Kapnismologist
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Just posted the following review on TR. Reproduced here for your edification.
G.L. Pease Caravan
Short brown, mahogany and tan broken ribbon tossed with larger pieces of black and soft chestnut-hued leaf. The tin nose is rich, with a leathery earthiness which is slightly sweet and just the slightest bit smoky. Tinned moderately moist, it packs and takes to the match with little complaint.
In the bowl Caravan offers a pleasant campfire smokiness marked by notes of camphor, black tea, and wood. The Latakia is not overwhelming nor does it overly dominate the mixture’s other components. For their part, the heady Orientals offer both spice and a fragrant, fermented-earthy quality and the Lemon and Red Virginas provide an understated sweetness which becomes more pronounced as the bowl nears its end. A light nicotine punch is to be had as well, perhaps a result of the added air cured leaf? It is however, the interplay between the Cyprian Latakia and the Orientals where the true character of the mixture is to be found. While like many such Latakia-forward mixtures Caravan can become heavy on the tongue if not treated with diligence, it offers more than enough in the way of complexity to both entertain and relax, depending on wont or circumstance. A bit of sourness is noticeable here and there as are some ‘sharp edges’. Full bodied, it offers a dry, lingering and slightly sweet finish.
The sample upon which this review is based was quite young, and like others in the class it is assumed that age will round and soften its edges a bit. At the same time, however, the high proportion of Latakia along with the mixture’s liberal use of Orientals (not to mention the bits of Burley floating around here and there) could push it past its prime quite a bit earlier than similar preparations which sport a heavier Virginia component. Only time will tell. While not the biggest of the GLP ‘Balkan’ offerings, it does serve as an excellent representative of the genre (which may or may not actually exist in any case), and as with most of the Pease offerings clearly stands out amongst the competition.
G.L. Pease Caravan
Short brown, mahogany and tan broken ribbon tossed with larger pieces of black and soft chestnut-hued leaf. The tin nose is rich, with a leathery earthiness which is slightly sweet and just the slightest bit smoky. Tinned moderately moist, it packs and takes to the match with little complaint.
In the bowl Caravan offers a pleasant campfire smokiness marked by notes of camphor, black tea, and wood. The Latakia is not overwhelming nor does it overly dominate the mixture’s other components. For their part, the heady Orientals offer both spice and a fragrant, fermented-earthy quality and the Lemon and Red Virginas provide an understated sweetness which becomes more pronounced as the bowl nears its end. A light nicotine punch is to be had as well, perhaps a result of the added air cured leaf? It is however, the interplay between the Cyprian Latakia and the Orientals where the true character of the mixture is to be found. While like many such Latakia-forward mixtures Caravan can become heavy on the tongue if not treated with diligence, it offers more than enough in the way of complexity to both entertain and relax, depending on wont or circumstance. A bit of sourness is noticeable here and there as are some ‘sharp edges’. Full bodied, it offers a dry, lingering and slightly sweet finish.
The sample upon which this review is based was quite young, and like others in the class it is assumed that age will round and soften its edges a bit. At the same time, however, the high proportion of Latakia along with the mixture’s liberal use of Orientals (not to mention the bits of Burley floating around here and there) could push it past its prime quite a bit earlier than similar preparations which sport a heavier Virginia component. Only time will tell. While not the biggest of the GLP ‘Balkan’ offerings, it does serve as an excellent representative of the genre (which may or may not actually exist in any case), and as with most of the Pease offerings clearly stands out amongst the competition.
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