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It's been a while. Here goes. Fans of brevity, get out now.
Esoterica Dorcheseter
Virginia/Perique
Isle of Jersey
This spring in Alaska has been what we call a “Virgin Spring” because it came early, hard, and fast. As a result, the extremely wet ground and melting snow has provided the ideal conditions for burning off a couple months worth of winter paper trash. Now you might be thinking, “What kind of goddamn redneck burns his trash?” You’re not wrong, but the emissions it takes for us to get our cardboard 45 miles to the dump……well, we are getting sidetracked here.
When going out for a good trash burning it is best to load up the most gigantic pipe one owns. So I did just that. Not long ago I purchased a gargantuan Mario Grandi Poker from mkelawpipes, aka forum sponsor Dave Neeb, or as we know him @mkelaw that currently takes that honor. At 8 inches, with a 3-inch deep 1-inch wide chamber, and smoldering Birdseye all over the enormous stummel, it would certainly suffice. It was recently nicknamed by a forum member “Thor’s Gavel.” It fits.
Popping a tin of Esoterica is always a special feeling and this was no different. Upon opening I was greeted with a lovely aroma of dark fruit and some bread like, almost honey character. There is also a big hit of lighter fruitiness in the tin note, which could be a light topping of some kind. Some say apricot. Tobacco reviews says none. I say I have no goddamn idea, but I’d lean toward the former. However, it does not detract from the fact that the tin note is still very tobacco driven. And delicious.
The first puffs follow suit. If there is a topping on this blend it works with the tobacco remarkably well and does not sublimate the bready, grassy Virginias that are complimented by “a pinch” of very plum-like perique. If there is not a light topping, then this is one hell of a strain of perique because the deep, fruity flavor of this blend is quite prominent. I think it is likely both working together, which plays very well with the bright and sweet flavor of the base Virginias to create a perfect storm.
As the bowl burns down about a half inch I am visited by a couple of snowshoe hares that have been taken by surprise by the quick weather change as well. The snow is nearly all gone but they remain mostly white with only slight mottled brown on their underbelly. Sitting ducks. Despite the fact that they make a wonderful Braised Jamaican Curry, I will not shoot them this time of year, as they are about to breed. Unfortunately the Lynx and Owls are not so merciful and I have stumbled upon a couple of grisly kill sites in the woods while scouting for firewood in the last couple weeks. All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet. Selah.
Something unique about this blend is that the flavor really does not change that much as it burns down. It is about a medium strength blend, flavor wise, and the nicotine presence is pretty minimal. The moisture level was perfect right out of the tin and this tobacco burns very cool and extremely clean throughout the first 1.5 inches of this bowl, continuing it’s wonderful sweet and sharp flavor. Almost like a light spreading of jam on toast. If it bites you, you are doing it wrong.
Unfortunately for me, at this point, the rain began to fall heavily. While making the fire a little safer, the brim of my hat had no hope of covering the massive hulk of briar jutting out of my face. I switched to snus and beer. I was going to write this review shortly after, but I accidentally got shitfaced, ate 7 fucking street tacos, and passed out on the dog bed on the living room floor. Which if you’ve ever owned a bloodhound, you will know is like passing out on a pillow made of cod liver oil, except full of yeast and bacteria instead of a multitude of health benefits. My wife was not happy with me. Nor was the dog.
I fired up the remainder of the bowl the following day and the DGT experience was just as pleasant. All in all, this is yet another winner from Esoterica for me. While it likely will never replace the stronger, bolder, more in your face loving relationship I have with Esoterica Dunbar, it is surprisingly different for a blend in the same category, and makes a nice addition to the Esoterica lineup. I would give it four stars out of four and strongly recommend acquiring a tin should you ever find yourself presented with the chance. I could smoke it all day and be happy.
Cheers.
Frank
Esoterica Dorcheseter
Virginia/Perique
Isle of Jersey
This spring in Alaska has been what we call a “Virgin Spring” because it came early, hard, and fast. As a result, the extremely wet ground and melting snow has provided the ideal conditions for burning off a couple months worth of winter paper trash. Now you might be thinking, “What kind of goddamn redneck burns his trash?” You’re not wrong, but the emissions it takes for us to get our cardboard 45 miles to the dump……well, we are getting sidetracked here.
When going out for a good trash burning it is best to load up the most gigantic pipe one owns. So I did just that. Not long ago I purchased a gargantuan Mario Grandi Poker from mkelawpipes, aka forum sponsor Dave Neeb, or as we know him @mkelaw that currently takes that honor. At 8 inches, with a 3-inch deep 1-inch wide chamber, and smoldering Birdseye all over the enormous stummel, it would certainly suffice. It was recently nicknamed by a forum member “Thor’s Gavel.” It fits.
Popping a tin of Esoterica is always a special feeling and this was no different. Upon opening I was greeted with a lovely aroma of dark fruit and some bread like, almost honey character. There is also a big hit of lighter fruitiness in the tin note, which could be a light topping of some kind. Some say apricot. Tobacco reviews says none. I say I have no goddamn idea, but I’d lean toward the former. However, it does not detract from the fact that the tin note is still very tobacco driven. And delicious.
The first puffs follow suit. If there is a topping on this blend it works with the tobacco remarkably well and does not sublimate the bready, grassy Virginias that are complimented by “a pinch” of very plum-like perique. If there is not a light topping, then this is one hell of a strain of perique because the deep, fruity flavor of this blend is quite prominent. I think it is likely both working together, which plays very well with the bright and sweet flavor of the base Virginias to create a perfect storm.
As the bowl burns down about a half inch I am visited by a couple of snowshoe hares that have been taken by surprise by the quick weather change as well. The snow is nearly all gone but they remain mostly white with only slight mottled brown on their underbelly. Sitting ducks. Despite the fact that they make a wonderful Braised Jamaican Curry, I will not shoot them this time of year, as they are about to breed. Unfortunately the Lynx and Owls are not so merciful and I have stumbled upon a couple of grisly kill sites in the woods while scouting for firewood in the last couple weeks. All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet. Selah.
Something unique about this blend is that the flavor really does not change that much as it burns down. It is about a medium strength blend, flavor wise, and the nicotine presence is pretty minimal. The moisture level was perfect right out of the tin and this tobacco burns very cool and extremely clean throughout the first 1.5 inches of this bowl, continuing it’s wonderful sweet and sharp flavor. Almost like a light spreading of jam on toast. If it bites you, you are doing it wrong.
Unfortunately for me, at this point, the rain began to fall heavily. While making the fire a little safer, the brim of my hat had no hope of covering the massive hulk of briar jutting out of my face. I switched to snus and beer. I was going to write this review shortly after, but I accidentally got shitfaced, ate 7 fucking street tacos, and passed out on the dog bed on the living room floor. Which if you’ve ever owned a bloodhound, you will know is like passing out on a pillow made of cod liver oil, except full of yeast and bacteria instead of a multitude of health benefits. My wife was not happy with me. Nor was the dog.
I fired up the remainder of the bowl the following day and the DGT experience was just as pleasant. All in all, this is yet another winner from Esoterica for me. While it likely will never replace the stronger, bolder, more in your face loving relationship I have with Esoterica Dunbar, it is surprisingly different for a blend in the same category, and makes a nice addition to the Esoterica lineup. I would give it four stars out of four and strongly recommend acquiring a tin should you ever find yourself presented with the chance. I could smoke it all day and be happy.
Cheers.
Frank
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