Esoterica and Germains Equivalents?
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All of the Esoterica blends started out as part of Germain's catalog of blends that they had created over the years for various private labels, like the blends that were made for Smokers' Haven.
Steve Richmann of Piedmont Tobacco approached Germain's to make a similar line for him. The was the origin of the Esoterica line. Germain's sent him examples of their catalog blends to test out. Then, some of these blends were altered slightly to Richmann's specifications and the Esoterica line was launched.
The closest equivalents would have been some of the Smokers Haven blends, though most of those are currently OOP. The closest equivalent to Stonehaven would be Germain's Rich Dark Flake.
And the krumble kake of Smokers Haven was the closest thing to penzanse.
They are very unique blends.
I have found Lancers Slices to be a suitable substitute for Penzance.
I have found Lancers Slices to be a suitable substitute for Penzance.
Correct. According to an email I got from Greg Pease, who was one of the tasters for Steve, Germain's sent two crumble cakes, one of which he thought was Krumble Kake. Richman decided to go with the other one, which is Penzance. Very similar, but with different amounts of Latakia
I was always under the impression that Germain's made all of Smokers' Haven blends for them. Their ready-to-smoke ribbon cuts were identical in texture to Germain's blends like Plum Cake and Esoterica's English blends too; and they share a similar level of quality and taste profile (if that makes sense).
Off topic but somewhat related - I've always thought Penzance without the latakia would make a nice smoke. If I could have a custom blend by Germains that would be the starting point. I'd call it "Zennor" which is a town about 4 miles north of Pemzance. That or maybe "Llanfairpwllgwyngyll".
If I remember correctly, Krumble Kake and a number of other Smokers' Haven blends were originally made by Sobranie Lid. Germain's took over blending after Sobranie got out of the private label business.
I’ve been told Germain’s 1820 flake is very close to Penzance, but never tried either. I have been on and off watching UK shops for Germain’s blends but as our UK members can confirm, they are extremely rare there too.
The weirdest thing is there is an aromatic (blend called no7) from Germain which is piss easy to find in German shops, I mean even train station news&tobacco shops, made by Planta, so they ARE outsourcing, the weird bit is why not outsource the good stuff?
The weirdest thing is there is an aromatic (blend called no7) from Germain which is piss easy to find in German shops, I mean even train station news&tobacco shops, made by Planta, so they ARE outsourcing, the weird bit is why not outsource the good stuff?
It’s been a couple of years, but last time I was in Germany I found quite a few Germains blends. A couple of the shops I went to in Munich had SLF, Medium flake, and Brown flake.
With that description but with some latakia , i like the Germain's Special latakia Flake. Do not be fooled by the name latakia , the taste is based on the very good virginias rather than the latakia. Unfortunatly , it is also difficult to find today.
Has anyone come up with a substitute for Tilbury? I just started smoking a tin dated 2009 and I am smitten.
Finding Old Gowrie is about as impossible as finding Tilbury. Another other ideas for a replacement for either of those...Tilbury or Old Gowrie? About the only thing I see even close by description is Rattray's 40 Virginia, but it would be nice to hear from someone that has compared these by actually smoking them.
