G. L. Pease Cairo

If you are interested in this blend, I can only refer you to Inquisitor's excellent review, which I cannot begin to match. I will say, though, that I absolutely agree with Inquisitor's view of this tobacco. This blend is simply one of the best tobaccos I have ever smoked, a tobacco whose complexity, subtleties, elegance, and quality really are just about breathtaking. I spent months smoking Cairo and never got to the end to the tastes it could offer, and never got tired of its wonderful tangy-nutty-sweet flavors. It smokes well in every pipe I own, and despite the preponderance of light Virginias it smokes remarkably cool. This tobacco is simply delicious and excellent in every respect. In my estimation, it is a benchmark of the blender's art, and a tobacco that deserves the highest accolades. Bravo!

Update 8/02/04:

I hate to say that I don't like the way this blend changes as it ages. In my opinion, the wonderful balance of the blend when newer tilts drastically toward Perique and top dressing with a few year's age, and I don't much like the change. No disrespect to Greg Pease, who is truly a master blender, but this one simply changes in ways I don't care for. I'll try it again in a few years, and we'll see if it has changed again, more to my taste.

I've been smoking this regularly now for about a week, after letting it settle for about 3 weeks. I can only say that it is a truly unique and remarkable blend. Time to stock up!

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What would Haddo's be like with some Oriental influence? How about a hopped up version of Samarra with more perique and denser flavors? Try Cairo and find out.

I found this blend to be quite unique and very luxurious tasting. Not quite a Balkan, not quite a proper English, not quite a VA/Perique. Elements of all three are rolled into one. This was by far one of the most pleasant surprises I've had in a long time.

Reminiscient of the chaotic, dry yet dense and complex city of it's namesake...but also having distinctly woodsy, grassy notes and flavors. But don't be fooled...beneath the light exterior is a solid nicotine kick.

I felt this blend fell into the same category as 3 Year Matured by Dunhill. It is supposed to be just Va's and oriental, but i could swear there was a berry topping somewhere. That said I felt this blend was somewhat mundane. The flavoring gets old and the weed burns quite hot. It seems to do well in warm weather, but there are other blends that fit this niche better. Although Mr. Pease has made some great blends, I felt this one fell short. I have to give him an A for effort however as this blend is quite different than his usual fare. I will finish the tin easy enough, but I won't buy more.

Cairo is one of my favorite blends. I like the complexities and subtleties that this blend offers. It is lightly sweet in a natural way and the perique component is a perfect addition to the virginias. This is one of the few blends that are a regular smoke to me and I never get bored or tire of it. Be sure to smoke it in a clean pipe and have a clean palate when you smoke this, if you do not you may miss the subtle complexities in this blend. I have smoked many tins of this and the only complaint I have is that every once in a while I need to leave the tin open for a few hours or so for the optimum moisture. Also, cellar up on this as it gets even better with age! Highly recommended for the virginia or perique lover or those who would like to try a wonderful and complex blend.

I feel like I need to come back to this one and change one thing. I still love this as much as before but must say that the nic. is a little stronger than when I first reviewed this. Still very, very good and in my regular rotation!

I can't do a full review on this one because I couldn't get to the bottom of the bowl. Blame my neophyte experience level or the pipe or Lady Luck, but I just couldn't get through even half a bowl. My Savinelli had a thick wall of wood and a balsa filter to help out, but it was like the French versus Any Army At All. No resistance, no results!

The tobacco has a beautiful golden color, a crumbly rough cut, packs like a dream and smells like 5 kinds of Heaven in the tin...but smokes like Satan holding a flaming bag of doggie doo.

There was a harsh and peppery taste that overwhelmed my taste buds, nose and sense of balance, sending me spinning. The smoke it produced sent my loved ones scrambling for duct tape and Tom Ridge's phone number.

Pepper is good in food, but not in my pipe. I can't honestly recommend this one. Maybe it was my body chemistry? In any case, I have to give this one a thumbs-down rating because of that overpowering pepper taste. I ran inside and immediately fished out my rested Brookfield apple bowl and packed it full of British Woods and managed to save the night with a nice smoke from that. I DO like some Pease blends (Barbary Coast is dreamy!) though, so I'll continue to sample them.

Cairo just didn't work for me. I have found that I just don't like turkish tobacco no matter how little of it is in a blend. Also this one torched my tongue and I smoke virginia flakes regurally. Not much else to say but on to the next one.

I find that I always enjoy the tobaccos of GL Pease and this one is up there with the best. I tend to prefer a latakia mixture, but switch to others regularly to even out my experiences. When I do, this is often the one I choose.

Notes on this are consistent. A very nice smoke, smooth, almost light. As I smoke I notice that whenever it starts to become routine, the perique steps forward and provides a tickle to bring it back in line. It offers different treats in each smoking and I find it to be a very "peaceful" smoke, especially for a quiet, thoughtful time alone. It also brings enjoyment when with others without distracting or displeasing my friends.

When tasting fine wines, one should neutralize the pallet so that you can experience all of the subtle nuances and not be predisposed to the taste. I would recommend doing the same when first trying this incredible blend. Having experienced GLPease blends before, I knew that this was an experience to savor.

Nothing could prepare me for the complexity of this blend. I have tried other blends that were strong in orientals and left them behind, but this is a keeper. I won't try to expand on the previous descriptions since this blend has obviously inspired many to stretch their vocabulary to do this blend justice.

Take your time, use a well rested pipe and concentrate on the smoke. This is a rare blend that deserves high praise.

I preface by stating that this is one of the only VA based tobaccos that I can comfortably smoke, and that is due, no doubt, to the wonderous blending abilities of Mr. G L Pease. Upon opening the tin and popping the top, one is greeted by what must be the most beautifully colored tobacco blend known to man. The oranges and yellows and reds mix together yet retain their color enough to look almost like an orchard in mid autumn. In short, the colors are simply wonderous. Packing the tobacco is an absolute joy. The feel of the tobac is almost like handling a fresh rose-petal. Yes, it feels that silky and delicate. The small-cut peices allow for easy packing, and then the true joy begins. As flame dances over this mixture, you will almost notice the tobacco and the fire meet each other in a gorgeous display of colors.. then, of course, the tobacco burns and white ash is left. The initial drink of the flavor is not very strong at all--in fact, its downright subtle. It serves no other purpose than to make you want to smoke it some more to see what other flavors lie beneath. The flavors of the sweet, bright virginias and the nutty orientals mix and dance across the palate as the pipe burns down, and when the bowl is finished, the smoker is left with quite an inviting aftertaste in his/her mouth. If you have any desire to experience the most complex of tobaccos, or to sit and truly savor a smoke, by all means, give Cairo a shot!