Re: Review: HH Vintage Syrian
Steve
and I agree with Bill,it's smooth,smokey,tasty,and doesn't bite a bit.I
just sent an e-mail to Gene Thompson,the MacBaren rep that provided me
samples and told him what a good blend I think it is.
Stephen
Jari T
> ASP'er Stephen Winslow was kind enough to pick me up a couple of tins
> of Mac Baren HH Vintage Sytian while visiting the Chicago Pipe Show.
> Although I pretty much have avoided ASP entirely as of late, he asked
> that I post my impressions of the blend. So, for anyone who cares to
> read it here goes.
>
> I found that the blend description on the Mac Baren web site was
> pretty accurate. The tobacco packed easily and provided a cool, long
> smoke leaving only some gray ash in the end. The Syrian latakia was
> definitely there as it reminded me somewhat of GLP BS. It also brought
> back memories of the late C&D Santa's Mistake, although this was far
> better tasting.
>
> Unlike most Mac Baren blends that bite like a rabid dog, this doesn't.
> I will buy more when it is distributed later in the year.
>
> Thanks again, Stephen.
>
> That's all. Good night.
>
>
>
I thought you went fishing with Mark and Rad(ish).
This doesn't seem to be the case, since you are still sound to
be very much alive. I didn't 'see' your post. I just typed this
shit in random. Why not just stay under the water..
Best regards,
--
Jari T in Helsinki
Fred
Bill writes:
I found that the blend description on the Mac Baren web site was
pretty accurate. The tobacco packed easily and provided a cool, long
smoke leaving only some gray ash in the end. The Syrian latakia was
definitely there as it reminded me somewhat of GLP BS. It also brought
back memories of the late C&D Santa's Mistake, although this was far
better tasting.
I too was lucky enough for one of the club members
that went to Chicago brought me a tin back. I've only smoked
three bowls and I like it. I like MacB's Burley London
Blend but the other blends either smoke like a grass fire or have
Cavendish or both. This is a smooth blend that
certainly has quality Syrian leaf - which I find to be it's
saving grace. I found the treatment of the Virginia to be
lacking and the contribution of the Turkish & Orientals
was certainly muted. The Dark Fired Kentucky was a strong and welcome
addition. All in all, a good smoke
that I plan to buy more of when it becomes available.
Yes, it's good but not great... This is a little bit of a let down
since the presence of quality components is
certainly there but the blend itself has fallen short of it's
potential stellar experience.
Fred
Pyroboby
locate it in the few hours i was there. How long til its available to
try? Thanks
Rob
Michael
Should be around August.
Michael
Rad Davis
"Jari T" <tia...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:e43dq7$921$1...@news.datemas.de...
> I thought you went fishing with Mark and Rad(ish).
>
> This doesn't seem to be the case, since you are still sound to be very
> much alive. I didn't 'see' your post. I just typed this shit in random.
> Why not just stay under the water..
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> --
> Jari T in Helsinki
Jari,
Are you drinking wine again? :o)
Rad
Jari T
This time it's port. In the beginning (of this evening) the port
was old. Now the bottle I opened is quite young! They still make
the same satisfying 'plop'-sound when I open them. Yummy as hell!
Thanks for asking!
Scott Curtis
Jari,
I'm in love with you.
CS
David
Thanks for the perceptually fair, objective tobacco review. What do you
think a year or two of age will do to this blend? Your comments
perked my interest and I'll probably pick up a tin or two to give a
*test drive.* Unlikly that, based on other reviews, I'm about to start
giving away my stash of Santa's Mistake or Bohemian Scandal. :-)
Cheers.
David N.
david N.
Fred
David writes:
Thanks for the perceptually fair, objective tobacco review. What do
you
think a year or two of age will do to this blend? Your comments
perked my interest and I'll probably pick up a tin or two to give a
*test drive.* Unlikly that, based on other reviews, I'm about to start
giving away my stash of Santa's Mistake or Bohemian Scandal. :-)
Cheers.
My guess is that a few years in the tin should bring the Virginia to
full potential... I would be interested in knowing when the tins for
the show
were put together. I've heard some say that MacB's cannot keep
marketing this blend in the same recipe since they will run out of
quality Syrian... I see MacB's doing things on a grand scale as a
major player in the blending market. Steve Books has also told me
that just because there was a warehouse fire, that does not mean
that all the quality Syrian is gone. US blenders are hindered by a
trade embargo. I can still get quality Syrian leaf for blending from
Wellauer's in Switzerland. Today, I was told that this is not the same
quality as used by GLP. That told me that the person telling me this
did not know what he was talking about. I tend to suspect that the
problems are concerned with access instead of availability. I would
also be surprised if MacB's did not have a couple of tons of this
good Syrian as well as clear access to more.
