Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance

I'm not a latakia lover but this blend is something to remember. Very rich taste of latakia and not a bite at all. Very high quality. I cannot give more than 2 stars because of i'm not a latakia addicted..

Penzance is possibly the most addictive substance known to latakia smokers, and well worth every penny. Consistency to the bottom of the bowl, rich and complex flavors, a crumbly texture that makes loading very simple, and something very unique and satisfying in the smoke of this masterfully blended cake have made Penzance the most plentiful tobacco in my cellar.

One of my all-time favorite tobaccos! A delightful English blend that is never tiring or dull. Penzance possesses a tasty latakia earthiness and a creamy, satisfying smokiness without an overload of nicotine. A true all-day smoke, or one to be savored after a fine meal. Four stars!

For a full English blend, Penzance is somewhat milder than I expected. I find that I enjoy it immensely. Margate and Odyssey are definately stronger, and 965 is a bit milder. This blend seems to find a great happy medium by having great latikia and oriental flavors but without being overly smoky tasting from excessive latikia. The result is that the other ingredients peep through and all contribute to a full flavored yet surprisingly smooth smoking experience. The crumble cake slices do indeed crumble quite easily so you can rub this out with minimal effort to whatever consistency you want. I find it easy to light and keep lit, and it burns quite cool. Tongue bit is minimal and this is a very easy blend to smoke. The more I smoke of this the more I come to enjoy it. I think I will make this a staple. Others may make stronger latikia blends but this one is exceptionally well done, full flavored but not overpowering. Well worth trying some out if you are sampling English blends.

After being more than disappointed with Margate, I have not ventured for another Esoterica Tobacciana product until now. Penzance, as a place in England, is a special place. Literally, Penzance means 'holy headland' in Cornish (i.e. Cornwall). One of its most magical places (there are many) is the Minack Theatre--an amphitheatre painstakingly built, rock by rock, by Miss Rowena Cade in the 1930s. The open-air theatre sits on the edge of a cliff-face overlooking the ocean. It is quite amazing. And I lived relatively close for a period of time. As a tobacco, by Esoterica Tobacciana, Penzance is less than its namesake. Still, this is a solid (be it uniform) mild tobacco with a good Latakia influence. Penzance is an ideal morning tobacco, but it is too mild and does not have enough flavour for more than a bowl to start the day. The flake crumbles marvellously and, in raw form, I am rather charmed by this offering. Unfortunately, I cannot award Penzance tobacco four stars. It is, though, a recommended solid three--and for good reason. Give it a go!

Penzance is huge, round, and complex. It's a Latakia orgy.

Incredible stuff.

First ever at this but here goes. I ordered Penzance based on the 4 star rating and some of the eloquent descriptions. I will be smart enough next time to order only a 2 oz. trial sample.

The tobacco arrived in the sealed foil pouch which had to be cut open with a pair of scissors. Inside was a styrene boat only sealed well enough to contain the sliced tobacco. Upon opening the boat the fines floated out everywhere. My solution was to get a quart size Ziplock freezer bag that I could slip the boat into and then turn the bag and boat over. Then I cut the label so to fit in the bag, slipped the now emptied boat out of the bag and sealed the bag shut. I discarded the remains of the container and policed up the spilled fines with a dust buster.

I had been prepared for a heady tobacco aroma but was puzzled to only experience a mild new aroma for me which I take it is due to the latakia. The sliced tobacco was fairly crumbled by now so I filled a revirginalized (Thank you Tom Wolfe) Savenelli billiard as I would usually with fore finger tamping until the pipe was full. The pipe was not tamped special, just merely with the same compaction as usual.

Now the test. The tobacco lighted easily with what seemed to me to be a great lot of smoke and without significant drawing on the pipe. I thought the taste mysterious and rather faint compared to my Virginia favorites. I don't like boiled broccoli either as it is not to my taste. Of note long long ago I also smoked London Dock and if the reader has shared that gloppy experience then the contrast to the faint flavor of Penzance is self explanatory IMHO. Notably there was no tongue bite for me as I smoke slowly and believe a pipe should have one's full attention other than the daydream of favor whilst having a pipe.

I am thinking that I may have waited too long to try an English blend such that a total appreciation of same was not my lot. Though while I was smoking I did think of our English friends that might have an overbite so as to suck air in over the teeth with gusto and if this their tobacco preference so be it. I smoked the entire pipe until all that remained was fine white ash that fell from the bowl easily without dottle. I might say also there didn't seem to be a nicotine hit of any consequence.

I haven't given up on Penzance yet though and could come back later to update the foregoing if so moved.

Penzance is all that! This is the very best a classic Balkan style blend can offer. The additional thing Penzance brings to the table is being pressed into flake, allowing a unique marriage of the tobaccos rendering an earthiness and smoothness second to none. This tobacco will burn all the way down to a fine white ash, even when fresh out of the tin - despite the moist feel and oily content when first opened. If you have it around long enough to dry out, it still never becomes harsh as with some blends. This is the real deal!

I'll just throw my two cents in on this blend -- it's great. Latakia, Orientals and VA in perfect balance! I liken this to Red Rapparee in many ways (another great blend), though I think this is stronger and even more smokey. I only wish more really go blends came in cruble cake form. This is quite a full blend, both in strength and taste. So, if you want to smoke this, make it one of the last bowl of the day, otherwise, if you smoke something lighter afterwards, it will taste bland. Or, if you are so inclined, smoke this all day -- you might be able to, but I think my taste buds would need about a week off to recover.