That's part of my problem when I look at something in my cellar. I'm like, "I can't smoke this. It's worth $200!" I wouldn't drink $200 bottle of wine when I'm very happy with a $10 one.
Esoterica Drop
- Thread starter ben88
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That's part of my problem when I look at something in my cellar. I'm like, "I can't smoke this. It's worth $200!" I wouldn't drink $200 bottle of wine when I'm very happy with a $10 one.
Agreed. I was looking fairly early and was unable to find any 8 oz bags listed as available at any online vendor and absolutely no Penzance in any offering.
Unless you plan to sell it, then just enjoy it regardless of the current value. I used to hold on to my expensive/rare beer for special occasions or to add just 1 more year of age or because it was rare or expensive. I realized that time was going by, things were accumulating, and I wasn't able to enjoy them. What's the point of accumulating if there won't actually be enough time to enjoy it? Well, I don't cellar beer any more and have been working through what I do have and enjoying it quite a bit, although some were past their prime. No special occasions needed. However, it is a lot of fun to pull out an expensive/rare/vintage bottle and share it with a friend. The best is surprising somebody new to the hobby with something that they never thought they would see or get to try.
Yeah, it all tastes better when you share. I've been starting to dig into some of my older stock. I do sell some things, only because it helps me pay for the other stuff I accumulate!
That’s because they got sold without even being listed to the “valuable” customers.
I didn’t even realize that Kingfisher was still being “produced”, I thought that blend was long gone. I’ve always heard it was “meh” but the obscurity is what makes it so alluring, we always want what we can’t have... I would definitely buy it if I had the option to get it for retail price cause I’m not immune to the trickery either.
I have not bought any Esoterica in 5 years. I am selling off what I do have because I cannot justify keeping/smoking it because I am honestly not all that crazy for any of it. I am also not going out hunting any to turn around and sell at a premium. Everything I am selling is the result of purchases I made years ago.
I smoked a tin that was a rehydration project and it was definitely meh. Not sure how good it would be fresh.
The neighbor that got me into this hobby did so by sharing aged Penzance without telling me what it was. Even if he had, I would have had no idea what he was talking about at the time. I enjoyed the blend a lot and really appreciated his generosity. He was nearly out of Penzance in that jar and it would be nice to get some more to share back to him someday, but it's nearly impossible to just go out and buy without knowing the super secret dates, locations, and passwords along with having a fresh gold bar to exchange for some.
I don't buy blends to hold and sell. I buy them to smoke. So the fact that someone is willing to pay hundreds of dollars for something that I bought for $12 doesn't matter to me. If I want that flavor, I'll open that tin.
If the day comes that I have to stop enjoying my pipes and tobaccos, then I'll sell them for what the market will bear, assuming that I can still sell them.
If I’ve already got it I don’t worry about the value. I’ll smoke it. But I won’t overpay to smoke unicorns.
I paid $150 for a 1996 bag of Dunbar. The shit is amazing. Worth every penny.
I paid $150 for a 1996 bag of Dunbar. The shit is amazing. Worth every penny.
Drops happen over a period of time. Were I still looking, I'd call one of my sources. Right now, it's out there in the wild, at B&M's with little to no internet presence. Sometimes the stuff sits on shelves for weeks.
@BROBS you are already being rewarded for being a long time customer. I believe you were among the first customers to get a taste of the Surepost experience at SP!
but you haven't yet. The other guys already providing stable support for their business. You know there are so many people that could love any of us like our wives (or girlfriends), but that doesn't matter because we already have someone that does. Similar concept in my opinion.
maybe I've just said more about myself then I intended.
You can also put yourself on a waiting list at Iwan Reis. Unlike other stores who shall remain nameless, they'll hold a bag several days for you to purchase. It might be a bit of a wait. When I got my notice it must have been a couple of years since I'd put myself on the wait list. It sure paid off. Not only did I get the bag of Penzance, but I also had the opportunity to pick up two bags of Stonehaven, all invisible to the public. The two bags of Stonehaven was a nice surprise, and zeroed out the two bags that I had given away.
I’ve been on the list... hopefully!
I used to be a member of some Esoterica groups on various social media platforms. The more fanatical members will buy literally any esoterica blend they can get their hands on, even if it's not a style of tobacco they smoke. I'd love some more Penzance, but am just not interested in dealing with the troubles of getting some and won't pay scalper prices out of principle.