Fred
Steve
show,whether they had access to all the Syrian they wanted;they smiled
slyly and said they could get all they wanted since
they[Europeans]didn't have any trade restrictions which the U.S.
evidently has.
I forgot to ask them if their cartoons of the prophet had queered
things up for them,seems I remember Danish flags being burned a few
months ago all over the Middle East.
Stephen
Alex
blenders seem to be having. My understanding was that Syrian latakia
was not being produced. Maybe they got their hands on a container of
the stuff or something.
Luke
Luke
Fred
Steve writes:
I forgot to ask them if their cartoons of the prophet had queered
things up for them,seems I remember Danish flags being burned a few
months ago all over the Middle East.
I've not experienced a problem with anyone not agreeing to take
money... I sometimes wonder how many of the people that get on
the news coverage of anti-American sentiment are actually acting from
their own beliefs or engaging in chameleon behaviors to keep from
getting killed by the radical few...
Fred
David Quisenberry
describes below as not knowing what they are talking about since I had this
very conversation with him today. You see, Fred is obviously a mover and a
shaker in the tobacco industry, hiding out as a retired gent at my local
pipe shop where he spends his days waxing ever so eloquent while puffing on
his meerschams as neophytes like myself (only been collecting and smoking
for 25 years) listen intently, hoping to pick up a crumb of knowledge. Now
I will be the first to admit I do not have a scientific way of determining
if the Syrian in BS is better or worse than the stuff that Wellaeuer puts in
their tins. I have tried both and prefer what was in Greg's as well as the
same stuff that was in Tony Sanchez's Balkanite over it and have discussions
with Greg regarding availability of the same quality syrian he put in BS,
but I must defer to the most knowledgeable Fred who has assertained that I
am a tobacco idiot. Thank goodness I dont waste folk's time with my tobacco
opinions here often. If I have led any of you astray in the last 12 or so
years I have been on ASP [back when 7 msgs a day was a windfall] then I must
apoligize and humbly ask for your forgiveness.
"Fred" <FBass...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1147560347.3...@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
David
If my memory serves correctly all that was said by Greg Pease in
December 2004 was that due to that now infamous warehouse fire, the
QUALITY of Syrian Latakia that he used in his Syrian blends was no
longer available. Period. I also believe he mentioned that he would
NOT continue to produce a blend that were not up to the quality
standards by substituting what he considered to be an inferior
component.
Again if my memory serves, he never said that Syrian Latakia as a whole
was no longer available. To suggest or imply otherwise seems to me to
be at minimum fatuous. People need to stop automatically thinking the
worst or assigning evil intent to others when there is absolutely no
basis to do so. One should also ask the question *Why the hell would an
obviously good businessman and gifted tobacco blender NOT continue to
produce a legendary blend such as Bohemian Scandal et al were the
quality components still available?*
So it seems pretty clear to me - He and other blenders, for their
actions, believe the present quality of Syrian Latakia used in other
blends produced offshore are not up to the quality requirements used in
the aforementioned out of production blends.
Now I'll be buying a tin or two of this HH Vintage Syrian when it
becomes available to *test drive*. Frankly I am curious despite the
fact I really have yet to smoke a blend from this blender that I
considered better than *average* to *good.*
But should anyone care to part with there Bohemian Scandal, Mephisto,
Raven's Wing, Rennaissance or Santa's Mistake based on *marketing
innuendo* at ten to twenty percent above 2004 retail, I'll take all
you have off your hands. :-)
David N.
Fred
David writes:
Folks, I have to stand up right now and admit that I am the idiot
that Fred
describes below as not knowing what they are talking about since I had
this
very conversation with him today.
If the shoe fits, wear it... No amount of character assignation and
false
humility will either change my beliefs or serve to feed your
ineffectual
megalomania... Since you have chosen to take this public, I consider
it
a matter of merit to be on your shit list.
Fred
G.E.R.R.Y.
David <Focai...@aol.com> wrote:
> I really have yet to smoke a blend from this blender that I
> considered better than *average* to *good.*
There are some of us out here who might have to disagree with you. If
MacBaren's is the largest pipe tobacco vendor in the world and, if
their Scottish Mixture is the biggest selling pipe blend in the world,
as I believe I've read, then that "some" above should be "many".
