It doesn't stop others it seems. I still however very much recommend this blend. If you like a really good English blend than you're going to enjoy this. Penzance needs no introduction or fancified "me too" style praise. I really wanted to like this blend, and tried really hard to do so. I was actually sitting in front of my computer and immediately responded. Strange but it's made in Jersey and it's unavailable in the UK! Complexity? Upon opening a tin I was greeted with the visual and aroma of a mysterious and exotic experience that surrounds this highly cherished and coveted prize. Just one of many, many good tobaccos. the place by me is almost always out of it because i just cant seem to get enough. It is not the most complex blend out there; however it is not flat by any means. It is easy to prepare for filling. Maybe a little drying out will help. Gifted 100gms of this baccy when buying an estate pipe off Ebay. I am new to pipe smoking and purchased this tobacco based on the recommendations on this site. One more characteristic I did not see in other reviews is that this blend burns for a long time. $0 - $100+. It is a perfect English in terms of balance. I showed restraint, and did not get overly excited. This flake is too Latakia heavy for a medium or larger bowl. It smokes velvet smooth with a sweetness and taste that makes one believe this is really high-grade leaf. This was a wonderful fuller taste and smoke. I recently transitioned to English Blends as My journey as a Pipe Smoker has evolved. You'll be glad it is. Penzance is the opening of Beethoven's Ninth, fourth movement, Vocal leads. Returns. Maybe if I was awash in money, who knows but even then, I am not so sure. This tobacco flake nearly falls apart upon handling. The Virginias/Orientals and Turkish's are all almost even with the Latakia. Virginia, Orientals and Latakia play nicely together, and go to neutral corners when a time out is needed, allowing the other tobaccos in the blend a chance in the spotlight. Pipe Used: Peterson 9s Falcon,Comoys Bulldog. Though it is hard to find sometimes, I am fortunate that I know of a local B&M which often has the 8oz bags in stock. After waiting some years to acquire a portion of this much-fabled blend, I finally came upon a tin in trade. It's great tobacco, but I can do without it as availability of SLF or Holly's Discovery is not a problem where I live and they satisfy my fix just as well. I dislike the results always from overheating any tobacco with my meer, but Penzance even more so. A note regarding aging: I've never had one of these little square tins fail, but I have found rust in them after a few years. The room note is of a very strong rich tobacco. Review: Tobaccostock.com Just ordered a box of cigars from this place, have never heard of them. I didnt quite crumble up enough for a full bowl, so I did a modified three-step gravity fill. This is indeed one of the best tobaccos I have smoked to date. If anyone has any further suggestions as to a casing, etc. After all, incense almost rhymes with Penzance. IMO, Penzance and Westminister are the two best English tobaccos on the market today. Enjoy! What I find in Penzance, though, is that the oily, smoky aftertaste of this seems to linger on the palate and tongue for a long time. I'm guessing that the weather CAN have a bad effect on this stuff - and that the effect is to pump moisture into it. When my package arrived, it was put in a cardboard box, and the tin itself was wrapped in a plastic wrap. Char then light and moderate attention allows a smoke without relight. I don't like boiled broccoli either as it is not to my taste. Took 3 re-lights and light tamps, but once lit, stayed lit. I am not shure Is the tabacco in the Tin diffent than the big bulk?? Moving on the pipe-weed nearly forms a brick, most hues in the attractively dark brown range, with some lighter streaks. Holy is a perfect intensifier for my description of this offering: holy mole, holy cow, and holy mackerel are just a few. It crumbles so easily I almost had a hard time getting a flake out of the tin. Similar Blends: Rattray's Black Mallory. In my own crude vernacular: smoky tobacco, with oriental overtones, the ingredients not so well blended as to obscure the jagged edges which sometimes interestingly break through on the palette. There's a definite, natural sweetness to this blend, along with a Scotch whisky-like peaty aroma. And isn't it odd that my first review would be on Panzance almost 40 years later. It's symptomatic of the habit. Very rich, thick tasting. This stuff is nice! But it's a tobacco that does not deserve it's impossibly loyal following. It has a very fragrant burn and, fellow Catholics, reminded me of incense from a funeral? I had several years ago picked up a bag, when the stuff wasn't so rare, and found myself captivated by the cut--this crumbly, soil like texture. It's