Esoterica Tobacciana - Stonehaven pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 149 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >
wdsmith	05/05/2013	Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Tolerable
I second, rather heartily, the very spot on review of Vytis. It is high quality leaf, about that there cannot be any doubt, but the magic is just not there. I bought a pound of this and smoked probably 5 ounces, in pipes of many styles, shapes and material (briar, meer,cob and cherrywood) before coming to the conclusion that the blend just was not worth the hype. It was rather like smoking hot air regardless of how I went at it. Even when sipped slowly, it failed to release any flavor. Luckily, I purchased it at retail thus saving the aforementioned second mortgage. I ended up trading the rest for an equal amount of Samuel Gawith's "1792 Flake"-- Wise decision. If you are gifted some or find it at retail, do give it a try but do not expect pipe smoking Nirvana. The two best in the Esoterica line are Dunbar and Margate. I would look there first. As a side note, while my sample did not have the age on it that the previous reviewer's had, I did hang on to this for about two years and kept it sealed in two bell jars. I would visit it from time to time, hoping that age would be kind to it. Alas, it was not to be.... (Up next... Penzance and that's not looking too good either!)
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Vytis	05/05/2013	Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
After many years of on and off pipe smoking I finally have the financial means to enter into the world of luxury tobaccos properly. I believe there are probably others such as myself who also are coming back into pipe smoking after a hiatus or perhaps are just starting out and this review, my first, is with them and those like myself in mind. Upon returning to the pipe smoking world I immediately happened upon this site and in browsing this and other sites the Esoterica name is continually mentioned as an exquisite and hard to find tobacco commanding a steep premium price...if you are lucky enough to even find some to purchase. I was recently and most graciously gifted quite a few flakes of Stonehaven 1997 which had been very well preserved and offered to me by fellow reviewer Pipestud in the course of our discussions about tobaccos. The following is based off those gifted flakes which after 15 years of proper cellaring should represent the pinnacle of what this flake has to offer. I have now smoked three of those flakes which equate to about a bowl per flake and nearly an hour and a half tasting this well made and finely pressed tobacco. I used three different pipes to ensure the best possible result finding that Stonehaven is best fully rubbed out with a medium size chambered pipe. I myself had the best results using a Dunhill 4108 bulldog ensuring a slow and steady burn requiring only minimal tamping and no relights. This tobacco does burn very well when rubbed out properly. The fantastic burning characteristics aside I find this tobacco to be a psychological one definitely worthy of the name Esoterica since the near mythic status it enjoys seems more a function of its unavailability rather than its substance. The "tin" note does have the qualities suggested by others of chocolate, fruit and figs but I find all of these notes can be described by what I believe to be the (light) topping of molasses or perhaps brown cane sugar which can give hints of all the flavors listed above depending on the individuals own personal tastes and associations. The tang of the Virginia and the subtleness of the Burley is there, the flake is very well pressed and obviously this is a good quality tobacco. However, it is not the stuff of legends nor is it worth the exorbitant prices which is a function of supply and demand more than of quality and taste. Stonehaven is a 3 star tobacco, very good but not life altering. It has a mild taste and is a very smooth flake but its price and unavailability detract from an otherwise solid performance which is why I find it overall to be worthy of 2 stars. Should Stonehaven ever be supplied adequately and the price return to reason then I would most definitely add a star and could recommend this tobacco, but until then the hype is too great for all but those who have the finances or time to hunt for this most elusive weed. Perhaps some will say that you cannot judge a tobacco based on such criteria but for those who are limited in finances Stonehaven is not worth ignoring other blends which are just as good but less revered. If you ever find some at a retail price or offered the great privilege of being gifted some to try I highly recommend doing so provided you don't mortgage the house to buy a bag. Stonehaven is most definitely a good, high quality tobacco, but its legend is driven by the psychology of the unattainable rather than the substance of the reality we taste when lighting up. Update: While speculating that the topping was molasses I have since been informed that the topping is In fact Treacle which is an uncrystallized syrup similar to molasses (but not as dark) which confirms for me at least the base of the flavors so many have remarked upon.
