Description
The Origin of géométrie, according to Greg Pease:
The second entry in the new Zeitgeist collection, géométrie is full of surprises. It’s sort of a modernist reinterpretation of the traditional Virginia/Oriental mixture in plug form. It’s got great aging potential, but because of the pressing, it exhibits a wonderfully deep and mature flavour even in its youth. Notes of freshly baked bread, a subtle malty sweetness, and hints of baking spices and delicate floral notes emerge from the combination of the Virginias and Oriental leaf.
When I first saw the plugs in their final form, I was reminded of the proto-cubist movement, which inspired the artistic direction of the label. The name came out of a stream-of-consciousness word salad when I was talking about it with a friend. The French spelling is because France was the birthplace of Cubism, and as a quiet wink to René Descartes. Finally, it’s lower case because I think it looks cool, and because I’ve always kind of liked e.e. cummings…
Slice it thick or thin; rub it out fully, or leave it coarse. I’ve been experimenting with cutting a slice 2-3mm thick, about 3/32″, then cross cutting it into cubes and gravity filling the bowl. Or, making sort of “matchsticks” that are cut to length to fit the bowl, and stacked vertically with a little twist. Both are great ways to enjoy this one. And, for some bowls, finely shaved and rubbed out to a shag works wonderfully.
From the label:
Overlapping planes of vintage, sun-cured Basma and Izmir leaf reframe the malty, natural sweetness of mature red Virginias in this modern expression of the classical Virginia/Oriental archetype. Aged in cakes to deepen and enrich the flavours, this structured, plug-cut tobacco is poised to engage and intrigue all of the senses.
At every phase, this has been a really fun project, and the final result exceeds my expectations in every way. Early reviews have been very positive as well. I hope you enjoy géométrie as much as I have enjoyed creating it.
géométrie was released in April, 2023. 50g tin. Note: these are now shipping in plain packaging.
About G. L. Pease
This is a biography written by Gregory Pease himself:
“Who the heck is G. L. Pease?
I’m glad you asked…
I first became enchanted by the leaf while at university. Though I’d smoked a pipe intermittently for a couple of years (inspired first by a High School science teacher, whose delightful pipe smoke is one of my fondest memories), I didn’t realize just how enjoyable a good tobacco could be until I walked into Drucquer & Sons, a true old world tobacconist’s, where my real education began. I spent all of my free time in the shop, extracting every delicious morsel of understanding I could from the knowledgeable staff.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve continued my love affair with fine pipes and tobacco. In early 1998, one of my dreams became a reality when a friend and I started a small company to produce quality pipe mixtures, some of which have become well known. In November of 1999, I blended the last of the tobacco to be sold under that label, but the passion continued to smolder like the tobaccos in my pipe.
It was with that same passion that I founded G. L. Pease Tobaccos in early 2000, with a promise to keep the art alive, and dedicated my service to all who enjoy pipe smoking at its best.
G. L. Pease mixtures are created for true lovers of fine pipe tobaccos. They rely on the natural tastes and aromas of the finest new world and oriental leaf, blended in careful measure to bring out the best of each component, whilst delivering an experience that is far greater than the parts. Flavorings, when used, are added with restraint to enhance the natural character of choice tobaccos, not to obscure inferior ones. Our care in blending delivers tobaccos that are balanced and harmonious, with a wonderful interplay of nuances to both satisfy the casual smoker, and to engage and delight the palate of the more reflective connoisseur.
Our blends are created in small batches, by hand, in the traditional manner. This affords us with the opportunity to easily adapt to changing leaf supplies. Tobacco is a natural agricultural product, and occasional variation inevitable. Like a fine wine maker, we work with the best leaf available in a given season to ensure consistency in quality, even if it requires small changes to a blend’s formulation. While some larger producers will employ chemistry and additives to maintain a consistent product from year to year, we rely only on Mother Nature, and our blending skills.
G. L. Pease tobaccos may appear at first glance to be slightly more expensive than some other premium tinned products, but any small difference in the cost per bowl is more than compensated by the richness of the smoking experience – proof that luxury does not have to be expensive.”