latakia is slightly understated, as compared to some of the other English blends, but it comes through nicely anyway. Paddy. One thing that makes this tobacco incredibly unique is its consistency, not as defined by conformity with previous attitudes, behaviour, practice, etc., but as defined as the state or quality of holding or sticking together and retaining shape. Its mild, not pungent, however it is very musty like old books. You could do a lot worse. The taste is extremely pleasant if not addictive. I received a couple of oz from a friend who didn't like Penzance, in my turn i felt that this tobacco isn't mine. . The word is "tranquility". What Ill be sampling today is Esotericas Penzance. Out of Stock. All in all a good smoke. I tried all of the usual techniquesiodine aroma and little else is all that I could get. Give it a go! Clarification : I can see from some of the comments about my review, that some reviewers never had the pleasure of having your Mom apply some povidone-IODINE to your cut. Latakia obviously is the main flavor; those of a floral, herbal, musty, leather, and vegetative nature. I am going to write this review in plain English (no pun intended), such that any pipe tobacco beginner can understand what I am about to say about Penzance. I do, however, have a tin of Penzance and a wonderful Parker billiard. Tobacco Shop in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. It mosly serves to hold the blend together, rather than to add much flavor. Out of Stock. The taste was a bit underpowering at first, but finally began to coax its way forth after about one fourth of the bowl. I loved the flake cut and the required crumbling. With out these effects, be it pschological or not, taste of pipe tobacco seems to suffer. However, one I lit the pipe I was in for a reward. I rarely smoke full English blends, but when I do I expect more complexity than this, and I think the latakia dominates the flavor a bit more than I prefer. It is the only tobacco that I have pipes (3) dedicated to. You won't be disappointed. This has been my most enjoyable smoke to date. View All (73) Esoterica Penzance 2oz Reviews. I'd like to thank Bobby G at Pipes & Cigars for the 8 oz. Hopefully, if it ever returns, it will be the same. This heavily guarded secret recipe includes certain variations of Virginia, and a precise addition of Latakia, Turkish, and other Oriental tobacco. Mmmmmmmmmm. Components: Virginia Family: Virginia Cut: Ribbon. I purchased an 8 oz. Do you prefer Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams, really no wrong answer. Whatever it is I can't put my finger on, again. If you like Balkan blends this is it. Burns cool and clean and there is nothing else quite like it around that I have come across. I smell a strong note that I keep ident ifying as olive. I can't really say much more than that with any kind of intellectual honesty after three bowls, but I can't see ever calling this anything less than excellent. (56.7 Grams) UPDATE: >>> 01/20/2018 After a few more tins and a closer inspection, the whiteness on this tobacco may actually be a crystalization and not a delicate mold, I saw sparkling in the sunlight. This IS my idea of what a quality English blend should taste like. Well BrSpiritus seems like you had bad luck with it, try to dry it a little more. Spades of complexity and tangy hues due to the tobacco conditioning process. The key for me is small pipe. Mostly I guess because I am a Latakia lover and this one fits my needs beter than most other Latakia blends. Be the first to write a review . I loaded it up, got my Makers Mark Bourbon and I was good to go. If I had to put my finger on the "problem" (overstated - it was more the reason it missed the mark for me slightly rather than a problem), I would say that the virginia didn't mesh quite as well as I'd like. Its flavors consist of a campfire-like background with some spice on the nose which I like. The taste level is full. Pipes that normally give me a 45 min smoke with other blends last for well over an hour with Penzance. I'm not a latakia lover but this blend is something to remember. I guess that makes for all the fuss. One reviewer said dont walk, run to the tobacco store and get some Penzance. Stocks Mutual Funds/ETFs. Its amazing, but there are too many blends I can horde without so much effort. I have always loved the unique flavor and incense like quality of Germain's Latakia, but there are other Germain mixtures where I feel this special leaf is better highlighted. This packs very easily and takes to light easily after a little drying time. I don't mind the presentation, a "krumble kake". I'm brand new to this review site, and it has been very interesting to read other's opinions of tobaccos that I know well. Description. Moving into the second third, the taste is becoming even darker, maturing into a remarkably full and