Started smoking pipe tobacco around 2010ish in Atlanta. The selection and availability of pipe tobacco was overwhelming!! I quickly zeroed in on Penzance, 1792, FVF, Nightcap, etc. Was sidelined by cigars, and have just now started to get back into pipe tobacco. Question is, what is currently on the market that is the closest to Penzance? Just chasing a good old memory…
What, Currently, is Similar to Penzance?
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I haven't really found anything with as high a latakia content as Penzance--perhaps others will chime in--however, Brebbia Latakia Flake No. 9 has a pretty good amount of latakia, as does Arango Balkan Supreme.
A forums member, SBC, sent me Esoterica Tilbury, Virginia with burley as a condiment, and wow, it is remarkable. I've never smoked Penzance, but taking Nightcap as a cue, I'd recommend your trying C&D blends Stratfordshire, Tuggle Hall, Old Joe Krantz, Billy Budd (with cigar leaf), Bayou Night and its sister blend Mountain Camp, with the same tobaccos in different proportions.
I do like my burley, but if you tolerate it, these are fine blends, along with Peterson 3-P and Irish Flake.
I do like my burley, but if you tolerate it, these are fine blends, along with Peterson 3-P and Irish Flake.
Substitute for Penzance? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion
I'm relatively new to piping, but one name that I have consistently heard in extremely high regard is the Penzance by Esoterica. Another thing I've come to be made aware of is that Penzance is even harder to find a tin of than most of Esoterica's elusive blends. That said, if I want to get a...
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Lots of input on this topic in the past. There are other threads as well.
Best of luck
I, for one, think GLP Quiet Nights is not only a good substitute for Penzance, but superior to it it nearly every way. Just my .02
TryOld Ironsides. Penzance is sweeter I think but at least Ironsides has the flake thing going.
A less helpfully suggestion is Germain's Special Latakia Flake. However, it too is a unicorn like Penzance and is also not as sweet I don't think.
A less helpfully suggestion is Germain's Special Latakia Flake. However, it too is a unicorn like Penzance and is also not as sweet I don't think.
It's interesting how tastes differ. I love Penzance and the Pease English and Balkan Blends, e.g., Charing Cross, Ravens' Wing, Samarra, Odyssey, Blackpoint, Bohemian Scandal and Caravan, but not Quiet Nights.
Man, thanks a lot. Will try to find some locally here in Huntsville, Alabama. We have a few good stores.
Quiet Nights, Dreams of Kadath, Star of the East and Plum Pudding SR are my substitute picks. All better than Penzance IMHO.
I would recommend Westminster by G.L. Pease.
C&D Sunset Harbor Flake is an excellent substitute for Penzance IMO. Agreed with most others mentioned as well, Quiet Nights in particular.
There is nothing that has that kaleidoscope of flavors like Penzance. Sorry.
I have to agree with @cosmicfolklore on this. Penzance seems unique to me—nothing quite tastes like it; it can be hard to wrap your head around its flavours and that quality alone makes it so interesting to me. A lot of other blends taste like other blends, a little more this and less of that, but Penzance is its own thing. I dig it, but just wish it was easier to get.
The closest sub is Special Latakia Flake, followed by Smoker's Haven Our Best Blend ... both also made by Esoterica.
I've seen folks recommend GLP QN, GLP Meridian, SPC PP, etc. etc. These are all good blends, but Penzance subs they are not. That's not even to say that they are not as good. It's just to say that they are different.
Penzance melds Orientals and Latakia in a cohesive oily creaminess that is wholly unique.
Special Latakia Flake really is close, but never gained the same cult following, so you may be able to score a tin of that.
I've seen folks recommend GLP QN, GLP Meridian, SPC PP, etc. etc. These are all good blends, but Penzance subs they are not. That's not even to say that they are not as good. It's just to say that they are different.
Penzance melds Orientals and Latakia in a cohesive oily creaminess that is wholly unique.
Special Latakia Flake really is close, but never gained the same cult following, so you may be able to score a tin of that.
Why not just get some Squadron Leader that way you can smoke something better?
Star of the East Flake from C&D is a good match. Might have more Latakia than Penzance but it comes close.
Here's a review of Star of the East Flake:
Review
Review
My wife bought me Old Ironsides and I love it. It didn't remind me of Penzance per se, but I can see where you're coming from.
I haven't tried Special Latakia Flake but having tried the other blends you mentioned by Esoterica and Pease, I concur that Penzance is rather unique in comparison, based on my own experience.
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