you're not fond of how coffin nails smell.
Pease should stick to Latakia mixtures.
I consider it a cut rate, uninspired copy of bulk McClelland 2010. I'd recommend any of McClelland's Mature Virginia tins over this. Folks who buy it hoping it will age into a beauty forget the first law of buying tobacco: never cellar a bad tobacco hoping it'll turn into a good one.
Also, the cigarette room note is impossible if you're not fond of how coffin nails smell.
Pease should stick to Latakia mixtures.
Age When Smoked:
12 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 16, 2015 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
The flakes are drier than my benchmark Samuel Gawith, and drier than the Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia tin I finished before this one. In light of that, it's strange to me that Union Square smoked substantially wetter than any other straight Virginia I can think of. It bubbled incessantly, and left several pipes needing a cleaning.
There's also a cigarette smell that reminds me of Briar Fox, and that I associate with young C&D Virginia. The flavor is all high and tangy, lacking depth and body. I won't speculate on the quality or age of the raw leaf, but I don't think the cakes were aged long enough.
There's also a cigarette smell that reminds me of Briar Fox, and that I associate with young C&D Virginia. The flavor is all high and tangy, lacking depth and body. I won't speculate on the quality or age of the raw leaf, but I don't think the cakes were aged long enough.
Age When Smoked:
2 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 22, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Tolerable |
Well, what to say about Union Square?
I received a sample pouch of this tobacco. I found the cut to be interesting. It was the perfect moisture. Packed surprisingly well in my Savinelli Roma. Took a few times of lighting to get it going&probably because of the cut. Once lit, it didnt go out. Certainly fine quality, no doubt. These are the good things.
I didnt like the aroma much, but didnt dislike it before lighting. After lighting, I didnt like it at all. Burns much too hot to enjoy. This is a tobacco you MUST pay attention to or it will bite you in a horrible way. I actually found it to be fairly boring. Those who are will surely enjoy Union Square. Unfortunately, I couldnt even make it half way into the bowl before dumping it out. Not for me. I suppose, I am just not a straight Virginia man.
I received a sample pouch of this tobacco. I found the cut to be interesting. It was the perfect moisture. Packed surprisingly well in my Savinelli Roma. Took a few times of lighting to get it going&probably because of the cut. Once lit, it didnt go out. Certainly fine quality, no doubt. These are the good things.
I didnt like the aroma much, but didnt dislike it before lighting. After lighting, I didnt like it at all. Burns much too hot to enjoy. This is a tobacco you MUST pay attention to or it will bite you in a horrible way. I actually found it to be fairly boring. Those who are will surely enjoy Union Square. Unfortunately, I couldnt even make it half way into the bowl before dumping it out. Not for me. I suppose, I am just not a straight Virginia man.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 17, 2010 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
Why bother? Orlik's Golden Sliced is both better and cheaper.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 20, 2023 | Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I could not disagree more with our venerable top reviewers. U Sq is anything but a sweet Virginia. It IS a full tobacco tasting blend that is without nuance and taste. I have had many bowls and keep wanting to see why people like it — good number of reviews and very acceptable overall rating.
Sometimes people won’t say something unless they have something positive to say. Others want to be liked.
I prefer Virginia No 1 (MacBaren) or Royal Yacht (Peterson). These are delicious.
U Sq is not.
Sometimes people won’t say something unless they have something positive to say. Others want to be liked.
I prefer Virginia No 1 (MacBaren) or Royal Yacht (Peterson). These are delicious.
U Sq is not.
Pipe Used:
Stanwell dedicated to straight VA blends
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