Tobaccos G. L. Pease - Montgomery (Fog City Selection)

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2005-04-12		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

A recent blend sampled by my local pipe club members. Most felt the flavor was superb and that the nicotine content was light. One person in the group said he thought the nicotine level was just right and then admitted he thought chicken soup was a hearty meal. LOL!

The ribbon cut was way too stringy to suit me, so I chopped it in my blender for a more even load and burn. I learned that little trick from an article I read in P&T Magazine by famous pipemaker and tobacco distributor Mike Butera. It was one of the best smoking tips I ever picked up.

Moisture content was good and the room aroma is very pleasing. But alas, I couldn't find the beef (nicotine). Still, the flavors were so complex and rich that anything less than a 4-star rating would be unfair.

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3025)	2018-12-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The various yellow, orange, brown and red Virginias offer some tangy ripe dark fruit, a tad more tart citrus and grass/hay, a touch of lemon and bread, and a bit of earth and wood. They are the lead components. The woody, earthy, lightly spicy, mildly floral dark fired Kentucky is an important condiment as it provides some nuances to the blend. The strength and taste levels miss the medium mark by a hair. The nic-hit is just past the center of mild to medium. Has a small chance of bite due to the tingly quality of the brighter Virginias, so a slow puffing cadence is recommended. Has no harsh notes unless you steam puff. Burns a tad warm and clean at a reasonable pace with a moderately complex, fairly consistent flavor, though the dark fired Kentucky occasionally perks up more than expected. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a average number of relights. Has pleasantly, lightly lingering after taste and room note. Can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars out of four. I deducted half a star because of the occasional inconsistency of taste and warm burn.

-JimInks

15 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-01-10		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

FUN WITH C&D SAMPLES, Vol. III, No. IV

This was a 1 oz sample I picked up direct from C&D as part of their wonderful sampler pack. Nice looking orange-ish wide ribbon cut of predominately virginias. Just a few specs of dark leaf in there, which is likely the Kentucky. Loads easily and smokes to the bottom without effort.

I've smoked a lot of virginia blends containing everything from lemon to red and in most of them the flavor of the lighter VA's is stronger. As I prefer the darker VA's, such blends are not often my favorites. This one is no exception, but I think the slight addition of Kentucky leaf keeps this one from going overboard on the light side. There is an orange-peel flavor as I taste in Orlik's Golden Sliced but it's not overwhelming. As in the Solani VA w/perique I recently smoked, the "odd man out" condiment is expertly applied and creates a very light citrus flavor coupled with some spiciness - just enough. The flavor of this was spot on for me, for when I want something refreshing. I found just a touch of complexity in this one, that being the darker flavors coming through at the match and then going AWOL until the middle of the bowl.

Three stars for this because of one problem - tongue bite. It didn't bite me like a dog but it did have a tendency to sizzle just a bit, enough to make me mildly uncomfortable and slow my puffing cadence down to a point I'm not used to. As I have convinced myself that tongue bite is neither the fault of the tobacco nor the smoker (unless he puffs furiously) but rather a simple chemical imbalance between the two, I don't feel the need to warn anyone. If you like lemon VA's with just a ligh touch of darkness, try this one out!

15 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	brashboy (84)	2016-02-19		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Delightful, natural sweetness. My tin, bought off Pipestud, is 11 years old, so this has mellowed and aged beautifully. Therefore, my comments might not apply equally to a new tin. The tin note is why I smoke a pipe, slightly nutty and a scent of fermented hay, almost vinegary from the age. Easy lighting, flavor builds nicely through the bowl. I wish I could condense the nutty room note, slice it up and eat it.

Kentucky not that noticeable but it's there, a puff every now and then, adding a nice little frisson here and there. Not the most complex smoke, no, but the flavor is very rich. Don't overpuff -- doesn't bite, but VA don't like to be pushed. This won't satisfy nic hitters, who tend to 2-star it, but the flavor and room note are lovely.

Some have said it is too complex for newbies, but I disagree. It is mild enough and flavorful enough to be appreciated by newbs and is a wonderful introduction to a well-mannered VA. And it ages like a dream.

Age When Smoked: 11 years

Similar Blends: Mac Baren Golden Extra, but not as bitey or quite as much Burley..

14 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	oldcodger (74)	2015-11-27		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I am an unabashed fan of G.L. Pease tobaccos. When Montgomery debuted as a Pease Virginia offering some ten years ago in the Fog City Collection, I purchased it with high hopes. I was mildly disappointed. My lack of enthusiasm came not from discovering Montgomery to be a mediocre pipe tobacco. Rather I was disappointed in not rating it as outstanding.

Opening the tin I discovered a mostly mahogany colored ribbon with a natural smell not unlike that of Orlik Golden Sliced. Many tinned tobaccos are overly moist upon opening. I rated the moisture level of Montgomery as ideal. It lit easily, and was easily kept going with the sipping puffing style favorable for Virginia based smokes. Virginias can present a tongue bite problem, but a gentle puff rate will suffice to keep bite negligible for most smokers. Those with sensitive tongues may find it bitey, but not to a degree different from other Virginia based blends.

The red and lighter Virginias produced a grassy with citrus overtone taste that was perfectly fine. With the Virginias alone, the taste would be light. But Montgomery also has a Kentucky (smoked burley) element that ups the taste to a point squarely between light and medium. The room note is pleasant, natural tobacco, and will offend none but the anti-tobacco Nazis.

Montgomery offers a pleasant smoke, on the lighter side of the spectrum, with a very low nicotine presence. It burns to a very light grey ash, and leaves negligible dottle at the conclusion of the smoke.

So what is wrong with Montgomery? Not a thing! The only reason I award it only two stars is that there are a myriad of other Virginia based pipe smokes I like even better. Such as? Orlik Golden Sliced, Hamborger Veermaster, Dunhill Flake, Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake and Full Virginia Flake, a bevy of Fribourg and Treyers, and an even larger contingent of McClellands.

I have smoked Montgomery several times since first trying it a decade ago. My judgement remains the same. Montgomery is a very fine light to medium Virginia offering which suffers only from comparison to a considerable number of other blends.

12 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2076)	2018-05-15		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

G. L. Pease - Montgomery (Fog City Selection).

OK, I'll get straight to the vacuous reason for my buying this: my favourite character in the Simpsons is Mr Burns, full name Charles MONTGOMERY Burns. I know, I should grow up!

It's presented as quite a fine ribbon, medium brown, with a small amount of black pieces. Like most of the 'Pease blends it arrived with good hydration. Due to the finer build of the ribbons a bowl can be easily over packed, thusly impeding the burn. So load with a lighter hand.

Montgomery's smoke is mainly Virginia. But it isn't just the one variety, sharp citrus, hay, dark fruit, etc., all the flavours are present. To be fair they do fluctuate in volume throughout a bowl: eg, at the beginning there's more dark fruit and a bready quality, but this fades over the bowl. Dark fired Kentucky can often turn me off, when the smoke tastes like a 'tyre fire', but Montgomery has just enough to raise the flavour from mild, without turning it into an astringent mess. Because it needs loosely packing to prevent a poor burn it can go the other way: puffing too vigorously can make it burn fast. So, take it easy. If treated correctly it's well behaved, though.

Nicotine: medium. Room-note: pleasant.

Montgomery? I'll happily rate it with four stars:

Highly recommended.

Pipe Used: Peterson Deluxe P-Lip #3s

Age When Smoked: 07/10/17

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	steppx (186)	2016-12-21		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

This is a deceptively rich blend that seems at first to be simply a light virginia. Yes there is a touch of Kentucky in there, but its pretty minor. Ribbon cut which i dont usually like so much, but in this case it seems to work to the advantage of this blend. Its just an organgey and sort of bright light Virginia blend...but sweet and very tasty. As such, it has real depth. Now straight up (or nearly so) virginias are not hard to find..stoved heavily or not stoved at all. McClelland makes great VAs, like blackwoods flake. But thats another kind of smoke. This is more like Fribourg and Treyer's Golden Mixture. And in a sense, like golden mixture, it makes a great all day smoke. Nic hit is mild. No bite, but very flavorful and as i say, deceptively rich and more complex than one might think. Never a taste of ash. I think C&Ds Opening Night, and Pease's Union Square beg comparison, too. I dont rate this as highly as Opening Night...or even 1776 by McClelland...but then those are in my opinon as good as straight virginia gets.

Purchased From: 4noggins

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-05-26		Medium	None Detected	Full	Very Pleasant

This is a first for me... a first in that I will not write a review on a blend until I've gone through at least a full two ounce tin. That approximates, in my estimation, about thirty to forty bowls. Some blends that I have not liked (nor finished the tin) I will not write a review on, since one's enjoyment of different blends is subjective; hence I will only write a review on those blends that I find enjoyable. And for what its worth, I typically smoke English and/or Balkan blends; I do enjoy (quality) Virginia flakes and the very occasional Virginia/Perique. I've only smoked four bowls of this and decided this deserved a write-up; this is an exceptional Virginia/Burley blend. As a rule I am not a smoker of blends that contain Burley; this is not because I don't enjoy Burley blends but because my wife, bless her, does not care for the "cigarettish" room note that Burleys will often leave behind. I don't blame her, since I don't care much for that aroma myself. However, there is not much Burley in Montgomery and I could not write enough nice things about this blend; Mr. Pease's tin description is dead-on accurate. The tin I am currently working my way through was aged almost two years before I opened it. The blend does indeed have "subtle complexity" when smoked in a large bowl pipe and it must be smoked in a leisurely fashion in order to catch these subtleties. It has a delightful natural sweetness (just as Mr. Pease asserts); it has a delightful room aroma (my wife commented on this "That smells very pleasant") and it burns "cool". I even tried it in a double-wall porcelain "Old Mokum" danish pipe and the outer walls of the pipe remained cool to the very end (this in and of itself is so rare as to be notable). And finally it has a quality that really counts for me and is hard to define - it is a "comfortable" smoke... one just feels "comfy" and "at home" while smoking Montgomery. Now that I know what it is like (with some age), Lord willing, I shall buy about a pound of this to cellar and to enjoy several years from now. This is an exceptional blend.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DCD (8)	2017-10-13		Mild	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

A sweet, quick-burning, fine short ribbon with fruit overtones from a casing or topping (the "ancient archives" part). The tin note is peach, berry, and a bit of raisin, not much of the typical grass and hay you might associate with a Virginia. It is well made and easy smoking but can also bite easily like any tobacco of this type. In all aspects it seems practically identical to the Dunhill Three Year Matured Virginia from the 1970s and 1980s (I haven't tried the current one). That tobacco is what immediately popped to mind when I opened the tin, although I hadn't smoked it in over thirty years. Montgomery also has a touch of dark fired Kentucky, which seems pointless to me because it is so minute as to be undetectable. Overall a good example of a moderately cased/topped ripe Virginia in the English style. Add Perique to this and you'll get Dunhill Elizabethan.

