I just tried GL Pease's Sextant

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Kyle Weiss

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Woah, no way. I had time and the inkling to try something new, and that something new is also something new on the market.

With all of the recent epic bombings as of late, that are waiting patiently for me to get to 'em, those who know my ramblings and taste already knew GLP's "Sextant" was one on my "hot list." Quite honestly, with all of the covertness of my humbling gifts, this is one I have no idea who it came from. Thanks, obscure bombers, but thanks to the man who sent me this sample!

Greg's (GL Pease, if there's some newbies around) mixture, Sextant, is described generally as a full, slightly rum-infused mix of Virginias, Orientals, Burley and Cyprian Latakia. A master of making something out of anything Latakia, being a fan of it himself, Mr. Pease balances this one in a new way--either that, or my whirlwind, relatively new piping hobby just isn't as well-versed as some others--but these "I just tried" notes are mere first impressions and pondering, not meticulous experience and method. In any case, here is my story, and I'm sticking to it:

The "ready rubbed" cut from GLP is great, for a number of reasons. You get the benefit of flake without the cutting. Chunky enough for stuffing, easily loosened up for general filling. It's a tad hard to get lit at first (and my batch was just the right moisture level for me) but when it gets lit, it stays lit. I was impressed by how heady and thick the smoke was--spicy, very background rum notes, and smokiness stood right up and said "Latakia!" Strong stuff! But it doesn't stay that way. The rum faded a little, and the spiciness of the Oriental and brightness of the Virginias started to mix pleasantly with the Latakia. About halfway through, this is where the magic began.

A buttery spice was omnipresent, and stayed that way. While still strong, the volume was turned up and stayed at a comfortable "8" (on a scale of 1 to 11, of course) and left me smiling in meditative bliss. It's not a nicotine powerhouse (ala Jackknife) but will not disappoint those seeking a good punch of "N." In no way did this stuff get unruly or sharp to the tongue, but a good nasal protoexhale/snork will make your sinuses tingle a little--like a little wasabi was added. Delayed Gratification Technique (DGT) was anomalous, and this stuff stayed true to the end of the bowl. Overall, I was intrigued by the fullness, I was enthralled with the broad but direct flavor, and yet felt like I was in good hands the whole time. A pleasant, herb-like bitterness, with smoky, spiced butter, and a salty meatiness to keep it all together. The rum was but an introduction, like a pre-dinner cocktail.

What a mix!

I'm no skeptic when it comes to Greg's blends and mixtures, but sometimes I wonder if I have "hit the wall" with Latakia. I didn't want to get to that "been there, done that" stage so soon, as I really like Latakia. This stuff made me realize there's more tricks to this kind of tobacco, and in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing, it's a real pleasure to be surprised--again. My guess was some of the Jackknife characteristics were carefully mixed with some Burley, Oriental and the just-right amount of Cyprian Latakia to make this pleasant combination known as Sextant, and for those wanting a stronger flavor, this one is for you. It's a serious tobacco.

If I were to wear a tie to a wedding, it would be bright and pleasant. If I were to wear one out for a night on the town, it would be sleek and exotic. If I were to wear one to a business meeting, it would be relaxed, strong, knowing and confident-- GLP Sextant is that tie.

8)

 
"smoking-rob" on TR.com just had me dying in laughter:

"As it happens, I am smoking a six year old tin of GL Pease's Sextant, courtesy of my recently restored time machine. It has propelled me into the year 2018 and I am smoking a tin I bought in april 2012. When I first smoked it then, I was pleasantly surprised by the smoothness of this broken flake where VA, Orientals, Kentucky and Latakia are blended in perfect harmony. I can taste a faint anise flavouring so presumably this has been used, as well as a rum topflavour. The story now in 2018 is pretty much the same but all the rum has evaporated and the tobacco is darker and mellower now. I think I will return to 2012 again and finish that tin asap :)"

I also wonder what some age will do with this stuff, time machine or no time machine!

8)

 
LOL, 2018.

Yeah, it's definitely a full mixture. Just opened, the Latakia was in the background. I noticed the sweet notes (perhaps the rum) and a matured Virginia sort of vibe overall. After a week open the Lat and Orientals became much more prominent. I definitely like it, but it makes Quiet Nights seem like an all day smoke by comparison!
 
I got a tin of Quiet Nights recently, too! That'll be a good comparison!
 
Great review, Kyle! Thanks!

I've had two bowls of Sextant so far & am impressed.
 
Not a big fan of rum infused blends, but I like this one better than others I have tried. It has some strength and body. I think it is the Kentucky I taste most in it. The rum topping never goes away though.
 
Smoker99":kq7vdi11 said:
Not a big fan of rum infused blends, but I like this one better than others I have tried. It has some strength and body. I think it is the Kentucky I taste most in it. The rum topping never goes away though.
You can sense the rum in it? You must have some sensitivity to it, I got a few whiffs on maybe the first handful of draws, then it disappeared. Though I agree, the Kentucky is a major player--which is fine by me.

8)
 
I posted this in the SGNF "I just tried," too, just for a comparison. Today, I loaded up with some SGNF because I wanted to see what old-world-mix-with-rum versus old-world-mix-with-rum were like back-to-back.

