Esoterica Tobacciana Tilbury

I was first introduced to this fine blend this past Summer by a wise Tobacconist. I was new to pipe smoking and coming from topped tobaccos when he patiently recommended this blend. Having been smoking sugary, scented bowls before then this tobacco at first took me aback: where were all of the huge, overblown flavors I was used to? What was going on here was far more subtle, but still there was enough there to intrigue me. So I gave it a few bowls and found out what a really pure tobacco taste could be - the sweetness that came from Virginias themselves and not from a topping. Having put it aside for some months in favor of some excellent Va-Pers from the same blender I just came back to it this morning. It is great. Not only am I now able to fully appreciate the glory of the Virginias, but I can now detect the presence of the bit of burly that's been incorporated and the nutty depth they give to the blend. I could smoke this all day if I had the chance.

This blend comes in a nice copper colored tin with a white label affixed to the front; the font is fancy on the tin label and very appealing to my eye. Upon opening I was greeted with a sweet, fig-like aroma...very pungent. The cut is that of long ribbons and after about an hour was at the perfect humidification for packing and smoking. This blend lit very well and produced a good volume of smoke.

The taste and aroma was heavenly. The Virginias were smooth but had a wonderful strength to them. There was a creamy nuttiness due to the burlies and I found this blend to be very satisfying. There was minimal tongue bite at first due to my excitement but things cooled down as I slowed down a bit. This is now one of my favorite blends and I look forward to trying it's cousin Stonehaven soon.

something very round, fine, delicate and definitely different.

Maybe I got a bad batch of this stuff because it almost blew my head off. Two days after smoking it my tongue still burns. I tried cutting it 50/50 with Prince Albert and it is still painful. I smoke for enjoyment, not to prove how much pain I can take.

A very natural, pure, true tobacco taste.

It needs to be dried for a full pleasant smoke and for an easier burn. I used Pipestud's method to chop it a bit and it worked great. Packed and lit easy. The flavor does not offer surprizes, it smokes in just one way and it is the great natural virginia taste and sweetness in which the burley's gentle sourness is added. In this way it has a pleasant smoke in which the strength increases gradually. The bowl finishes without the strength begins to overwhelm. Suitable for me for daily, any hour consumption. It can really cause a dizziness!

I am sorry that I didn't smoke it till now. I'll try to have more tins in my stock ready for any moment.

This is great, non aromatic blend for virgina burley mix...The tin is ok...It needs to be dry for me...Then start to packing its very easy and pleasure...No toung bite... Nicotine level is not high...

When i start to smoke, virginia taste is very strong...I like it...I smoke half bowl like that...Than suddenly virginia goes and sweet burley comes...What a taste, its one word...GREAT...You want to smoke all day... Its 3,5 to 4

PS : Thanx to pipestud... PS2 : Dont smoke with Itallian Pipes 🙂

I certainly agree with some of the writers here. Why did I wait so long to smoke this weed. Mine was in an 8oz baggy. I was surprise some people say that theirs needed to be dried out. Mine was perfect. This to me is a very nice Robust Flavor. No bite but although you need to puff this slowly not beacuse of the bite but you will get some kind of a nicotine rush. No flavor detected just all tobacco. Reminds me of what an Old School Tobacco is. I have smoked stonehaven which is also great but Prefer Tillbury.

Virginia lovers you NEED TO TRY THIS!! Sweet yet refreshing at the same time. I would almost say it's like having a glass of cool lemonade on a hot day. This is a very smooth blend that hints at a nutty taste from the burley, and the sweet playful taste of the Virginias. An excellent combination!! If you like a little bit more "sour" taste then you MUST try Special Latakia Flake by JG Germain. It's the counterpart to this blend.

I bought an 8oz bag of this at the local B & M. A friend of mine works there and he said the bag is from 2003, so it had some age on it. When I opened the bag I noticed the smell of Figs/Chocolate, inhabited this fine ribbon cut smoke. This blend smokes fantastic for me, maybe a little fast for some, but it burns to a fine white ash with few relights. The flavor which is high quality VA, is apparent throughout with a few undertones of burley. Never been bitten by this yet. This blend is easily inhailed if you choose to do so. From my experience this is a top notch blend that has earned its keep in my rotation.

Note: My review was based on an 8oz bag with 5 years of age on it.