Esoterica Tobacciana Dorchester

(3.27)
A special formulation of six light Virginias plus golden and dark Virginias with air-cured leaf and a pinch of Louisiana perique. Easy burning is ensured by the carefully selected cut. The perique balances the Virginias; for the discerning palate.

Details

Brand Esoterica Tobacciana
Blended By J.F. Germain & Son
Manufactured By J.F. Germain & Son
Blend Type Virginia/Perique
Contents Perique, Virginia
Flavoring Apricot
Cut Ready Rubbed
Packaging 2 ounce tin, 8 ounce bag
Country United Kingdom
Production Currently available

Profile

Strength
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.27 / 4
41

32

13

2

Reviews

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Displaying 71 - 80 of 88 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 08, 2011 Medium Extremely Mild Medium Tolerable
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!
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 10, 2010 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
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..
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 20, 2009 Medium Mild Mild to Medium Tolerable
This is my first review so understand that I am not familiar with describing pipe tobaccos. I usually smoke more aromatic and sweet tobaccos so this one was a bit of a change for me. I like the taste and the strength of it, but it is a bit on the spicy side. I enjoy the packaging and tin smell, but I feel like when it is smoke it is rather spicy and a bit harsh. I don't think I'll buy it again because of that but I am glad I tried it out.
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Sep 09, 2009 Medium Very Mild Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
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!
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Mar 19, 2007 Medium Very Mild Medium Pleasant
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"
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Aug 20, 2006 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant to Tolerable
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.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jun 09, 2005 Medium Medium Medium Pleasant
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
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 14, 2005 Medium None Detected Medium to Full Tolerable
I must admit to having smoked very little of this to date. I will update this as warranted. At this time it is too rich a flavor for my less-experienced palate. I much prefer Dunbar to Dorchester. If you like big taste in tobacco, give it a whirl. It is of the highest quality as well.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Oct 09, 2003 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant
Not much more need be added to the reviews of my esteemed colleagues, I'm just pokin' my nose in the door. I've stated before that I seem to reach for Esoterica tobaks quite frequently, and Dorchester is another winner that finds its way into my pipe bowls. Smooth and cool, the VA's are obviously high quality, lightly tangy, sweet and nutty & the Perique offers a bit of spice and balance to the smoke. Easy to pack and burns evenly and dry to a whitish ash. Virtually no bite, nary a gurgle. For some, IMO, this could be an all day smoke but YMMV. Another Olde World kinda smoke that too me is reminiscent of thatched roof cottages and quiet country lanes on an Autumn day. One of the better VA/Perique blends out there. Works for me.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Aug 29, 2003 Medium Extremely Mild Medium Pleasant
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.
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