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karam

Lifer
Feb 2, 2019
2,583
9,862
Basel, Switzerland
It's good but there are several other VaPers that I like better. It's got a sourness that I don't particularly go for.
Never had any eso other than peacehaven so can’t comment on them at all. I envy the smokers who find their unicorn blend satisfying all their smoking needs and smoke it for 40 years. For me the key is variations on some broad themes.
 

tzinc

Can't Leave
Mar 24, 2021
346
1,395
Toronto
Is the demand for Esoterica/Germain based on them making smaller batches than the other companies? I tried a couple bowls of Penzance thanks to a forum member and it had a unique taste but would it be worh paying extra I would say no.

Yes I would buy this if it was readily available and normally priced but otherwise I have done the best I could to secure some without going crazy. There are no B and M stores here that get Esoterica and I have added myself to all the online mail lists. IMO it's not worth paying 100s of dollars or spending every minute of the day watching for a drop to happen.

I think another part of the problem is cellaring and scalping. People buying from scalpers means scalpers gobble this stuff up. Also people are into cellaring so they will buy up as many tins as possible of a blend they like. This further reduces the chances of getting it. If I were to get some I would smoke it.

Thank God that blends I like are readily available from companies like GLP and Mac Baren.
 
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Andriko

Can't Leave
Nov 8, 2021
384
945
London
Is the demand for Esoterica/Germain based on them making smaller batches than the other companies?

I think it's a combination of small supply, and than high demand caused by over excitable pipe smokers. It is good tobacco though, so the demand is not completley unjustified. It's a bit like the Sam Gawith stuff (from the US point of view) - it's really good tobacco, in short supply in a world with the internet to create 'buzz', driving up demand a lot more than would have been the case in the days when the only stuff you could get was what ever the local store had in stock and you just didn't know about these 'exotic' alternatives unless you happened to be in the business or something.
 
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Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
44,917
117,176
I think it's a combination of small supply, and than high demand caused by over excitable pipe smokers. It is good tobacco though, so the demand is not completley unjustified. It's a bit like the Sam Gawith stuff (from the US point of view) - it's really good tobacco, in short supply in a world with the internet to create 'buzz', driving up demand a lot more than would have been the case in the days when the only stuff you could get was what ever the local store had in stock and you just didn't know about these 'exotic' alternatives unless you happened to be in the business or something.
It started with a couple of missed shipments in the late 2000s and panic ensued. The Gawith thing only started just a few years ago. Many of their blends were taboo and pariahs among purists.
 

Andriko

Can't Leave
Nov 8, 2021
384
945
London
It started with a couple of missed shipments in the late 2000s and panic ensued. The Gawith thing only started just a few years ago. Many of their blends were taboo and pariahs among purists.

It's an odd sort of panic in a way - you wouldn't think there are that many pipe smokes left! Surprsied about the Gawith bit though - probably the best tobacco available in the UK, in my opinion.

From my perspective in the UK, I don't see why you yanks get your knickers in a twist about Germains/Esoterik or Gawith - the amount of choice you guys have is pretty huge compared to over here where it's almost all made by Kolhase and Kopp.
 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,707
48,989
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
From my perspective in the UK, I don't see why you yanks get your knickers in a twist about Germains/Esoterik or Gawith - the amount of choice you guys have is pretty huge compared to over here where it's almost all made by Kolhase and Kopp.
It's the National Pastime. Used to be baseball, now it's complaining.