Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance

Finally, a latakia-based blend that I can enjoy! Even for a VA-leaning set of taste buds like mine, this is really an enjoyable final-smoke-of-the-day blend that I really look forward too. I have always found the subtleties of latakia interesting, but the blends with which I had previously experimented either overpowered me with the latakia's dominance (which I find both overstimulating and boring all at once), or suffered from a less than optimal quality (a "dirt-like" taste). I have been searching for a blend that gave quality and balance, and Penzance meets my criteria. I don't know if I would ever have found it had it not been for the suggestion of pipestud. Thanks!

A great cruble cake style in slices. Smooth, creamy and rich. Always consistant in flavor, form and function. No tounge bite even when heavily puffed. 4 out of 4 stars.

This stuff is awesome, especially at the end of the day. Beautiful in the tin, rich and smooth in the bowl. Forget Nightcap; this is my go-to blend for a Latakia-rich end-of-the-day smoke.

So much has already been said about this blend allow me to sum up my feelings on this blend with the follwing sentence. The most heavenly and luscious "Liquid Latakia Cream"available to discriminating smokers everywhere.

I'm not a huge Latakia fan, especially in doses as large as that found in Penzance. Nonetheless, Penzance has an earthy quality and enough non-Latakia flavor to balance the Latakia. The tightly pressed flakes are fun just to feel and smell. And Esoterica has a knack for bringing nuances to its blends that can't be found in any other brand (well, except for Germain, but since they are blended by the same company, ...).

This is a high-quality blend that deserves the praise it has earned. While I won't be smoking a lot of it, I will keep a small sample around for those cold winter days when this type of blend just calls to me.

How could I have made it this far without trying Penzance, after reading all 61 reviews last night I decided to pay a visit to my tobacco shop and pick up some of this. The first thing I noticed when I opened the tin was the musty latakia smell. The Tobacco crumbles very easily and makes for easy packing, however in the windy state of California lighting was a bit of a chore. However, one I lit the pipe I was in for a reward. The latakia and the orientals mix smoothly and the virgina gives just enough of a kick to keep this blend exciting. This a rewarding smoke that brings up images of a foggy morining in London. I will be making quite a few trips to my tobacco shop to stock up on Penzance

When I opened the tin I discovered a rich leathery dark aroma that I can only discribe as heavenly. The flaked tobacco crumbled with ease and packed evenly with simple gravity and a light tamp. The flavor of this tobacco is very in line with it's aroma, full and rich. With light tamping Penzance smoked cool requiring very few relights. A Latakia blend you owe to yourself to try. You won't be disapointed.

This tobacco is to some degree a bit difficult to work with especially at first. I smoke this blend more than once a week almost always in a meerschaum and it is sometimes for me difficult to pack perfectly(which way is that?) for the simple fact that it crumbles into nothing if you don't exercise just the right touch when rubbing and packing. The heavier chunks must go in first on all the way up the bowl with the smaller pieces till finally the shreads at the top of the bowl have almost a worm dirting texture to them. Having said that the rest of the process is considerally less troublesome. It smokes dry and evenly, and has a flavor that I enjoy when drawn slowly with care. I dislike the results always from overheating any tobacco with my meer, but Penzance even more so. I do however strongly recommend this weed. [email protected]

Wow! Good stuff, but it's a little strong. I'll definitely have a full stomach next time. Opened the tin, great smelling tobacco. Latakia is the main squeeze, I think. The flakes crumble VERY easily, and within mere seconds I was packing it in my GBD churchwarden.

It's a very fine smoke. It has it's complexities, and sweetness, and there's definitely an exotic tobacco in there that I haven't quite gotten the hang of identifying, but it's very nice. It provides a nice eucalyptus-esque flavor, and is not entirely unlike King Charles.

The only drawback to this tobacco is perhaps that it is a little wet, and smokes a little hot as a result. I don't think some drying would hurt this a bit. It intensifies quite a bit towards the end of the bowl, and there is something of a spiciness that I enjoy, but could see someone else being a little put-off by it.

All in all, good stuff. I give it a 8 out of 10. I think it's a great English blend, and deserves to be called a GREAT representative of english blends.

8 out of 10 for me is a VERY high score.

Cheers!

Daniel