I personally love their Navy Flake, Scottish Mixture, Gold of Denmark,
Gold Blend, and Black Exotic.
BTW, Black Exotic has gotten me more positive responses from family and
passers-by than ANY blend I've ever smoked, FWIW.
Gerry < smoke what you like... >
David
I do - smoke what I like that is. :-) BUT I am going to test drive
this blend. Of course personal smoking preferences are just that
personal. :-) That is why there are so many blenders out there and so
many blends to cater to individual taste. It's like food. Some like
butter beans and parsnips. I detest them. <shrug>
And thanks for focusing on substance and not digressing; taking my
crappy editing skills to task i.e. *there* for *their* etc. :-) As
an aside though since when does popularlity necessarily equate to
quality? :-)
David N.
Charles Perry
"Alex" <alex....@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1147562045....@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
US producers cannot import Syrian latakia. Now, somehow a whole warehouse
(and then some) got into the US. The warehouse fire was devestating for GLP
and C&D blends containing Syrian latakia. However, I understand McClellands
had laid back a large quantity in their own storage facilities and still
have plenty.
I don't buy the arguement that the only quality Syrian latakia in the world
was destroyed in that fire. Syrian latakia is out there but is mighty
difficult to come by, particularly for US based companies.
Charles Perry P.E.
looking forward to trying the HH Vintage Syrian.
Ken Dixon
> "Alex" <alex....@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1147562045....@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
>>That's interesting considering the supply problems that American
>>blenders seem to be having. My understanding was that Syrian latakia
>>was not being produced. Maybe they got their hands on a container of
>>the stuff or something.
>>
>
> I believe it is being produced. The problem is that just like Cuban cigars,
> US producers cannot import Syrian latakia.
I can't find anything about a US embargo against Syria. Anyone have a link?
I've checked US Customs and ATF and nada.
Ken in Miami
G. L. Pease
danced wildly on the keyboard to produce
(in article <1147560347.3...@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>):
> My guess is that a few years in the tin should bring the Virginia to full
> potential... I would be interested in knowing when the tins for the show
> were put together. I've heard some say that MacB's cannot keep marketing
> this blend in the same recipe since they will run out of quality Syrian... I
> see MacB's doing things on a grand scale as a major player in the blending
> market. Steve Books has also told me that just because there was a warehouse
> fire, that does not mean that all the quality Syrian is gone. US blenders
> are hindered by a trade embargo. I can still get quality Syrian leaf for
> blending from Wellauer's in Switzerland. Today, I was told that this is not
> the same quality as used by GLP. That told me that the person telling me
> this did not know what he was talking about. I tend to suspect that the
> problems are concerned with access instead of availability. I would also be
> surprised if MacB's did not have a couple of tons of this good Syrian as well
> as clear access to more.
Okay, my twopence worth:
The Syrian in the MacB that I sampled at the show was as good as the
vintage stuff we had. In fact, it could well have been the same leaf,
from the same crop, from the same source. Without sampling the leaf
unblended, it's hard to say, but it's not hard to say that it's damn fin
stuff.
I was told, as well, that they had no problems getting Syrian Latakia.
Whether it is the same quality as what they've had in their warehouses
for years has yet to be seen. Once they get it, they'/ll have to sit on
it for a few years, at least, before it can be used. But, if samples I've
received from various sources are any indication, the Syrian Latakia that
is "available" is certainly not of a quality that I would choose to use.
To each his own.
The tin of Wellauer Syrian Latakia that I have sitting here is, frankly,
no more Syrian than I am. It is nothing at all like what we had, what
McClelland currently have, or what MacBaren are using in this excellent
blend.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no trade embargo with Syria on
tobacco. My sources tell me that the problem in getting what I wanta is
NOT with trade relations, but with quality. Time will tell. Personally, i
am not hopeful.
Believe me, if I could get Syrian leaf of the quality of that which we
lost, I'd be one of the happiest guys on the planet. I suspect there is a
large supply of it in MacBaren's warehouse. (I've been there - it's
huge.) However, we'll have to wait and see what replaces it when it's
gone.
We can all, me included, sit around and speculate about how much is out
there, who has it, whether or not it is currently being produced, whether
or not leaf of sufficient quality will ever be produced again, ad
infinitum. The fact remains, I ain't got any, can't get any, and having
been chasing this problem down for a couple years now, am beginning to be
a little skeptical that I ever will.