Pipe Used: small billiards and dublins

Age When Smoked: fresh from tin

Similar Blends: Dunhill Three Year Matured Virginia from 1970s-80s.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-12-12		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Initially I though this blend was quite average, but as it intensifies half-way in the bowl, it becomes delightfully tasty with a non-aromatic sweetness. An excellent all-virginia blend with natural flavour! Sip slowly, pack medium and take the time to enjoy. Nice VA taste & aroma. Great with a sweetish red-wine. I always find myself coming back to this one...

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	topdogue (13)	2005-04-26		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

My tin of Montgomery was a sample and according to the date on the bottom of the tin, about a month old. The new tin size is a step forward for many smokers as they use the tin as their dispenser of tobacco. I always empty the tin into a heavy guage zip lock bag and store the bags in snap lid ceramic jars, if the quantity is only 50 grams- 2 ounces. The neat thing about the new tin is the very kool graphics. Fog City is not London, but San Francisco and the graphics are from old maps. Love it.

Opening the tin, you are presented with a very nice VA smell, soghlty sweet, just a little bit grassy. The tobacco is all ribbon and is mostly yellow with a few chards of dark brown. This is a mixture of several Virginias and some Kentucky (Burley). I am senstive to nicotine, so i am glad the Kentucky is just a "smidgeon".

Packs easily and fires up with out too much fuss. This is a tobacco for the contemplative smoker, not the blast furnace stoker. It can get hot if pushed, but if not, is very cool and as all glp mixtures, burns down to a dry clean heel.

The smoke is slighly sweet and is mildly complex. It won't require your undivided attention like say Renaissance, but is not monochromatic. The room note has a high spousal approval rating.

I have just gotten into VA flakes and I am sure VA flake smokers will wonder, how does this mixture compare to a nice Flake? Apples and oranges. The overall flavour and experiences are different. That said, you will not enjoy this mixture to the fullest unless you dedicate a pipe to it. I beleive that all mixtues shine the bgesti f smoked in a dedicated pipe, though.

Montgomery has lighter, some might say cleane,r flavour compered to Flakes. I have made room for both in my jars. The Kentucky adds a nice measure of fullness and the overall exerience is "creamy". If you like a heavier tobacco or one with spice, it looks like the next mixture in the series, Telegraph HIll, will be "it" for you. I like my food spicy and my tobcco round and creamy, so this is a highy recommended new mixtre for me.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	UncleGar (110)	2005-04-26		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

A Pease blend that excludes both perique and latakia is a true anomaly, a first to my knowledge. What next Greg, a Cavendish? A plug? You daredevil, you. Thank you for going beyond your comfort zone.

On faith, I bought three tins: one for immediate gratification (duh) and two for ripening. With only three weeks aging in tin #1, I couldn?t wait any longer. Pop it went and I laughed at the albino tobacco shreds that greeted me. A sniff immediately returned me to 1965, playing among bales of straw in the barn. No sweetness here, I thought; no ketchup, no raisins, and no figs. (Why figs? Do that many pipers actually eat figs?)

First round observations: Montgomery (together with my puffing habits)likes tall-bowled pipes, I think because the flavor is subtle and needs to accrete like a snowball: give it five or ten minutes and it blossoms with a wonderful VA/burley taste. I?ve grown fond of burleys over the last few months, and the one used in this blend is a wonderful unusually deep one that provides the counterpoint that is usually provided by latakias in his other blends. I?d like to see it used again and in a higher concentration. The room note is disappointingly cigarrettish, though tolerable. Moisture is spot-on; the nuisance of adjusting is unnecessary. No gurgles, steam, nor bite. Nicotine is mid-range.

This blend fills a gaping hole in the Pease repertoire. As stated in my review of Cairo, I appreciate Greg?s efforts to try to reach us all eventually; his focused blends delight some and put others off? as it should be. I recommend this blend to experienced smokers who can discern and appreciate the subtleties of Virginia and burleys. Good job, Greg!

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RAV (12)	2020-05-13		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Very Pleasant

All the Virginia flavors are here. Citrus, hay, grass, stewed fruit and bread individually make themselves known. The Kentucky pops in unpredictably with varying amount but I like being surprised. Kentucky is condimental... I don’t detect any BBQ flavors but rather a floral, slightly sour bitterness that contrasts with the sweet Virginias. Terrific room note. Smells like a slightly burnt biscuit. Fantastic with coffee. Good cut and perfect moisture from tin. A great change of pace from Vapers.

Pipe Used: Various briars

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Dark Twist sans maple.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Muchogum (7)	2017-08-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I have long enjoyed the subtlety of this fine blend, made the more enjoyable as a result of aging. It may take a bit for some smokers to appreciate due to its lack of forwardness, but even if you are a nicotine addict (Montgomery is not for you), you will enjoy the flavor of this mixture of Virginias and Burley. I can more easily appreciate this Tobacco for my time smoking a pipe, since it will not bang your door down. But you can pay attention or not, as you chose, but will not be intruded on during your pipe. That's what I like, tobacco blends that are not "in your face" bold, but exhibit some restraint and are forward with their flavors. ----------- I have to say on reflection that after my own tobacco blends, Montgomery is my favorite commercial blend due to its long-lasting flavor, mild sweetness and lack of offensive aftertaste, especially on relighting and at the bottom of the bowl. Never off-putting or harsh in any way. Just pleasureable puffing!

Pipe Used: Old Dunhill

Age When Smoked: Approximately 2 Years

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	moniker (217)	2014-07-18		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Montgomery looks and smells similar to any number of predominantly-light/bright (flue cured) shag or ribbon cut VAs, although it appears that GLP make less of an effort to hide the tobacco, per se, than other blenders seem to do with this sort of blend. There are reds (so GLP says), but their qualities are well back until I'm quite deep into a bowl. The small amount of KY here is hardly noticeable in the tin note, but it's there if one knows what to sniff for. Mostly I get plain old toasty VA over old hay, with the faintest hints of apricots and dates, and a faint whiff of "smoke". The tobacco I smoked straight from a young tin handled, packed and lit up without drama, though smoking it all the way down has required attention to stoking. I get the best from M when I smoke it in a narrow bowl, with the fine ribbons at or near original moisture. I also prefer to take it easy when lighting up because young M can be harsh until it gets going. With a slow, thoughtful start, and patience thereafter, M tastes and smells mostly like tasty, toasty VA tobacco. And like most good VAs, it gets richer, tastier and sweeter as it is smoked down. I can smell and taste the smoky, earthy, vaguely pungent KY when M burns. It lends a subtle, deeper continuo to the higher themes and harmonies from the variety of VAs. I was surprised (and not pleased) to note either vanilla or tonquin, albeit not much. There is also some lemon, or orange, typical of the genre, that seems natural enough. Overall, M is not really complex for a GLP blend, and it is not all over the place, either. Rather, it is interesting and tasty in a straight forward way, as long as I pay attention to it. M's strength surprised me, being past medium. Medium tastes are founded in an upper register, which might suggest "mild" to some (not moi). Room note is pleasant. Aftertaste is a slightly smoky best of the last of the bowl.

Sum: I like Montgomery, and it certainly sports the usual GLP quality; I'm just not flipping over the actual blend at this point. I look forward to trying some aged M. Meanwhile, M has not changed my mind about VAs so far; I still prefer GLP's deeper leaf to this. Here and Now, 3+ stars from me; but not 4.

Update, 02-04-16: An 18 months sample from a recently unearthed jar has surprised me by becoming stronger and a little "rougher" even as the blend has better melded. At this point I would describe it as a "deluxe codger blend" , different but no better overall, IMO, FWIW.

Update, 08-20-16: After 2+ years spent in a jar, Montgomery has finally come around, in a big way. It now sports substantial body along with delicate, woody nuances from top to bottom, and the constituent tobaccos meld and interplay throughout the smoke like the best GLP blends. I haven't gotten it to burn especially well, but the tastes and aromas now are a solid 4 stars, and my stash is certainly doomed, if only for fear it's peaked. Note that I have left my original, 3 star rating on the boards, this because I am not comfortable giving the extra star "ahead of time". Meanwhile, those who stashed and waited are in for a treat.

Pipe Used: various briars; narrow bowls preferred

Age When Smoked: 3 months+

Purchased From: 4 Noggins

Similar Blends: Contrast to ET Tilbury. M is a more tobacco-forward iteration of any number of light/bright VA mixes, plus a little KY..

