Esoterica Tobacciana Cardiff

Cardiff to me is one of the milder blends in the Esoterica line, but flavorful enough that I like to keep some around for a break from the heavier blends. The subtle sweetness is present during most of the bowl, and like Tantric said this is somewhat similar to Gold Block but I find the flavor to be a bit fuller with a tad more body than GB. This can get a bit hot if you puff to fast so keep your rhythm relaxed. Nice VA flavor and the taste of spice here and there is most pleasant. Burns well, as do all of the Eso's, to a gray ash. Leaves the pipe clean too. Like others have stated, this would be a good morning smoke with a hot cup of coffee. The quality is apparent and I believe the flavoring is intended to compliment the blend and not mask any inferior leaf. Works for me.

My wife and I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, and may God richly bless you and your families!!!!

Here is a nice, lighter Virginia blend that starts off soft and finishes strong. As an early morning treat, I highly recommend it. In the bag, I can smell sweetness and a very mild, "bright" smell. In appearance, this tobacco reminds me of dried grass, mostly medium brown with a few lighter strands. The cut is medium in length and narrow, making packing easy. It has a slightly below average level of moisture, at least in the sample bag, and it lights very easily. For the first third, the flavor is very mild. I can taste a very soft, almost "pale" sweetness that mingles with the tobacco flavor. The flavor is good, but rather subtle; it teases, like a thought on the edge of being remembered, and I find myself puffing too hard in an attempt to make it show itself. There doesn't appear to be any problem with bite thus far, and the narrow cut burns very well, requiring less than the normal number of relights. In the second third of the bowl, the sweetness is still present, perhaps a trifle stronger. I'm detecting a hint of spice(?), and the Virginia flavor has matured somewhat, becoming slightly darker. Still, this is a very soft, subtle smoke, free of bite so far. I find myself wondering what this would taste like pressed into a flake. Moving into the final third, the sweetness has further intensified. I still wouldn't call it strong, but it is finally making its presence known as more than a background note. The overall flavor has darkened as well, becoming almost full in taste. While by no means a rich, dark smoke, it has matured into a flavorful, pleasant mixture that isn't bad at all. This maturation seems to go especially well in a tall, narrow bowl. I still haven't noticed any problems with bite or moisture with this tobacco. I was sorry when the bowl was over and I was sucking ashes. Overall, this is a blend that I found surprisingly enjoyable. The weak start is made up for by the strong finish. While not nearly as full as my preferred Latakia blends, I still enjoy this as a first-bowl-of-the-day smoke; it seems to wake up the taste buds without overwhelming, and the burning characteristics are excellent. A very good blend that I recommend as a nice, light change of pace.

This is a nice light, sweet tobacco that is reminiscent of the finer Danish mixtures. It's a fine cut and packs easily; the first few puffs bring a fairly intense maple/toffee flavor but this diminishes quickly, leaving a pleasantly sweet Virginia taste. It gets fuller toward the bottom of the bowl but does favor slow smoking due to a tendency to bite, and responds nicely to a DGT after some of the flavorings have evanesced. I often smoke a partial bowl of Cardiff right before bed then put it aside...I call it "making breakfast" 🙂

This tobacco is soft and sweet, so lovers of English or heavier Virginia tobaccos probably won't 'get it'. If you don't mind some mild flavorings and like to indulge your sweet tooth now and then, this is a good smoke.

Sweet, light and grassy, Cardiff is cut finely, almost looking like grass, or how a bale of hay looks from a distance. It gives a consistantly nice taste and rates well in my book. Great for late summer/early fall. Don't know why this is given 2 stars; it must be because of the small amount of people that have tried it.

Cardiff is a shag cut from Esoterica which is usually overlooked compared to the more famous blends.

The bag note is sweet hay. The shag cut was moist upon opening the bag to jar. The shag is easy to pack, just be careful not to make it too tight so it drafts well.

The smoke was sweet hay Virginia. There is a light topping of somesort I believe giving some fruit notes (maybe apricot?) but it doesn't overpower the tobacco.

The shag cut wants to burn hot if pushed and can bite. Sipping is the way to go with this one. It's all top notes as there no deeper flavors here. Reminds me of an aged Orlik Golden (which is much easier to find)

It's a great summer smoke and worth picking up if you find in an Esoterica drop.

This is a nice, mild, light Virginia, with a delicious butter toffee topping. I really enjoy it in the morning with a cup of tea or coffee.

Once this blend dries a bit, it becomes very prone to bite, and for that reason, I can only recommend it to the most experienced Virginia smokers.

This is my second Esoterica blend. Again, I am impressed by the quality of the leaf, the preparation of the blend and the care taken in the whole product. I would say this is a slight aromatic smoke, a bit on the mild side, but if smoked slowly it can deliver enough tobacco flavour to make it really pleasant.

The tobacco comes almost shag cut, so it can be easy to clog the bowl. I find it difficult to light. Once it gets going, however, I fin this a very civil, friendly, peaceful smoke. If anything, this could be close to the original Gold Block (not the PG conoction that's for sale now), except that this one has a more natural aroma.

It is a nice cavendished leaf, not exactly extraordinary, but quite tasty and friendly. IMO its a bit similar to Vanners mixture, without the tangyness. Every now and then, a very good smoke and a good introduction to less aromatic tobaccos.

Tin note of sugar, raisin and anise like. Tobacco is a ready rub of an orangish tan and reddish tan with a little brown mixed in. Moisture content is great. Larger pieces may need a little attention. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. Flavoring is mild to medium, with notes of anise like. Flavoring is fairly prominent in the beginning and decreases a little by the end. Taste is medium and mostly consistent, with notes of sugar, tangy dark fruit, anise like, semi-sweet floral grassy, wood, fermented hay, rich earth, tart sour citrus, spices, bready, orange peel, a slightly spicy and savory background note, and a peppery retro. Virginias are leading with Flavoring supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

Esoterica Cardiff - Sweet and tart bright Virginia blend. Grassy and fruity . I get a light boozy top note . It’s quite pleasant . Esoterica Seems to be unique for sure in the way they use different flavorings and alcohol in their blends unlike all the other blenders . Pure class if you ask me . It’s like they know exactly how to soften the tobaccos . They get a lot of hype because they are so hard to acquire but they really do set themselves apart from rest of the field . Maybe I enjoy them so much just because they are different? And I may tire of this blend after some time ? But enjoying this bowl of Cardiff right now and that’s what this hobby is all about ! 3 1/2