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
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 06, 2023 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
Nice smell off the tin, maybe there's the presence of a topping, the moisture is perfect to smoke right away. This mixture is a no go and I' ll explain why.
My first smoke started well, smooth, delicate melding flavors that unfortunately became bitter as the bowl progressed. This usually happens to me when a Latakia mixture is topped, it's a body chemistry thing. That didn't start well but I always give a mixture the three pipe solution so onward to my second try. Some drying gave the same result it starts well but after the first third I got the same bitterness. My third and final try was today with plenty of dry time and it was the worst. Bitter from the beginning, it was an exercise in how my taste buds would perceive the bitter nuances and nothing else. Don't get my wrong the mixture was smoking smoothly but that was the only thing going for it. Nasty aftertaste and while it was smoking to a white ash, I quit after two thirds to go and wash down the aftertaste.
Virginia lover
My first smoke started well, smooth, delicate melding flavors that unfortunately became bitter as the bowl progressed. This usually happens to me when a Latakia mixture is topped, it's a body chemistry thing. That didn't start well but I always give a mixture the three pipe solution so onward to my second try. Some drying gave the same result it starts well but after the first third I got the same bitterness. My third and final try was today with plenty of dry time and it was the worst. Bitter from the beginning, it was an exercise in how my taste buds would perceive the bitter nuances and nothing else. Don't get my wrong the mixture was smoking smoothly but that was the only thing going for it. Nasty aftertaste and while it was smoking to a white ash, I quit after two thirds to go and wash down the aftertaste.
Virginia lover
Age When Smoked:
5 years old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 21, 2003 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
While as a general rule I enjoy all of the Pease blends, this one just doesn't do it for me. I have forced myself through 3 tins of this stuff, with varying amounts of age, all to the same final verdict. Complex?...perhaps, but far too mild and light of an english for me. I like my english blends stout, and sadly this one is the complete opposite. I can see where a lot of people would enjoy this one, especially the virginia croud looking for a mild to medium latakia blend. When I smoke an english I like it to be rich, smokey, and stout. Samarra just doesn't offer any of the elements that draw me towards a good english.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 10, 2003 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
I don't usually smoke Latakia mixes, being a VA's man myself- But I thought I'd give this one a try. The tobacco is fairly dark stuff with traces of yellow virginia it seems. Is quite a refined mixture. smokes cool & biteless with a somewhat silky appeal. But as with most other latakia blends I've tried (all save 759)- that black & smokey, bitter taste just overshadows the VA's in the mixture ..........just my opinion. Sent me looking in the cellar for something lighter, brighter & sweeter. But.. every man to his own.
target="_blank"