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	quantumboy (130)	2010-11-24		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Pease Pilgrimage Reviews (a tasting journey through every GLPease blend) Tin date: 02/08/10

From Pease's website: "Several grades of wonderful flue-cured leaf, from soft yellow to deep red, are combined with just a touch of dark-fired Kentucky for a little added richness. A special process, recovered from ancient archives, provides the finishing touch to this wonderful blend. Naturally sweet, and possessing subtle complexity, Montgomery presents delightful new dimensions for the lover of sophisticated Virginia blends."

Appearance: This is a very brightly-colored blend, with the yellow predominating the color scheme. It's called a ribbon but it's cut in the quintessential Pease flaky-bits style common to many of his blends. There is a very tiny amount of dark leaf in there, methinks the "dark-fired Kentucky"?

Aroma: Delicious fresh-cut hay. Also a hint of raisin-like dried fruit smell. Very nice.

Pipe 1: Savinelli Author Pipe 2: Homemade bent billiard with a narrow chamber Pipe 3: GBD Rockroot billiard/pot

Flavor: For me, Montgomery seems very pipe-dependent. I started with the Author, and was very underwhelmed. But in the smaller chambered billiard it really delivered some great flavors. My wife said the room note smelled like burnt toast, a very good thing in my opinion since I'm the one always picking the out the burnt bacon, the burnt biscuits and the well-done toasted peanuts. The flavors were straightforward tobacco, leading me to believe there's very little casing if any. Makes me wonder what Greg means by "very special process recovered from ancient archives." Don't know it that's a physical process or a flavoring process, but all I taste it good ol' tobacco.

Thinking that I had discovered the key with the narrow chamber, I took a risk with the GBD, which has a big, wide-open chamber as wide as it is deep. I think this was the best pipe so far! No matter what type or cut of tobacco I smoke, I normally judge how firmly to pack it by the ease of the draw. I pack small pinches at a time, checking the draw after each pinch. With this tobacco, I packed it in hard and it still maintained an open draw, due to the cut and the dryness of the leaf. I packed the GBD to the rim and let it swell up as it took the fire. Then I didn't tamp at all for the first half hour. It burned flawlessly and full of flavor.

Pease's phrase "subtle complexity" is dead on. Neither monochrome nor complex, it offers some mild variations on the straight-ahead tobacco flavor as the bowl progresses. The fresh bread/burnt crust wafts in and out, trading places with the pure tobacco flavors. A very mild sweetness remains while a very slight tang keeps the flavor in balance.

I can't honestly say I detect the Kentucky leaf in there unless it's the slightly earthy character that lingers in the background. Overall, this is a great tobacco and I'm assuming it will age very gracefully. This tin is very fresh, tinned only two months ago, so I'll be interested in jarring it and trying it in six months. If anyone has experience with aged Montgomery please share! This and Laurel Heights are the only Pease blends other than Union Square that I would call a true Virginia, even though it has a bit of Kentucky in it.

I'm giving this an easy three stars, perhaps a bit more. Lately I've been reserving four stars for my desert island smokes. An excellent tobacco, sure to please Virginia fans wanting to try the Pease Virginia blends. I'm waiting anxiously for Greg to introduce more pure Virginias to his lineup!

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Skando (203)	2010-07-28		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

And here the 2nd Greg's blend for Skando: Montgomery.

Maybe Montgomery is the most natural Virginia blend have ever tasted. Oh, I know Greg admits that a "natural" tobacco is something simply non-existing. So let me say that this is something smelling and tasting tobacco, nothing else. Just like the so-called Continental blends I often smoke. Just to talk of European-produced Virginia blends, the only comparison I can recall is with Old Gowrie. Just that Montgomery is even better.

It fills, lights and burns fine and dry. Absolutely cool with no bite at all. Flavours of cereals, hints of citrus and malt. Kentucky is used very sparingly, just to add a condimental ghost of earthy smokiness and a body. Very nice alternative to the VaPer's. Nevertheless we are in the mild territory, and like many Virginia blends it requires good smooking technique to perceive it's refined bouquet. I have learned that in long years, and pounds of FVF and others... a lifetime of patience. I have to say that Montgomery offers a "meaty" mildness, and after the mid bowl (this review is based on a XX bowled Castello, Liverpool shape - let's say like a Dunhill group 3 - seemed quite stupid to split the bowl in three small parts) the strength goes decidedly to the medium and the body is improving even fuller, the Ky layering its spicy flavours over the mature Va's base.

So, again with a Greg's blend, I'm experiencing an unusual shape of building of the elements. Very nice e very much recommended.

Hopefully I will add other GLP's.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	zulujerk (146)	2009-10-18		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I don't get along well with Old Monty. You see, I met him by accident. He showed up at my door in place of Mr. West, who I've been looking to meet for several weeks now. I was agitated by his presence from the beginning, and swore that I wouldn't even bother introducing myself. After two days, realizing that he wouldn't leave (and an assurance that Mr. West was on his way), I decided to get acquainted with Monty.

Ok, this makes no sense. Short story, my order of Westminster was switched out with Montgomery by mistake. In the end, this turned out to be a free tin of tobacco, so I shouldn't be complaining. But..

When I decided to crack the tin, I was underwhelmed. There was a grassy like odor emanating about (it's alright, I like that), the tobacco itself composed of blond strands with a spattering of dark leaf (I'm guessing the Kentucky falls in at less than five percent). The tobacco was uncharacteristically damp for a Pease blend, leading to packing, lighting and biting issues. The smoke was unexciting, to be blunt. Nothing terribly wrong here--good leaf, wonderful presentation. Just rather ordinary, which is not something I've come to expect of Pease.

I don't know. I guess I've grown accustomed to Virginias in flake form. It seems proper. The ribbon is straightforward, but with a small component of condimental leaf, it's hard to include a balanced amount in any one pinch that fills a bowl. Not that the Virginia in Montgomery depends upon the Kentucky...it's tasty enough on its own, but tame. The Fog City series is all about the Virginia, and that's exactly what this is, so I'd be a bit of a jackass to suggest something is missing (Syrian).

Now curious, I read the Briar and Leaf Chronicle on Montgomery. Greg stressed its potential for aging (very true), and defended himself against those who called the tobacco "green". Well, I didn't see any green tobacco, and I picked around in that tin for a few good minutes. It wasn't young, or sharp, in my estimation, though this blend was dated August, 2009.

Mr. Montgomery isn't all that bad. But I'm not sure I'd introduce him to my friends. They're horrible people.

Three of Five.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-12-20		Very Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Tin: Reds and Goldens, all with a mahogany hue. Has a decidedly citrus ketchup smell, which could also be described as grassy citrus(this aspect was not really noticeable a day later); subtle, soft, sweet tone. I can envision wheat and minute licorice. Medium ribbon cut; dark-fired(black) Kentucky comprises maybe 1-5%. It is at just the right moisture level, the ribbon being just pliable and leaving no residue at all on the fingers. Date of manufacture stamped on the the botom of the tin: 032805, meaning 28FEB05.

Lighting: Lights right away , requiring none to one relight. Not being very moist to begin with, just a tad of moisture develops in the stem.

Aroma & Taste: A very light VA mix, there is a subtle, soft, sweet tone to it, not at all sharp or smoky; no bite. Top of the bowl is bland with a little increase in taste down the bowl: Light sweet wheat from the VA's, the Kentucky adding maybe a micron of nutty creaminess.

Definitely an all day smoke, being rather bland with no strength at all.

Room Note: Akin to a fragrant, very light, sweet wheat.

Nicotine: almost nonexistent

Overall: Light-bodied, so mild I actually attempted inhaling the smoke, something I never do. Lightweight in the nicotine category. Easily an all day smoke. 4 stars if it weren't so nicotine deficient. 3.9 stars, though I'm partial to blends on the light and easy side.

Since having recently sampled C&D's Pegasus, a nice burley blend, Montgomery and Pegasus make an excellent comparison in contrasts. Montgomery being a light VA and Pegasus a strong burley, both have the associated qualities of a fine smoke.

Montgomery is truly a soft, relaxing smoke.

The number one detraction is that it, like other GLP-C&D blends, leaves my meerschaum with char on the inside of the bowl.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-09-16		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

September 2007:

Superman is out of the phone booth, folks. Montgomery has transformed from the mild-mannered tobacco to become the dread of the villain Boredom, mortal enemy of pipe smokers and the engineer of many a bitten tongue.

My initial review of Montgomery two and a half years ago did not leave me anticipating it would become a complex, suave, meandering mixture. It has, but with only one and one half years in an unopened tin. Only that I had laid down more tins! I believe ?ecstasy? will be the operative word after Montgomery aged hits the five year mark.

First, the color of the leaf has darkened noticeably. Second, the heat has subsided. However, for best taste and more comfort, this is a blend to smoke smoldering. It does not have the temperament for careless or agitated puffing. Third, I think the ?recovered processing? Greg alludes to might be Irish or Scottish in heritage, in the sense that there is a honeydew affinity in Montgomery. Fourth, because the Virginias have matured, rounded out, and sweetened, I notice the even greater significance of the fire-cured Kentucky to the overall character, complexity and weight of the blend. The initial character of Montgomery is similar to Telegraph Hill. Perhaps the bluster I felt with TH initially will benefit from aging the way Monty has.

A word about fire-cured leaf: If a man named Latakia wedded the Lady Perique (can you really figure Perique for a man?), fire-cured Kentucky would be the fruit of their union. Not identical to either, but possessing traits obviating the parental ties.

If only Richard Wagner had loved tobacco as much as Nordic and Saxon myth, then Woton, Erda and Brunhilde might not be so well known as they are to opera devotees.

As for Montgomery, my recommendation is to buy, bury and then be boggled.

