Esoterica Tobacciana Ramsgate
(2.96)
Selected dark and golden Virginias are hot pressed until black, with added licorice essence and a pleasant aroma enhancement. A savory, slow burning, non-biting tobacco with lasting fragrance.
Details
| Brand | Esoterica Tobacciana |
| Blended By | J.F. Germain & Son |
| Manufactured By | J.F. Germain & Son |
| Blend Type | Aromatic |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | Licorice, Other / Misc |
| Cut | Ready Rubbed |
| Packaging | 8 ounce bag |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild to Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.96 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 26 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 22, 2002 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
I've smoked many of the tobaccos by Esoterica for quite some time now and Ramsgate remains one of my favorites along w/Kingsbridge. For what it's worth, I gave it the highest recommendation mark because I've noticed that I seem to be coming back to the Eso's more and more often, and to Ramsgate in particular. The many pro's such as cleanness of burning, the quality tobaccos used and the tastes and aromas most assuredly outweigh any con's there may be. The mostly black tobacco rubs out easily, although I see no need to rub it out too much more, and packs well enough in any size bowl. Even "chimneys" would work well as long as you don't get too heavy fingered, but I find the smoke can get somewhat "stout" (but not overly unpleasant) nearing the last part of the bowl. I enjoy the lightly sour taste mixing w/ the mildly sweet, raisiny sort of taste that lingers through most of the bowl becoming less noticeable after the 2/3's down mark where a rich, dark smoky flavor seems to take over. Virtually no bite at any time, and just a slight gurgle near 1/2way point which was eliminated w/a quick swab of a cleaner. There were a few extra re-lights near the end, but since I wasn't in a pipe-smoking contest, who cares? The tobacco burned down to a pure, fluffy white ash w/maybe a tiny bit of dottle. When it comes to lightly flavored VA's this is one blend well worth trying, and any flavoring there is in no way masks the tangy taste of the quality VA tobaccos in this blend, so if you like hot-pressed, well matured, "savory, slow-burning, non-biting VA tobaccos", you may enjoy this.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
The Virginias are figgy/plummy with a little tart note. The finer nuances are hidden by the topping which is a little more licorice than I prefer. I think there may be a little honey in the topping as well. It's a fairly sweet smoke and as smooth as glass. If you like licorice more than I you will probably appreciate this. As for my taste, it's a two star smoke.
Mild to medium in body and flavoring. Medium in taste. Burns pretty well.
Mild to medium in body and flavoring. Medium in taste. Burns pretty well.
Pipe Used:
MM Little Devil Cutty, Little Devil Acorn, Marcus
PurchasedFrom:
Cup O' Joes
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2016 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Think of Ramsgate as an aproximation to the blending ways and style of Samuel Gawith and Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. If you are expecting an experience of licorice -in your face- this wouldnt be. This is pure straight virginia with delicate and sublimated undertones of licorice, rich soursweet grassy flavour and mid strength virginia body with a very subtle addition of the character of an aromatic.
It comes in beautiful stoven broken flake, a bit oily and demanding rubbing exercises, the smell is pungent and piquant while on pack. A bit of ferment and mildly vinnegar note circumvented by a little licorice note. In its first ignition presents a dense white smoke that comes to the palate as a very mild virginia, the licorice is very distant yet distinguishable, astringent smoke with a dry mild sweetness properly associated with pure virginias.
As it advances its character defines more the body of a robust and fermented virginia, aproximately to the league of "Lakelands" yet, never as floral, a lot less subtle in aroma but with all the strong body of a typical aged and stoved flake from that house, it is to notice its mid strength in the nicotine department and electric blue smoke. The virginias will denote its more characteristic grassy and soursweet qualities by the mid of the bowl and decreasing onwards when it will become more a mild virginia with a vague licorice aroma.
This is a very potent and exciting blend, it gets better by aging, softening its smokey and robust temper. Apt for a day of intellectual endeavours or a large lunting by the nature.
It comes in beautiful stoven broken flake, a bit oily and demanding rubbing exercises, the smell is pungent and piquant while on pack. A bit of ferment and mildly vinnegar note circumvented by a little licorice note. In its first ignition presents a dense white smoke that comes to the palate as a very mild virginia, the licorice is very distant yet distinguishable, astringent smoke with a dry mild sweetness properly associated with pure virginias.