Too, I've seen a lot of things *claiming* to be Syrian latakia that are
not. In a world where many people believe what they read on a label, or
in a tobacco review, this will doubtless cause a great many people who've
never had the pleasure of experiencing the real thing to believe they
have, and muddle the waters still further.
On the other hand, this new MacBaren blend will, at least, give people an
opportunity to experience some quality Syrian Latakia, whether or not
they like the blend it's in.
Have we kicked the dried bones of this dead horse long enough?
-glp
G.E.R.R.Y.
<Focai...@aol.com> wrote:
> And thanks for focusing on substance and not digressing; taking my
> crappy editing skills to task i.e. *there* for *their* etc. :-) As
> an aside though since when does popularlity necessarily equate to
> quality? :-)
I was actually focussed more on your choice of calling their blends
"average to good" instead of how they "fit" your taste. For example, I
absolutely detested Pirate Kake (Kaka?) and couldn't stand even a dozen
puffs of it, but I would never say it is bad or mediocre tobacco of low
quality. It simply did NOT fit my tastes. Suitability to taste should
have no bearing on how you designate their quality level. I hope that
makes sense.
Gerry
Charles Perry
"G. L. Pease" <nos...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C08D0DE1...@news.giganews.com...
I believe so. After some searching I found, much to my surprise, that Syria
does not have a general embargo on all goods. I know from work, that they
are on a list of countries that are on export control watch lists. Much of
what I produce, mostly paper, cannot go there.
Anyway. I am not surprised that a company as large as MacBaren has a supply
of good quality Syrian Latakia. They may have bought all that was
available, or they may have the current supply of quality leaf tied up.
They certainly have the resources to do either. Greg, on the other hand,
runs a small business, and in cases like this likely cannot compete with the
likes of MacBaren when they want something he wants. That is fine. I am
sure Greg will continue to produce blends that satisfy his existing, and
new, customers. I just wish one particular F&P blend would show up in a new
name, even if slightly modified or improved. I think he likely knows which
one;-)
Charles Perry P.E.
David Quisenberry
"G. L. Pease" <nos...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C08D0DE1...@news.giganews.com...
> On Sat, 13 May 2006 15:45:47 -0700, Fred, in tiny little tap shoes,
> danced wildly on the keyboard to produce
> (in article <1147560347.3...@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>):
>
>
Fred
David writes:
Hey Freddie, put that in your meerscham and smoke it. Ass...
Thank you for demonstrating my point. You are correct in
your facts but that still leaves you being an asshole.
Fred
G. L. Pease
> I just wish one particular F&P blend would show up in a new name, even if
> slightly modified or improved. I think he likely knows which one;-)
Do I know? These days, I'm not so sure...
Tell me. It might just happen. ;)
-glp
David
> makes sense.
>
> Gerry
Yes it does. Poor choice.of words on my part. *OK to good according to
my palate * which is not a commentary as to the relative quality of the
blends produced by the blender in question.
David N.
Charles Perry
expensive*.
Charles Perry P.E.
*Note to NSA, I don't mind you reading this but I am kidding.
David Quisenberry
stick a knife in my back on ASP, even if they are obviously not well
grounded in the facts they speak of.
"Fred" <FBass...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1147665179....@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
G. L. Pease
>>> I just wish one particular F&P blend would show up in a new name, even if
>>> slightly modified or improved. I think he likely knows which one;-)
>>
>> Do I know? These days, I'm not so sure...
>>
>> Tell me. It might just happen. ;)
> Inverness. I am carefully guarding 2 tins. Claymores and C4 are expensive*.
Ah, yes. Well, Inverness had Syrian Latakia in it. It just wouldn't be
the same with Cyprus leaf.
Sadly, just prior to the fire, I was going to release a limited edition
blend similar to Inverness, as I've got a small supply of vintage
Maryland waiting for a project, and figured that would be perfect.
(Inverness had a small, but important percentage of Maryland in it.) I'l
have to find another use for it one of these days.
-glp
--
In Celebration of Briar - A Gallery of Pipe Photographs
http://www.glpease.com/Photos/PipeGallery
Updated 13 March, 2006
Charles Perry
> On Mon, 15 May 2006 03:27:22 -0700, Charles Perry, in tiny little tap
> shoes, danced wildly on the keyboard to produce
> (in article <4cr3ceF...@individual.net>):
>
>>>> I just wish one particular F&P blend would show up in a new name, even
>>>> if
>>>> slightly modified or improved. I think he likely knows which one;-)
>>>
>>> Do I know? These days, I'm not so sure...
