Esoterica Tobacciana Brighton

I was given a good sample of this from a fellow reviewer and I enjoyed it. It was an enjoyable Virginia that was maybe a little light for my tastes. The first half of the bowl was very light. At about he halfway point the flavor really picked up and this is when I started to appreciate it.

It does taste a little different than most Virginias that I have had. It had a lot of citrus and earth. The sweetness was subtle. I am not sure if there is a slight topping messing with my perceptions or not. In taste, it reminded me more of some the GL Pease Virginias I have smoked, but still different.

To my tastes this is not as enjoyable as FVF or Dunhill Flake, which are my favorite Virginias, but it is still good. The taste is unique enough that it does stand on its own and if it is to your particular fancy, then this may well rise to the four star level for you.

This one is also pretty light on the nicotine. I suppose for heft of nicotine and boldness of Virginia, it is a step up from Peacehaven, but it is a small step IMO. For me, it is a three star blend, but I did just order an 8 ounce bag to put aside in my cellar for a few years. It is hard to lose with Esoterica blends.

Nice light Virginia. Actually, there is a little nicotine and body here that rears up from time to time, but never too strongly. Certainly not complex, but as I smoke the remnants, I am getting a bit more. This may be in part due to my having smoked about five bowls of aged McClellands in this pipe (a Savinelli Capri) last night, which is one reason I wanted a less acrid Virginia for tonight's first pipe. My first bowls of this a couple weeks ago seemed really basic, as in a Virginia version of a go-to codger burley like PA; easy to light and maintain, a bit cigaretty, no-frills, but I found more to this blend with this pipe, and decided it was time to review. Of Esoterica's Virginias, I have had Dorchester and Dunbar, and liked them both. I may like them more than this one, but really need to smoke some of it after a few months in the mason jar, at which time I will add to this review. Right now, a simple, slightly sweet Virginia with no off tastes that is perfect after smoking more heady Virginias. There is a very slight topping, maybe anise and some kind of fruit, but it is hard to tell. The topping is more evident in the bag aroma, but starts to fade pretty soon after I transfer a pipeful to my wooden drying bowl. If you want a nice light to medium-light Virginia in a cut that is easy to work with, pack, and smoke, and that while it may not provide a flavor explosion, still has a nice (if narrow) range, this is a good one to try. I kind of miss Dorchester's Perique, but I have some blending Perique I could add to this if I want, so no problem! I think to say much more than this, or to discover any more levels to this smoke than the sort of thing I just described, will require some aging. See you in six months!

Edit 2/26/13: really coming along in the jar. Very nice. To clarify, I would seldom add Perique to this, but it is a possibility, seeing that my tin of Dorchester is sealed right now, and I don't want to open it.

Actually, I was wrong. I do have some Dorchester opened and in a jelly jar. It's a nice one too! Though I said I prefer it to Brighton, this is only incremental, and these are both excellent blends, with different merits. Can't find the sealed tin: that must be it in the jelly jar! May have to get a bag when I feel I can afford it.

I really kinda like Brighton. It will rarely be called "complex", but what it offers is an easygoing and pleasant experience. I buy this in Esoterica's 12-ounce bags, which nicely fills two Quart -sized Mason jars.

Somewhere I read that Esoterica claims that there are a half-dozen types of VA leaves in Brighton; if that's true, they seem to be well disguised to me. I've bought bags that were a medium-brown color, and my last bag - like my first ones - seemed to be predominantly lemon-colored flakes. As this ages, of course, it will darken, and the blend marries very nicely. It's almost perfectly moist, and ages very well. A minimum of a year of aging will make this a far more enjoyable blend for most.

The ribbons pack well, it takes a fine charring light, and requires little or no maintenance. If you're looking for an all-VA blend that yields just about no tongue bite, this could be it. I find it crisp and clean, much like Orlick's Golden Slice, but I personally can't be bothered with drying and rubbing out slices. It's just a simple and tasty blend.

This blend is visually identical to Esoterica Scarborough, which I recently smoked and didn't think much of. It arrives just slightly moist, aka perfect smoking level. In the baggie, there is a noticeable topping, though I wouldn't even try to parse the elements.

At the match, I am struck by two contradictory observations: there is less bite than with Scarborough (indicating more matured Virginia) and less musty character (indicating less matured Virginia). Obviously I have to lose my preconceptions, as this is nothing like Scarborough, and that is for the good.