April 2005: First, I like the new tin dimensions ala Cornell & Diehl 2 oz. tins. This smells nice unlit, reminding me somewhat of Orlik Golden Sliced and Dunhill Light Flake. This is a very bright blend on appearance, as well. Nothing of the McClelland-esqe fermentation often described as vinegar or ketchup like.

Moisture is just about right, and I find it easy to load both small and large bowls. Two or three charring lights are required and then it burns down to a grey, mottled ash with little to no residual moisture.

If you took the base of C&D's Bridge Mixture with the Kentucky leaf, minus the other condiment tobaccos, you would seem to have something akin to Montgomery. This is tangy and sweet, yet the Kentucky leaf adds a husky aspect which keeps the blend from floating out of the bowl as just high notes. A smaller bowl concentrates both the flavor and heat potential. It is moderately complex, more so than say Briar Fox, but maybe not as delicious either.

I shall see what Summer weather and outlook does to this. Trying this after six months and then a year in an unopened tin should also say more.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. Dottle (162)	2007-03-23		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I looked forward to trying this blend and I cracked open a tin that was a little over a year old. Like a couple of previous reviewers, I found Montgomery to present ?upper register VA flavors.? However, also like a couple of previous reviewers noted, this blend lacks strength / nicotine. As a consequence, I futilely and perhaps unconsciously puffed faster and harder than I normally do in an attempt to extract some strength that this blend does not offer. This left me frustrated and made for a most unpleasant smoking experience. I also didn?t care for the occasional ?nasal passage tingle? that some pipesters like. If you like or wish to try a mild and sophisticated ?light tea? Virginia, Montgomery is definitely one of them in this genre? and one you will probably enjoy. If, however, you like VAs with more strength, you are best advised to fill your pipe with something else. Because of the lack of strength and ?tingle? factors, I cannot give MONTGOMERY the ?FULL MONTY? (four stars), I can give it only a ?HALF MONTY? (two stars).

A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this blend 7.6 out of 10.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-12-10		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Montgomery is a fine alternative smoke to my usual Vaper (Virginia Perique) ?diet?.

Appearance: This looks to be about mostly Virginias Lemon and Red with a fair amount of darker Kentucky rounding out the mix. It is varied in cut yet mostly medium ribbon cut.

Tin aroma: This blend has a very mild and somewhat understated tin aroma. The Red and matured Virginias and with rich earthy tones and under-currents of fig/raisin and cocoa. Burley is just there under the surface with its characteristic nuttiness. There are high pallet hay-like scents and low deep forest rumblings.

This tobacco is nearly perfect in moisture and I employed the ?once like a baby, once like a lady, finally like a gentleman? method of layered packing. For this review I've chosen a n older Jobey Stromboli Canadian.

Lighting is generally easy and the tobacco ?crowns? well requiring a brief visit of the tamper. The initial flavor is fairly strong for a Virginia based smoke and the Kentucky makes itself known right away. Immediately I'm struck with how ?different? this mixture is from Virginia Perique blends. The Virginias pick up on the nutty huskiness of the Kentucky and develop in a very different way. The result for me is a more hay-like bouquet during the first 1/3 of the bowl, deepening slightly along the way. The bowl and I settle easily into a nice cooperative rhythm and I find myself relaxing into a nice long rich smoking experience.

Mid Bowl: Approaching mid-bowl, the fullness tends to build and the flavors mix and match very nicely. As the bowl matures the Virginias begin to build in strength and take on more of the characteristic fruity tones. The Kentucky drone on lending a spicy nuttiness in widening plumes of exhaled smoke. This blends starts out fairly understated but rapidly builds into a complex masterpiece. This is no blend for a novice smoker. While starting mild to medium it becomes very full on the palate and quite strong in nicotine. I know of no other blender who has mastered the art of creating blends which change so much in character during the bowl. Many of Greg's blends are a journey while smoking, the end being so different than the beginning.

Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, the richness of this blend is coming into it's own. The fullness and character of this blend have ?widened? to a very full pallet of astonishing subtlety and complexity. The Virginias have deepened to a wine like goodness and the Kentucky assert its nutty dominance. This is a heady blend indeed and care must be taken not to over do the puffing rate. I have never experienced the ?tongue-bite? many complain of, however, over-puffing this blend ruins its subtle nature easily. Rich tobacco is it's own reward and smoking with proper and deliberate technique makes this mixture a reward indeed.

Another winning blend from America?s premier tobacco blender.

Supplemental Notes: I think Montgomery is a blend that will age even better than most. The potential for the benefits of long term age here are great. I plan to cellar some of this for long term aging. Rating for those interested in numbers **

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-06-28		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I recently sampled this one at one of my fave local tobacconists, Barclay Rex on 42nd Street here in Manhattan. The most distinguished pipemaster of the house, Frank, and his knowlegable cohort Mark, invited me to try a bowlful of Monty from a tin they'd opened for customer perusal. I gently filled my small Dunhill Tanshell lovat and began to puff away.

At first, I thought, "gack, what a harsh tuft of leaves" but within minutes Montgomery opened up, warmed up (flavor-wise ... it doesn't smoke hot if gently coaxed) and I was on a smooth, sweet ride. A good point was that the flavor developed and evolved as I made my way down the bowl. I plan to stock up on this one.

UPDATE: 9/17/2009 Well for me, Montgomery has arrived in earnest. It's one of my top 2 or so now, the others being McClelland's Yenije Highlander (with Davidoff's Scottish Mixture every now and then, when the 'aromatics bell' is sounded). I continue to experiment with any/all manner of blends but this is my go-to. Afternoon, evening or very late at night, Montgomery has become a reliable friend, seemingly best in medium-sized bowls without too much airflow to overcook and overhheat. If the bowl's too small, the rather stringy blend becomes a bit challenging to manage, that is, to load evently, tamp gently

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Beer (345)	2005-05-02		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I am pleased to say that my worst fears were not fulfilled. Not only, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Let's speak straight: while I am a HUGE fan of Greg's most Latakia/orientals heavy blends (as I have written in a long article for Smoker Magazine), I have never raved upon his previous virginia offerings. Some of them are quite dull for my taste (Cairo), most are nice but simply too heavy on the perique and nicotine (Cumberland, Haddo's Delight). Stratford was not bad, although IMHO very similar to C&D Three Friars.

For a long time I was curious to think how a virginia by Greg would have been: my favorites in the genre include Full Virginia Flake, Marlin Flake, and many McClellands. Yes, all flakes... So, the idea of Greg releasing, instead of a very sweet flake, a VERY LIGHT virginia in mixture form did not excite me: I feared it might be too delicate for my palate, probably boring stuff with little taste.

WRONG!

As soon as I loaded my first bowl with Montgomery and lit it, the first impressions were quite flat... Little taste, too delicate, etc. etc.

Then, after five minutes, the miracle! The flavor intensified, and many interesting nuances emerged. The rest of the bowl was an absolute delight!

After several days, I can safely say that this is a great tobacco. In the past week, I have abandoned my huge evening bowl of balkans in favor of Montgomery. And even during the day, I sometimes load a little bowl of it... sometimes just after breakfast. Yes, it's a great tobacco both in small AND big bowls... simply, the experience is different but equally great.

The taste is creamy, moderately and naturally sweet, with echoes of hay and cereals. The impression is like slightly warm milk with a little shot of bitter coffee and only just a micro teaspoon of sugar. Even some hints of cocoa and honey. In the second half of the bowl (especially in bigger ones), flavors intensify and a slight smokiness (probably from the dark fired kentucky, what a great idea) emerges.

It is definitely a different blend from all the other virginias I have tried: some are sweeter but less complex, others are more fruity and sourish (guess which brand I am referring to!). I really can't find no comparisons, except PERHAPS a very vague hint of Royal Yacht's creamy/milky taste (but without the harshness and the intolerable strength).

If I were forced to find faults in Montgomery, it would be that the stringy cut together with the slight moisture level of a freshly opened tin can clog the airflow in your pipe if you press it or tamp it too much, somewhat compromising the draw. If you take care to avoid this, you will be rewarded by a tobacco which in spite of the high percentage of bright sugary virginias DOES NOT BITE even if overpuffed! Not that overpuffing is recommended, unless you want to miss the best nuances. Be comfortable, though, as this blend is not a hell to smoke, it does not require your continuous attention and extremely slow smoking to get some taste. It IS very delicate, but in a good way: the taste is there, it simply is very gentle. Just relax and enjoy this uncomplicated, but very refined and complex, blend. Nicotine content is very low, so it's a good choice if you want to avoid headspins or if you want to enjoy multiple bowls.

I am not a big fan of the genre, but I see myself smoking this blend again soon, as a good change of pace from my usual latakia-heavy blends.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mainspring (27)	2005-04-21		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

First of all I must say I am not a big fan of Kentucky tobacco. This is not a fault with Montgomery but with my tastes. Some folks like liver and some don't. I generally go for straight Virginias or Virginia/Perique blends. As I began smoking the first bowl of Montgomery I thought that I was not going to continue smoking it for more than a few puffs. Then a funny thing happened. It began to grow on me very quickly. There is a very small amount of natural flavoring in it that helps the already sweet Virginias to do their thing. The Kentucky gives a nice nutty taste and a bit of backbone to the smoke. It reminded me of a couple of tobaccos I smoked 30 years ago when I was just a pup in the pipe smoking world.

The smoke improved as it made its way down the bowl. The complexity is very nice but is not at all overpowering! The aftertaste is quite clean. Before I knew it, I was at the bottom of the bowl. I enjoyed it more and more as it burned down the chamber. So far it has only taken one relight to finish each bowl of this easy burning tobak. It has also been trained not to bite! I don't know if I will reach for it every time but it seems to be growing on me more and more. Only time will tell.

