Penzance Available Again in Alabama

[PipeIT]

I just got off the phone with Skip at The Briary, had a great chat with him, such a nice fellow.

He only sells locally…

Well, I’ve managed to get a tin of B.K. Flake, Dunbar and a bag of Tilbury, at two other places.

Off to go look for some more…

P.S. Skip told me about a blend he makes Ephemeris. He gave me the run down on it, Red, Bright, Stoved, and no PG, or casings, just straight. This sounds like a nice VA blend.

Ephemeris Tobacco- The Finest Virginia

thebriary.com

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Earnest question:
Why has Chinese demand diminished?

The economy has been very stagnant since the Pandemic, the middle class has not been spending like they used to and a lot of "consignment items" (for the lack of a better term) like reselling tobacco/liquor and even things like sneakers have suffered a lot.

 

[EchoPlex]

I'm really glad this is being produced again and look forward to hearing any comparisons between it and older tins/bags. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe 2020 was the last production year prior to this. I hope it still has that savory burnt steak fat and cream of mushroom note.

 

[filmguerilla]

Dropped in Tennessee, too...

 

[LotusEater]

My local B&M in KC let me know they are expecting some Esoterica in the next few days. I’m not usually one to chase blends but I must admit I will be checking in to see if they get any tins of Stonehaven

 

[kcghost]

Folks will be badgering you to death for any info you care to give which B&M it is,

 

[Terry Lennox]

I'm glad they have moved to the round tins for Penzance. The square tins were nostalgic but the seals are way stronger on the round tins.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Why has Chinese demand diminished?

They probably got around to smoking it.

There was a drop in Kentucky as well.

 

[troutface]

the middle class has not been spending like they used to

From what little I have read, even the luxury market in China has taken a hit. Rolex and other top Swiss watch brands have been taking it in the shorts.

 

[rakovsky]

Agreed, not the best, but for a latakia blend, it has this ever changing incense-like flavor. It is unique, but it will depend on your taste whether it is the best.

I noticed Penzance coming up occasionally in discussions of what an incense-like blend would be. What do you think are the most church incense-like blends, CosmicFolklore?

I tried a couple blends that people said were like incense and the only one that was exactly like incense for me was Sintren, which literally has Frankincense. So for instance, Fr. Dempsey had maybe a small Lavender incense note. Ennerdale and Northwoods had a soap smell for my sense that some pipers experience, whereas at least some incense looks waxy in its jars and has a tin note like soap.

 

[sablebrush52]

When I last smoked Penzance back in 2006 I didn’t much care for it. I still have a bag from 2014 that I bought for a possible trade. I might break it open to see if I like it better.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I noticed Penzance coming up occasionally in discussions of what an incense-like blend would be. What do you think are the most church incense-like blends, CosmicFolklore?

I tried a couple blends that people said were like incense and the only one that was exactly like incense for me was Sintren, which literally has Frankincense. So for instance, Fr. Dempsey had maybe a small Lavender incense note. Ennerdale and Northwoods had a soap smell for my sense that some pipers experience, whereas at least some incense looks waxy in its jars and has a tin note like soap.

I only have a handful of latakia blends that I enjoy, just because it’s a genre I haven’t fully explored. But, GLPs Ashbury is an amazing balkan with notes of incense from the Orientals.
It should be that all balkans have this quality, but among the companies very few have actually made a balkan that is oriental forward, which should be the main quality of a balkan blend.

Also, McConnels Oriental is a good one, but I find it very faint and muted.

Edit: also H&H White Knight.

 

[sablebrush52]

Edit: also H&H White Knight.

White Knight is based on 1980’s era Balkan Sobranie

 

[hoipolloiglasgow]

When I last smoked Penzance back in 2006 I didn’t much care for it. I still have a bag from 2014 that I bought for a possible trade. I might break it open to see if I like it better.

Yes, it’s good and unique, but I favor other cheaper and more readily available Latakia blends. It’s nice to smoke when I want something mellow and sweet, but I find it lacks the complexity and flavor of other blends. It does have a velvety smoothness and incense like smoke that makes it unique. I may end up selling some of my Margate stash, not sure yet. It’s another really smooth and sweet Latakia blend from them. They have a unique house style.

 

[hoipolloiglasgow]

I noticed Penzance coming up occasionally in discussions of what an incense-like blend would be. What do you think are the most church incense-like blends, CosmicFolklore?

I tried a couple blends that people said were like incense and the only one that was exactly like incense for me was Sintren, which literally has Frankincense. So for instance, Fr. Dempsey had maybe a small Lavender incense note. Ennerdale and Northwoods had a soap smell for my sense that some pipers experience, whereas at least some incense looks waxy in its jars and has a tin note like soap.

GL Pease Quiet Nights is another blend similar to what you’re talking about with the incense thing.

 

[rakovsky]

GL Pease Quiet Nights is another blend similar to what you’re talking about with the incense thing.

I'm pretty interested when I hear about incenselike blends because I like Church incense.
I didn't have Quiet Nights. I'm not sure exactly what people are referring to sometimes when people say that they have smelled incense in some blends, but I haven't had most of the blends that people say are like incense.

I guess that classic church incense is like frankincense or myrrh, with maybe some pine or lavender note. Different church incenses seem to have a range of secondary notes.

I had Nightcap, and it had a mix of classic Latakia overripe tobacco smell and, from what I recall, a clove or cinnamon note, but I'm really not sure about that part.
I also had GL Pease Gaslight because some people said that it was like incense, but in my case I just found it to be like the old leather in Squadron Leader or Balkan Sasieni.

 

[rakovsky]

I only have a handful of latakia blends that I enjoy, just because it’s a genre I haven’t fully explored. But, GLPs Ashbury is an amazing balkan with notes of incense from the Orientals.
It should be that all balkans have this quality, but among the companies very few have actually made a balkan that is oriental forward, which should be the main quality of a balkan blend.

Also, McConnels Oriental is a good one, but I find it very faint and muted.

Edit: also H&H White Knight.

Cosmic Folklore,
GLP Ashbury was one of the blends that people say is like incense, but I never tried it.
I had Balkan Sasieni and GLP Gaslight, and they both reminded me of old leather, rather than incense.
Some of the main ones people say are like incense that I didn't try are 3 Oaks, Esoterica Margate, Fox's Provost, Maltese Falcon.
I can't really tell if Northwoods, Ennerdale, or Fr. Dempsey are like incense for me.
With Fr. Dempsey, there's a borderline Lavendar note that reminds me of Catholic incense. With Northwoods and Ennerdale, I have a sense perception that interprets a lot of their smell as soap.