Through the extraordinary kindness and grace of one rmbittner, I was finally able to sample the fabled Stonehaven this past week. I meant to get a more formal review out sooner, but I've been dealing with a nasty bout of epididymitis since Tuesday. Enough about my nuts - on to the review! 
Ultra thin, long, super dark brown and black flake tobacco. It looked like it would crumble when breathed upon, and it basically did exactly that. A light rub turned the flakes into small chunks, almost like a fine cube cut. I could smell a hint of the topping in the bag and as I loaded my Savinelli Tevere -- definitely British black treacle, which is a sweet, caramel like substance. The age has definitely dulled the topping, which is too bad because I absolutely love the taste of treacle. I look forward to trying a fresh sample of Stonehaven whenever online retailers restock their supply.
I filled the bowl to the rim and gave it a light tamp. One quick charring light and it was off to the races. The dust-like consistency of this sample meant the burn would be easy and even, albeit a little bit on the quick side. My first impressions were that this was like no other VA/Bur I've tried. It had a rich smoothness that I've not tasted in any other tobacco in that style. Immediately I detected some of the same qualities as Penzance -- not so much in the taste but there's definitely something about the way Estoerica prepares their tobacco. The way they cut the flake, the fact that the same machinery is used -- there's something about it. There's a meaty, steaky earthiness immediately present with Stonehaven that I also tasted with Penzance. It had less of that 'grilled meat' flavor and thick mouthfeel that Penzance has, but there are some underlying similarities.
There wasn't a hint of bite even when I pushed the rather quick burning bowl. I suspected that the filter in my Tevere cut down some of the potential but even so, I highly doubted this to be a tobacco that will bite. It did taste a bit more refined in the Savnelli than it did in my SMS Meerschaum. As the bowl progressed, I noticed what I'd call a tannic taste - very similar to drinking a hearty Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. I'd never had a VA/Bur with this character before: earthy, tannic, with a very light caramel sweetness (that I wished were more pronounced). It had a bit of burley body but not as much as I had expected, given the other points of comparison I've heard mentioned.
Stonehaven is totally unique, that much is true. The next bowl I have, I full intend on trying to fold and stuff to see if that makes the flavors 'pop' a little more. Nicotine was in the medium range, but I am never a good judge of lady N in pipe tobacco.
Is this a top shelf tobacco? Certainly, and with age, it is extremely mellow and easy to smoke. If you like the VA/Burley style, this is definitely in it's own class. Is it worth chasing on the secondary market at a huge premium? That's where I draw the line. While Stonehaven is a fantastic smoke, I don't think it's worthy of paying a premium for. There are plenty of other tobaccos that I am equally happy to smoke that don't require a Wile E Coyote style chase to obtain. Thanks again to rmbittner for giving me the chance to finally try the goodness of Stonehaven!
Ultra thin, long, super dark brown and black flake tobacco. It looked like it would crumble when breathed upon, and it basically did exactly that. A light rub turned the flakes into small chunks, almost like a fine cube cut. I could smell a hint of the topping in the bag and as I loaded my Savinelli Tevere -- definitely British black treacle, which is a sweet, caramel like substance. The age has definitely dulled the topping, which is too bad because I absolutely love the taste of treacle. I look forward to trying a fresh sample of Stonehaven whenever online retailers restock their supply.
I filled the bowl to the rim and gave it a light tamp. One quick charring light and it was off to the races. The dust-like consistency of this sample meant the burn would be easy and even, albeit a little bit on the quick side. My first impressions were that this was like no other VA/Bur I've tried. It had a rich smoothness that I've not tasted in any other tobacco in that style. Immediately I detected some of the same qualities as Penzance -- not so much in the taste but there's definitely something about the way Estoerica prepares their tobacco. The way they cut the flake, the fact that the same machinery is used -- there's something about it. There's a meaty, steaky earthiness immediately present with Stonehaven that I also tasted with Penzance. It had less of that 'grilled meat' flavor and thick mouthfeel that Penzance has, but there are some underlying similarities.
There wasn't a hint of bite even when I pushed the rather quick burning bowl. I suspected that the filter in my Tevere cut down some of the potential but even so, I highly doubted this to be a tobacco that will bite. It did taste a bit more refined in the Savnelli than it did in my SMS Meerschaum. As the bowl progressed, I noticed what I'd call a tannic taste - very similar to drinking a hearty Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. I'd never had a VA/Bur with this character before: earthy, tannic, with a very light caramel sweetness (that I wished were more pronounced). It had a bit of burley body but not as much as I had expected, given the other points of comparison I've heard mentioned.
Stonehaven is totally unique, that much is true. The next bowl I have, I full intend on trying to fold and stuff to see if that makes the flavors 'pop' a little more. Nicotine was in the medium range, but I am never a good judge of lady N in pipe tobacco.
Is this a top shelf tobacco? Certainly, and with age, it is extremely mellow and easy to smoke. If you like the VA/Burley style, this is definitely in it's own class. Is it worth chasing on the secondary market at a huge premium? That's where I draw the line. While Stonehaven is a fantastic smoke, I don't think it's worthy of paying a premium for. There are plenty of other tobaccos that I am equally happy to smoke that don't require a Wile E Coyote style chase to obtain. Thanks again to rmbittner for giving me the chance to finally try the goodness of Stonehaven!