As it advances its character defines more the body of a robust and fermented virginia, aproximately to the league of "Lakelands" yet, never as floral, a lot less subtle in aroma but with all the strong body of a typical aged and stoved flake from that house, it is to notice its mid strength in the nicotine department and electric blue smoke. The virginias will denote its more characteristic grassy and soursweet qualities by the mid of the bowl and decreasing onwards when it will become more a mild virginia with a vague licorice aroma.
This is a very potent and exciting blend, it gets better by aging, softening its smokey and robust temper. Apt for a day of intellectual endeavours or a large lunting by the nature.
Pipe Used:
Vauen 1889
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 08, 2006 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have no frame of reference by which to judge this blend; this style of preparation is entirely new to me: Well-cased but not at all syrupy, stoved to hell and back, musty and dark, Ramsgate has a phenomenal flavor with a tempered sweetness somewhat like anise, but by no means is it full-on licorice intensity. More like a sweet, leathery flavor with slightly fruit-like notes here and there.
A very fine cut helps keep moisture in balance and bowls evenly packed. Moisture level was a bit high out of the bag, but not unreasonably so, and dries quickly enough left out or under a lamp.
Everything about this blend is exceptional, but the tin note is really something else---an addictive, leathery-heathery sweetness like a Speyside Scotch.
A very fine cut helps keep moisture in balance and bowls evenly packed. Moisture level was a bit high out of the bag, but not unreasonably so, and dries quickly enough left out or under a lamp.
Everything about this blend is exceptional, but the tin note is really something else---an addictive, leathery-heathery sweetness like a Speyside Scotch.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 31, 2005 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
This is a really good aromatic. I find English made aromatics are quite different from American made blends. This has a natural licorice essence added to it,along with a very good natural tobacco taste.It is slightly sweet with no goop,gunk,or gurgle.It is slightly dry and quite pleasant on the palate.As a point of reference think Gawith tobaccos and you will get a pretty good idea of the flavor.3 of 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 30, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I have two 8 ounce packages of Ramsgate that I have had since 2004 or so when Esoterica tobacco's were available everywhere. I just opened one of the packs last week and it was in great condition although I should have transferred the contents to a ball jar years ago. Stoved until it is jet black and cut very thin with a licorice aroma. Lighting was easy and required two relights down the bowl which was clean and needed just a quick dump of the ashes. I enjoyed Ramsgate and will finish the 8ozs but will not go out of my way to locate more. Those who enjoy stoved Virginia might appreciate the light topping which IMO enhances the smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 08, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I have passed up on this Esoterica offering a few times as I am not normally an aromatic smoker. Having really enjoyed Bengal Slices and Fusiliers Ration, I realized that licorice can really enhance a smoke as opposed to killing it, so I gave this a try. I am glad I did. This is not an easy blend for me to review. The tin note is sweet and plummy, I don't get the faintest smell of licorice. I don't get the licorice flavor in the smoke either. It is certainly sweet and the stoving of the Virginia's has really smoothed and rounded out the tobacco flavors. That coupled with the casing creates a very unique smoking experience. The best way I can describe the flavor is of dark stewed fruit, with a mottled hay undertone. The casings provide a smooth sweetness but it isn't saccharine sweet, it is almost like the glaze on a doughnut. Retrohale provides some toasty notes and it has a pleasant after taste on the finish.
Not a go to blend for me but it is definitely enjoyable and a nice morning coffee smoke or dessert smoke in the evening.
Not a go to blend for me but it is definitely enjoyable and a nice morning coffee smoke or dessert smoke in the evening.
Pipe Used:
Briar’s and cob’s
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2016 | Very Mild | Extremely Mild | Very Mild | Pleasant |
Ramsgate is one of three similar blends (Blackpool, Kingsbridge). Mild, cool smoking, sweet, with a pleasant room note. Properly stored,these blends will age well, and I am anxious to experience the result.
Pipe Used:
Preben Holmes freehand
PurchasedFrom:
Local tobacconist
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 23, 2010 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I do not know what there are many people in this tobacco is so special. You may recognize some characteristic of the early morning if you smoke. However there are few, but some slight hint of licorice taste is rather flat. From mid-smoked on its minor features are accentuated.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 21, 2005 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Hard to rate this is. The licorice casing just doesnt work for me. While not a bad smoke, I just can't deal with the flavor of the casing used.
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