Esoterica Tobacciana Margate

Love. Can you love a tobacco too much?

I'm just finishing up way too many Pease VA/Per blends and I told my tobacco guy I wanted a big smoke with NO deer tongue. He mentioned this one, and I jumped. Normally I go in for the Balkan Blends as a daily smoke, and this was recommended to me as a Balkan. Not in my book.

This is a big, dark, brooding English that tastes of Chocolate, Coffee, and old books. A beautiful Shag cut that burns great. Once in a while the VA's added some sweet, but overall it was sharp and a bit musty. The effect on the tongue was actually soothing, with no bite at all. It's not as spicy and rich as Westminster, but spice isn't what I'm looking for so often.

This is my go to English from hence forth. Awesome.

I just realized that I had not rated one of my favorites, one that I have been smoking for at least 10 years now. This blend is exceptional and I find no real comparison to Penzance except that both have lots of Latakia. Margate has a distinct musty or sour taste that is very pleasing. I am smoking some from my cellar that is at 3 years old and find it superb, but the new weed fresh is just about as delicious. If you like a stout English give it try. I am certain you won?t be disappointed.

The aroma in the tin is rich with latakia, and that's the first flavor that the greets the match. Once the pipe is going, the latakia gives way to an occasional visit by the orientals and a more lingering stay by the Virginias. At the end, the latakia again comes to the fore.

For me, Margate is heavy beams, dark shadows, and the whiff of pungent incense. The orientals are dark and deliciously mellow, while still providing that distinct tang that I find so appealing. And the Virginias taste toasted to me, round and dark, not sweet or sharp or "bright/lively" in the bowl.

If thought of simply as a "full English," Margate is one among many. But it stands on its own, and I believe it's worth seeking out. It's nothing like London Mixture or 965; it's no standard-issue English. Its qualities are more in line with the dark, toasty characteristics of Presybterian Mixture. (I was trying Margate and Presbyterian during the same cycle and found that, surprisingly, they are far more similar than they are different -- despite a huge difference in latakia content.) Fire up a bowl when you have the time to give it your attention, and I think you'll be richly rewarded.

This winter I have been smoking Odyssey, Pembroke, Penzance, Red Rapparee and Margate. To my taste buds Margate is different from Penzance. I cannot say whether the virginias are different or the orientals are different. Penzance - and Odyssey - are creamy and buttery in mouth feel, whereas Margate has a sharper edge, and is slightly stronger in nicotine. I am also tempted to say that Margate is to Penzance as Red Rapparee is to Black Mallory, but that would not capture the distinction quite as the difference between the latter two is much greater.

Margate is a magnificent smoke, worthy of each of the accolades it has recieved. Recommended without any reservations to smokers of English mixtures.

An excellent blend in tin or by bulk. The bulk version is well mixed and appears to be identical to the tin, the bulk is a little dryer than the tinned in my experience. Aging does enhance this blend. I go through cycles with a lot of blends where I smoke it then get tired of the blend and switch to another. Not Margate, this is an everyday smoke for me. The Latakia is not overdone and the Orientals are in perfect proportion for my tastes. On its own merits I find this to be an excellent medium English.

While the blender's description adquately describes what goes into Margate, I am just unimpressed with it. For me, it did not even remind me of any of those blends no longer in production. I don't find it full bodied at all, and not at all satifying. For whatever it's worth, my default Balkan Blend is GLPease' Kensington.

This was a disappointmnet from this otherwise fine blender.

With the demise of Dunhill, it is becoming more difficult to find true English blends. Germain blends are thus becoming more treasured around my home. This is a wonderful medium full blend. It has the characteristic Germain anise character, perhaps their trademark. Though a bit pricey, I find this to be a perfect evening smoke. It is smooth yet flavorful, without the wallop that the old Dunhill blends used to give me. It is consequently more soothing. It is a bit pricey. However it repays the investment in full, with interest. I love this now, and will especially enjoy it when the weather turns cool.

Also, make sure you have time to sit down and enjoy this. It is meant to be savored. Very satisfying.