G. L. Pease Cairo

If this review was only based upon the quality of the tobacco leaf, Cairo would get four stars. This blend reminded me very much of Cornell & Diehl's 068:Epiphany (minus latakia) in the color of the tobacco in the tin, flavor and burning qualities, and in the creeper kick at the end. If you like Epiphany, you will love Cairo.

The GOOD: Upon opening the tin, the aroma of the tobacco is quite pleasing. A slight hint of that "ketchupy" note associated with MacBaren's blends, but very slight. I believe that note is common with all fine, unadulterated Virginias. The appearance of the tobacco is nothing like the photo above. The first thing you'll say when you first see the tobacco in the tin and pinch it between your fingers is "Whoa! There are some big honkin' pieces of leaf in there." It looks like they broke off pieces of leaf hanging in the barn to dry, and crammed them in the tin.

A reviewer below suggested using a small-bowled pipe. No way. This stuff is just too big. And it is beautiful. Mostly large, light golden blond pieces with some darker golden browns. It seems to be overly dry, but that is an illusion. It packs very nicely into a larger diameter bowl, and lights and smokes better than any tobacco I have tried. (But I do recommend only loading your bowl no more than one-third full, and not attempt to smoke a whole bowl, as I will explain below.) The first few puffs are pleasurable, and the flavor stays consistent to the end - no bite - although about halfway through it gets spicier and starts tasting and smelling more and more like a cigar rather than a pipe.

The BAD: After the first few initial puffs, you realize that this stuff starts tasting like a cheap, robust strength cigar. But the stuff burns so well, and bite-free, you keep smoking it. Towards the end, you notice things getting stronger, and then it hits you unexpectedly - WHAM! A powerful nicotene kick. Queasiness. Nausea. Luckily, I had not eaten for a few hours, otherwise I'd have puked for sure. Whatever you do, don't smoke this stuff indoors.

If you smoke in your car, make sure the windows are rolled down. The second-hand smoke only adds to the queasiness and nicotene intoxication. And, your clothes, your hair, your hands, and your pipe will smell strongly of a nasty cigar ashtray, which will just make you get the dry heaves when you smell them until the effects of the N poisoning start to wear off over a couple of hours. I wished I had taken the advice of the reviewer below and used a small pipe, or just loaded mine no more than a third full.

So, try this unique and interesting blend if you must. But you've been warned.

Calling this a virginia/oriental blend is very misleading. That would make one expect a blend in the style of Red Rapparee or Presbyterian mixture.

This is a virginia mixture which is difficult to place in a category. There is perique in it and it's as noticeable as the oriental tobaccos. It seems also to have a slight flavoring.

It's wonderful! It is artful blending and very unique and delicious. I am smoking my way through an 8 ounce tin that had 2 years age when opened. It doesn't need aging, though.

This is a master blend, and if you can dry your tobacco successfully this will not scorch your tongue.

A superb blend showcasing beautifully sweet Virginias and Turkish leaf. A perfect choice for a beginner, or anyone else who is sick of tasting propylene glycol and various flavoring agents and wants a tobacco that is naturally sweet, aromatic and pleasing.

Perhaps one of my favorite blends I have ever smoked, and just about perfect, I occasionally add some Latakia (often GLP's falcon) for a little more bottom on it. Even straight, it's unbeliebaly good balance of virginias and orientals. Dried it's absolutely a dream. Of course, like all good darker virginias it has the aroma of catchup in the tin (think about the SUGAR in the virginias and you can quickly guess why) which is not exactly my favorite odor. On the other hand, who cared when you smoke it and you get that kind of satisfaction.

This blend has come as a pleasant surprise to me. As one who smokes largely English and Balkan blends, Cairo provides an agreeable change of pace. The Virginias predominate over the orientals, which add spice. There is a distinct citrus note which I find very refreshing. The perique is there but faint.

I've not noticed the bite issue raised by reviewers; I smoke it slowly in a small bowl vintage GBD.

I've been smoking from a May 2007 tin. I will lay some away as I would expect it to benefit from a few years in the cellar. Cairo will stay in my rotation as an interesting change for the palate.

UPDATE, 12 January 2008: I left most of the tin opened with the plastic lid on since I first reviewed this and didn't smoke it again until about a couple of weeks ago. It is now drier than I remember it being. Whatever the reason, whether it dried, aired or aged or whether my tastes have just changed, this has become one of my favorites.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I have not had much experience with mostly-VA blends because of too much bite in my past forays, but I do not dislike the flavor of VA and I like Perique. Good flavor overall, but a bit too mild until mid-bowl or so. This went from lemony with a dash of sweet, spice and other flavors to somewhat nutty/woody towards the bottom--not at all bad anywhere in the bowl. Not my favorite bowl of tobacco, but good though. I will finish this tin, smoking occasionally, but probably will only buy this every so often.

Update: The last few tins of Cairo I have bought have been too dry, with no moisture (and thus none of the tasty tobacco oils). I could have gotten a bad run (they are the new tins) or there could be a rat in Denmark. I will investigate further.

A very refreshing and unique offering from Mr. Pease, who always comes up with top quality blends. This is, in essence, Presbyterian Mixture with better tobacco and a little more oomph. The smell upon opening is fruity, with a hint of must. The Virginias are of a finer, less cloying taste, and the Orientals have less bite with a spicy/earthy aromatic quality. The perique did not make itself felt to me melding, I am sure, with the Virginia portion of the palate. This is my favorite of the non-Balkan Pease blends.

This is one of the most unique tobaccos I've ever had the pleasure of coming across. Exotic, tangy, sweet, ephemeral -- the flavor and room note are hard to describe, but singularly intoxicating. It puts me in mind of incense. Really, I can't emphasize enough how very special this mixture is -- one of Pease's most creative moments! Unfortunately, I can't enjoy thanks to some kind of reaction I have to one of the constituents (it pretty much burns holes in my tongue after only a few draws). But don't let that deter you, in all seriousness -- I believe it to be an individual reaction, not an indictment of the tobacco itself. If you'd like to see what an oriental blend sans latakia can be, this is the one to try.

It's interesting to me how differently people can experience a tobacco. Unlike other reviewers, I find this to be quite strong, almost overwhelming. It's a rich, complex, intense smoke quite unlike other Virginias I've tried, far darker, deeper and richer. The Orientals are not consciously detectable to me, though I have no doubt that they account for a good part of the depth of the flavor, which is ultimately indescribable, though words like toasty and peppery come to mind.

Anyway, I find this irresistible, and I'm sure I'll come back to it often. Recommended.