G. L. Pease Renaissance

My review is from a 9 year old tin dated Jan. 2000 that was recently opened and put into a mason jar. The appearance in the tin is an overall medium to dark brown with very few lighter brown flecks throughout. The moisture upon opening the tin was nearly perfect. After a few bowls I noticed a shiny black piece inside that upon closer inspection turned out to be a small piece of nylon twine about an inch-and-a-half long that had apparently been processed with my batch. I wonder if that had anything to do with my initial dislike of it? Anyhow, the more I smoke of it the more it?s growing on me. Very smooth and mellow and a pleasant smoky/sweet/slightly spicy taste. It?s definitely different than anything else I?ve tried so far. For all it?s smoothness it still gives me a faint warning of tongue bite when I smoke it the slightest bit quickly; although I haven?t actually gotten tongue bite nor am not certain it would actually occur; it?s just the sensation I get on my tongue when puffing moderately. I don?t get this tongue sensation when smoking any other blends aside from aromatics and then it usually ends up actually burning my tongue, but this doesn?t. I hope that makes sense, maybe it?s just my body chemistry? Actually this ?warning? is kind of good because it serves as a reminder to slow it down and take in this wonderful smoke! I would give it a 8.5 out of 10 but since my only minor complaint is probably a unique, personal one I?ll give this rare classic its due. Highly recommended! If you get a chance, try it!

Tin put into bail-top jar dated 5/02.

The Master of Latakia hits it again, Dead On. This is Oriental tobacco at its finest, with the Latakia and Virginias playing their important, but subdued, roles with elegance and grace.

Damn I miss Syrian Latakia!

A tobacco tapestry...NOT an Oriental rug. I get notes of toasted Irish oats, butter, brown sugar, smoke, sourdough bread, cherrywood campfires, bacon and Hoisin.

This is not a flavor bomb. Best to smoke while paying attention to smoking. Very relaxing and meditative. If you hoover this one, you're wasting time and excellent tobacco.

Many try. Few succeed. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. Masterful accomplishment with simple ingredients.

At the risk of offering a superfluous review, I'll just throw in my two cents on this discontinued blend, since tins are still to be found on eBay and in private cellars.

I'm currently smoking a tin from 2004, and it is a fantastic combination of incense-like Syrian latakia (from a truly memorable vintage), delicious Cyprian, and a delightful balance of Virginias and orientals. Among the Pease range of discontinued Syrians, Renaissance is tied for second place with Bohemian Scandal (to my palate), behind #1 Raven's Wing. Only you can decide if it's worth $50/tin (or whatever it'll be going for on eBay when you read this), but since that breaks down to only about $2.50 per 45-minute bowlful, I can't imagine passing up the chance to experience this.

One of the first tobaccos that I tried after I started smoking a pipe a few years ago. I wanted to try a Latakia blend before I went for a full English mixture and I wasn't disappointed. I loved this tobacco from the moment that I opened the can. The flavor was so complex, but yet, not overpowering, and the flavor was close to the description on the can. The good news is, this is one of the best tobaccos that I have had to this day. The bad news is, the G.L. Pease factory that the Syrian Latakia (used to make this blend) was housed in burned to the ground, so they are not making this blend, indefinitely. It will always be a true classic in my mind, and I hope to have another tin of it in the future, if it is produced again.

This is an excellent English Blend. It packs easily and lights with minimal effort. The latakia is the main attraction but this is perhaps the most balanced; smooth blend I have encountered. There is a harmony of flavors which start out bright and get darker towards the bottom of the bowl, however nothing "takes over" and all elements are present and in balance throughout. It burns clean and dry and never gets harsh. I love this blend and highly recommend it to those looking for a near-perfect English.

This or Robert Lewis? Tree Mix (which Renaissance seems to me to resemble greatly) would probably be my desert island blend. A rich, smooth, excellent blend. Another instant classic from Pease, truly deserving of all the high accolades received from previous reviewers. I won?t try to add to their descriptions of this fine blend. I will only note how remarkably well this blend burns, even by Pease standards. I generally take it as a good sign if you are smoking a blend and suddenly start bringing in ash because every last shred of tobacco has been consumed. No gooey dollop of dottle at the bottom of the bowl with this fine blend. Excellent in every way.

Don`t you have five stars in this ranking? This is one of my favorites english blends, may be the best together with Bohemian Scandal, My Mixture 965 and Nigthcup. The aroma of the tobacco in the tin remembers me higos, nuts and grass. The blends is easy burning, a litle agressive with the people around. The taste is just great, all you can wait for a english blend, a perfect balance betwen the orientals, latakias (cyprian and Syrian)and the virginias. Is my favorite Dark Lord`s (AKA GL Pease) english blend! You must try this wonderfull tobacco

A full flavored English blend, carfully blended where one component will not overpower another. The texture of the smoke is creamy and full, the flavor as discribed on the tin is nutty with a good balance of spice. Overall a well balanced English smoke, great for anytime during day or night.

September 2004

Mr. Pease has outdone himself with this blend. So much has already been said abour Renaissance, so all I will add is this: although my palate is not as accomplished and sensitive as some of the other reviewers, it was immediately clear to me after a bowl of Renaissance that this is the most well designed traditional English blend of the dozen or so top names that I have tried. It's obvious that Mr. Pease cares a lot about his craft, and the results show. Kudos!