Esoterica Tobacciana Stonehaven

UPDATE 01.05.2007 I'm upgrading my rating to 4 stars: Stonehaven has been growing on me, as I come better to appreciate its combination of nuttiness (Burley) and slightly sweet fermentation (VAs, pressing). I used to prefer Kingfisher, but no longer -- for complex combinations of flavor, every bowl a new surprise, Stonehaven can't be beat.

*** Stonehaven looks great: the stuff comes in plastic trays and resembles black slices of bacon. It smells great, too: the aroma is sweetish, tangy and a bit wine-like. It's a bit of a pain to rub out, but that's alright because it's better when not rubbed all the way.

The flavor is complex, combinging the sweetness of dark Virginias, the nuttiness of Burley with an ineffable fermented tang. At first I was disappointed and found the smoke bland; I would add Burley Slices to give it backbone. But that reaction was too hasty. Stonehaven is not bland; it's just, well, subtle. You have to pay attention -- more than you do with, say, Kingfisher -- but you're rewarded for doing so with a consistently interesting smoke. On first light the Virginias predominate, with a kick of sweetness and that wine-like tang, but as you go down the bowl the Burleys emerge with a full, nutty smoke. The three flavors -- sweetness, nuttiness, tanginess -- combine and recombine, always with a light touch, till you wind up with a pile of light grey ash.

I've tried this in large bowls and small, and I find the partially rubbed out flakes pack more easily in a small bowl

Another superb blend from Esoterica -- to me, the best producer on the market.

09/22/04 What can I say that hasn't already been said about this unique blend? I don't smoke it all the time, but I don't really know why. Every time I smoke it, I wonder why this isn't my everyday blend.

Stonehaven is a lovely, dark flake. After some drying, I rub the flakes out a little; it lights easy and stays lit. The taste is sweet and tart with a grassy base. The nicotine level is high enough to satisfy almost anyone. It never bites, no matter how hard you might push it.

Along with Dark Star/2035, Stonehaven is my favorite dark stoved blend. Give it a try.

07/28/06 I feel I need to update my previous review. The previous review was based on an aged 8 oz. sample that was given to me. I believe that's why I tasted some sweetness. I also compared Stonehaven to Dark Star or 2035, but a better comparison might be Full Virginia Flake, but less sweet and heartier than FVF. The fresh sample I'm smoking now, the sweetness is much more subdued; the burley is more prominent. The flavors are more of licorice, or perhaps tonquin, but very faint. There is a deepness both to the flavor and the smoke. I feel like I can almost chew the smoke. Stonehaven is a very satisfying tobacco. I've also upgraded to Highly Recommended.

This stuff is it. I like to pull off narrow strips that I roll up and drop in the bowl with a little rubbed out stuff on top and presto! It lights easily and I think the burley is the most noticeable component in the beginning of the bowl; nutty, grassy, figgy, lovely. By mid bowl the virginias start to really assert and they are rich and semi-sweet and the whole marriage is absolutely perfect. I think this is the best smoking experience I have ever had.

This is a straight forward blend. To me, it has an almost wine like aroma in the pouch. Very dark and having a note of some lesser known spice that I can not immediately call to mind.

Tough to rub out. I like to rub it out fairly well until I have some stringy chunks. I let them roll into the pipe. I have the best luck if I do not pack it too tightly. If you do pack it too much, the ash becomes so dense, that fairly early into the bowl, you reach a point where the ash is so dense that you can not relight the tobacco. And relight it you will. I usually empty the tank of my lighter on each bowl of this one.

I use a small bowled GBD Prehistoric for this, and it still takes me about two hours to smoke.

Very nice, tobacco flavor. No leather, or chocolate or spice. Just nice tobacco. I do not smoke this every day, not because I don't like it, but rather because I prefer it for special occasions.

As a new pipe smoker I had difficulty figuring out what the heck to do with this jerky, but after a few tries I think I've got it rubbed out right. I tried a few different methods and even packed it once as is (I just folded it over and stuffed it into the pipe!). When rubbed out correctly this burns great and is loaded with real flavor; a bit of chocolate, but bittersweet; not candylike, more natural. (I agree with csimser's recommendation to let it dry out for a bit before packing). The predominant player in the game is the Virginia, although the burley does get a chance to shine. When you're smoking this you know you're smoking quality tobacco. Everything about this weed is exceptional. Highly recommended.

A remarkable tobacco! In the "tin" (actually a plastic, sealed container), upon opening, the aroma is pungent and very strong. It is reminiscent of dark chocolate or red wine. Though very moist, it burns well, and is easily rubbed out. I have discovered, however, that it smokes the best when the rubbed out tobacco is allowed to air dry for an hour or so before smoking. The first few bowls after drying in this manner it reminded me of something, but I could not place it. Then I concluded it was the old "Three Nuns" I was thinking of, though this may be, I concede, a trick of memory.

The taste is complex and multi-layered ... yet entirely natural. The strong aroma detected upon opening is present, but is in no way cloying or over-powering. As I continue to smoke this, I am not sure if I have ever had a better tobacco at any time. A revelation.

If I could only smoke one tobacco, it is either this one, or this is the one I would miss mostly. This is what every blend wants to be when it grows up. Stonehaven ~ quite the enigma.

Yummers! Frankly, I was surprised to read on here Stonehaven has burley in it; normally I hate burley (granted, I have little experience with it). Anyway, 'twas all for the best, as I smoked without prejudice, and lo & behold, I was enraptured by the jerky strips of dark bark (actually bought in bulk for those of you who don't wish to invest in a tin).

The smell from the tobacco even before being lit was exceptional, and fragrant in a natural, Virginian way. I was very excited to smoke this and it came highly recommended-- now I just need to buy some to age!