Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance

I'm a novice in the pipe-smoking world. Been smoking daily for about 2 months. Haven't had a cigarette since then. (Good call.) I've enjoyed reading the reviews here and found them helpful as I find out what works for me.

Honest disclosure here- I bought a tin of Penzance because I'm a confirmed Anglophile and I love Gilbert & Sullivan. I know, silly reason. Fact is, brand name is a powerful advertising tool.

I opened the tin and, like many others here, was not optimistic. A couple of bowls, however, and I was in love. I can't give the details like the more experienced and knowledgable here. I just know I REALLY like it.

I have a couple of others in my rotation, but nothing yet can match (The Pirates of) Penzance!

Now that's what I'm talking about! Penzance is a wonderful, full flavored flake. Upon opening the small rectangular tin I noticed the short flakes were quite soft and delicate; the tin aroma is earthy and pungent, woodsy. Removing several flakes from the tin I easily rub them out in my palm with my thumb. Packing is a gentle proposition with this and all Esoterica blends and filling my Sasieni King Size billiard was a cinch. One match to char and another to light, add a little gentle tamping along the way and an hour and a half of enjoyment was blissfully puffed away. The Latakia is there along with the VA and Orientals, everything is in proper balance. My only regret is that I had waited so long to try this delightful blend. Ten out of ten stars.

This has been one of my favorites for years and is regularly in my rotation. I like everything about it - the smell both in the tin and lit, the way it crumbles and packs, the lack of bite, the way it rubs out and packs, the cool dry smoke; oh, and most of all, the flavor. Is there any way to improve it? Well, not the tobacco but perhaps if it could sell for $20 a pound ....

Penzance is a fine flake blend. It's latakia is slightly understated, as compared to some of the other English blends, but it comes through nicely anyway. The Virginias are delicious.

No bite. Burns well.

I ordered a 2 oz. tin and was extremely excited when it came in the mail. I enjoyed it's pretty, simple looking tin. I opened it up and took a whiff. Oh my goodness this stuff smelled terrible. I could compare it to rotting leaves, pencil shavings, Sharpie markers and tar, all blended together and hard pressed and cut into thick flakes. I crumbled a bit into my Peterson and lit this dark mass of rotting filth. First I was quickly hit with the scent, something I will never forget. Immediate images of the forest, beautiful peacful fields and nature in general came to mind. The taste was so pleasing, that I forgot to blow out and inhaled it by accident. It tastes and smells so earthy, and pure. I smoked aromatics when I began pipe smoking a year ago, but this is what I smoke. Pipe smoking didn't appeal to me until I tried this absolutely amazing blend. Now I'm hooked.

After finishing a pound of it, I rushed to ordered two pounds! Latakia lover should not try it... 'cos it may run out of stock...then you are in trouble! Please read all details by other 4 stars reviewers. If you're new to Latakia leaf, try it, I am warning you, this crumble thing is addictive!!!

I love penzance, this is my favorite tobacco. it is all that i personally could ask of a leaf and more. rich but not overpowering. packs well requires a relight but is still tailor made for me.

Penzance, Penzance thou casteth that lovely nicotine trance. Boy am I glad I found this early on! This stuff is just beautifully yummy. Packed into this tin are small sheet cakes of English smoothness. This is a rich creamy smoke no matter how you puff it...simply put its divine! Penzance is like VISA...don't leave home without it nor be without it in your supply. This is truly a darn near perfect smoke. Simply yummy!

I see the Professor, in his review below, helped us with understanding the name Penzance: holy headland. Holy is a perfect intensifier for my description of this offering: holy mole, holy cow, and holy mackerel are just a few.

The amazing Virginians of Rattray (Old Gowrie, Marlin Flake, HOW), the standards of Dunhill (965, EMP, NC), and the Balkan delight of Pease Odyssey all have qualities by which I measure all others. And then there is Penzance. Char then light and moderate attention allows a smoke without relight. The tastes, both complex and simple, all the way through the bowl are nothing short of amazing. Penzance follows your desire, no searching necessary. Smoke it fast or smoke it slow ? either way is fine. You lead this dance, not the other way around.

My exhaustive search for the perfect smoke still continues, but it is no longer as intense thanks to the placating qualities of Penzance.