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JimInks	02/10/2013	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant
Okay, so it can be a pain to prepare and smoke as some flakes tend to, but it's worth it. It needs to dry a bit, but dry or moist, you'll get a long lasting smoke as it burns cool and slow. Fold and stuff, cube cut, rubbed out... no matter how you prepare it, Stonehaven delivers a consistent taste with dark chocolate, deep fruit, and tasty Virginia/burley notes. An experienced smoker will be more sensitive to what complexity is here. The nic hit is medium at best. It completely deserves its reputation and is worth the effort to find it when you can. Yeah, that can be a pain, too. But, no pain, no gain when it comes to smoking Stonehaven. It's one of the real treasures in pipe smoking.
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ERader	02/09/2013	Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
Just a super tobacco, I found it very relaxing with just the right amount of Nicotine. High quality!
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hawky454	01/26/2013	Very Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is one of a kind! Reminds me of dark chocolate when preparing the flakes, both smell and appearance. This blend will satisfy your nicotine needs. The taste is absolutely amazing, I won't even try describe it (plenty of reviews already.) I just felt the need to express what a wonderful blend this is. I don't care if you like aro's or English blends.... This will reward the smoker who truly loves the taste of tobacco! Absolutely essential! Down side: Everyone seems to know how good this blend is and it's very hard to come by. If you see it, stock up and cellar as much a you can. It only gets better with age.
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cigrmaster	12/27/2012	Medium	Medium to Strong	Full	Tolerable
This is a very unique world class blend that is deserving of every 4 star review. The flavors are a sweet and dried fruit like with a smokey back bone. The flakes are thin and long and perfect for cube cutting. It needs to be dried usually for at least an hour before smoking to get the humidity out. If smoked too wet, the flavors do not shine. Age does this blend wonders with 3 years being the minimum for me. If you are a flake lover, this is a must for your cellar. It is worth the chase.
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ap	12/08/2012	Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Great dark Burley/Virginia FLake with a light fruity topping. this almost impossible to find leaf burns cool and delivers a decent nicotine dose with delicious flavors Outstanding Smoke
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CochenBallstein	12/03/2012	Medium to Strong	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Everything there is to say has been said. If you haven't tried Stonehaven, take some time and read the 4 star reviews and then buy some. One of the absolute best tobacco blends ever created for the pipe.
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CPT/VSG	11/24/2012	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant
It's hard to add anything new to the many favorable reviews to this outstanding blend. Not being a burley smoker, I wasn't sure if I would find Stonehaven as fascinating as other have--but I do and it has opened the world of burleys to me. It works best for me pretty dry and in a meerschaum. It has a "golden," rich flavor to me, unlike anything else I've tried. It smokes cool and dry. Unfortunately, it's very hard to locate on-line but local stores seem to carry the 8 oz. bags fairly often. No pipe smoker should go through life without at least trying Stonehaven. A great change of pace for an english/Balkan smoker. Highly recommended.
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The Commoner	10/27/2012	Strong	None detected	Full	Tolerable
It's all been said. Short story is this is the finest VABur I've smoked flake or otherwise. I typically eschew the frenzy to gobble up the likes of Samuel Gawith or Esoterica in the rare event they choose to bless us with their products. I find readily available Gawith and Hoggarth and JF Germain products of equal quality with a whole lot less hassle to obtain. Stonehaven is the exception. I've yet to find anything else like it. It hits all the notes and balances them all perfectly. No need to go on. If you smoke a pipe. Smoke Stonehaven if you can get your hands on some.
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albfneto	07/02/2012	Strong	Strong	Full	Strong
Well, seems to be made with good quality tobacco, but the blend taste is pure smoke... Yes, in it, all is strong... Strong ammonia content, strong nicotine, strong bitter taste, room note also strong... Difficult to pack, difficult to light, difficult to burn,the pipe fades easily, but interesting flavour and taste,remember the ancient England tobaccos, the antique Dunhills etc... Clearly is a good quality stuff: 3 stars, but is not for novice or all day smoking, each day. Their taste is all strong that easy saturates all the perceptions, becoming boring to the smoker. 3 stars for their quality, if you enjoy strong tobaccos,
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wekers	06/19/2012	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant
After see a greats reviews about, i try get. Very difficult to find it. well i can say that i am not enjoy, is not my favorite style tobacco. Denote a large virginia blend, bite a tongue on begin of smoke, after a some minutes not feel more on your tongue. A one observation that is a very very dry on taste. Maybe a good virginia, you may not realize, but a bit strong, give 3*** stars!
