So this morning I filled a small Kaywoodie Bulldog with some 7 year old Esoterica Penzance, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed for the porch.
I have been building up to this moment by extending my palette-catalog with some very fine tobaccos in order to more appreciate the subtleties this tobacco might have to offer.
As I popped open the container the aroma was familiar yet different, It was much deeper and more complex than any Balkan or English I had smelled to date. Not wanting to get sucked up in the hype, I ignored the tin note, centered and grounded myself and proceeded to fill the bowl. I then capped the pipe so as not to lose any on my journey to the porch.
As I sat down and lit up, I had extremely high expectations due to all the hype that surrounds this deified Esoterica franchise. Kind of like when all your friends tell you about a highly anticipated movie and how AMAZING it was, and you show up with too high of expectations and though the movie was good, it still disappointed because it didn't meet the level of the hype.
Well, I hate to say that this tobacco did not disappoint in any way:
Immediately, the spicy Orientals took the lead, followed by a smoky and identifiable but not rude, Latakia and then the sweet slightly grassy Virginias. I was fairly amazed by the fact I could identify all the components so distinctly and that they showcased individually in the smoke and through the nose. The mouthfeel was creamy and very easy on the tongue. There is a lingering aftertaste that is quite pleasant and I find myself even as writing this, recirculating that aftertaste through my nose just to get another smell.
Penzance is amazing and while I am not saying it kicks a$$ on anything else I have ever smoked, I AM saying it is among the best of anything I have smoked so far and clearly the best Balkan to date.
DAMMIT! It's as good as I expected it would be!
I am very happy I have a pound (or so
) of it in my cellar to enjoy over the years and it will definitely be in my Premium rotation.
I think I love Balkan blends....
And proper English blends......
And VaPers......
and Va Burs.......
Oh, and Pure Virginias..... LOL!
FOOTNOTE:
Now to geek out just a bit on a side topic, but still relevant, as I am a refining amateur Coffee roaster so bear with...
Last week I roasted 2 pounds of coffee from a small farm at high altitude in Columbia to a Full-city roast. I pulled an espresso shot (well, actually it was a double) this morning and made an Americano to drink along with this tobacco and I have to say the experience was almost religious. For some reason the coffee greatly enhanced the tobacco flavors to new levels and the tobacco did the same for the coffee. If you haven't tried it, you should!
In conclusion, I am not an Esoterica FanBoy, but have a deep respect for Penzance and look forward to trying some of the other Esoterica blends I have cellared.
In due time.
I have been building up to this moment by extending my palette-catalog with some very fine tobaccos in order to more appreciate the subtleties this tobacco might have to offer.
As I popped open the container the aroma was familiar yet different, It was much deeper and more complex than any Balkan or English I had smelled to date. Not wanting to get sucked up in the hype, I ignored the tin note, centered and grounded myself and proceeded to fill the bowl. I then capped the pipe so as not to lose any on my journey to the porch.
As I sat down and lit up, I had extremely high expectations due to all the hype that surrounds this deified Esoterica franchise. Kind of like when all your friends tell you about a highly anticipated movie and how AMAZING it was, and you show up with too high of expectations and though the movie was good, it still disappointed because it didn't meet the level of the hype.
Well, I hate to say that this tobacco did not disappoint in any way:
Immediately, the spicy Orientals took the lead, followed by a smoky and identifiable but not rude, Latakia and then the sweet slightly grassy Virginias. I was fairly amazed by the fact I could identify all the components so distinctly and that they showcased individually in the smoke and through the nose. The mouthfeel was creamy and very easy on the tongue. There is a lingering aftertaste that is quite pleasant and I find myself even as writing this, recirculating that aftertaste through my nose just to get another smell.
Penzance is amazing and while I am not saying it kicks a$$ on anything else I have ever smoked, I AM saying it is among the best of anything I have smoked so far and clearly the best Balkan to date.
DAMMIT! It's as good as I expected it would be!
I am very happy I have a pound (or so
) of it in my cellar to enjoy over the years and it will definitely be in my Premium rotation. I think I love Balkan blends....
And proper English blends......
And VaPers......
and Va Burs.......
Oh, and Pure Virginias..... LOL!
FOOTNOTE:
Now to geek out just a bit on a side topic, but still relevant, as I am a refining amateur Coffee roaster so bear with...
Last week I roasted 2 pounds of coffee from a small farm at high altitude in Columbia to a Full-city roast. I pulled an espresso shot (well, actually it was a double) this morning and made an Americano to drink along with this tobacco and I have to say the experience was almost religious. For some reason the coffee greatly enhanced the tobacco flavors to new levels and the tobacco did the same for the coffee. If you haven't tried it, you should!
In conclusion, I am not an Esoterica FanBoy, but have a deep respect for Penzance and look forward to trying some of the other Esoterica blends I have cellared.
In due time.
