Esoterica: What is Your Favorite?

[dmcmtk]

Brandybuck, PM sent.

 

[Chasing Embers]

treacle, supoosedly, whatever that is

Molasses.

Just blends with toppings.

Anymore, that tends to be the accepted definition of an aromatic. Many, not myself, consider the likes of Black Frigate and Bothy Flake as aromatics. Flavored tobaccos regardless of the source fall into the category of aro or English crossover. I mainly consider heavy Orientals the original and true aromatics while flavored blends are just flavored blends.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Over the years I have tried a few of these blends,and there was only one that I really liked, The Stonehaven, that one was even better than Germain's Rich Dark

 

[gervais]

Waiting to get my hands on a bag of Dunbar. Think the 8oz bags hold up over time for preserving freshness?

 

[grumpyoltroll]

I have the opportunity to grab a tin of Tilbury and Dunbar at the local cigar shop in Pensacola Fl and, having not yet tried either, was just wondering what everybody's thoughts were on these blends and any experiences with Esoterica in general. I grabbed a tin each of Rattray's Old Gowrie and C&D Haunted Bookshop, both of which I'm currently smoking and absolutely adore! So, what do y'all think?

First, welcome from another pipe smoker in Pensacola.

Second, Dunbar is a very interesting VaPer that at times gives a very intriguing smoke. For me it almost tastes aged even when it is a fresh tin. That said, my taste would run more towards Old Gowrie that you picked up over Dunbar. This maybe sacreligious, but Gowrie is such a good honest tobacco that gives me an enjoyable smoke every time.

Third, we (well there are three of us) have a very small pipe club here in Pensacola. Really it is just so we have another excuse to get together and share tobacco and talk. PM me if you are interested.

 

[grumpyoltroll]

Oh, I forgot, I have some Pembroke you can try if you would like. I also have a bag of Margate but it is not open and to be honest I am thinking of moving it in order to purchase other tobaccos I prefer.

 

[eslavs]

I've only tried 2 - Margate and ASTB - but have Pembroke, Dunbar and Tilbury all waiting to be opened. I'd put Margate as one of my absolute favorites, hands down.

 

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

Appreciating this topic as, this past week, I've been rotating back and forth between Dorchester, Dunbar, and Tilbury. I enjoy all of them for different reasons. I think Dunbar is my favorite but only by a small margin. I read somewhere on the TR site that Dunbar was like the darker, creamier version of Dorchester and I find that to be accurate!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Waiting to get my hands on a bag of Dunbar. Think the 8oz bags hold up over time for preserving freshness?

Some swear by them but I always jar them.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Waiting to get my hands on a bag of Dunbar. Think the 8oz bags hold up over time for preserving freshness?

Some swear by them but I always jar them.

It's pretty much a customized mylar bag. Experimented with them myself a while back but prefer glass mason jars. To be fair, I don't believe in sous viding my meats either.

 

[sablebrush52]

Waiting to get my hands on a bag of Dunbar. Think the 8oz bags hold up over time for preserving freshness?

Maybe. A year of so ago, a member here found that some of his bags had developed pinholes where the bag is creased. I've bagged all of my Esoterica bags in heat sealed Mylar.

 

[jeff540]

I try to keep at least one 8oz bag of each I can get my hands on, I really think Germain does tobacco right (for my tastes at least).

They come pretty wet, and I think it's mostly alcohol based flavor. All the "aromatics" I've tried lost 90% of topping flavor after the tobacco is dry enough to pack. No PG gooeyness in any of the blends so far...

 

[jeff540]

Also, my favorite bounces between Dunbar, Tilbury, and Brighton as the seasons change.

 

[Brandybuck]

Whelp, I decided to get the Dunbar. I've smoked 3 bowls so far and will probably smoke another when I get home. What I have smoked, I've pretty well enjoyed, though it really is unlike any other VaPer I've had. Going to continue to play with packing, cadence, bowl size, etc...

I will say that so far, I have better luck with this one out of a briar than a cob.

 

[Idahojoe]

I have only tried Margate and enjoy it quite a bit. Due to this pleasurable experience, I plan to try other esoterica blends soon.

 

[olkofri]

None, as I've never tried any of them.

 

[rushx9]

Only one I've tried is ASTB... and it's stellar. It seems to get overlooked at B&Ms so, if it's a less desirable Esoterica Balkan/English, how much better is Margate?

 

[olkofri]

All the "aromatics" I've tried lost 90% of topping flavor after the tobacco is dry enough to pack.

Whoa! Then I guess I haven't missed out on anything.

 

[cigrmaster]

My favorite is Stonehaven. I have sampled other Esoterica blends years ago but never cellared any.

 

[jmill208]

Stonehaven is my favorite. I have sampled most of them and find them to be pretty decent. Dunbar comes in a close second.