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Barling	03/20/2012	Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
You really need to rub this out thoroughly and let it dry for about 30 minutes (at least) before packing this and smoking it, otherwise you will find it nearly impossible to keep the wet and soggy mess that accumulates in the bottom of your pipe lit. Once you do that, what you end up with is an absolutely delicious smoke with a sweetness reminiscent of dark fruitcake, licorice, and chocolate covered raisins. Despite the strength of this tobacco, I love smoking it out of a large Castello or Ser Jacopo, and it remains delicious right to the bottom of the bowl. Despite having absolutely none of the Latakia and Perique I love in my blends, this is an incredibly satisfying smoke that I believe is worth seeking out, because there is really nothing like it.
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Arko	03/20/2012	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable
Dry in the same way a good whisky can be and dark like a piece of 70% chocolate. Without doubt a fine smoke that I've been enjoying a lot lately, but not something that can make me forget about my beloved straight Virginias.
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GSTQ	12/27/2011	Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable
Appearance is a dark brown ragged flake. Smells of chocolate and fruits, in the main dried cherry. Tastes lightly sweet and dry. Revisiting Stonehaven as I had smoked it years ago and did not see much reason to order more at that time. With the recent reviews praising it highly, I decided to give it another go. It's not terribly strong in strength nor in flavour. I would not rate it less than three stars, but it's just not very exciting, and therefore as in the past, Stonehaven will not make my rotation. There's just very little "there there".
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derlict311	12/17/2011	Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is an good blend. It's been alluding me for years now - just never have been able to find it. Burleys front and center but there is much more to be discovered. A "rich" blend.
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Katharsis	10/26/2011	Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant
Had several bowls of this the past week or two, and it's really growing on me. As others have said, there is a chocolatey aroma from the leaf, but for me it was more like chocolate covered cherries. Though I actually hate chocolate covered cherries, THIS actually smells wonderful. Some of that aroma carries over into the flavor, but don't be scared off by reading "cherries" -- it's not cherry-like in the smoke at all. The flakes themselves are, so far, the thinnest sliced flakes I've seen, and they hold together quite well. I haven't smoked them in flake form yet. Good, sweet blend, not as rich as FVF to me, but I actually find this a great blend for a morning VA. As for the nicotine content, not sure why everyone rates this on the high side. After a full bowl I feel almost nothing, whereas something like JackKnife Plug I can only smoke half a bowl and even that almost destroys me. This stuff seems to have the least nicotine to me than all the VAs I've had.
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fireball	09/14/2011	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant
I've been smoking a fair amount of this recently having got hold of two bags and jarring them. It's a very dark flake that smells like dark chocolate in the jar, with little or no sweetness apparent. This pretty much transfers over to the smoke, with packing requiring breaking up the quite irregularly cut flakes, and to my tastes, it needs to be a bit dry, otherwise taste drops off. It's quite hard to keep this rich, dark smoke alight for me, regardless of pipe, but well broken up and dried out a bit helps. It's complex certainly, and not the sort of tobacco I could smoke all day. I usually smoke this in the evening to finish off the day, and if you get it right it is very good - chocolate, very slightly bitter-sweet, room note is excellent according to the missus. Stonehaven's cousin, Tilbury, is much more of a daily goto smoke for me; sweeter, easier to handle and just as satisfying.
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Pipemanuk	08/25/2011	Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant
I add this review principally to say that Stonehaven is sold in the UK under the title Germain's Rich Dark Flake. It is pretty easy to order online and seems to be available at least at the present. Everything else about it that the community have said in praise I heartily endorse!
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PfeifenRaucher	08/05/2011	Very Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable
The flake cousin to Tilbury. Tastes a a bit more cased than its counterpart. A bit strong but worth seeking out. Best after a very large meal with an alcoholic beverage - this is only an occasional smoke for me. Make sure it is dried out before smoking for best results.
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 149 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >