G. L. Pease - Ashbury pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 31 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >
ProdigalWeb	06/15/2010	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
This is an interesting baccy even though I'm not a huge fan of Latakia. There's only enough Latakia in this to be spicy, a la Perique. In this case the spice is smokey however. The Virginias and the Orientals in this blend have the most to say, and they are really good orators. Especially at the beginning of the bowl, the Orientals take center stage, then the Virginias begin to come on toward the middle of the bowl. The Latakia tends to take over toward the end of the bowl. Given a little more experience with this blend, I think it could become a regular after-dinner smoke.
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Dr. Hall	05/07/2010	Mild	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
This one contains some fragrant, spicy orientals like I've never tasted/smelled before! The citrusy Virginias and smoky latakia play second and third fiddle respectively to the orientals in this blend, but they're there and taste/smell good too. This is not a "Balkan" really, more a mild English heavy on the orientals and lighter Virginias, but it's fantastic for those who like more citrusy and spicy blends. Ashbury for me has utterly replaced Dunhill's Early Morning Pipe, and like that noble Dunhill blend I can smoke it pretty much all day and enjoy it. With a few years of age on it Ashbury becomes a bit more sweet (red Virginia-wise) and has more of an incense-like (cinnamon-clove) quality to it; however, I actually prefer this blend as young as possible in all its citrusy-spicy goodness. It does contain some rather large pieces of tobacco and some stems which I typically just break up before packing. Smoked slowly, this blend is sublime, and I can detect individual tobacco flavors. Smoked fast, this blend is still a great mild-medium English breakfast blend.
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rramstad	04/18/2010	Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
The initial portion of the bowl is very rich and spicy, but not from the latakia. It's really quite lovely. The latakia comes around mid bowl and adds a lot of body as well as a different spice. I found this blend intriguing, and I will definitely smoke more. Three stars could have been four except I found that the start was just a bit too in your face and I detected just a hint of bite... I reserve the right to revise, and found myself immediately wondering if I have more than this tin in the cellar... UPDATE This blend can be a bit fatiguing on the palate, and I suspect that I'm having a reaction to the amount of bright VA in the blend. Still a very interesting blend, but probably not going to make it to four stars.
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TobacNotAmbrosia	02/14/2010	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
I am surely in a minority here,so its worth mentioning perhaps how amazed I am that very few mention the spiciness of this blend; in the first 1/3rd of the bowl it well covers over anything else you might derive from this smoke, and it provokes that unpleasant scratchy throat feel. The second half of the smoke might be more balanced , some say flatter, but that is a blessing in this case. I was looking for an all day mild Balkan smoke. The tin I received was almost two years old, so nicely moderately aged as well.The tobacco ribbon looks exquisite and it probably is made of best ingredients, as this blender's commitment surely always is. However to me it is a case of over-compensating a light dish with too much spice, the Chef went overboard in this case IMO. To a lesser degree this verdict is true of the Kensington as well, even if the latter is more satisfying strengthwise. If Pease offers that mild all day Balkan smoke I do not knwo what it is. As it is I would prefer the heavier classic Abington, or more english Westminster over this one any day. For complexity, even though it has some perique I believe, the Samara will do a better job for me too. I would be obliged if any of the professional connoisseurs in this site will have mentioned if not analyzed what I perceive to be the over spiciness problem with this new line of tobaccos which has nothing to do with the mostly moderate strength
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Xeneize	01/20/2010	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
This is the lightest Balkan in GLPease line of splendid tobaccos, giving a strong role to Virginias. The first half of the pipe provides an amazing range of flavors, from the sweetness of Virginias to the spiceness of Orientals, always backed by a moderate smokiness from Latakia. The problem is with the last half or third of the bowl, when taste recedes and becomes somewhat flat. Still a great smoke, but no the best.