>>>
>>> Tell me. It might just happen. ;)
>
>> Inverness. I am carefully guarding 2 tins. Claymores and C4 are
>> expensive*.
>
> Ah, yes. Well, Inverness had Syrian Latakia in it. It just wouldn't be
> the same with Cyprus leaf.
>
> Sadly, just prior to the fire, I was going to release a limited edition
> blend similar to Inverness, as I've got a small supply of vintage
> Maryland waiting for a project, and figured that would be perfect.
> (Inverness had a small, but important percentage of Maryland in it.) I'l
> have to find another use for it one of these days.
>
> -glp
>
I knew it was too good to be true! I figured the Syrian Latakia in the
blend would mean no more (for now). Perhaps you should "tour" the MacBaren
warehouse with a few empty bags and some guys with strong backs?
Charles Perry P.E.
Briarroot
>
> Have we kicked the dried bones of this dead horse long enough?
Apparently not. This must make a half-dozen times that you've
explained the facts to us. Some folks either aren't paying attention,
can't figure out what you're saying, or simply don't believe you.
This subject would make a fine case study for those interested in How
Rumors Spread. :-/
Hang in there, Mr. P! ;-)
Regards,
Tim Parker ... Dorchester in a Tinsky blast lovat
Joe LaVigne
> G. L. Pease wrote:
>>
>> Have we kicked the dried bones of this dead horse long enough?
>
> Apparently not. This must make a half-dozen times that you've
> explained the facts to us. Some folks either aren't paying attention,
> can't figure out what you're saying, or simply don't believe you.
> This subject would make a fine case study for those interested in How
> Rumors Spread. :-/
>
> Hang in there, Mr. P! ;-)
For most, it seems the "not beleiving" is the closest to the truth. They
seem to infer that Greg is trying to create a false shortage for profit. I
could probably pull up a half a dozen old posts that pretty much say that
outright.
I wish people would just let it die. Greg cannot get Syrian. Deal...
;-)
--
Joseph M. LaVigne
jlav...@hits-buffalo.com
http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 5/15/2006 10:07:24 PM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/
If you're being chased by an angry bull, and then you notice you're also
being chased by a swarm of bees, it doesn't really change things. Just keep
on running.
G. L. Pease
> On Mon, 15 May 2006 18:40:18 -0400, Briarroot wrote:
>
>> G. L. Pease wrote:
>>>
>>> Have we kicked the dried bones of this dead horse long enough?
>>
>> Apparently not. This must make a half-dozen times that you've
>> explained the facts to us. Some folks either aren't paying attention,
>> can't figure out what you're saying, or simply don't believe you.
>> This subject would make a fine case study for those interested in How
>> Rumors Spread. :-/
>>
>> Hang in there, Mr. P! ;-)
>
> For most, it seems the "not beleiving" is the closest to the truth. They
> seem to infer that Greg is trying to create a false shortage for profit. I
> could probably pull up a half a dozen old posts that pretty much say that
> outright.
Yep. That 100,000 tins of Bohemian Scandal I've been sitting on since the
great conflagration are going to be worthless if the truth gets out that
Syrian Latakia is as plentiful as surplus wheat.
Now, can anyone tell me how to get this bone dust off my boots?
-glp (Hanging in)
Rad Davis
> Syrian Latakia is as plentiful as surplus wheat.
>
> -glp
Dang!! I just knew it!
So you're going to be making Bohemian Scandal again! This is great news!
How soon will it be available?
Rad
Joe LaVigne
Didn't you read his post? He has 100,000 tins just sitting there. What a
dastardly plot...
--
Joseph M. LaVigne
jlav...@hits-buffalo.com
http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 5/17/2006 11:07:33 PM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/
"(Tobacco is) a companion in solitude; it is a storehouse for reflection
and gives time for the fumes of wrath to disperse."
-Japanese author
G. L. Pease
>
> "G. L. Pease" <nos...@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:0001HW.C090F9EE...@news.giganews.com...
>
>> Syrian Latakia is as plentiful as surplus wheat.
> Dang!! I just knew it!
>
> So you're going to be making Bohemian Scandal again! This is great news!
>
> How soon will it be available?
As soon as I get my dust covered boot out of YOUR ASS.
Ooooooh! Buuuuuurrrrrrrn!
-g
p.s. For the satire impaired, insert smiley face emoticon here...