Esoterica Tobacciana Woodbridge

I agree with Pipestud in that this tobacco is kind of stuck between worlds. I wouldn't call this an aromatic in the way many are familier with as there is a lot of tobacco taste here. At the same time, lovers of aromatics may not find enough casing to satisfy. Woodbridge tastes pleasant enough and burns cleanly, but it lacks the complexity that makes me want to keep coming back. It may be a good cross over for aromatic smokers looking to bridge to Virginia blends as like many offerings from Esoterica the leaf is of good quality. Somewhat recommended.

I just didn't "get" this one. Average at best and tried to like this one since I bought a lot and paid ALOT for it. Tried many different times in many different pipes and I just couldn't find anything outstanding about it. I'm planning on cellaring it for another year and try again. I REALLY want to like it, but the flavors just don't entice me at this point. I'll amend this review at a later date, I'm sure.

Mostly light to dark brown with a bit of black, the cut ranges from almost a shag to pieces of broken flake. Bag nose of licorice undercurrented by a light tea aroma. Some fruitiness that appears to be of the red variety... berries, perhaps.

Licorice is something that I enjoy eating but don't care for it quite so much in the pipe (the same goes for fruit!). And it's a little much in this one. Drying the tobacco out helped considerably but the cut dictates that the dryness not be extreme and the licorice and fruit remained. The two kind of clashed with one another as well. The tobacco seemed to be top notch, and this IS an aromatic, so taking it as it is, it might make a nice blend to introduce an aro smoker to "Virginias plus". It could burn a bit hot, even at bag moisture and I suppose you would call this more of a "grassy" tobacco, if you were wed to overused tobacco review terminology. The Virginia taste did help to meld the licorice and fruit a bit. Overall there was a sweet yet tart rose wine essence which was nice. Smokes dry, as it is a Brit-style aromatic rather than the overly wet American style. But as with most Esoterica blends not named Stonehaven, I found this one wanting. It needed more depth for my taste, and a lot less licorice and fruit. But that's what this one is known for, so if you're looking for that, this one should suit.

Upon lighting, you get a Virginia hay/ slight orange citrus note, something similar to Troost "Special", no real Licorice flavour ( the tin note does have a Licorice? wine? aroma) . After a 1/4 of the pipe you are still looking for some complexity but instead, the citrus is gone and the flavor has mellowed. I really don't see what all these (12) different Virginias are doing for this tobacco, maybe it's what is swept up off the blending floor ( probably some licorice from the scraps of "Blackpool and Ramsgate") ! It's not overly sweet, doesn't bite but it just doesn't bring anything. I bought this in bulk, so I really don't know if that's why I'm not getting all the review references to aromatics, except from the tin, I don't get it? I like Orlik's Golden Slices (Red) better and it's for a better price. Another tobacco for the back of the basement.

Notes: Another mildly topped virginia blend from Esoterica, with the topping relatively light and complementing the tobacco. I usually don't smoke aromatic blends, but this one works. I have smoked several ounces on and off for a change of pace and like it most in a small billiard.

Appearance: A thin cut ribbon, fully rubbed out. A complex mixture of pale gold, tan, light brown, nut brown ,dark brown, and black leaves.

Aroma: Winey, musty, round, sweet and rich -- an almost creamy aroma if that is possible. Anise, cherry pie, plums, figs, sugar, pecans.

Taste: Red wine, honey, cream, figs, cherry pie, stewed plums, fried cherries, corriander.

Comparisons: The big brother of Esoterica's Hastings. Similar to Dunhill's Standard Mixture Medium or Early Morning Pipe, falling somewhere between the two for complexity, but with a sweet topping.

Bottom Line: A medium English blend, simple and sweet. For those who find Dunhill's Early Morning Pipe too mild and yearn for a sweeter more aromatic version.

I finished the last of my Woodbridge and realized that I have not done a review yet.

I found this an odd duck for Esoterica.

It definitely had a topping but it was never overpowering. The tobacco flavor was always present. Cool smoking. Burns to a nice ash without bite.

That being said I really don't see it being that great that I'd pay the Esoterica level pricing to get more.

Esoterica woodbridge- Opened a fresh bag and the tobacco is very wet with a strong scent of licorice. I let this dry for about 2 hrs and jarred it up . The licorice scent subsided a bit . I like the licorice and I get a little fruity apricot also . The Virginia tobaccos can still be tasted through the toppings . I knew it was an aromatic when I bought it and no complaints . A smooth tasty amoke . No bite . A tobacco I will smoke when in the mood for it . Good but not great . Probably wouldn’t buy again since it only comes in bags . 2 1/2 star blend for me .