I think I like GLP's "Sextant" a little more. Granted, they're not an exact match for one another, but they are more similar than dissimilar. I'll see if I can compare:

SGNF: Latakia & Virginia
GLPSXT: Cyp. Lat, VA, Kentucky, Oriental
Result: Pease uses more Latakia and in a more balanced way to get some more "oomph" out of the mix. While I like the Latakia SG uses in many mixtures, this is one where the Virginia gets a little edgy and the Latakia kind of shrinks a tad.

SGNF: Rum
GLPSXT: Rum
Result: Neither made me think I was being swamped with flavor or casing. Or it meshes well with my tongue.

SGNF: Spiciness from mixes of VA
GLPSXT: Spiciness from Oriental and Kentucky
Result: This is where Pease really shines--SGNF has a very good habit if keeping mixtures and blends relatively simple, while holding on to depth and complexity--think string quartet. Sextant is the full-blown orchestra, lots of things going on, but no harmony has been broken. Both have their applications and qualities. The spice from SGNF is a little sweeter, a little more "nutmeg" like, and GLPSXT is herb-like leaning toward an allspice/pepper.

SGNF: Bowl interaction direct
GLPSXT: Bowl interaction casual
Result: What do I mean? Well, how much did I have to babysit the bowl, my tongue, the flavor I was getting and how "lost" or "meditative" did I get? SGNF seems to have one "speed" it likes to linger, which when it achieves this equilibrium, is awesome--DGT is amazing, and this is good, since sometimes I find myself needing to put it down and give my tongue a break. GLPSXT is much more forgiving...typing, reading, talking, it stays lit, flavor is true, yet DGT, while not bad, didn't do something for it one way or the other. Both can be smoked for a good hour-plus nicely.

Just my take, as usual, YMMV. 8)
 
Kyle Weiss":9vn02yor said:
Smoker99":9vn02yor said:
Not a big fan of rum infused blends, but I like this one better than others I have tried. It has some strength and body. I think it is the Kentucky I taste most in it. The rum topping never goes away though.
You can sense the rum in it? You must have some sensitivity to it, I got a few whiffs on maybe the first handful of draws, then it disappeared. Though I agree, the Kentucky is a major player--which is fine by me.

8)
I'm very sorry Kyle - If I knew you liked Rum flavored Pipe Tobaccos, i'd have sent you this! :twisted:


super-buttered-rum.jpg
 
How does this compare to Blockade Runner? Obviously BR doesn't have latakia, but other than that, it is also a full blend with a light amount of rumminess.
 
Kyle, I was gonna buy some Barbary Coast, but Sextant sounds right up my alley.

Thanks, bro-pey! :)
 
Hard to add anything to Kyle's first post. I taste the rum slightly all the way to a fine ash. I am reminded of a similarity to Penzance for some reason. That is sort of vague. Maybe it's the buttery-like aspect, or the latakia, or a combination of those.

What really bothers me is, I only bought 8 tins at Chicago. Only 8 tins.
 
After reading Kyles review and reading G.L. Pease's description I had to Try Sextant for the first time last night. Very nice smoke. Quite different from Charing Cross, but in a good way. Looking forward to more bowls of this blend.
 
Charing Cross is alright, but a bit sharp and kind of a wicked witch at times. It isn't bad, but Sextant is like a bold handshake and hug from a sturdy grandfather. There's something real and all-knowing about it--it loves ya, but you better respect it. :lol:

That's the best way I can compare the two.
 
have to agree, to me CC is more in your face, but I really like it's smokiness. So do your have a book or do you just pull all these colorful comments out of........think air? If you're not getting them from a book maybe you should right one. lol.
 
Idk why but when this blend was first released and this thread was started I had it in my head that Sextant didn't have a whole lot of latakia. It sounded good to me as I prefer a light hand when it comes to that stinky leaf lol

But now y'all are comparing it to CC??? Hmmm... Maybe it's a bit more lat-forward than I had initially hoped... Guess I'll have to open the tin that was gifted to me recently and find out for myself!
 
I am about through my first tin of Sextant. At first I wasn't to sure about it but by the 4th or 5th bowl I found myself reaching for it quite often.
May have to pick up a couple more tins.
 
desertpiper: I'm a writer. No "real" books as of yet, but a writer nonetheless. 8)

Shane: It has a balanced amount of Latakia. Charing Cross might have the exact same amount of Latakia, I have no idea, but if it does, Sextant has the right amount of other ingredients to work more with it. As I've said before, my tongue has a threshold with Latakia. I like it. A little is awesome. A little more is fantastic. Even more is pointless, as I simply stop tasting it at some level, and if I'm not tasting it, yet its there, it makes me wonder if it's muting a mixture somehow. If aren't too into Latakia, you might not like it, but like with me and Perique, I've been pleasantly surprised in some areas and brushing my teeth and tongue after others. :lol:

Tech: Same here. It's been one of the more exciting discoveries, this Sextant stuff. The Latakias I've been smoking for the last month or so have been Charing Cross, SG Balkan Flake, SG Navy Flake, Sextant, and Billy Budd. CC and BF are okay, but I probably won't be getting them again. The rest are balanced mixtures in various strength, which is what I like. SG Navy Flake and Sextant are remarkably similar (I've probably said that), as the rum casing is practically a passing whiff more than any specific flavor--just what I'd expect from GLP and SG, honestly. 8) Enjoy the Sextant!
 

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