Stonehaven Alert!!

[cosmicfolklore]

I'm glad some people don't want it. Now, if more people wouldn't like it, maybe it'd be easier to find. And, phhhht, if it were more than what I paid today, I wouldn't buy it either. But, as it is, it's cheaper than Escudo or Astleys. But, if a vendor can get a huge mark up, more power to them and God bless America! They seem to sell out, without bothering my favorite B&M.

 

[escioe]

So I'm willing to pop one open if I can get some info on how you treat it before smoking. Do you let it dry before packing? If so, how long? Do you fold and stuff, break it up, fine dice,? Pack normal, light, tight? Chamber shape? Large? Small?
I'd love to hear from folks who love this stuff EXACTLY what they do in terms of prep.
Come on, help me become a believer.

You used my Full Virginia Flake method and that seemed to work. Here's what I do with Stonehaven.
I cut mine into 2.5-3" lengths and put 2oz at a time in a jar as soon as I get it.

Drying time is a big variable. When I first got to it, I smoked it right away and found the treacle overpowering. Now I let it dry for an hour or three in my arid climate, which might equal different times at places with different humidity.

I rub it out fully. If I've let it dry too long and it's crumbly, I just breath a bit onto the flakes before rubbing them out.

I tend to use the same pipe or two when smoking this, since the treacle ghosts like hell. I recall smoking Full Virginia Flake and having it taste very strange, when I realized it was residue from Stonehaven. It took a few bowls for it to go away.

I use two matches on a false light, then set it aside for a few minutes.

One more match and I'm good to go for a while.
It's not particularly complex, but to me it just hits the right notes. When I dry it out like this and let lots of the treacle dissipate, it seems to get some light cocoa sweetness, but mostly just good, dark Virginias, and sturdy burley. I'm a big fan, and this isn't a genre of tobacco I'm crazy about in general.

 

[peteguy]

I have a thick walled Boswell that hasn't seen anything but Stonehaven in 3 years. I rub mine out and let it dry just like my dad told me too (just so it sticks together for a sec when pinching). One match for a char, a little tamping, re-light and I am content for the next 45 minutes of life.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

I did leave one bag, in case someone might decide to call. Ha ha. If I get tired of it, I may send some out on ebay for the lazy folks that didn't want to pick up a phone.

I like your style Cosmic.

 

[griffonwing]

I happened to purchase a bag of Stonehaven and Tilbury back in 2006, when I first started to get into tinned tobacco. They are wonderful smokes.
I recently found them again, all dried. I rehydrated them back and they are now jarred. They have been jarred now for about 9 months. I have yet to try them out again. Maybe soon.

 

[grouchydog]

Question: Is anyone willing to part with a bowlful so I can try it?
Thanks

John

PM me your postal address and I'll send you a sample.

 

[layinpipe]

Stonehaven takes at least 5 bowls to grow on you. It sings like Pavarotti and shines like the sun in my Castello vergin Sea Rock kk billiard. That pipe is pretty much dedicated to the elusive Stonehaven. I have smoked it in other wider bowled and narrower bowled pipes and find that it is much more flavorful and tasty in narrower bowls, by far. I like it right out of the bag and only try and keep 2 on hand, 1 opened and in use and 1 as a backup for when i'm done with the opened bag. Usually, by the time i'm done with the backup bag, it has popped up somewhere in stock and i re-up and life is good.
As far as drying time, i like to let it sit for a decent amount but not to the point that it is crispy dry. It needs some moisture to really shine and bring out the myriad of flavor goodness. If it is too dry it loses the fullness of flavor and is more akin to smoking air with a dash of treacle. I prepare it every which way, sometimes fold and stuff, sometimes fully rubbed out and sometimes cube cut. I think i get the most flavor when i cube cut the bottom half of the bowl and ready-rub the top half. That's my 2 cents though, results may vary.

 

[zack24]

Stonehaven takes at least 5 bowls to grow on you

Just had a bad flashback to the night when I smoked 4 bowls of Stonehaven in a row while drinking rum and coke. It didn't have a happy ending...

 

[layinpipe]

hahahahahaha, nice zack, but i didn't mean consecutively!!! :rofl:
Definitely had a bad mixing of the sauce and 'baccy a time or two. Really lets you know where your limits are and what blends to avoid when drinking.

 

[sablebrush52]

Many thanks to those who shared their suggestions, especially MLC and escioe. I followed your suggestions and, VOILA! While I wouldn't call Stonehaven a powerhouse, it's tasty. Raisins, chocolate, nougat, spice, burnt sugar cookie, lots of very delicate flavors. Lit easily and stayed lit without getting hot. Best when smoked very slowly, such that a medium sized bowl lasted well over an hour.

 

[misterlowercase]

Great to hear, glad it finally *clicked* for you!
You're right about the delicate flavors, although it often gets pegged as monodimensional,

I think it carries quite a bit of fine nuance,

with great reward for the patient smoker.