G. L. Pease Samarra
(3.39)
Samarra is a rich and complex mixture, without being heavy. Matured red Virginia provides the basic structure and a delicate sweetness. A generous portion of Cyprian Latakia is added for its smoky richness, and exotic, fragrant Oriental leaf provides fullness to the flavor. Finally, just a hint of lemon Virginia adds bit of brightness to the smoke, and a touch of perique adds its own unique piquancy.
Notes: From GL Pease: Samarra, along with Cairo, Mephisto and Renaissance, was one of the first blends to be offered under the G. L. Pease brand. In a sense, it is a refinement of Sublime Porte, a blend I produced years ago for Drucquer & Sons while working there, so it reflects a much longer history than the other blends in the line.
Despite a significant percentage of Cyprus Latakia, Samarra is not a Latakia powerhouse. It is rich and complex, relying as much upon the delicate sweetness and structure of matured red Virginias, and the exotic, fragrant nature of fine Oriental leaf as it does on the smoky opulence of the Cyprian “King of Flavor.” The blend is finished with a hint of zesty lemon Virginia, adding a hint of brightness to the smoke, and a touch of perique, providing its own unique spice.
Samarra was introduced March, 2000
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | Original Mixtures |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 2 ounce tin, 8 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.39 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 23 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 05, 2009 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have been smoking from a 2002 batch of Samarra I tracked down, and I must say the difference that 7 years of aging brings is profound.
The latakia is even more subdued now, with the orientals coming to the forefront. The incense note I detected in the first tin has been amplified tenfold, and the sweetness of the VAs has also increased. I am pleased to note the impact of the perique is also more noticeable, as there is a distinct tendency to bite in fresh tins if the tobacco isn't allowed to go out every few minutes (in all fairness, this might be more a matter of my body's chemisty than a property of the tobacco).
As others have pointed out, this stuff is almost the definition of complexity. I like the aged product more than the fresh, but I still wish it had more of a kick. This is a very mild tobacco, but even at its most flavorful it seems like a Balkan light. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however, and even I (someone who craves powerful blends) can appreciate this on occasion. This is a four-star blend for those who like delicate Oriental-based blends; I cautiously recommend it for those who, like me, prefer flavor bombs. If you do buy this, let some age for a few years (at least five). It's worth it.
ORIGINAL REVIEW from 2007: Samarra is intriguing -at times the latakia is dominant, but the orientals and VAs take their turns at the forefront as the bowl progresses. Also, as other folks have pointed out, there is at times a flavor/aroma that's reminiscent of incense. My one complaint with this blend is that the flavor is simply too mild -- it tastes great, but the smoke simply doesn't have enough body to satisfy. In any case, I've got a couple of tins aging right now, as I think some age would do wonders for this mixture (the tin I smoked was only about 3 months old).
The latakia is even more subdued now, with the orientals coming to the forefront. The incense note I detected in the first tin has been amplified tenfold, and the sweetness of the VAs has also increased. I am pleased to note the impact of the perique is also more noticeable, as there is a distinct tendency to bite in fresh tins if the tobacco isn't allowed to go out every few minutes (in all fairness, this might be more a matter of my body's chemisty than a property of the tobacco).
As others have pointed out, this stuff is almost the definition of complexity. I like the aged product more than the fresh, but I still wish it had more of a kick. This is a very mild tobacco, but even at its most flavorful it seems like a Balkan light. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however, and even I (someone who craves powerful blends) can appreciate this on occasion. This is a four-star blend for those who like delicate Oriental-based blends; I cautiously recommend it for those who, like me, prefer flavor bombs. If you do buy this, let some age for a few years (at least five). It's worth it.
ORIGINAL REVIEW from 2007: Samarra is intriguing -at times the latakia is dominant, but the orientals and VAs take their turns at the forefront as the bowl progresses. Also, as other folks have pointed out, there is at times a flavor/aroma that's reminiscent of incense. My one complaint with this blend is that the flavor is simply too mild -- it tastes great, but the smoke simply doesn't have enough body to satisfy. In any case, I've got a couple of tins aging right now, as I think some age would do wonders for this mixture (the tin I smoked was only about 3 months old).
