G. L. Pease Navigator
(2.96)
For centuries, men of the sea have known the pleaures of fine Virginia tobaccos, pressed and aged with a drop of rum. The addition of rich dark fired Kentucky leaf brings a new dimension to the flavour and aroma of this timeless combination. Chart your course for a new world of enjoyment, light a bowl, and set sail with Navigator.
Notes: From GL Pease: First, if you're expecting an "aromatic" tobacco because of the mention of rum in the description, and an aromatic is what you're seeking for, this ain't that. Second, if you're afraid of tobaccos with a little rum in them, don't be. It's an enhancement, not something overpowering. It brings out the natural fruitiness of the bright and red Virginias that comprise the backbone of the blend, and softens the edges and the earthiness of the dark fired Kentucky a bit. Think of it as a nice, stout and sturdy VA with a little something extra, and you won't be far off.
As far as strength is concerned, it doesn't warrant a skull and crossbones on the label, like some of the wickedly potent English death rattle flakes, but neither would I consider it a breakfast blend, except for those with iron constitutions. In other words, don't be afraid of it, but treat it with some respect. On the strength-o-meter, I'd say it's a little south of JackKnife Plug, but definitely fuller bodied and more heady than the other VA flakes in my catalogue.
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | Old London Series |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Burley |
| Contents | Kentucky, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Rum |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 2 ounce tin, 8 ounce tin, 16 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium to Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Extremely Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.96 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2013 | Mild | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
This one has been passed around the last few meetings of the briarclub.
A "drop" of Rum is right, not noticeable neither on the nose nor palate. It might be there to shore-up the young Virginias.
This stuff needs age for a long time, very green and somewhat harsh. We've combusted the opened tin and the sealed ones can sit for a few years. Currently not recommended, hopefully that'll change in years to come . . . we shall see.
A "drop" of Rum is right, not noticeable neither on the nose nor palate. It might be there to shore-up the young Virginias.
This stuff needs age for a long time, very green and somewhat harsh. We've combusted the opened tin and the sealed ones can sit for a few years. Currently not recommended, hopefully that'll change in years to come . . . we shall see.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 05, 2021 | Strong | Medium to Strong | Full | Strong |
I remember liking this back in the day. I cracked this tin open and it hasn't been a good experience at all.
Cracking the tin, the tin note is AMAZING. Really strong dark prune note. The flakes are semi broken but beautiful.
The tobacco seems to work best fully rubbed out and in a wide bowl. It will smoke down with minimal relights until the bottom quarter. In a narrower bowl, it will not stay lit whatsoever. The fold and stuff method doesn't work at all.
The smoke itself is very scatter brained. The best smokes have been in the 320. It's ever changing going from mild sweet to over the top black pepper to semi sweet and somewhat dark and bready. Roll the dice and that's the flavor from puff to puff.
In a smaller bowl all I get is crazy black pepper with unsmokeable harshness.
I am really wondering if this particular tin was a dud since i would have never reordered this tobacco if this is how my first tin smoked.
Cracking the tin, the tin note is AMAZING. Really strong dark prune note. The flakes are semi broken but beautiful.
The tobacco seems to work best fully rubbed out and in a wide bowl. It will smoke down with minimal relights until the bottom quarter. In a narrower bowl, it will not stay lit whatsoever. The fold and stuff method doesn't work at all.
The smoke itself is very scatter brained. The best smokes have been in the 320. It's ever changing going from mild sweet to over the top black pepper to semi sweet and somewhat dark and bready. Roll the dice and that's the flavor from puff to puff.
In a smaller bowl all I get is crazy black pepper with unsmokeable harshness.
I am really wondering if this particular tin was a dud since i would have never reordered this tobacco if this is how my first tin smoked.
Pipe Used:
320, Rick Black rodesian
PurchasedFrom:
Don't remember
Age When Smoked:
6 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 28, 2015 | Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium | Strong |
2nd edit (Jun 2016)
I opened my 2nd tin. The tobacco was 2 years old, fairly moist, smelling very sour - to the point where I wondered if it wasn't moldy. Over the next 2 weeks I tried it a few times. This tobacco lack balance and harmony. Navigator is a nicotine bomb without finesse that just contributes to almost give me the hiccups. Lady N smothers the components and tastes of nothing but nicotine. Very sad as Sextant is awesome. Navigator is a true disappointment.