To me, this is a sign of a great tobacco that has been kissed by a master blender! Recommended!

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-04-09		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I have lately seen my love affair with virginias abate as burley blends have been the center of my attention over the last year plus. Nonetheless, I picked up a tin of this over at Peretti's. I played with the idea of letting it age for some time but what's the sense of waiting?

The tobacco appeared to be light goldens and reds in a longish ribbon cut. I, for one, like the ribbon cut as the strands seems to kind of knit together as you smoke so that you don't find particles flying out of your bowl as you bend over.

The initial flavors at first light were grassy with a citrus-like tang. The top 1/3 of the bowl continued this way, but it was not long before the sugars in the VA's began to come through. The red VA really began to sing about 1/2 of ther way through and a spicines began to develope in the aroma. The side-stream smoke aroma really appealed to me and others around me liked the aroma as well. At the bottom third, I was truly impressed. There was no tongue bite, the flavor was musty/sweet and thoroughly enjoyable. No, this is not a blow the top off your head with nicotine delivery system, but there is obviously a fair amount of nicotine in it, posibly due to the presence of some excellent burlies that do give some added richness.

If you are a VA fan, you owe it to yourself to try this. It should age beautifully, but is a very nice smoke new. Highly recommeneded for the VA lovers.

Jay

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrAcula (62)	2020-12-27		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Presentation: All labels in the Fog City Selection look the same. A gold stripe across the bottom, a white background, with a gray sketching of the streets of San Francisco. Yes that's right, this series is a tribute to San Francisco.

Cut: Comes in a thin ribbon cut, perfect moisture level.

Tin note: Subtle smells of earthy fruit.

Tasting notes: The mainly tangy, but also grassy, and fruity virginias play well with the earthy, smoky, spicy kentucky. I slightly taste bread on some finishes. I sometimes taste leather too, mostly on retrohales.

Mechanics: N/A -- A well behaved blend.

Extra Remarks: I really like this blend. Pease takes two contrasting leaves and makes them work in absolute harmony. Very well blended and loaded with flavor, 4 stars.

Pipe Used: IMP Straight Billiard Meer

Age When Smoked: 1 year 2 months

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LannarkGent (145)	2018-09-26		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Well the description is somewhat confusing tobacco reviews has a classification of Virginia/Burnley. The time says Virginia's any Kentucky. Visual observation says to me it is a Virginia/Kentucky blend. The taste indicates there might be some small amount of a Burley in it. Anyway, to my tastebuds there are Virginia's and there is Kentucky, and I taste something like a Burley, but let's go with the tin description of Virginia's and Kentucky. I have found the Virginia base to have too much bright Virignia to my taste, creating a lemon tangy note that is too strong. The other Virginia's produce some sweetness and gay like notes. The Kentucky adds deepness to the flavor and it almost gives the impression of a Cajun Rib spiciness, although subdued in its presentation. The richer and darker ,almost meaty flavors of the Kentucky start to predominate as the bowl progresses, while the Burley like essence marries well as the bowl progresses. The end bowl is very good, and the lighting and burn characteristics are excellent. Ordinarily, I might score this rather harshly, perhaps as low as 2 stars without the fine finishing characteristics as the early bowl flavors are too strident. I would generally recommend at least a year of aging before opening the tin. I rate this as three stars, with the strongest possible suggestion of a minimum aging of one year in the tin after purchase.

Pipe Used: Savinelli Bing Rusticated

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: Indian River Tobacco Traders Grand Rapids Michigan

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimmerWest (5)	2016-01-28		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Montgomery full body flavor and mystery is superb on the palate. After smoking over 8 ounces I dug a little deeper into flavor science and low and behold after my discovery I researched to find back in 2006 someone discovered the pot of richness gold before me, I thus rediscovered America next door to Virginia Red Cake Island.

Yes folks McCelland No. 5100 mixed 50/50 with Montgomery overcomes any bad dreams you may have had alone with GLPease Montgomery. I also found out as some have mentioned in their reviews of Montgomery there seemed to be a missing Link of Red savory sweetness. I've found the missing Link folks and it is McCelland No. 5100 Red Cake mixed 50%/50% into the Montgomery rediscovering America for all She's worth and more. After the meeting, they shook hands got along just fine. Both wondering where the other had been all these years.

P.S. Better Still, Air Dry both for 16 hours before hand churning these two rich and flavorful artifacts together.

Pipe Used: Savinelli Tortuga 305, Roma 804, Porto Cervo 812

Age When Smoked: New in package

Purchased From: www.pipesandcigars.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Old Nate (17)	2014-09-01		Medium	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

Still getting to know this tobacco. After the initial taste, I find myself becoming more and more acquainted with the flavor it brings to the table. It's not strong, and it does not tingle your taste buds like many Virginia's do. I believe the slight addition of the Kentucky mellows out the Virginia's but it also adds a creaminess to the mixture that is very nice.

When I first smoked this I was a beginning pipe smoker and was def a little dissapointed with the lack of flavor bursts. But as I've grown, and learned how to smoke a pipe, and developed a taste for various styles of tobacco, I can give this blend 3 stars. To my palate it's not great and certainly not bad. I'd say probably somewhere between two and a half to three stars. I have a tin sitting in the cellar and it has about 3yrs on it. Def excited to try this with some age

Pipe Used: Many

Age When Smoked: 1 year old

Purchased From: B & M

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Backwoods Piper (70)	2013-12-04		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

Purchased this tobacco in July of 2005 from Pipes and Tobacco. Upon opening and a nice draw of air through the nose I was pleased with the nutty sweet aroma of what appears to be a wide variety of ribbon cut Virginia's. Mixed with these sweet ribbons appears to be a dark crumble cake of what may be a nice stove cured VA. Moisture content is perfect and it layered into an old bent apple like a dream. From charring light to finish this tobacco held a complex mild flavor not to heady but surprisingly satisfying. This offering won't make my top 10 for VA's but I may consider another tin in the future.

Pipe Used:

Age When Smoked: 8 plus years

Purchased From: pipesandncigars.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	derlict311 (71)	2012-11-22		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Unnoticeable

I had a tin of this at the same time I was smoking a tin of 2003 Christmas Cheer. CC was much better so I lost interest in Montgomery half way through the tin. I remember liking it some but obviously not enough to smoke the whole tin. To be fair, I might oughta give it a shot again sometime.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rodricus (29)	2011-07-08		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant to Tolerable

This has been the only G. L. Pease blend that has been a truly dissapointment. Acquire this tin on one of my virginias phases, hoping to find a rich and tasty experience. What I got was an insipid smoke.

Upon opening the tin you will find a fluffy light brown blend. It has very mono-tone tobacco ribons. The smell on the tin is delicous: bread, hay and a hit of dried ruits (date?). That was probably the best part of this tobacco.

The smoking experience was flat all along. Tried different bowl sizes, but got the same results. I was even more wet than I expected. I beg to differ: this tobacco has no "subtle complexity". Just plain subtleness.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	onehitter (16)	2010-01-14		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

It bites,it bit me in the tin but I puff too profound. If your lucky to get a chunk of Kentucky in your bowl you will note the subtle complexity talked about as the main bulk of tobacco is mild. Update: I don't know why this was thrashing my tongue in the first few bowls but the bite has gone since I have been smoking this exclusivly for a few days. It's lite but has nice soft dark earthy tones with a wheat,yeast taste. I love ol' monty now. I've said it once before and shall say it again. Masterpiece?

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	al1 (58)	2009-05-05		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This is a path less taken blend to my taste. It is spicy and has citrus like high notes to it. Is a bit raw tasting but in an ok way.

Like smoking spices with bright flavors, nothing dark or touching the low end of the spectrum here. If you are like me and like a spicy smoke but hate perique, you might be into this. Very simillar to cairo just minus the perique. This reminds me of a clove cigarette towards mid bowl.

Not my favorite but a nice change of pace on occasion. Good enough to reccomend, just not for everyone. That is a major point, this has an acquired taste so I reccomend trying a small tin or sample.

Nicotine is not too strong for a Va.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-10-12		Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The tin aroma of the long-cut, wide ribbon is of hay and wheat. Though cut for wide gauge chambers, this performed best when chopped to varying degrees in order to pair with the narrower chambers for which this blend seems suited.

The flavor is deceptively subtle. Unaffected light virginias form the base, with a touch of reds for added presence. The dark burley adds creaminess to the bottom end without intruding too much rich bitterness.

One of the best GLP blends, this is civil, well-mannered, and understated. Aging is highly advised. This seemed best in narrow to medium gauge chambers.

Since Haddo's Delight has a haiku, I thought that it would be fitting to write a tongue- in-cheek one for Montgomery:

"Montgomery, hail!

Enigmatic wafting plumes.

I pause now, breathless."

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-08-11		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Tolerable

A Tale of Two Smokes . . . (or maybe three) . . .

I was very encouraged by this smoke when I opened the tin. I had been looking for a Virginia blend that was not in the flake format (which I dislike). This smelled good, and the first bowl was good -- very close to what I was looking for. Not as strong a Virginia taste as, say, Gawith's Full Virginia Flake, but pleasant nonetheless.

About three days later I went to pack my second bowl of this blend. In between the time I packed the first bowl and the time I packed the second bowl, the tobacco had dried out to a crisp! Think leaves on your yard in the fall. At this point, the smoke was harsh and the taste very bitter. Hot too.

I went to my tobacconist and he suggested I mix a house blend with it to add moisture and flavor. So I blended one part of a black vanilla cavendish to three parts of the Montgomery. After 24 hours, the Pease blend was less crispy, and the addition of a little flavored tobacco made for a good smoke -- much more depth than originally. However, there is still a slight bitter aftertaste deriving from the Montgomery.