There is a clear sweetness, primarily in the top range but gliding into the mid-range, that is similar to Esoterica's Cardiff. This is very attractive, and can be magnified by air-smoking. That sneaky Esoterica nicotine somehow hides behind this thin veil, and it irritates my nose, prompting me to exhale somewhat more vigorously than usual.

At the half-bowl mark, the sweetness has settled down into a shortbread style. Very little in the way of bite or snap her, and the strength varies from medium-light (when at a smoulder) to medium-full (when fully stoked); but, again, the flavor remains medium to medium-light. I'm not picking up any of the topping. The mid-range exhibits a milk chocolate smoothness and sweetness, and some toasted marshmallow. There isn't much in the way of bass range, and for some that could be a drawback. For me, it doesn't really detract.

The cheesy, musty Esoterica matured leaf flavors really aren't a factor in Brighton. I would buy this again, but I think Cardiff gets the slight edge for me. I'm thinking four ounces would be a good amount, split into 2 small mason jars, because I think this would age nicely.

Nice tasting Virginias. Citrus and a unique hay-like flavor that's actually a little woody and earthy. The flavor and bag note also has a "fermented" quality to it that reminds me of brandy. What hurts this blend is the lack of complexity and evolution that can make it a little boring by the time you get to the end of the bowl. I have a feeling that I'm going to enjoy using this as a blender. This should make for some outstanding VaBurs and VaPers.

Mild to medium in body and taste. I really can't detect any added flavoring. Burns well.

12-03-2004 And now, for something totally different!

Appearance and Tin Aroma: Light Va ribbon, beatiful leaf colors! I detect a light licorice casing.

Packing and Lighting: Easy, just a few long ribbons giving a fuss. Lit easily, two lights.

Initial Flavor: Lightly cased Va, smoothness of the Va immediately noticable.

Mid-Bowl: I really like this blend! The leaf flavor is slightly oatish, but smooth. the casing is delicately there.

Bottom of Bowl: Slight build up of strength, casing never gets bitter or overpowering.

Overall: This is a mild VA blend that has been delicately cased in the Lakeland District style. Because of its uniqueness, I will continue to puff this blend in my VA rotation. Tongue-bite is pretty much impossible with this delicate mixture and even though it is not as rich as many other VA's that I have tried, the flavor, keeps me coming back. Give it a try.

Rating: 4 out of 5 points

Appearance: Mostly light and medium red tones, medium width ribbon

Aroma: Mild to medium matured Virginia aroma. .

Packing: Packs well into any size bowl from group 3 through 5.

Lighting: Lighting is quite ordinary. Not too slow to burn, nor too quick to catch.

Initial flavor: Well rounded Virginia flavor of moderate strength. Good sweetness from the Red leaf, balanced by the tangier Lemon colored leaf.

Mid-bowl: This is a simple blend, which has complex layers of flavors. The blending of sweet and and tangy keeps the blend from being monochromatic. The blend is gentle on the palate, with a good range of middle notes, some high and only a few low, but no extremes. A cool smoke,if puffed slowly, but stays lit rather well.

Finish: Finishes smoothly, leaves a fine gray ash. Tastes good right to the end.

Summary: A superb blend for the fancier of milder Virginias. Could be an all day smoke for the gentle puffer, but it really needs a relaxed moment to savor the nuances.

A friend of mine had two Esoterica blends that I got to try today. The first was this one dated 2/12/20 and is extremely sweet smelling out of the jar. He believed and I am prone to agree that is has an Apricot casing on it though it says it is unflavored. This is a high quality smooth, sweet smoking Virginia that only seem to get better the more I smoked it. Did not bite or burn the tongue. Like pretty much all Esoterica blends if you are lucky enough to get them and can afford the price tag go for it. Glad I got to have a couple of bowls of this one. If it fell from the sky and landed in my lap, great but as good as it is for myself, I would not make it a quest to find.

not a very experienced smoker. This was one of my first purchases and being the inexperienced smoker that i am i initially didnt like it. after a few months of smoking under my belt i decided to give it another try. Man was i glad i did. i love it as a good afternoon summer smoke paired with a citrusy beer such as Blue Moon or shock top. pairs perfectly! I prefer the spicier english blends but this one ill make an exception. great mid-day relaxing smoke.