Edit (2 Feb 2015)
Now...I definitively like Navigator. Different from Sextant, but still in the same fleet. I can detect the rum better (it's really a tiny top note) and it really brings a nice sweetness that plays well with the DFK. If you like Sextant, you should like Navigator as well. It just needs a little more time to show its true potential. 3 Stars
(Original review)The DFK is definitively very present in Navigator, but it's not up front like it is in Jacknife's Plug. Putting my nose in the tin, I could tell it was there and, as it's fairly smoky, it sort of hides the VAs typical tin aroma. I can - maybe - identify something Rum like when I inhale very deeply and slowly; but still, the DFK rules. As the tin aroma, DFK is very present, both in its smokiness and boldness. However, it doesn't smother the taste of the VAs like I found it does in JP; they bring some remote sweetness and hayness in the deal. I am not sure I can track down the Rum note and did not want to disturb the pleasure of the smokes in order to identify it. As the tobacco is fairly dry in the tin, I think the flavours are slightly subdued but it's not detrimental. And it still burns kind of slow for its level of dryness. Navigator is not complex, it's good ol' DFK with VAs, so it's mostly kind of smoky with the VAs interlude. I could track down some of the Rum note starting close to the half point. I liked it, I will finish the tin without any hesitation; but I'm not sure yet if I would buy it regularly. Sextant has really conquered my heart as where Navigator has not (yet?). 2,5 stars.
I opened my 2nd tin. The tobacco was 2 years old, fairly moist, smelling very sour - to the point where I wondered if it wasn't moldy. Over the next 2 weeks I tried it a few times. This tobacco lack balance and harmony. Navigator is a nicotine bomb without finesse that just contributes to almost give me the hiccups. Lady N smothers the components and tastes of nothing but nicotine. Very sad as Sextant is awesome. Navigator is a true disappointment.
Edit (2 Feb 2015)
Now...I definitively like Navigator. Different from Sextant, but still in the same fleet. I can detect the rum better (it's really a tiny top note) and it really brings a nice sweetness that plays well with the DFK. If you like Sextant, you should like Navigator as well. It just needs a little more time to show its true potential. 3 Stars
(Original review)The DFK is definitively very present in Navigator, but it's not up front like it is in Jacknife's Plug. Putting my nose in the tin, I could tell it was there and, as it's fairly smoky, it sort of hides the VAs typical tin aroma. I can - maybe - identify something Rum like when I inhale very deeply and slowly; but still, the DFK rules. As the tin aroma, DFK is very present, both in its smokiness and boldness. However, it doesn't smother the taste of the VAs like I found it does in JP; they bring some remote sweetness and hayness in the deal. I am not sure I can track down the Rum note and did not want to disturb the pleasure of the smokes in order to identify it. As the tobacco is fairly dry in the tin, I think the flavours are slightly subdued but it's not detrimental. And it still burns kind of slow for its level of dryness. Navigator is not complex, it's good ol' DFK with VAs, so it's mostly kind of smoky with the VAs interlude. I could track down some of the Rum note starting close to the half point. I liked it, I will finish the tin without any hesitation; but I'm not sure yet if I would buy it regularly. Sextant has really conquered my heart as where Navigator has not (yet?). 2,5 stars.
Pipe Used:
Meerschaum; Stanwell; Luciano; Corn cob
Age When Smoked:
14 months & 2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 17, 2013 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Extra Full | Pleasant |
This is my first attempt to take on the custom blends. I have read a number of reviews before buying this blend and was looking forward to my first bowl. I was surprised when I open the tin to find a pressed squares inside. OK, different but, a nice aroma in the tin. I figured out how to rub it out to fill the bowl. Let it dry a bit as it felt very moist while rubbing. The first bowl was a disaster! Hard to light, Tongue BITE big time, after taste too strong. I like a rum coating but cannot detect any in the blend. I met with the local pipe shop owner and asked for his advice. He recommended a different pipe from the one I used and try a smaller bowl to get used to rubbing and filling to keep the bite in check. Don't let it get hot and pause when it went out. At this time I will not recommend this blend. I will let it age and dry some and will accept any suggestions to make a go of it. The room note is pleasant and respectful to those around which I think earns this a third or forth chance later.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 09, 2013 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Very Mild | Pleasant |
Like most C&D Virginia blends, this blend is terrible new because it has no age on it. All the leaf is very green and flat. Greg should stick with English blends.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 27, 2014 | Strong | Mild to Medium | Medium to Full | Strong |
I had high hopes for this blend, but they were sunk by the twins torpedoes of (1) kentucky burley and (2) hot virginias. Burley, unless used very sparingly, (definitely not the case here) often brings down a blend and gives it a plebeian touch. It is a strong filler, to be sure -- more nicotine and rough smoke than cavendish, but a filler nonetheless. At least that's what it feels like here. Add to that the fact that the virginias burn hot, and there you go: this navigator is going nowhere fast... s.o.s.!
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