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 23, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
Samarra was a pleasant light smoke. The character if the orientals was there with just a hint of Latakia as a spice tobacco. The perique adds a hint of pepper at opportune moments to keep the bowl from getting boring. Not thrilled with the pack and light the cut provided, and it was very susceptible to overpuffing, so if you smoke fast it will burn you.
I'm more of an English smoker who tried some VA/Pers, and this was one of the few that might get purchased again. There was enough complexity here to keep me interested, and the Perique was used sparingly enough to keep my mouth from being overwhelmed.
I'm more of an English smoker who tried some VA/Pers, and this was one of the few that might get purchased again. There was enough complexity here to keep me interested, and the Perique was used sparingly enough to keep my mouth from being overwhelmed.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 10, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Samarra is another exceptional light english blend from GLP. From start up to shutdown, this blend is consistent thru out. Though the cut,(chopped ribbon), is one of my least favorites the tobak seems to burn well no matter how you pack it. It tends to become more dust well into the tin and this for me keeps it at 3 stars. Its like flying in wx that is CAVU. No thrills but, a great, safe, journey.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Heh? Why all the comparisons to "heavier" latakias like Ravens Wing, Odyssey, etc? Every tobacco stands on its own, and this is very good. A medium bodied smoke with a generous but not over-generous amount of latakia. Very nuanced with flavors ranging from sweet, sour, spicey, smokey and earthy. I enjoy smoking this with a very, very soft breath. A solid smoke to be enjoyed during all seasons at any time of the day.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 07, 2005 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Though I have not tried all of them, this has to be one of Pease's best creations. I don't see how he could top this. His own tin description pretty much says it all: exotic, rich & piquant. It's tobacco blending at its finest & offers the smoker a multi-dimensional experience. I'll be opening a tin of Haddo's Delight very shortly. I was impressed with my sampling of that a few weeks ago. Though at first I could not see what all the hype was regarding Pease, I'm beginning to realize that in a world of ersatz and mediocrity, there are still those masters in their fields who attempt perfection. Pease/C & D are fast becoming my blends of choice, as they join the ranks of the McClelland's & Frogs. Since I've experienced these fine blends, I find that my tastes are changing and I no longer like what I thought I did. I suppose that's a good thing.
Four of five stars
Four of five stars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 19, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This tobacco is a gem. I was immediatly taken by the beauty of the leaf that comprises this mixture. The orientals are especially beatiful, with shades of olive and limestone. I knew when I opened the tin and took a wiff that I was in for a treat. I love English blends that have a balance in the blending that leads to a complex, metamorphasizing experiece. Unlike in many of the English style blends that carry a huge portion of latakia, this blend does not. But the real trick here is that there's just enough latakia to spark the balance, and enhance the roles, the other tobaccos play. This smoke is wonderfully complex. The burn is quite clean. The smoke is quite light on the pallet as well. There's really no aftertaste, to speak of. I have smoked a tin of this stuff in the past week and, everytime I go to pack up something else....well I just load up the Samarra instead. G.L. Pease, bravo!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 14, 2004 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Update - 6/14/04 -
I've set some of this up to breathe and marry for a few months and have come back to vastly improved mixture. While I enjoyed Samarra initially, age does wonders for the fullness and depth of this tobacco. I believe it maintains the number one slot as my favorite "light balkan".
Though some may say that this tobacco - particularly for a Balkan/oriental blend - is a bit mild, it happened to be exactly what I was looking for.
The much loved Latakia initially blasts the smoker - but soon the orientals and VA kicks in. The overall effect is a tangy, light smoke burns cleanly and consistently. It is robust due to the latakia and orientals, and just slightly spicey towards the end. I don't find this an extremely complex or multi-layered blend like other offerings from Mr. Pease, but all in all a very high quality set of ingredients that are skillfully blended.
It reminds me of Dunhill's Durbar without the powerhouse smell/nicotine/harshness that I find with that tobacco. I feel with Samarra I can enjoy a Balkan blend that isn't a wimp - but at the same time won't leave me feeling abused.
I've set some of this up to breathe and marry for a few months and have come back to vastly improved mixture. While I enjoyed Samarra initially, age does wonders for the fullness and depth of this tobacco. I believe it maintains the number one slot as my favorite "light balkan".
Though some may say that this tobacco - particularly for a Balkan/oriental blend - is a bit mild, it happened to be exactly what I was looking for.
