I got a couple ounces of Esoterica Tobacciana Pembroke in my windfall and am just getting around to trying it. It's the English Margate mixed with French cognac. You're supposed to smoke it slightly moist, but mine, though tubbed, is on the edge of crispy. I just loaded a fairly large bowl in my Comoy's Silver Shadow Billiard, one of my five favorite pipes. Here's my only pic of the Comoy's:
There is some nice birdseye on the other side you can't see in my crummy pic.
I LOVE this stuff! Normally, I prefer my tobacco not to be flavored, and I've never had a real cognac I've enjoyed. I bought a $150 bottle up in Omaha, to see if I liked a fancy one, but though refined, I didn't like it any more than the cheap ones. Also, sandoval gave me a couple bowls of regular Margate, so I can compare the two.
It's creamy and smoky, and seems to change as I smoke down the bowl. The cognac seems a bit fruity, yet doesn't overwhelm the Orientals and Latakia, but adds a subtlety I really like. The Virginia provides a solid tobacco base. I was expecting a chemical taste, but am finding none. If I could have only 965/Nightcap or Pembroke, I would go Dunhill, but fortunately I can have both.
It's definitely not cheap, 4noggins lists 8oz at $29, but if you have the means, I highly recommend it as a fine English with an unexpected subtle fruity twist.
There is some nice birdseye on the other side you can't see in my crummy pic.
I LOVE this stuff! Normally, I prefer my tobacco not to be flavored, and I've never had a real cognac I've enjoyed. I bought a $150 bottle up in Omaha, to see if I liked a fancy one, but though refined, I didn't like it any more than the cheap ones. Also, sandoval gave me a couple bowls of regular Margate, so I can compare the two.
It's creamy and smoky, and seems to change as I smoke down the bowl. The cognac seems a bit fruity, yet doesn't overwhelm the Orientals and Latakia, but adds a subtlety I really like. The Virginia provides a solid tobacco base. I was expecting a chemical taste, but am finding none. If I could have only 965/Nightcap or Pembroke, I would go Dunhill, but fortunately I can have both.
It's definitely not cheap, 4noggins lists 8oz at $29, but if you have the means, I highly recommend it as a fine English with an unexpected subtle fruity twist.
