G. L. Pease Triple Play

Update 12/7/2017

A friend of mine sent me half his 4 yr old tin of this and I really enjoyed my time with it and am excited to get into my cellared tins of this after they have had some more time to age.

This is a rich robust Vaburper. It is very unlike JKP to my tastes even though they have similar roots. The perique really sets it apart adding spice to what would otherwise be a stout blend. It is very strong, but as I noted in my original review, it is not overwhelming. I will note that I did not smoke this in a large bowled pipe at any time while smoking it. There is sweetness to the blend but otherwise I really don't taste nor can identify any Virginia in the blend. I think its presence merely accentuates the inherent sweetness of the DFK and perique, both of which are derived from burley. In a way there is almost a natural chocolate covered raisin vibe to this one.

The 4 years of age really did make for a mellow treat. I am not sure I am ready to add a fourth star to this, but it is teetering between three and four for sure. For those who can't get enough nicotine, you may consider this a four star blend to be sure.

Original Review 10/29/2014

I wish I was given a bigger sample of this one as I don't feel I have it completely figured out as of yet. Well, I will just have to buy more, because what I did try, I did enjoy. Based on the opening confession, I hope I have saved anyone time from reading too much on my review as there are far more informative ones to read.

This is a strong blend, but it is pretty well balanced. So it doesn't come across as overwhelming to the tastebuds like say, a burley flake 3 would. It also tastes like a pretty natural product, unlike that aromatic mess that Haddo's delight is. I am giving it three stars as of right now, but this may very well earn a fourth after I have had a chance to get into a full tin.

My favorite of the Kentucky blends I've tried. Pease could have phoned this one in by just sprinkling some Perique into Jack Knife Plug, but he did it right and absolutely nailed it.

This is one of only a few that can stop me in my tracks when I catch a whiff of it walking past the "cabinet." Leather, figs and earth in the tin, with raisins and a vegetable note I can't place (fern?) in the background. Leave the tin open and you'll smell an ever-changing symphony.

The smoke is rich, leathery, and dark and has a healthy nicotine kick. (Pairs well with a Belgian white or German wheat beer.)

The pre-smoke ritual of cutting and rubbing a plug won't appeal to everyone, but when I'm in the mood to smoke this, I'm ready for full immersion and time to stand still. Only adds to the experience, imo. Keeps your skills sharp too.

Dominated by the Kentucky, not that much different from Jackknife Plug, I had hoped for more Virginia. Very, very strong stuff. Tastes like cigarettes to me, Camels or Lucky Strike. If you like old fashioned plugs like those of Sam Gawith, you might like this. Not recommended for the novice. Tin description is accurate, but don't expect a VaPer blend.

The plug is quite moist so cutting into flakes was difficult. I have settled on shaving thin slices and rubbing out. Its too moist straight out of the tin and I live in the tropics where tobacco doesn't dry out in the air. I pop the tobacco in the toaster oven for a couple of minutes to get it the spongey but springy state. It lights well and stays lit rubbed out. I tried it as cubes but it required too much attention. Flavors are very natural to me. The burly gives it a strong nutty taste, there are hints of sweet virginia and the spiciness comes in and out. It reminds my at times of Dorisco but not as spicy. I also suspect that Dorisco has a hint of Latakia which Triple Play certainly has not. This tobacco works for me sipping very slowly. Its at the upper levels of my nicotine tolerance. (I'm scared to smoke 1792 or Jack Knife Plug.) I'm going to buy a couple of tins to cellar.

Very nice. As advertized, Jack knife with some perique. I love Jack knife and dont feel the perique adds anything IMHO. Will stick with the original but will enjoy smoking this till its gone.

Update. Well blow me down. Now i like it as much as Jack Knife. Which one to smoke? Decisions, decisions!

Well, I've finally discovered the trick to dealing with American plugs: don't treat them like their denser European brethren. You won't be able to toss this in a saddlebag and whittle off a bowl's worth to order. When it has reached the desired age, just hack the whole thing up into a tin of semi-broken flakes. With that out of the way, my impression of Triple Play is this: needs more Perique. I appreciate the thought behind its genesis, and I do enjoy it in its own merits. However, I am a firm believer in "No half-measures". Subtlety and nuance escape me, especially when you are dealing with a blend that is already quite stout. The flavor is reminiscent of Jackknife Plug, which I also happen to like. Too reminiscent, as a matter of fact; while I can get some Perique fruit and pepper on the retrohale, the leading components are still Red Virginia and DFK. Slightly lower in nicotine than Jackknife, this is still a heftier blend. A 7/10 to Jackknife's 8.5/10. Occasionally tangy-sweet, but primarily a savory smoke. Less fruit, and more dark bread and wood. Two things I would like to see from this: first, a Triple Play Flake. Stop with the soft plugs; they pose a hazard during prep, with their tendency to dehisce laterally under the pressure of a knife. Second, I'd like to see a different rendition, composed of equal portions Virginia, DFK, and Perique. Something for the Perique-o-holics, which C&D serves well with other blends. Call it "High and Fast" or "Curve ball", if you want to keep the baseball imagery going. As is, I may reorder, if the mood strikes. Its a very good tobacco; just not quite to my tastes.

This is a highly interesting blend, with fine red and bright Virginias, a very fine dark fired Kentucky, with a touch of Perique added for a touch of elusive flavor. This is a robust, full -bodied, blend that has a fine room note. The flavor is complex, with a sweetness from the red Virginia. Citrus notes are present and delightful. The Kentucky adds a delightful and sensuous sonority of flavor with very tasty undertones of complementary flavor. Unlike others, I have experienced zero relights, and I am averaging right around one hour from 3 grams of tobacco, indicating I am smoking this slowly. This plug cut tobacco does need to be rubbed out carefully to obtain all this blend has to offer. I highly recommend this blend with a rating of 4 stars

Being a die-hard Burley lover, and one who basically smokes only C&D blends (Burley Flake #1 in particular), it was joyous for me to find Triple Play. Smoking it I detected a similar profile to C&D Burley Flake #1, which is a blend of dark Burley and red Virginia with just a splash of Perique. Triple Play uses the same configuration, but with dark-fired Kentucky. The real difference is the tanginess of Triple Play, while Burley Flake #1 has not. While I don't particularly care for this tangy taste, by focusing on the other aspects of the blend, it turns out to be a very enjoyable and burley blend for me, with a very similar profile to my favorite C&D blend.

When you are a one-blend (or so) smoker, it is very important to try to find alternatives, just in case. Market fluctuations in availability is a constant concern, which in this case is mitigated.

Being savory, medium-strong, with a fair amount of vitamin-N, it is surely a great blend, standing on par with other great Burley "pillars" readily found in the market. It leaves a sweet and delicate flavor in the mouth, and it is the type of blend that once you finished a bowl, you soon enough will be thinking when should you smoke another!

This is a blend where mentioning mechanics has some value. If you don't have a sharp enough blade, you might need to do some additional slicing/cutting to get an even burn and to avoid larger pieces clogging up the hole. Not an issue, just a bit more work. Smell from the tin is reminiscent of barbecue sauce.

With that out of the way; it smokes evenly and has a solid amount of nicotine that should satisfy most people. Good balance between Kentucky and Perique, giving a spicy, peppery feel, with earthiness and heat. Virginias do their thing mostly in the background, bringing some zesty freshness, with dark fruity and haylike qualities. All in all an enjoyable experience!

Recommended! Maybe even highly for those looking for a natural Va/Per with more punch.