Esoterica Tobacciana Dorchester

Esoterica's Dorchester is a blend of several different Virginias, what they call air-cured leaf, and perique. They describe it as containing a pinch of perique, but to me it seems to be a generous pinch. It is said to be for a “discriminating palate,” and since I really like this blend I'll take that as a compliment! The tobacco itself is a ready-rubbed ribbon, though with some larger pieces of less rubbed broken flake. In color it is mostly browns and golds, though with some very dark, almost black mixed in. The blend is rather moist for my taste, and so I found that I like to allow it some time to air dry; doing so also allows me to enjoy the rich and pungent aroma of this blend, which has a smell that reminds me of the haroset my children bake for Hanukkah. The perique in the blend adds the usual, raisin-ish taste and aroma to the tobacco, though it hits me differently than perique does in some blends. While the flavor from it is a good, pronounced presence it isn't as spicy to me as in other blends, which I think might be the result of some amazing balancing of the other constituent tobaccos with the perique. What it does add, however, is a level of flavor and depth absent in many straight Virginia blends. Dorchester seems to somehow become lost in larger pipes, so I would recommend using only smaller bowls. I have a Group 4 Dunhill which seems about perfect for the blend, as does a Kirk Bosi pipe. In smaller bowls, the nuance and variety of each type of leaf seems able to escape from the others at various times during the smoke, and so to show a wonderful complexity in the tobacco. Smokers who complain that Virginia blends lack flavor will be delighted by this Virginia blend for that reason. The flavors become richer and more pronounced as you get deeper into the bowl, never becoming bitter or acrid. All in all, this is a delightful blend, and one I highly recommend. However, bear in mind that it is best suited for smaller pipe bowls, and prepare to be disappointed if you load it into something large!

Well, first of all I must say that, if you are not a fan of the blends in which the Perique addition has made generously stay away from this stuff. The tobacco in the tin smells nice. It has a shaggy ribbon cut so some of you may prefer to chop it a bit. For me tha packing was not a problem. It lights easily and I can keep it lit without problems. The Virginias are really flavorful and sweet. Perique doesn't let you to enjoy a lot this sweetness. It is spicy and very peppery. The combination of flavors and overall strength of the blend satisfies me. I've enjoyed every bowl of it and ordered some more..

Edit--I have to upgrade this tobacco to 4 stars. I just finished a bowl that was just...sublime. No other word for it. Sweet Virginias, and enough perique to make me say WOW. This could easily become my favorite. Favorite VaPer, anyway!

This is a wonderful "next step" when the new pipe smoker wants a little something more than an aromatic. Though I can't speak for the more experienced pipe smoker (I've been at this for less than a year) I'll bet it could become a real regular smoke. Wish it was available in bulk! Try it, you may make a friend for life!

Dorchester.19/03/07. I have given Dorchester,a rating of "Highly Recommended" So,long as it has some to it.One half of my generous sample has been aged for a minium of six month's.And the other half for twelve month's."Result" Delicious,perfecto! "Without doubt" Well behaved all the way down to the bottom of the bowl,leaving no goop,or sourness at all. "Highly recommended"

Ahh Dorchester. I'm surprised this gets only 3 stars overall. I think this is a perfect VaPer. Spicey virginias, they say are six, are full of body, and mild sweetness, perique is in the precise amount to counterbalance. No bite, and it's cheap, too. 20$$ for 8 oz. . . a little rugged tasting. . .bitchin'stuff.

This is a marvelous VA/PER which is extraordinarly well-balanced. The blend of Virginias and Perique work together in excellent harmony. There is a hint of sweet to the smoke and room note and a double helping in the tin aroma. I cannot understand the reviews noting this blends dryness and/or bitterness as it doesn't exhibit either characteristic regardless of type or size of pipe to my mind. Mild enough to be an all-day blend without being cloying but stout enough to feel like you smoking real tobacco with no shortage of character. Highly recommended

This is my all-day Va/Per blend. It smells and tatses wonderfully fruity and figgy and the perique kicks in nicely mid-bowl without overwhelming the blend or the palate. Packs and lights easily, no tongue bite, burns clean to a fine ash. What can I say? This is an ideal tobacco. I buy it in bulk and keep it on hand at all times. Another stunner from Esoterica.

I love this stuff. Another wonderful Esoterica blend. Dorchester as you have read is a virginia/perique blend that has a musty aroma in the tin and on lighting has a wonderful flavor profile and spicy side as well due to the perique. At any time of day is very enjoyable. This is one of my favorite Va/Perique blends along with Dunbar, Astley's #2, Escudo and Haddo's Delight. I would have to say I have preference for Astleys #2 then Dorchester and then Dunbar for my top three. A big 4 1/2 stars.

Dorchester is a lovely shag-cut Virginia/Perique blend. The cut is very fine, and in the tin, one smells the rank pungency of Perique that heralds a good smoke. This is a bit hard to pack due to the length of the cut, but once lit, it burns very well. This blend burns cool, doesn't bite much if at all, and alternates between a nice cool neutral taste and a sweet Virginia taste with hints of Perique pepper breaking through. This blend didn't really "develop" for me, but there's enough interplay in the basic ingredients to keep me entertained. Dorchester produces a lot of smoke, always a plus for me, and it burns to a fine white ash. Plus it doesn't clobber the palate as some Latakia blends do. This makes a very nice morning smoke and goes well with a fine Assam, or even Green, Tea.