This English Flake, Not Really My Cup of Tea
I am primarily an aromatic smoker. I must say however; that I do not dislike English blends. On the contrary; I have and do (thoroughly) enjoy Sasieni Balkan and EMP. Over the years I have smoked a number of other bulk and tined English blends that I liked as well. However; Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance threw me a curve.
It tastes of heavy Latakia and mildly sweet, then becomes light and peppery. There is no doubting it is an English blend but despite that, it seems to have a tolerable room note, as confirmed by the War Department.
When I opened the tin, I was intrigued by the slightly thicker than usual cut of the flakes and the general texture of the blend. The tin note was not very intense or particularly interesting. But, I did pick up on a slightly sweet and smoky aroma, with a hint of mink oil. It reminds me of oiling up my mitt when I was a kid. The flake itself crumbles easily, and does not require much preparation at all. Although it feels moist; it does not really need any drying time before packing and lighting. It does pack well and lights easily, but I did have to stir, dump, and relight about 3 times per bowl. It seems I had much less trouble with this style of flake than I have had with others. The ash is white and powdery, and smokes dry. I drank ice water with each bowl.
I have smoked six flakes thus far in my evaluation of this blend, three bowls in my Brebbia Lectura Churchwarden and a like number in my TRG White Ringed Volcano. Each bowl seemed to have the same relative characteristics. Upon the char and true, I found Penzance produced a very heavy smoke dense with Latakia and a little sweet. Then halfway through the bowl it changed dramatically to a much lighter and smoother Latakia and it developed a peppery feel and taste. I can see how devotes of English blends would love Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance. Myself, on the other hand, about this particular English blend I am neither hot nor cold. Please, do not get me wrong. Penzance is good, but I personally prefer a lighter English blend, something a little more exciting (or more precisely) possessing brighter flavor characteristics.
I suppose in my final assessment of Esoterica Tabacciana Penzance I found it to be oppressive at first then much- less-so towards the end of each bowl. The Virginias give it a bit of a nic kick, but does not over do it. So, if you prefer Aromatics or VaPers, I would not recommend Penzance. But, if you smoke only English blends or prefer them to Aros and VaPers, I definitely recommend that you give it a try.
I am primarily an aromatic smoker. I must say however; that I do not dislike English blends. On the contrary; I have and do (thoroughly) enjoy Sasieni Balkan and EMP. Over the years I have smoked a number of other bulk and tined English blends that I liked as well. However; Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance threw me a curve.
It tastes of heavy Latakia and mildly sweet, then becomes light and peppery. There is no doubting it is an English blend but despite that, it seems to have a tolerable room note, as confirmed by the War Department.
When I opened the tin, I was intrigued by the slightly thicker than usual cut of the flakes and the general texture of the blend. The tin note was not very intense or particularly interesting. But, I did pick up on a slightly sweet and smoky aroma, with a hint of mink oil. It reminds me of oiling up my mitt when I was a kid. The flake itself crumbles easily, and does not require much preparation at all. Although it feels moist; it does not really need any drying time before packing and lighting. It does pack well and lights easily, but I did have to stir, dump, and relight about 3 times per bowl. It seems I had much less trouble with this style of flake than I have had with others. The ash is white and powdery, and smokes dry. I drank ice water with each bowl.
I have smoked six flakes thus far in my evaluation of this blend, three bowls in my Brebbia Lectura Churchwarden and a like number in my TRG White Ringed Volcano. Each bowl seemed to have the same relative characteristics. Upon the char and true, I found Penzance produced a very heavy smoke dense with Latakia and a little sweet. Then halfway through the bowl it changed dramatically to a much lighter and smoother Latakia and it developed a peppery feel and taste. I can see how devotes of English blends would love Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance. Myself, on the other hand, about this particular English blend I am neither hot nor cold. Please, do not get me wrong. Penzance is good, but I personally prefer a lighter English blend, something a little more exciting (or more precisely) possessing brighter flavor characteristics.
I suppose in my final assessment of Esoterica Tabacciana Penzance I found it to be oppressive at first then much- less-so towards the end of each bowl. The Virginias give it a bit of a nic kick, but does not over do it. So, if you prefer Aromatics or VaPers, I would not recommend Penzance. But, if you smoke only English blends or prefer them to Aros and VaPers, I definitely recommend that you give it a try.
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