I would not buy this blend again. Maybe there is another non-flake Virginia out there, but don't buy this one unless it's deeply discounted or you are really desperate.

Smoking this conjures up images of a homeless person, packing his bowl under the illusion that he is living it up with an expensive tobacco. The corncob pipe he smokes gets hot and smells of popcorn as he puffs this crackly product. But, the tobacco soothes his mind and helps him forget about the cold night soon approaching.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-10-22		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Update: This blend has grown on me alot during the past several months. There's a hint of fruitiness hovering about a solid virginia/burley base which is very nice. Solid blend. I love smoking Montgomery firts thing in the morning with a cup of coffee.

All quality leaf, but there was something rather bland about the smoke...and boring. The high notes are missing as indicated in the last review and this was a surprise given the first three words of the description.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-10-15		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I had bought seven tins of this when it first came out in March. I put them in the cellar to age as I was working my way through a few open tins at the time and didn't want to open yet another one. The other day I figured I would open one and give it a try. When I cracked the tin the aroma was wonderful! Slightly sweet Virginia smell and what I considered to be a "rasiny" smell as well. I loaded up a bowl and knew right away that I was going to love this stuff! I don't know what the ancient archive super secret is but it works!! The dark fired Kentucky seems to give this blend a bit of extra body. This could very well be an all day smoke. Great job yet again Greg! Cant wait to try the rest in this series!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-08-15		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Despite being a huge fan of GL Pease, I must admit I wasn't sure how I'd like his first predominantly VA based blend. Particularly since VA tobacco - without lots of burley or perique - tends to be among my least preferred smokes.

I actually expected to find this a bit understated for my tastes - much as I found Stratford.

Wrong.

This is an extremely sweet and full tasting VA flake. The burley adds a dimension of nuttiness and depth to the sweet and light VA. Like most of Greg's smokes this is far from a mow the lawn or studiously read tobacco. It has several different layers of flavor that must be paid attention to, to be fully appreciated. I did note that if you are hasty with it, like most VA blends, it will give you a tiny nip despite the cooling effect of the burley.

If you are avoiding burley blends due to their reputation as bitter, antiquated or downright second rate - don't let this stop you from trying Montgomery. The added leaf far from hinders the delightful character of this rich tobacco.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-07-21		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I was given a sample of this and it was very dry. It was quite flavorless in that state, and I wasn't impressed. However I added a couple drops of water into the bag and waited a few days, and it made a marked improvement.

I think I have become accustomed to fuller virginias, so this seems like virginia-lite to me, but it also seems a bit more forgiving on the smoker and is a lot less bitey than some of the other straight virginia blends. It doesn't seem nearly as sweet as some virginias, but it does have a good deal of flavor which is characteristic of the type.

Generally, I prefer virginias in flake or pressed form rather than ribbon, mainly because I think its cool to rub out some flakes and I like the slower burning characteristics and compactness of pressed virginias. That notwithstanding, this cut packs easy, lights easy, and burns well, so I really can't knock it for the cut.

It seems to taste better in certain pipes than others also, so some experimentation may be indicated. Also, the more I smoke of this, the more I appreciate it, even though its a bit light tasting for me. I'm having trouble deciding between three and four stars because while its not exactly what I expected or am used to, it does stand strong on its own merits. I suppose four are in order: its an excellent virginia blend and those with lighter tastes would probably really enjoy this. I tend to live on the wild side and smoke pretty strong tobaccos so I shouldn't fault this stuff for being a bit on the mild side because it really is quite good.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	rosczich (10)	2005-07-09		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

this tobacco needs a bit of running time to arrive here in germany. as time goes by it comes out here in high performance. found it best in a big bowl of michael parks grand titanium billiard. a lot of michael parks has a high grade interplay with gregs tobaccos. its a slightly sweet sophiosticated blend.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-06-24		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Very mild Va but I disagree that it exhibts no complexity. Requires a light puff and effort to appreciate its nuances. No bite as with some stronger Va blends. Highly Recommended.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-05-15		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I like English blends, especially with a sweetness from quality Virginias that pop through during the smoke. That's why I tried this blend (and the experience with Caravan, Abingdon and Kensington). I do not like perique at all and as a result do not like Hado's because of it's perique content. I can happily say that I am glad I tried this wonderful change of pace blend. My wife has remarked how nice it smells each time I smoke it. I now take this blend with me when I smoke away from home to avert nasty glances from latakia hating citizens. I still much prefer my Balkan/English blends, but this is a very good change of pace sweet tasting pure natural quality tobacco blend. We are indeed fortunate to have Mr Pease.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-04-28		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Although Greg Pease's tobaccos are all very high quality, I really wasn't expecting to love Montgomery: my tastes run strongly to Balkan/English type blends. And, the tin aroma and first puffs were underwhelming: sweet, pleasant... ho-hum. But, Montgomery has steadily grown on me over the past couple weeks, to the point that currently I tend to reach for it before anything else, even my beloved 965. This is a bright, sweet, extremely satisfying blend. The thick, creamy smoke is sweet and clean on the palate, with a tangy citrus/pine aftertaste that grows more pronounced as the bowl progresses, and which I find downright addictive. Slow, careful smoking rewards with a nice, subtle interplay of flavors, but even with diligent puffing it has never bitten. The aftertaste is exceptionally clean and pleasant. These qualities combine to make a topnotch all-day smoke.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RCUSElder (244)	2005-04-21		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

04-21-2005

Appearance and Tin Aroma:This is a beautiful tobacco to look at! There are rich reds, gold, yellow, and a speck of dark Kentucky here and there. It smells wonderful. The broad ribbons are oily and appear of very high quality.

Packing and Lighting: Easy, I prefer this blend in smaller group 3 pipes. Moisture is perfect, two to three lights max.

Initial Flavor: A subtle complexity from the get go. A little bright though. Start slow.

Mid-Bowl: this blend is very complex, but satisfying. It has a "honey" note at this point. Is there a topping in this? Maybe it is only the processing. Regardless, I like it. I am amazed at how the different leaves are individually detectable, but also mix so well. Yummm!

Bottom of bowl: Strength builds up gently. There are some nice spicy notes that are present as well. DGT works very well at this point too.

Overall: This is a delicious VA blend as is, but I think that aging it will develop this blend into a absolutely stellar blend. I have only had a tin, so stay tuned. This blend can nip, so take it easy.Thank you Greg!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lbarraa (29)	2005-04-17		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

A great tobacco!. Gregory Pease did a excelente virginia blend, soft and rich. Very easy to charge and light, provides a straight smoke. At the beginnig the it`s seems to be a litle poor in nicotine, but at the ends of the smoke the nicotines is just enough. A excelente choice for start the day, smoking a medium size pipe with a cup o coffe during the morning is a nice experience.

Don`t matter if you smoke in briar, meerschaum or clay, if you like virginias you will love this blend. Congratulations at Mr.GL Pease, you did it again!

Luis Barra - Chile

Personal Note: It`s remember me my dad`s favorite tobacco (a blend of his owm), I look for this flavor for several years, thanks to the blender.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stan (178)	2005-04-15		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

STAN: Mirror, mirror on the wall, what is the most beautiful tobacco of them all.

MAGIC MIRROR: Montogomery, fool!

STAN: But there are heavier blends a little like this, Pease's Cumberland, Esoterica's Tilsbury, Edwards' Colonial or Sebring,....

MAGIC MIRROR: Hush knave! That's the point, it's lighter!

STAN: This is mostly all virginias, no traditional condiments....

MAGIC MIRROR: Poor wretch, if ye wants English-Oriental, Balkans, or virginia-perique, begone! Montogmery is a perfect balance of brights and reds with neither gaining ascendancy. Like long locks of a beauty's long hairs or wavey curls. It's driven by some potent dark Kentucky, giving Montogmery a light to medium body, but with a brilliant richness found nowhere else in the land.

STAN: I get it. I can smoke it before or after I eat and it doesn't cause a headache or anything.

MAGIC MIRROR: Ha Haaa! It's natural and as straight as the day is long. No bite. Cool. Dry. Earthy. Steady burning. Easy to load, especially in a medium to large pipe. Why keep asking me simpleton? Go buy some from the masters at Cornell & Deihl. They just tinned their shipment today. Buy a ton.

[Fade to black]

[two weeks later]...

STAN: I'm back. Master, right now after smoking nearly a full tin (21 bowls) in a new large Savinelli autograph and several bowls in a smaller Dunhill (4) for comparison, with more bowls left over in Pease's new style tin, I'm sold. I have more stashed. About the best I've ever tried. I will recommend this to all in the land.

Magic Mirror: Your're smart, not as much as Pease or myself, but you've learned what is the real deal, Montgomery, and what's not. Now give me your pipes and tins. Ha!

STAN: Band of puffers out there. Help me! But buy some Montgomery first. The Mirror may trade for me....

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-04-08		Very Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

G L Pease Montgomery, When the tin arrives the first thing you will notice is the new packaging, a stout tin with a wide opening, no more will you have to dig for the last bit of goodness at the bottom of the can. Golden bright to red VA greets you with a subtle sweet fruit aroma mixed with fresh tobacco, more clean than rich. As with many ribbon cuts you need to take your time and pack your bowl carefully and loosely. After a good charring light fire up and enjoy a very delicate and refined Virginia blend. The smoke has more body than some similar blends, however the flavor, like the aroma is very subtle for the start of this bowl. At mid bowl the flavor develops some and the darker VA makes an appearance, the smoke becomes fuller in body and flavor, which will continue to the bottom of the bowl. The tin description really describes the blend; this tobacco blend is subtle and complex. To fully appreciate this blend it must be smoked cool and carefully. Heat this tobacco up and you will lose all of the delicate flavor that this blend has to offer. My only criticism is a personal one. The level of nicotine left me a bit unsatisfied. Montgomery is a wonderful blend when smoked in the right context, cool, quiet and contemplative. I encourage you to try this blend, I liken it to fine champagne bright, clean and crisp and like fine champagne, lay some tins down for a few years. IMHO

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Leon (82)	2021-07-15		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Montgomery is one of my favorite Fog City Selection blends. Like a few of the other blends in the series, it's also based on Virginia, with a small amount of additional leaf, in this case Kentucky.