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Latakia	11/28/2009	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
Very nice. I bought a tin as a result of recommendations from Greg and others that it came close to a blend I smoked in the 70's called London Express. I hadn't smoked LE since 1973 when I bought a tin at Georgetown Pipe Shop. At the time, I found it interesting but really didn't like but I didn't like latakia back then in any great quantities and now I love it so I decided to try to find LE. Was told it was out of prodduction but a few inclding Greg himself, recommended Ashbury. After 30 plus years, I remembered the taste immediately. Orientals dominate this blend. The little bit of latakia gives it the right amount of smokiness. I would have given this a 4 star aside from the fact that I had a hard time keep it lit. I will keep smoking it and update this review. Ashbury is great for warm weather when a strong latakia might be too heavy. Kind of remeinds me of nuts and berrys and a spring or fall day in New England. Feel the blend is perfect for the Jamaican climate where I am now. This would be awsome if it could come in flake form.
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bigjonburley	09/02/2009	Mild	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant
I tried a test run of some of Pease's offerings, searching for brighter, lighter, complexity. Ashbury is a very good blend, falling in what I consider to be the mild to medium weight class. For the guys, like myself who love the big bold english textures, do not be put off by the mild-medium rating, which I give. Ashbury is very flavorful, with notes of pecans, citrus, and applewood smoke. Awesome smoke for the hotter temperatures of the Georgia summer. I think of light amber to describe the "color" of the flavor nuances. I would buy this in bulk quantities if it had a smidgen of perique added. I add my own upon packing and ashbury hits sublime levels imo. I probably will buy it again, but I find that I like picadilly more. Pease kills me with his blend descriptions, sometimes his marketing just makes me burst out laughing, but here's the deal...he produces quality, consistent tobaccos. That means a great deal to me. If you're looking for a change of pace like I was, give it a try. Ashbury is a honest quality blend.
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Mountain Man	05/19/2009	Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong
This is not for me.I think it would be great without the latakia.
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Pipestud	12/28/2008	Mild	None detected	Mild	Pleasant
Greg Pease recently told me that he based this blend on the old classic Sullivan Powell Original Gentleman's mixture. Well, naturally I had to pop another tin of Ashbury and "give 'er a go." A little milder in both strength and flavor than the Sullivan Powell.... that is my initial thought. As usual though, Mr. Pease's combination of varying leaf in a blend continues to impress, and I sure do find Ashbury to be enjoyable, I just prefer more strength, which probably means it is just right for most pipe smokers. Someone else said the blend reminded them of Rattray's No. 7 Reserve, and I do believe that is a good comparison, too. But, I think 7 Reserve actually contains Latakia with an Oriental presence that actually outshines the Virginia leaf. Not so with this Pease offering where the Virginia sparkles. I can see where Ashbury will be absolutely perfect for someone who enjoys this combination in a somewhat light and mild form. That Pease sure can blend!
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al1	11/28/2008	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
Another Pease that deserves the fourth star. Maybe I am biased but as a lover of va and latakia/orientals this one is an instant hit. Mildly sweet, slightly smoky, and moderatley spicy from the orientals, and there is this citrus undercurrent that plays in and out in the background. This one is so easy to enjoy. I think this may be an excellent all day smoke for me. It runs all the bases and is well balanced and rounded. If there is such a thing as a VA balkan this is it. This is one of the best tobacco's I have had the pleasure of smoking. How Mr. Pease gets the flavors to come out in the smoking is magic. How they smell to others is a different story. Don't pass this one without a try.
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Alexander	07/18/2008	Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild	Pleasant
An excellent VA with some latakia. Burns evenly, slight natural sweetness,slightly acid (citrus?vinegar?) no bite, satisfactory. Its my first tin but looks very very promising. I am smoking it instead of C&D 2 friends Bed & Breakfast and Ashbury seems more round and complete, still going in the same direction. An all day tobacco for both VA and Mixt lovers. Maybe I will update after few tins.
