Esoterica Tobacciana Stonehaven

At 24 years of age I’m under no false pretense regarding my inexperience in the world of pipe smoking. I’ve smoked for 5 years- so what? Undoubtedly a number of robed and bearded “old timers” of this great art across the nation will feel a collective cringe in spirit from an unknown place when I take up the slot of the 200th review on this legendary blend. And while it is true that I do not stand to add much to the extensive tasting notes described so eloquently, and sadly at times facetiously, on the review page for this extraordinary flake…the only useful addition I see myself fit to weigh in on is as an advocate for the “fold and stuff” method- oh that tantric bulwark! It never seems to fail me with flakes. The fact of the matter is this: for five years I’ve searched, suffered, and demurred in pursuit of even a taste of Stonehaven. However, in the past year, nigh-on prayers have turned to providence and I now find myself with nearly 20oz of this dark and fragrant pipe weed. (Bought mostly in 2oz increments from various brick and mortar stores and an 8oz bag practically gifted to me in Jackson, MS). I say none of this in boast or- dare I revert to college colloquialisms- to “flex”, but rather to say this: I’ve smoked a lot of this stuff recently. Something in me just wouldn’t bow to the idea of storing it all up for who-knows-when; jolting upright in the middle of the night from a cot on the floor of my cellar at 60 years of age to gaze at, waft, and mull over my spoils. Of course I have put some away- you never know when the hammer will fall and Esoterica will be no more (oh the legends that will be written from that day onward!) but I finally feel acquainted enough to throw my hat into the ring on the subject of methodology.

And now, for the much shorter section on how I think it smokes best. I’ve tried everything- tearing, rubbing, breaking, drying for hours (I put it in the oven once!) or sometimes days, and even…microwaving (seven times I washed my face in penance for such a deed as this!). Yet of all these methods I found simplicity to be the best answer. My recommendation is as follows: Let it sit in a mason jar for 3 weeks to a month (I always notice a marked difference when my flakes have “settled” in this manner), take out a flake or two, fold them a few times, and stuff them in your beloved briar. Sometimes I’ll take a sliver of one of the flakes and rub that out to put on top- it can help in getting it lit properly. After this ritual has been performed I simply light it up and sit back. Personally I haven’t felt the need to dry the flakes at all when using the “fold and stuff” although- if the oddly captivating and, admittedly, strong topping isn’t your forte, drying for an hour seems to force the added flavoring behind the virginias.

Of course, as any good pipe smoker should say: to each his own. However to me this is how I met the version of Stonehaven I have absolutely fallen in love with. (And, if you’re wondering, there’s no chance whatever that its elusive nature has beguiled me into this love…not at all……even a little bit……) Regardless, I’ve enjoyed every ounce.

God bless.