Both in the tin note and the smoke the sweet rich and just slightly tangy mixed Virginias are in absolute domination. But as the description says, the Kentucky adds some richness, depth, and smokiness. I didn't notice much change during the smoke. It has an excellent balance of all the Virginias and the Dark Fired Kentucky. If you like Kentucky as a condiment rather than the main smokey flavor, you might really like this blend.

Comes in a ribbon cut, easy to pack and smoke. Smoked a bit fast for me, but remained fairly cool. Moisture level was good out of the tin. Can definitely be an all-day smoke.

Medium in body, mild-medium in strength. Not very complex.

Straight to the point blend and an easy 4 stars rating.

Pipe Used: Medium-size billiards and Lovats

Age When Smoked: 7 months

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rustedrailsmokes (293)	2021-03-08		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

3/20/22 I'm finally finishing off the first 8oz tin of Montgomery which I jarred up last year. The age on it really helps as it allows more sweetness from the VAs while still getting a "kick" from the KYs. I'll be stocking my cellar with some 8oz tins the next time it goes on sale! --- 3/8/21 ---- I picked up a tin of Montgomery after hearing positive comments about it online and in the reviews.

It was packaged in Dec 20, so it doesn't have much age on it yet. I wasn't 100% sure what to expect from a Va/KY compared to a Va/Per. Upon opening the tin, I found ribbon cut in a variety of colors. Tin note was slight sweet. Moisture content was just a little damper than most CD packaged tins, but not enough to keep from smoking it straight out of the tin.

After a charring light, the true light caught it fine. The flavor in the first part of the bowl is sweet with just a touch of "pepper/spice" in the background. As the bowl burns down.. the pepper seems to kick up a notch. Being a ribbon cut it really wants to be smoked slow, when smoked that way its a very cool enjoyable smoke.

I found like my other ribbons it works great in my radiator bowls (tall narrow) and Canadian family pipes.

I like it enough, that I'd like to find some aged to try and put a few tins back to cellar during sales.

Pipe Used: Radiator Pipes, Canadians

Age When Smoked: 4 months

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (632)	2019-01-25		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

I just finished my sole tin of this one that I put up in the cellar about 4 years ago. I did enjoy my time with it, but I can't say I will regret not stocking up on it. While this tasted good, it was kind of boring. There was ample sweetness in the blend from the Virginia. I didn't really pick up much in the way of citrus tones and this would have probably added to my enjoyment of the blend. The Kentucky was light, but did add a touch of smoke, earth and nuttiness to the sweet Virginias.

The description talks of subtle complexity. I didn't really pick up on much of any complexity, YMMV. Outside the flavor of this blend, it performed great. Like all the Pease/C&D blends, it packs nice, burns fast, needs few relights and the moisture content was spot on. I thought this one was relatively light on the nicotine though for one of their products.

This one lies between two to three stars for me and I am upping it to three because I just don't think it will disappoint a fan of Virginia.

Age When Smoked: 4 years 4 months

Similar Blends: Briar Fox maybe, but not as good. ;).

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stinkypipe (155)	2017-01-13		Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Tolerable

This is fresh out of the tin so keep that in consideration. Tin note is not really much as you would expect. Mixture was a bit damp so I did not pack to tightly. Light just fine and burns pretty cool. Now the taste was mostly semisweet straw with no overtones of citrus to speak of until near the end of the bowl. A pleasant smoke particularly at the end of the day. Will not bowl you over (see what I did there) with taste but it is there throughout the smoke. There is some bite to this blend so watch your puffing. If your a Virginia fan you will most likely enjoy this blend. After it ages I expect the flavor will be enhanced. This is one of the better all Virginia blends I have enjoyed. I don't think I would smoke a large bowl as to me it is a bit boring but a small bowl in the evening would be fine.

Pipe Used: Cobby

Age When Smoked: Fresh out of tin.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2016-03-21		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

The tin I opened is 2 YO. The cut is of a short ribbon cut with some little pieces of flakes. Mostly light to medium dark brown in colour, the tin aroma is very soft; hay, barely a sweetness, some remote smokiness and a distinct earthiness. Hmmm, rather unusual for a GL Pease as the tin aroma is usually very distinguishable. After 5 pipefuls, I can say Montgomery has completely taken me by surprise. It is an elegant, refined and extremely pleasant virginia blend whose flavors do not slap you in the face right from the start. They are subtle and diffuse throughout the smoke. The flavours build up in a gentle but progressive way without overwhelming the tastebuds. Even when not really paying attention, I noticed the building of the various layers of flavours. By half bowl, all I can say is Montgomery is an awesome and different smoke ; its earthiness is what makes it really shine and make it so pleasant to me. It packs a mild to medium nicotine level and burns like a charm. Really, I am going to get more of this.

Pipe Used: Various Stanwells

Age When Smoked: 2YO

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth Vader (110)	2012-08-18		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

This was different from my expectations, but in a good way. Very easy medium smoke. VA tastes fairly light and bright. I think after a few years more aging this would be 4 stars for me. Still a little on the young side at 1 year.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-11-22		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Very high quality tobaccos with a heady tin note of apples, raisins and yeasty bread. Yum!

The smoke is somewhat sweet, with a bright Virginia taste predominant. Nothing harsh about it. Nice tobacco.

However, this blend is oddly astringent, sort of like strong tea or red wine, but more like sucking on an oak chip - very woody and astringent. From start to finish. And unfortunately this pretty much ruins the blend for me. Maybe your experience will be different.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Philo Beddoe (221)	2011-11-06		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Beautiful in the tin, smelled good as well. Once lit it was a mild tasting bright Virginia blend. It smoked well and gave no surprises, I wished for more flavor the further I got into the bowl. I was not disappointed at all but this would get 4 stars if it had a bit more heft.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-01-31		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I didn't like this particular G.L. Hype blend. It was bland, a bit bitey and overall boring.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-09-17		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Notes: I smoked about 100g of this in various pipes and found it best in a tall thin billiard.

Appearance: a slightly thick cut ribbon mostly of light golden Virginia with some dark flecks and some ribbon cut burley.

Aroma: Spicy and sharp upon the nose unsmoked with suggestions of cherries, raisins, dried blueberries and honey.

Taste: This is a quite straightforward Virginia blend with some Burley to give it good burning characteristics. The burley does not really assert itself substantially in the flavor except to add a bit of complexity and mellowness. As with the lion's share of Mr. Pease's blends, the tobacco leaf is both top grade and relatively immature. I feel that his tobacco blends are best kept in the tin for the better part of a decade before they can be appreciated. Earlier sampling leads to a harsher smoke with unwedded flavors and tongue bite.

The interesting thing about this blend is that it presents many of the flavors found in VA blends after a few decades of aging. The tobacco flavor is very up front but the blend of leaves is rather complex, with hints of dried hay, elm wood, and berries. While mild, I would not describe this blend as subtle. Mr. Pease's style is frequently for an overpowering "knockout punch" of flavors crammed into a tin of tobacco, and this is no exception. I liken GLP blends to lion tamers at the circus -- they are wonderfully entertaining at the time, but I wouldn't want them in my home on a daily basis. As alluring as GLP blends are, ultimately I find his allure meretricious.

Montgomery is as varied and rich a mild blend as you will find. I personally don't think this is always a good idea. There is also very little sweetness so aging may be disappointing, leading to a flatter flavor. Thus, the blend presents a paradox in that the leaves need time to mature, but the flavor will likely diminish with time.

Comparisons: Not as nutty as Dunhill's Light Flake, not as sweet as Rattray's Marlin Flake. In some sense, a much diminished version of the old Balkan Sobranie Virginia Flake, for those who remember it.

Bottom Line: A blend best smoked within a year or so. If you enjoy straightahead dry Virginia flavors in a mild smoke and have good smoking technique to avoid tongue bite, you may enjoy this one.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bobspipe (14)	2005-08-05		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

In my explorations of virginias this was one of my first. From the first bowl I thought it was great. as others have said, no bite, stays cool, like that grassy tin smell.

Now with a few months of cohabitation, the glow is wearing just a bit. still smokes well and I find myself reaching for it when I want something light and easy. But unless I really focus on it, it's easy for it to seem monochromatic -- it may be me, that my taste buds for virginias haven't sharpened yet -- but it doesn't have the personality of Telegraph hill or some other va blends. I'll need to keep experimenting and see if we can regain that original spark. still it's a good blend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-06-18		Mild	Mild	Mild	Tolerable

"Complexity" can make a blend a Winner or a Loser. "OverComplexity" has, for me, almost always made a blend a Loser. Alas, the "Complexity" or, I think, "OverComplexity" of Montgomery makes it, for me personally, a clear Loser.