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SirLoirn	02/06/2008	Very Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
Tin: Mostly shades of brown to black, with some light tan and green. The singular aroma standing out from the base VA is the mildly smoky Latakia. The VA has the somewhat acetic smell of good quality fermented and cured tobacco, although this seemed to fade away after a few days. Date on bottom of tin: 030507(MAR 05, 2007). Packing & Lighting: Contrasting with other Fog City Selections, Montgomery and Laurel Heights, Ashbury did have a tendency for the tobacco strands to adhere when rolled into a ball. This gives a concern of packing the bowl too tight, resulting in a more forced draw, though the moisture level does feel appropriate. Generally, one relight is needed. Aroma & Taste: The primary aroma and taste is that of light orientals, a creamy, fragrant, herbal essence akin to rosemary, with smoky Latakia hiding well off of center stage. There is no bite. I do agree that the orientals in Ashbury have a slightly acrid character, contrasted with other sweet, more mellow varieties of orientals. The quantity of orientals in Ashbury cast them in the limelight, not the spotlight, being lightly applied, the VA providing a light toasted-fruit-like base in the background. Nicotine: Not much buzz at all, mild to medium, quite tame compared to Mont. and LH. Room Note: Fairly nice Va quality of mild hay, and fragrant oriental. Overall: Ashbury could easily be smoked throughout the day. It is rather more complex than the unidimensional Mont. or LH. Although Mont. may have impressed me more, Mont. was the first of the Fog City Selection I smoked. 3.8 stars.
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RMBittner	11/20/2007	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
While this is not my ideal Balkan -- to my mind, a proper Balkan has significantly more latakia than Ashbury -- it is a very good, Oriental-focused English and I recommend it if you have a fondness for Orientals (or want to see if you do). The Orientals here are of the acrid, not rich-and-sweet, variety. Because of that -- and the fact that Ashbury moves the latakia so much to the background -- this blend is much more in the Charing Cross family than the Caravan/Odyssey family of Pease Balkan(ish) blends. I enjoy them all, but just be aware that there are distinct differences. And lest anyone be misled by the sly wording on the older labels or the description above (which, I believe, has been changed on the latest tins), this is not somehow a Syrian-free version of the late, lamented Bohemian Scandal. To my mind, the Pease Syrians were distinct and unique from any currently produced Pease blend; Ashbury shouldn't be sampled with the expectation that it will echo the Scandal. You'll be disappointed. And you shouldn't be. . . because Ashbury is a fine blend that can stand quite capabaly on its own two feet.
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Glorfindel	10/16/2007	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Something strange and wondeful happened to me in ordering this Pease Balkan. I am prone to imagine my ideal smoke characteristics of taste, aroma, texture etc. before I order a blend. This usually sets me up for disappointment since virtually no tobacco I have tried is "exactly" what I hoped or expected it to be in my imagination beforehand. I shouldn't conjure up these images prior to, but oh well, I can't help it. In short, I build up unrealistic expectations. Plus, I suppose I'm too darn picky. But this time there is a happy ending. Might I say that Ashbury turned out to be everything I imagined for my "ideal Balkan blend". This is my perfect (non-armatic) smoke - period. The tin aroma is similar to McClelland blends, which some call vinegar, yet I don't think so. Its simply the smell of HIGH QUALITY fermented/aged tobacco which McC and GLP use in their products - and perhaps some similar curing techniques. Not a problem for me. Even if it is vinegar, bacteria naturally produce acetic acid (vinegar) when fermenting natural sugars under aerobic conditions. The blend lights easily and burns very evenly without burning to one side or creating hot spots. Perfect moisture content right out of the tin, no drying needed for my tatstes. The initial notes were light and herbaceous (not green mind you) and backed with just enough Latakia to be satisfying. I do love that herbal component so. It has such a "clean" tatste and I suspect it is the orientals producing this flavor. The tang of the VAs supported the dominating oriental "light-herbal-creamy-spicey-ness" (the best way I can describe the orientals here). This is an oriental dominated blend which I enjoy alternating between McC Yendije Supreme - a pure oriental. This has helped me appreciate both blends and detect the nuances of flavor in each by comparison of what each does and doesn't have. This blend enjoys medium puffing and doesn't seem to bite, though there is a moderate spicey-ness that lingers on the tounge - I won't call it a bite, however. This blend is light on latakia and has zero perique (thank goodness) and is unapologetic for such - as it should be!! If one is looking for lots of latakia or the harshness of perique, I'm not sure why one would try this blend. These things are not implied or promised in this blend. For me, this is the ultimate Balkan. I love this stuff. (Hats off to "kilted1" for an outstanding 1st review of this blend)
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Eric Cioe	04/30/2007	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
EDIT - I'm bumping this down a star because I've found one light latakia blend that I like better, Kensington. Still very good and very much recommended. That I registered on this site yesterday so that I could give Ashbury my first review should say something about the blend. I've been smoking for two years now. I only smoke aromatics if someone gives me some (bless their effort), and my favorite blend style is Balkan. I like the taste of orientals above latakia. This blend is the perfect light-medium Balkan. I was nervous about this blend smoking too hot when I first got it, based on my experiences with the Virginia-heavy Lombard. This blend, however, seems to be much more balanced. It was wet when I bought it, and I've been working out of the same tin for a few months now (I smoke about once a day and have a large rotation), and it's getting easier to light and keep lit. I find this blend perfect for driving to work or walking to class in the morning. Just enough kick to wake you up, but overall, a very balanced blend. Highly, highly recommended for Balkan lovers who aren't latakia hounds.
