Good [insert suitable time] everyone.
It is about Esoterica Blends, there, I said it. How often are their tobaccos available when they are available? Do their tobaccos become available on an annual basis or longer than that? Were their tobaccos available this year? And how the online retailers' alert systems, smokingpipes.com specifically, work? do they notify all subscribers at once or are there other schemes they follow?
I have only been in this hobby for a year now, but I will tell you what I know about Esoterica although I am in the USA so your mileage may vary... There seems to be one big shipment a year, so finding it available at online vendors will only be possible when it is received and posted. However, many brick and mortar stores sell Esoterica (but not online) and nearly always have it available. If you visit a store and don't see it out, just ask about it as some actually keep it in the back. Obviously, you will need to pay local retail prices, but it's available.
As for the release, signing up for notifications may or may not be helpful. It is likely NOT helpful for a site like Smokingpipes.com since they seem to have a first in, first notified on the alert queue and not everybody on the list will necessarily get notified based on how much product is expected. Smaller site seem to have a more general notification blast, but that may not occur in "real time" for when they post the product. Some site are, some aren't. The best one can do it listen for the rumors and start checking regularly, if interested, because once it gets posted the hoarders and scalpers gobble it all up in minutes. It's pretty ridiculous, but that's the reality of the situation right now.
The recent Esoterica release happened at the beginning of September 2020 for the USA. It's all gone online. You will need to inquire with local brick and mortar stores and/or start calling, but some won't sell it to you over the phone unless they have already established a relationship with you.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
