'The prices it brings now' are $32-40 at most places for an 8oz bag. I've certainly never paid more than that. I've also never made more than two phone calls, and I've got enough Stonehaven to last me well into my 30s.
As for the supposedly new scarcity, I submit the follow post from alt.smokers.pipes from
1997.
Have any of the Penzance lovers in this newsgroup had difficulty
obtaining Penzance? I ordered a pound of bulk Penzance a week ago and
learned after calling the supplier that it is back ordered
What followed included some ambivalence:
If I were you I would continue to be a happy smoker. I bought a tin
last week and after having tried it on four different occasions, have
yet to be impressed. It's nice, but not worth a rave, IMHO
Greg Pease raving about it:
Nothing is like Penzance.
Here's what someone who would know had to say regarding the shortage. And remember, this is 17 years ago:
The demand for Esoterica Tobaccos (especially Penzance) has overwelmed
both Robert Germain (The Manufacturer) and myself. For this we both
Thank all who love these pipe tobaccos. I am assured a delivery soon
which will include a good quantity of Penzance. Your Tobacconists will
receive their orders shortly...Thanks for your patience...
Kindest regards,
Michael A. Butera
I just shake my head at most of the talk here about Esoterica, because almost all of it lacks any historical perspective.
1. They've always had trouble keeping up with demand, though it's gotten especially bad lately with the folks who feel like they have to lay up tobacco for their lifetime and well beyond RIGHT NOW CAN'T WAIT TAXES GOV'T etc, etc. Nevermind that the prices on Esoterica 8oz bags have been priced basically in line with inflation over the last 17 years.
2. Stonehaven and especially Penzance have always been the most popular blends. It's not like someone decided two years ago that these were incredible, and everyone went out and bought it. When you have people like Greg Pease, Paul Szabady, and Irwin Friedman singing the praises of not only Esoterica as a whole, but of one or the other of those two blends in particular in 1997, you can bet it wasn't a fad that hit when the scarcity did.