Esoterica Tobacciana Blackpool

I was able to smoke a good three bowls of this compliments of our Honorary Vice President of our pipe club who was able to get this from a company that sold it online. Licorice, I guess for most either you love it or hate it. As for me I love it. The tin note reminded me of licorice ropes that you buy. The tobacco was a mostly dark ribbon cut with some brown scattered throughout. It was moist but not wet like some aromatics tend to be. The licorice flavor lasted from start to finish and was a fantastic smoke. The description says the blend type is Virginia based but if it tastes like an aro then it is an aro. I could smoke a lot of this but herein lies the rub. Esoterica tobaccos are as elusive as finding the Tasmanian Devil, the Ivory Billed Woodpecker and the Carolina Parakeet all in one day. I searched over a half dozen or more online tobacco companies and all were out of stock. I just to not have the energy to try and obtain this elusive tobacco. Of course, if I ever get the chance to buy it I will but am not going to actively hunt this down. Lucky to have tried it. It reminds me of the old adage, ‘Is it better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all”. Not sure. Anyway, if you like licorice this is an excellent blend and is not goopy but more naturally processed with the flavoring

Esoterica really does a good job at making excellent tobaccos and Blackpool is no exception.

This tobacco reminds me almost exactly, but not quite, like Kingsbridge.

The way the tobacco looks in the bag is identical to Kingsbridge, but perhaps a shade darker and a few less sugar crystals. The smell, again, is almost a perfect match to Kingsbridge, but just a tad sweeter with more black licorice scent. Loads and burns well without troubles. Light but firm tamping keeps it going and a sipping method is preferred rather than heavy puffing.

The flavors remind me of Kingsbridge, but there is slightly more licorice flavor and one doesn't get the tongue tingles (antiseptic) feel from this one like I did with Kingsbridge. The flavor profile reminds me of blackwoods flake a lot, but sweeter and deeper like darkstar. The sweetness is a natural sweetness, not from any toppings or additions. The topping is quite nice but again doesn't seem to be a sweet topping. Just some good licorice from time to time mixes with the natural sweet, woodsy, aged and deep virginia flavor. From time to time there was a bit of spice that reminded me more of cloves than pepper. Consistent flavor all the way down the bowl, and it burns quite slowly. Excellent tobacco!

Very similar to Esoterica Ramsgate in description, this smokes to its own beat. It arrives black and damp, but the moisture isn't sticky so I assume it is hydrated more with water than with PG.

At light up (or after several light ups), a thick and creamy smoke consistency greets the smoker. While apparently topped with licorice, it isn't especially apparent in the flavor. Instead, there is a subdued melange, consisting of the usual Esoterica mid-range flavors of mushroom/marshmallow, and an unusual lingering hint of gunpowder. Like almost all Esotericas I have tried, there is a significant but well-disguised nicotine element.

Once fully into the burn, the top range exhibits a zesty note that tickles the nose and tongue. Also a delicate sweetness, like shortbread. This smokes like two different blends: air-smoking and attention is essential for getting all of the subtle Virginia flavors, though this blend also is pleasant and satisfying when smoked without thought. In that sense, the style of Blackpool (though not the flavor) is similar to GH Bright CR Flake.

As with Ramsgate, the sweetness grows as the bowl progresses. The mid-range features a brewing-beer or Vegamite tone, though more pleasant (apologies to the Aussies out there). Again the nicotine reminds me of its presence. There is also a cheesy note. If Esoterica Tilsbury has gorgonzola, Blackpool has Havarti, or maybe a medium-sharp cheddar, both in terms of flavor nuance and creaminess. Sometimes it flickers sweeter, as from cheesecake. (I am coming to recognize this cheesy/musty character as a signature of Esoterica's matured leaf).

Top range notes are observed on the front of the tongue mostly, with the smoke trickling out of the mouth around the stem. Past the halfway mark, the sweetness has become a dominant (but pleasant) force, reminding me of apple crisp with caramel, with a zest like touching your tongue to an almost-depleted 9 volt battery, which makes this intriguing and satisfying on all levels. I have yet to detect licorice. Finally, at the junction of the top and middle ranges, I pick up an element of dried cherries.

Final words: your clothes really smell after smoking this stuff, even outside. It smokes like a gentle fog. Well done.

ah....im so pleased to see esoterica back on the shelves (to some degree). Blackpool was never the most popular of the esoterica line. I think stonehaven was (which is among my least favorites). I smoke virginias mostly. This is a very old timey tobacco combination. The licorice is very mild but appreciated. Its like the rolls royce version of rattrays Dark Fragrant. Except this is exceptional tasting, very very cool....i dont think you could get tongue bite no matter how hard you tried. Cool and slow (for a ribbon especially) and with that contemplative quality McClelland #27 *i think that was the one*....used to provide. (its nothing like dark flake at all...as someone down here mentioned). But this might strike modern smokers as not punchy enough or something. Complex is a word i hear a lot. I dont know that tobacco has to be complex. Im not sure thats even a good thing. This is a flavour profile one would have found in the early 1900s or before even. Its well worth trying and taking your time with.

I bought a 8 oz bag of this and I really like it, it goes nice as a after dinner pipe The room note is pleasent and I like the way it smokes. I dry out most of my tobacco now so it did not matter to me that it was a little moist. Blaclpool leaves a mild aftertaste that is enjoyable.

This is another winner from esoterica. Mild anise flavor, loads of smoke, and really easy going. Gave it a little dry time and it was perfect.