Esoterica Tobacciana Margate

I received from Mr. Ed Mitchell a can of Margate, as a result of an inquiry a few days ago (ask and ye shall receive!). Margate is from Esoterica, and promises "Best Full English" on it's label. Appearance: Nice oily wrapper, inside a bit more monochromatic than I expected. Checked the date... AH HA! Mr. mitchell is a connoisseur, who cellars his weed. The can had been aging a couple of years, diminishing the gold on brown contrasts that I'm used to seeing on most Latakia blends. The tobacco, unfluffed, has an almost "gelled" appearance, with a mirror flat surface and a slight sheen. Fluffing the same reveals a gorgeous, soft, yet wiry tobacco with just the right amount of moisture. Packs wonderfully. Lets take 'er for a spin.... Test Drive: Butane hits weed releasing a wonderfully complex smoke, with earthy undertones similar to an Imperial Grade Pu-Erh tea. Virginias more than hold their own in this blend, lending multilayered complexity to the whole. In the tradition of the very best Englishes, each puff reveals a little more of one aspect, and withdraws another. Slightly sweet, overtly "Va", segueing into rich Latakia perfume, shifting to hints of a garden after a light spring shower. Overall, I'd have to judge the strength as a med-full rather than a full. I deliberately let the smoke go out, and fired it again, 1/2 hour later. Still great, slightly less complex, but more intriguing than the majority of Latakia blends you are likely to run in to. She's a winnah! Overall, highly recommended. 9 out of 10 Bear claws

Bear

The wax paper that covers the tin appears soaked in tobacco oils, as is often the case with Esoterica Tobacciana tobaccos, although in this case it is also justified because a few years have passed since the packaging date. The crystallization of the sugar can be seen in all the strands of the different ingredients that make it up, including the latakia. In the pipe it performs like a good quality tobacco: it burns very well, it does not generate moisture, it does not bite at all and the general flavor of the whole is very rich. As you can see, I find no fault with Margate. That said, I would like to clarify that given the enormous difficulty in Europe to acquire Esoteric tobaccos, I will not suffer as much for not obtaining this one as with other tobaccos. Just as I consider Dorchester, Dunbar or Tilbury, of the same brand, irreplaceable, I can find other English blends on the market that replace Margate. But this may also be because, although I like latakiada blends, my favorite tobaccos are virginias and va/per. As always I recommend, try it and decide for yourself. What is certain is that you will not go wrong...

Margate reminds me of Bach’s Goldberg variations in the way the tobaccos interplay as the flavors are consistent yet dynamic. The Virginias are grassy sweet and citrus exuding quince and plum notes and are in the background. The premium Cypran latakia is dry, silky smooth and redolent of hickory smoke. The select Orientals are spicy, slightly floral sweet and nutty. There is a light topping, perhaps plum, which has a harmonizing effect on the blend. Slightly moist and may need dry time, the ribbon cut is easy to pack and keep lit requiring few relights as it burns evenly to a salt and pepper ash. No harsh or dull spots and won’t bite your tounge. A must try Oriental forward English blend.

Another sumptuous treat from the Esoterica line. This is a full flavored English mixture that distinguishes itself from a field of strong competitors. A most unique blend. Firstly, i must say that the oriental component here imparts a very exotic, pungent, and lush element to the flavor. My guess is that this is augmented by a top note, but if so it is deftly done, and its possible that the varietals themselves are solely responsible for the piquancy. Latakia is employed perfectly, it is rich and cool and woody. There is an anise/licorice note throughout that melds softly with the latakia in an incense-like way. The lack of virginia sweetness results in a dry, fragrant, muted smoky depth that is unique in its class. I have 2 pipes dedicated to the blend, both small bowled. Try this if you favor unique English blends driven by oriental bases. It is a wonderful smoke. Light on nicotine, this is one i savour for its scent and flavor alone. A deep, lovely well crafted mixture for contemplative moods, one that i keep an 8oz stock of and smoke only very rarely. I have a tin of its relation pembroke that has been in my cellar for nearly 3 years and have yet to open it...i find it hard to imagine margate being better with added cognac, but one of these days i will give it a spin and find out!

Like Penzance, this is good tobacco. Due to the difficulty in getting these blends, I think the mythology built around them is overrated and not deserved. There are many other blends as good or better, and that are in ample supply.

The tin I smoked had nearly a year on it before it was opened. Absolutley amazing flavours, smooth, soft and 'buttery'. The taste is similar to 965, but without the ciggie notes, delicate but full, enough nicotine for me, only just..

I have smoked a lot of nice tasting stuff, but this takes the cake. It could only be improved by making it a touch stronger. I'm gonna stock up.

I think this is a sleeper blend that gets lost in the limelight of its siblings Penzance and Stonehaven. I really like this as a medium-strength english blend with lots of flavor. Apparently it has no Virginia leaf, but it does not suffer in the arenas of sweetness or strength. A very tasty blend, it's one that I want to cellar, and it's actually readily obtainable!

Probably my favorite of the Esoterica latakia mixtures (or the one I tolerate most): a classic English blend, with the typical mustiness and rich smell of good aged leaf.

It's dark, bittersweet, rich and spicy, but overall very rounded. Not as punchy as some Dunhills, although it reminds me a bit of the old Nightcap (when it was still a good tobacco), without its extreme strength. After a few days (the tobacco in the tin comes very moist), it becomes more balanced and subdued.

For me, not memorable or anything special compared to the "drier" and cleaner tastes of GLPease mixtures, but a good blend anyway.

If you like this, you might want to try And So to Bed, too.

Opening up this Bag of Margate it looked like almost all the tobacco was black Latakia . I was a little afraid I had made a mistake buying this . I did not ! Fairly wet The Tobacco was I loaded up immediately . Latakia blends and shag cuts for me smoke better moist . The Latakia is forward in this blend but the Orientals are right there with them . The Virginias are on the light side but do contribute to this overall nicely balanced blend . Very rich smokey and salty. . A little spice , sour and buttery , creamy flavor . floral and incense Aromas . Just a tad bit of sweetness and citrus . A nice aftertaste lingers pleasantly. 3 1/2 stars . Now maybe the Tobacco Gods will bless me with some Penzance and Stonehaven !