The much loved Latakia initially blasts the smoker - but soon the orientals and VA kicks in. The overall effect is a tangy, light smoke burns cleanly and consistently. It is robust due to the latakia and orientals, and just slightly spicey towards the end. I don't find this an extremely complex or multi-layered blend like other offerings from Mr. Pease, but all in all a very high quality set of ingredients that are skillfully blended.
It reminds me of Dunhill's Durbar without the powerhouse smell/nicotine/harshness that I find with that tobacco. I feel with Samarra I can enjoy a Balkan blend that isn't a wimp - but at the same time won't leave me feeling abused.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 14, 2004 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I find Samarra to be a full-bodied Va blend that flirts with the border, almost crossing into Balkan territory. The Oriental is full flavored and round, and exceptionally smooth. The Latakia is Cyprian, not as much as a presence as the Syrian variety. Perique is used in perfect measure, and adds dimension without screaming its presence. The Va and Oriental are the stars of this show, supplemented by Latakia and Perique used as condiments.
The tobacco is very attractive to look at, mostly medium brown with some dark brown and a bit of bright leaf providing contrast. It?s a short cut with only a stem or two. Samarra lights easily, and stays lit with little effort. It produces a gray ash that is so fine it will blanket the underlying tobacco and deprive it of air ? you?re going to have to dump the ash on this one a couple of times if you?re using a deep bowl. And I wholeheartedly recommend that you do use a larger bowl. The complexity is a bit diminished in a small bowl. There is a nice Perique flourish at the end.
Overall, I would say that Samarra is a full-bodied Va mixture that is light on the palate. Plenty of depth from the Latakia, with Perique and Va providing the highs and Oriental competently rounding out the middle. A well rounded mixture, with no other leaf so potent as to fully overshadow the sweetness of the Va leaf. Another fine effort by Mr. Pease.
The tobacco is very attractive to look at, mostly medium brown with some dark brown and a bit of bright leaf providing contrast. It?s a short cut with only a stem or two. Samarra lights easily, and stays lit with little effort. It produces a gray ash that is so fine it will blanket the underlying tobacco and deprive it of air ? you?re going to have to dump the ash on this one a couple of times if you?re using a deep bowl. And I wholeheartedly recommend that you do use a larger bowl. The complexity is a bit diminished in a small bowl. There is a nice Perique flourish at the end.
Overall, I would say that Samarra is a full-bodied Va mixture that is light on the palate. Plenty of depth from the Latakia, with Perique and Va providing the highs and Oriental competently rounding out the middle. A well rounded mixture, with no other leaf so potent as to fully overshadow the sweetness of the Va leaf. Another fine effort by Mr. Pease.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 05, 2003 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
First the disclaimers: I'm not the world's biggest latakia fan. But I am partial to most of Greg Pease's blends. I would place this blend squarely in the "Oriental English" category, as the Red Virginia base plays less of a role than the non-Latakia Orientals. But Latakia has a sizeable role here. Of the original four GLP english blends, I find this the least-sweet, most exotic, most mouth-drying. These are not criticisms - I find the aroma and flavor to be heady (although my wife isn't a fan of the room aroma). I will always have a tin of this on hand, but as a Virginia fan, the other three GLP english blends will get more play. If you like this type of english blend, it could be one of the best you have ever had.
Side note: I smoked this once, had a so-so reaction to it. Then my dog got sprayed by a skunk at close range, so I chose Samarra as a smoke-screen against the stink while washing my little darling. Very tasty! Now I even like it without the presence of rodent anal-sac excretions!
Side note: I smoked this once, had a so-so reaction to it. Then my dog got sprayed by a skunk at close range, so I chose Samarra as a smoke-screen against the stink while washing my little darling. Very tasty! Now I even like it without the presence of rodent anal-sac excretions!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 21, 2003 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
First, I need to disclose that I am not a latakia lover. Several years ago I was a big fan of Silk Road, but I started smoking Virginias when F&P closed shop. I like Samarra very much; it's the closest blend to Silk Road that I've found. The latakia is omnipresent, but it doesn't take over. Midway through the smoke the Virginias reveal themselves. The non-latakia Orientals and the perique provide a wonderful synergy with the Virginias and latakia. Well done!
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