Tiger

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Paddy (127)	2005-05-05		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Because of the blender and the tobacco's description, I opted for an eight ounce trial run. I am not disappointed. In the tin I detect the almost imperceptible whiff of chocolate, similar to what I find with many German tobaccos. Obviously, something has been applied, but in miniscule amounts. The tobacco is a mix of every shade of brown from tan to dark walnut, and it was in perfect condition for smoking. There are a few chunks of what I take to be the burley, but the blend consists mostly of thin bits of Virginia ribbon. This is a blend which could dry out very quickly if one were careless. No sweeteners come through in the smoke. The flavor is of a very mild Virginia, but I have not tasted anything quite like it before. This does not possess great Va. depth. It does provide a broad range in what I would call the upper register of Va. flavor. It is smooth and lusciously warm on the tongue with no bite. It will provide a varied tingle in the nose from time to time which I appreciate. This is a typical Virginia in that I think it will benefit greatly from a dedicated pipe. The more a smoke it in one pipe, the more I discover in its taste. I will pick up a couple of pounds of this for the cellar. Well recommended. Paddy.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-05-16		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin smoked for this review was three years old.

Montgomery is a nice smoke. It reminded me, in appearance, cut, smoking characteristics, and flavor, of Hal O' The Wynd, one of my favorites. Except, of course, this has no perique, and to my tastes it has more Kentucky/Burley flavor. Some reviewers notice less of this flavor than I did. I think I am sensitive to it. Sometimes the dark-fired component was too much, leaving a bitter, muddy impression on my pallate. But most of the time it was balanced and, simply, delicious. No grassy flavor, which I liked. Definitely worth a try. Don't pack it too tightly and dry it out some, as usual.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pip (80)	2010-09-27		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Nice over all Virginian presentation. I prefer flakes but, the ribbon cut was nice a change of pace. The tin note is really nice with a typical tangy and sweet hay like smell. The tobacco was very moist in the tin and I had to re-light it several times. I smoked it very slow so I didn't get any bite. The flavor was sweet and smooth with the burley really rounding it out. I found Montgomery to be a good middle of the road Virginian.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-08-13		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

Subtle indeed - so subtle that I regretted purchasing it for the first several bowls. When the tin was new, it came across as just plain bland and my wife opined that it smelled like cigarettes.

My experience with Montgomery now is that it can be a pleasant smoke - if smoked in a narrow chamber that has been well-seasoned with the smoking of Virginia leaf (seems to fall flat for me in wider bores), in pleasant weather, with a very clear nose. My tin is now about 2 years old and I believe that helped. Smoked slowly, it yields a soft, subtle sweetness with malty, wheat-like notes. The Kentucky leaf is used very sparsely, and I wish there was more of it, as it lends much-needed depth when it does come through. Otherwise, smoking Montgomery is like listening to Charles Mingus with the bass turned all the way down. It is undoubtedly a thing of quality, but I feel there is something missing.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-05-03		Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

First thanx to Greg for this excellent tobacco...

When i open my tin i smell some fruit it comes from dark fired Kentucky, dominant to Va smell...Tin picture is ribbon cut red and golden Va. and dark fired Kentucky...

It's much too dry, crispy...And Greg told me it's not supposed to be that way...I think its mistake by C&D who manufacture and distribute G.L Pease...Also big leaf and leaf grain in it...I dont like tin presentation...Then its 3 star tobacco...

I like dry tobacco but this one is too much...Than easy to light and no need to relight...

Nicotine level is very good for Va...I like it...And taste balance is almost perfect...All day smoke...Sweat, tasty and creamy...

If solve some problem, this tobacco perfect for me ...

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Xeneize (275)	2009-10-11		Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Delicate -as all GLPease Virginias- and unflavored, this perfectly balanced blend of bright and dark flue cured leaves (none of them prevail, achieving both subtle tang and sweetness) will please the meditative smoker and those who don't need to overload their taste buds. There is a condiment that masterfuly rounds off the mixture which I can't relate to Kentucky, at least not on its own.

Definitely one of the best Virginias in GLPease line.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-05-24		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

This one is a keeper for me.Mild virginias with natural burley and virginia sweetness.Very well balanced and not any ovrewhelming flavoring.There was no tongue bite at all.This is my favorite G.L.P blend so far.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-01-04		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is my least favorite of the Pease blends I have tried thus far. I can't put my finger on it but I think Barbary Coast is a much nicer offering with a bit more Burley. If oyu like a good straight Virginia with just a hint of Burley you will like this. I can't find a way to give it three stars although it has mellowed out in the past couple of weeks, but when I fist got it it was much more harsh. 2.4 stars

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Laudante (29)	2008-06-30		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

The last time I smoked this was about two years ago, so I will review it from memory. But since it is an unforgettable tobacco I´m sure there will be no problem.

We´re talking about a very sui generis virginia mixture. I haven´t tried anything similar. It´s very smooth and pleasant, but with a freshness or even rawness, so to say, that, although it sounds bad, gives a very nice and different effect. So if you like to experiment and change from the established forms every once in a while, this one is for you.

The only drawback is that if you smoke this daily you will end up, sooner or later, getting tired and bored. That´s why I left it resting for these three years, but I will soon restore it to my occasional smoking.

I never aged some tins, but I´m sure that aging would suit them very well.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-09-09		Mild	None Detected	Very Mild	Pleasant

Smoking this tobacco is like listening to music from somewhere in your neighbourbood on a windy day. You have to strain to recognize the elements that make up the composition. If you are paying attention there is a lovely interplay between the Virginias and the lightest touch of burley, but the effort of attention is tiring after a while. Though light enough to be an all day smoke, it seems insubstantial. For me, the sinus tingle is unpleasant and distracting in such a mild tobacco. The ribbon cut is perfect for smoking straight out of the tin but mine is going back in the cellar for now. Two stars until a little age proves otherwise.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-02-05		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

To me, my highest honor to a blender and a blend, is when I decide to dedicate a favorite pipe to just one blend. Two of my favorite S. Bangs are dedicated to Greg Pease latakia blends...Odyssey and that new blockbuster, Westminster. I find that often, when I ante up for a bowl of Montgomery, I reach for one of my very favorite Rad Davis pipes, a long-shanked tulip. Who knows - maybe the day will come when I remove that tulip from a multi-Virginia rotation to make it an all-Montgomery pipe. There's just something about that pipe that seems about perfect for a super VA. And folks, this is one. Yes, as you'll read, it's probably a bit immature. My oldest tin of this was just a year and three days old. And, we all know how Virginias just seem to keep getting better and better as they age and marry. You'll see a few reviewers (who dislike Burley), comment that Burley ruined this blend for them. Honestly, I just don't understand that. Sure - it's there, and there's an occasional nutty taste to remind you of its presence. But, that's about it for me. This is a marriage of some gorgeous bright yellow to red Virginias. Beautiful, ribbony stuff. It burns quickly, so expect a fairly short smoke. It leaves nothing but a whisp of powdery ash, smokes fairly cool, and most unusually dry. Total quality leaf, a slightly-complex blend for a VA, straight-forward and sweet, no casing detectable at all, just a really masterful VA blend. As a guy who usually prefers latakias, I actually love this, and can't often say that about a VA. 3 stars for now, in 5 years, this will just be better I'm going to buy a number of tins of this and put 'em away.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-02-04		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I'll be short here. I'm a latakia fan as Mr. Pease has professed himself to be. The recent fire, (OK it's been a few months), lead me to try some virginia based tobaccos. I like this one but.....well..... I find it really similiar to Haddos. Perhaps I need to work on my experience with virginias. I just don't taste the difference.

Addendum 2007: sorry Greg - really grown fond of this and have ordered several more tins; what the hell was I thinking with the Haddo's comparison - I don't know.... to err is human

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-05-26		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

Since Mr. Pease consistantly produces blends that I find outstanding, I was disappointed that Montgomery did not live up to my expectations. To be sure, it is quality blend, but just seems to lack the degree of complexity normally found in his blends. Perhaps it is the burley (to which I have an aversion) in the blend that prevents this one from being a winner.

I'd certainly recommend you sample Montgomery but only if you enjoy burley.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-05-02		Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

An excellent blend with no negative qualities. That said, neither are there any qualities truly remarkable that we have come to expect from a GLP blend. I enjoy Montgomery when I smoke it and am always in danger of falling for it. In the end though, it inevitably turns out to be a brief tryst rather than any true depth of feeling. I first tried this blend at the 10 month point. I'll give it another visit at 18 months.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-04-03		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Got a very big sample of this through the generosity of another member here. Absolutely top notch leaf in a ribbon cut that clearly feels better in a size 5 to 6 pipe. Lights fairly easy and burns to the bottom in a grey-white ash. No tongue bite, no gurgle for me.

I feel that this doesn't fall in a well known category, couldn't think of a parallel tobacco. The burley component is quite obvious to me, but probably being a VA smoker I'm more sensitive to that. I also can't see the complexity of it, but many others can. Maybe because it clearly lacks strength and for some this might also translate in lack of taste. There is absolutely no topping here.

I believe this is a blend worth trying, but not a personal bell ringer.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-02-24		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

Montgomery - Virginias, Virginias, Virginias! That description scared me a little...I was gearing up for bitter and tart but it never came! This is very nicely blended and honestly different than anything I have smoked, VA/BUR...interesting...and Pease pulled it off well. Montgomery is worth a try and I hear nothing but good reports of this being a prime candidate for aging...so you can't lose here.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2006-02-23		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

After a long night in the saloon I tried this blend out for the first time by seeing how much abuse it could take. I smoked it "way too hot" until I could barely grasp the bowl, but this one refused to disapoint. It smoked cool, with an even ash, right down to the end, in spite of my "abuse." Pleasant with a natural flavor right down to the bottom of the bowl, without too much casing; recommended.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-05-21		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Unlike Telegraph Hill, at least this one has some actual VA flavor. Quality VA's that are properly aged have nary a nip or bite and while this one has supurb depth when sipped very, very slowly, that is due to the richness the dark fired Kentucky adds not the VA's. While the fog city series has dissapointed me thus far, If you don't mind a high maintenance "sophisticated" Virginia blend, you might indeed like this one a lot.

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