Esoterica Tobacciana Scarborough

Opening the metalized plastic bag reveals a tangled clump of 1mm wide ribbons – possibly from rubbed out flake. Its color ranges from honey brown to nearly black. The bouquet has only a mild tobacco aroma, but it possesses a smell reminiscent of powdered cocoa mix – complete with a complementary sweetness. The moisture level is ideal for immediate use; and it packs, lights and burns quite nicely.

Under the match Scarborough's Virginia is wine-like rather than sharp and grassy. A component in the overall taste is an herbal sweetness: imagine cooked carrots seasoned with basil; and that vague cocoa (or maybe licorice) taste alluded to in the bouquet also appears in the finish. As you can tell by my uncertainty, these tastes are pretty subtle and somewhat ineffable – so all the more delightful.

At around mid-bowl a slight tingling sensation develops on the back of the tongue and inner lips. It’s not the peppery pinch of Perique, but it reminds me of it. Something like that from a sharp, hay-like Va. flake wouldn’t raise an eyebrow, but it is quite unusual to find that tingle in a softer matured ribbon.

Scarborough has a very rich mouth feel, good body and strength, and a very smooth smoke stream that is not inclined to bite, though I don’t think I’d push this too hard. If smoked gently it will reveal subtlety and complexity; but it is equally well suited for smoking when your focus is somewhere else.

This blend doesn’t receive much attention – perhaps because it is eclipsed by its famously popular (and notoriously scarce) sibling, Stonehaven. It is attractive because it occupies a brighter, more exuberant niche in the Esoterica product line; and it possesses the same degree of quality, sophistication, and intrigue.

Sweet hay and citrus with a touch of honey and an occasional floral note. Some lesser dark fruit notes. That floral note reminds me of the type you get from good quality honey so I think there is a honey topping. No real evolution here other than a very mild earthiness that develops late in the bowl. A pleasant smoke.

Mild to medium in body. Medium in taste. Flavoring is very mild. Burn is a little spotty.

First off, I am partial to Virginia leaf. My S.Gawith FVF stash is down to the last pound and can't seem to find anymore so I went shopping. I'm glad I did.

I heartily agree with mgdurand. It's time to revisit/discover this blend.The pouch note took me by surprise!!what is that? ...peppermint? over the sweet grassy virginia? No, I think not. Just the natural scent of the cured leaf.

This can BITE if you rush it so stay low and slow. The nic hit is sublime and I find the flavor much more interesting than FVF.It's a brighter cleaner smoke.

I have enjoyed two small bowls in the last 4-5 hours and my tongue feels a bit numb but not burnt. May be time for another..

Of the three pure Virginias I have tried from Esoterica, this is perhaps the most flavorful and interesting. While not as dark and full as Dark Star or similar flakes, it is nevertheless not a weak or extremely subtle smoke. And while I don't find this style of tobacco to be outstanding, it is still a good early or middle-of-the-day smoke for me. The aroma in the sample bag is somewhat mild, a nice average Virginia smell with a good deal of sweetness. The tobacco is mostly medium brown, with a small number of very dark and very light pieces mixed in. The cut is medium to long, and the moisture level is fairly low. It packs with a bit of difficulty, at least in a narrow pipe bowl, and lights easily. It burns well, requiring an average number of relights during a bowl. In the first third, the flavor is sweet and medium, with a hint of spice. There is some fullness and body to this, though it is by no means a heavy blend. I find it more flavorful and darker than Peacehaven and Cardiff, the other two Esoterica Virginias I have tried. There is some minor bite, but this is easily avoided with slow puffing. In the second third of the bowl, the flavor has darkened and matured somewhat. The spice note is still present, but the sweetness has faded a bit. The smoke isn't exactly smooth, but it isn't overly biting either. The taste is good, well mixed and somewhat complex. In the last third, the flavor continues to darken slightly. This part is especially good using DGT; it really brings out the subtle flavors. There is little sweetness at this point, and the spice note is not overly obvious. There has been no moisture through the entire pipe, and the bowl smokes clean and dry down to the ashes. Overall, this is a nice mild to medium Virginia tobacco. There's nothing really spectacular to this one, but nothing bad about it either. It is a good, lighter Virginia with nice flavor and decent complexity. I recommend it to any Virginia smoker, and I will likely be buying a tin when my sample runs out.

Esoterica Scarborough- A Straight Virginia blend that’s mainly bright leaf and a little red- brown . Hay and grassy and tangy tart cirtus . A little floral . I believe a wine topping is in play here . Ready rubbed akin to Dunbar . Burns slow and no bite . Quite enjoyable blend but I probably wouldn’t buy it again as I have enough Dorchester to last me which I think is better . 3