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JazzSmoke	10/20/2006	Medium	None detected	Medium	Very Pleasant
When this blend was first introduced I bought a tin and smoked it within a week. The tobacco reminded me of Rattray's 7 Reserve. I bought three more tins and aged them a year. Recently, I spent about two weeks trying to smoke this blend again and found it a bit boring after the first 10 minutes or so. Also, like many virginia heavy blends it smoked hot and became unpleasant at times, unless I was very careful. Like the previous reviewer this stung my toungue. After struggling with the tin for two weeks and comparing to some other blends, I gave up on this. Very nice natural tobacco that reminds me of the real English blends I smoked 20 years ago. Really, it's well made but I'm not interested in trying it again.
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DrSteve	10/11/2006	Mild	None detected	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
Judging by the description and the existing reviews, I thought I?d really like this blend. I smoked it in a large Comoy?s Freehand that has been ?Blueprinted? by Ronnie B. My sample was made up of mostly red to gold ribbons with just a little dark brown to black leaf which all appeared to be of fine quality. The pouch aroma was that of a mild and pleasant Balkan blend. It packed easily and had an appropriate amount of moisture. After the initial charring light and tamp, it burned perfectly and produced good smoke volume, leaving a light grey ash at the end of the bowl without relights. I found my sample to have very little flavor and to be very hot on my tongue. It wasn?t an unpleasant smoke, but just never really developed past a mild, almost cigar-like flavor that was hot and stingy all the way through. I plan on trying it in a few different pipes and will update if there is any reason to. For now, my first experience with GL Pease left me wanting a little more (flavor, that is).
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Professor	08/10/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable
I originally reviewed Ashbury on 28 October 2005. This update removes that original review for various reasons. While G. L. Pease is a master blender using quality tobacco, this particular blend is not for me.
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tonyg	05/17/2006	Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I'm a big fan of Greg Pease. I enjoy every one of his blends save those that contain burley (to which I have an aversion), cigar leaf, and those with too much latakia for my tastes. So I was sure that I would enjoy this blend. I was unimpressed with my first few smokes of Ashbury. Aha! So Mr. Pease can take all of those fine tobaccos that I do enjoy and create something I don't like after all. I was kind of happy that I wouldn't have to fit one more blend in my rotation. Six months of aging changed all that. While I do enjoy Balkan blends,they take second chair to Virginias. Well, at least they did. Ashbury is an extaordinary and complex blend. I'm reminded of Dunhill's Durbar of years past, at least so far as I can remember its nut like flavor. The tobacco burns perfectly with only on re-light (unless DGT is employed) down to the bottom of the bowl leaving a clean grey ash without a hint of bite. Highly recommended to anyone who can appreciate what a fine alchemist has to offer.
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Elric	05/02/2006	Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
Ashbury is another masterpiece from GLP. The tin verbiage alludes to our departed Scandal and the contents deliver a marvelous smoking experience somewhat reminiscent of that august blend. This is the first offering with Cyprian lat that really matches Scandal's creamy character. First rate leaf, as always, forms a sturdy foundation. Ashbury has become a regular Balkan component of my rotation.
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 31 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >