Esoterica - "Stonehaven"

[fishingandpipes]

Nothing is like Stonehaven - definitely not ODF.
That said, it's not my favorite. I can just see why people who love it, love it.
I think we're also faced with a problem of hoarding for hoarding's sake. Lots and lots of people just buying, buying, buying within a year of starting the hobby without really analyzing their taste. I find it hard to believe someone can feel as strongly about straight VAs, VA/Pers, VA/Per/Burs in all their iterations as they can about latakia blends in all their iterations and aromatic blends in all of theirs.

 

[brass]

I started smoking Germains Rich Dark Flake, a lovely Virginia/Burley that scratches the same itch for me as does Stonehaven in the U.S. Unfortunately, it appears that RDF is becoming as rare in England as Stonehaven is in the U.S.

 

[sablebrush52]

RDF is a pretty nice smoke, but expensive with the taxes on it. Reminds me of Stonehaven with some ale added to the topping. I like a bowl of Stonehaven every now and again, but not too often or the magic begins to fade.

 

[dylanstaton2]

I'd really like to get my hands on some. Has anyone smoked "and so to bed"? Is it any good? I wish that they were more readily available but hey that is what makes it even that much special. Also does anyone have any tips on getting this stuff other then going to eBay and paying an arm and a leg for it?

 

[sablebrush52]

Also does anyone have any tips on getting this stuff other then going to eBay and paying an arm and a leg for it?

Cold call B&M's with no Internet presence. This stuff can sit on their shelves for months. If you have a good relationship with your local B&M, you can ask them to place an order for you, to hold for you for when the five toothless pensioners at Germain return from fishing, put in 10 minutes work before heading out for Brighton, and Germain makes a shipment to the colonies.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The Briary had a wall display full of esotericas as of our pipe club meeting on Tuesday. Everything except Penzance and Stonehaven and Dunbar. They should be getting in more in about two weeks. It seems like the truck is rolling in now with regularity, as predicted. But, you'd better hurry.

1-877-327-4279

(1-877-3-BRIARY)

Local Number 942-9001

Monday through Saturday

Open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.​

Since I will be posting this for everyone to see, I expect it to all run out in 10,9,8,7...

 

[davet]

I wish that they were more readily available but hey that is what makes it even that much special

That's what makes people think it's that special. :roll:

 

[jefff]

10-15 years ago they were readily available and I smoked most of them. At that time they were all fine tobaccos some of which didn't trip my trigger. I actually tossed half a tin of Penzance. I found it....cloying? And So TO Bed was and remains an interesting change of pace but when push comes to shove, they are all just another nice pipe tobacco.
Time seems to have made them more than they are....or were anyway. I find that Mcclelland , GLP and C&D cover almost all of my tobacco wants and needs.

 

[deathmetal]

I like all that I have tried from Esoterica, but it's a question not of subjectivity (which does not exist) but needs: my personality is raw, feral and cerebral.
This suits a different type of blend than Esoterica makes. It suits GH and C&D the best, especially if the former stops sprinkling its tobaccos with the embalming fluid of elderly ladies.

 

[jon11]

i couldn't agree more Jeff about McClelland, GLP, and C&D. They cover all bases for me as well

 

[pipeanddrum]

I find that Stonehaven is a singular smoke with a unique character. Very nuanced, my best experience with it is smoking in a smaller, narrow bowl, taking time to smoke it very slow. I find the flavors come out best this way and I am able to detect hints of cigar and wine that come and go.

 

[griffonwing]

I just bought the last bag at a local shop, as well as some Penzance. I still have some Stonehaven in a sealed jar from 2005 or 2006 that I need to bust out. Its one of the few burley blends that I like. Im not a fan of ODF.

 

[hawky454]

I've got enough Stonehaven to last me a lifetime. It's s good smoke but I find myself craving something a bit more full bodied and I think I'm actually starting to prefer Old Dark Fired to Stonehaven. Not identical but definitely similar taste profile.

 

[zitotczito]

I have tried it and have 3 bags in the cellar, and there they sit. Maybe in a few years.