G. L. Pease Sixpence

Another G. L. Pease tobacco that vamps on the same riff as blends like Haddo’s Delight, Stonehenge Flake and The Virginia Cream. In other words, tobacco forward mixtures with something extra added to gently augment the flavor & sweeten the aroma.

With exception of Haddo’s Delight, I have a strong preference for GLP’s unflavored Vapers/VaPerBurs. Telegraph Hill, Cumberland, Fillmore and Triple Play come to mind. Regardless, Sixpence is still a very good smoke and I’ll likely end up picking up a few more tins to age.

Speaking of age, the tin I am working my way through is from the original 2014 release. I mention this because at only four years of age, this stuff is extremely mellow and buttery smooth. There is absolutely no bright upper register flavors to speak of. The Virginias and Kentucky create a dark and earthy base and the perique is all fig and plum, no spice, just an added richness embedded into thickness of the overall taste. The liquor topping adds a very subtle vanilla-like aroma but it’s lightly applied and I really can’t pick out its details.

Further down the bowl is where Sixpence shines. It is here where the flavors deepen and for lack of a better descriptor, become chocolatey. Mature tasting is usually a term that I would reserve for a McClelland Virginia or English blend, but I will use it here because it’s definitely the vibe I get from smoking Sixpence. Mild to Medium in flavor strength and nicotine, Sixpence is quite enjoyable, especially when I am in the mood for an exceptionally smooth, dark & rich tasting smoke.

I am a huge fan of Dark Fired Kentucky and in Sixpence it is applied nicely, it's fruity, earthy, nutty and a little spicy. I rubbed the flake out and let it dry for about 45 minutes before packing it lightly in the pipe. The Perique is sweet, fruity a little peppery and I detect a little sourness, but I'm not sure if that's the Perique or not. The DFK is nice and smoky and a little spicy in this blend. It burns well, with only a few relights for me. The tin note is smoky and spicy with some stewed fruits. I can't detect any flavorings or toppings, I only get pure tobacco goodness from this blend. I think this will age well, so I will be buying more to put back.

Now first let me put a disclaimer, on my disclaimer. I am a new pipe smoker, still trying to find my bearings. Perhaps 4 months of experience. I've been a cigar smoker for over 10 years. Now to the review- As much as I wanted to like this blend. My throat just would not allow it. I'm not quite sure if it was the casing, the perique, or even the red Virginias. But something would make my throat swell up, and hurt for days. Every time Id be down for at least 3 or 4 days. I did give it a honest effort, I tried different cadences, different packing methods, different pipes, hell even different beverages along side the bowl. All and All this blend almost made me just give up pipe smoking all together. I know this is rare, and most people probably love this blend. Id recommend it to anybody who is interested in VaPers but again not my blend. I'm just curious if anybody else has had this reaction to this blend. I'm actually hesitant to try other GL Pease blends due to this experience. If anybody has any knowledge of what Im doing wrong, or experiencing please, I am all ears!

The tin has a slight note of some type of spirit, bourbon maybe. Then in the front seat was the dark fired VA and a hint of perique. In the back seat are the red VA's

I waited until the hype passed and everyone moved on to the next big thing until finally purchasing this blend. I also decided not to buy any more tobacco and focus on this tin. The tin is now finished and I have an honest report to make.

Sixpence is a fine tobacco. I finally realized what "the mystery continues" means. GL Pease puts something extra in each of these blends that he keeps a close guarded secret and it's not part of any ad disclosure. You have to hit that spot and discover it for yourself.

This blend is a bit odd. When opened, the tobacco is, and stays, at a ready-to- smoke-state. Neither too wet, or too dry. There is a strange topping that (forgive me, but after several months still can't come up with nothing better) smells like vomit or stinky feet. That description is negative... but nothing close compares. I've never smelled anything like it. It's a strange rancid smell that somehow burns and smokes well. I wasn't sure and still not sure if I like it. It always stayed and I became accustomed to but never fully liked it. The tobacco itself is a beautiful orange and golden brown and packs and burns really well. I enjoyed this tobacco but there was nothing about it to make me buy it again. Now the hype is gone here is an honest review after smoking the tin down to the paper in several pipes and giving it more than it's fair shot.

I should've known better than to crack this tin at such a young age. I truly do not think this blend has had enough time to meld together and balance out. Initial opening of the tin revealed quite a surprise of lighter/more red than expected. Beautiful flakes nonetheless. Tin notes of sour fermented figs, fresh hay and raisins, with a slight olive briny note. rubs out quite well, not as tightly pressed as some flakes produced across the pond. Rubbed out product packed very nice, offering a perfect amount of spring back. Lighting is a breeze, just a few initial flame applications, and you can sit back and enjoy. There is some kind of topping applied, but it did not show up right away, and wasn't a huge component in this blend. The Perique isn't as astringent as a young blend can be, and the Kentucky is hardly noticeable. If this is what Greg had intended this blend to be, he has done quite well again. It is just going to have to age a year or so. It just seems a bit rough around the edges at the moment.

Another easy 4 stars for Greg. The leaf look green in the light and has that tangy flavour that is Je ne sais quoi. Full of flavour and depth. Plenty of nicotine. My only critique is that it burns smoothly most of the way down however last 1/4 get a little heavy and reluctant to burn. First Class though and will be cellared in quantity.

G.L. Pease is excellent in alcohol flavored mixtures IMO. Sixpence is delicious with mild liquor flavor in it, but the topping seems not lasting after tin opened and in the smoking. It is good in Kentuky Vaper category, but I still prefer Rattray's offerings.

Deelicious! Tin note is a fantastic tobacco and dark fruit. Smoking this blend is an experience every VaPer lover should pursue. Crumbling and loading is a breeze and produces a long smoke with rich plumes. the perique occasionally stands out, so bare that in mind, but not nearly as pronounced as Viprati. Gonna keep a tin handy at all times. If the perique, for my taste, was barely held back, I'd give it a 5 out of 4 stars. Right now I'm at about a 3.75 on this one. Very Good