My Achilles’ heel are English blends, for their characteristic smoky aroma, combined with the backgrounds –often floral– of Oriental tobaccos and a sweet backdrop of Virginia. Second on my Top list is the Westminster line by G. L. Pease, which maintains the classic structure of the English blend but is very spiced with Orientals.
I keep a bit of a 16-ounce tin I bought in 2015, and from the moment I open it, very peppery notes emerge, not unpleasant, with a typical smoky backdrop of Latakia. Upon closer inspection of the strands, a very regular cut with a lot of resin from the curing process is appreciated, mounted on a bed of brown and blonde tones.
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Over the years, the weight of the tobacco has compacted it, and it looks very similar to a cake at the bottom, which makes loading a bit difficult, but in return, the aromas explode and fill the entire room. To honor its characteristics, I selected a smoked green tea, White Moon, from Basilur –also with a long aging period– which I infused in lactose-free milk to take advantage of the flavors.
I sought out a straight American rustic pipe, which allows for clean smoke passage with low turbulence. The lighting, simple and uniform, creates an immediate ember that welcomes the first third with clearly smoky notes, a pine-like arboreal background, and a very pronounced aftertaste that floods the palate with white pepper, a bit of curry, ginger, and moderate astringency.
As in many blends of this style, the smoke is turbulent. With a sip of tea, I try to compensate for the lack of salivation, and Wow! I am surprised by the velvet of the Virginia, which initially provides an almost imperceptible sweet background, but then notes of raisins and plums emerge, playing with the smokiness. In lighter notes, nuts emerge, mixed with toasted almonds.
As I reach the second third, the Latakia decreases in intensity and becomes a bit sweeter, with the combustion of the Red Virginia entering. The “cry” of the Oriental crosses between draws, seeking to turn the sweet sensations into a pepper that becomes present when exhaling the smoke, and its notes linger in the nose.
The last round becomes warm, with balance among all its components, although none want to leave the fight without landing the definitive blow. Taking the smoke towards the back of the palate, I am enveloped in a soft mentholated flavor. Other blends I have tried reach their climax closer to the end, which is a weakness when seeking satisfaction with typical smoky tobacco.
This tobacco can be smoked at any time of the day, although I personally enjoy it more in the evening, for the tranquility of the city and so that the mind can distinguish the transitions that the blender offers in a true Balkan blend. Enjoy, experiment with different pipes, pairings, and moments, but above all with time… Good smokes!
TECHNICAL DATA
Blend name: Westminster.
Producer: G.L. Pease.
Tobaccos: Latakia, Oriental / Turkish, Virginia.
Cut: Fine strands.
Presentation: 50 and 100 gr. tins, and bulk, 500 gr.
Initial strength: Medium.
Initial aroma: Medium to full.
Room note: Tolerable (smoky).