satisfying flavor. A hint of Virginia tang comes through in the smell. In my opinion, this is the best English available on the market. Just delightful! Addendum 6/7/2011: well, I didn't give up! It is not as spicy or sweet as McClelland's British Woods but is on the good-bitter end of the spectrum. I'll have some close by always. That said, I can?t agree with those who say that Penzance is a latakia bomb. !but the man who came up with this blend was blessed by God he truly created something special ,enough said if you could get your hands on this and I was blessed by God by being able to acquire Was able to get an 8 oz bag after about 4 years of looking. I will say that, to my perceptions, the bagged version is "not the same" as the tinned version. Purchased From: trade amidst the interpixels. I definitely expect more due to the hype. Mailing Address: 550 Highway 9 East, Longs, SC 29568 Telephone: Local/International: (843) 281-9304 Toll Free: (888) 366-0345. $17.80 - $44.20. The aroma is typical English latakia. IMPORTED TOBACCO - L.J. Peretti I air out a few slices at a time in order to keep the rest fresh. Curiously they have a fair amount of Iodine that occurs naturally. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Esoterica blends begin with tobaccos that are not "top shelf". Very delicious indeed . Breaks up easily, and the pre-sliced pieces are perfect for packing. However, with the idea that more is better I began my quest for what many believe to be the epitome of the Latakia blends and was quickly directed toward Penzance being described by many as the graile of Latakia. Removing several flakes from the tin I easily rub them out in my palm with my thumb. Trusted SSL Protection, **All orders over the limit of one or more than one order in a 24 hour period will automatically be refunded.**. Tobacco Reviews | Esoterica Tobacciana - Penzance At the end of the match I was not through yet.. Varia: The tobacco crumbles easy so filling the pipe is even for folks who are not used to flakes not too difficult. quantities of premium Cyprian Latakia. As heretical as this might sound I do not think Penzance is the best Estoterica blend. The Latakia, albeit not dominating is very rich in flavors as well. I was fortunate enough to recently discover that I had cellared a tin in 1999 (and forgot about it). You need to find the right pipe, and the right pack, and stick with it religiously. I got my hand on several tins of this stuff before it got overrated and sold out on every continent. Fast forward two years and here I am, really enjoying this stuff. I find it a bit one dimentional, and wouldnt smoke it more than occasionaly. As I stated, a real problem is with the moisture. They are tender flakes that crumble more than seperate but the end result provides easy packing and a fantastic burn rate. It's awesome, it's great, it's the greatest. But this is about the tobacco, not politics, so 4-stars and favorited! Less processed seems to equal more pure. I have about a pound cellared, and even if it were to disappear tomorrow I imagine that's enough to keep me sated for the next 30 years given how infrequently I crave its unique flavor. Fine powder ash. Buy it! As a deep, relaxing blend after a big meal, it has few equals; it's especially good in a very large pipe. The taste is light to medium a bit to light for my enjoyment. Buy the blends you enjoy now, because they may not be around tomorrow. Aging knocks the edge off the orientals and adds a bit of sweetness. This blend is polarizing to my taste buds. pressed, cut and rubbed out. Out of the packet it smells of damp musky autum leaves (it feels like a winter smoke to me) but hold a flame to it and a thick incence like tobacco aroma fills the room. Creamy but also smoky, unlike Margate, which is creamy and sweet. Incense, very faint. At the risk of adding "me too" praise, I must say that this has become my "Arcadia" blend. I wouldn't say it makes it better, just very distinct in taste. This is definitely one of the best Balkans on the market. But people are going nuts over Penzance not for its attributes, but for its lack of availability. Truly?? Similar to Gaslight, but much more balanced, smoother, and not as strong in the nic or latakia (campfire smokiness). This will become this generation's 759. Great blend that loads well, lights easily, burns cool and dry to the bottom of the bowl. I would recommend it to any pipe smoker looking for a thought provoking experience that will leave you wanting more. Certainly, there is an art to loading even krumble kake, but really just about anything will do with this tobacco, is is very tolerant of lazy pipe loading. The type of Virginias used produces a flavor profile which is quite different from the archetypal English blends (i.e. This is the only English I now smoke and the only one I desire. Works well in any size briar or meerschaum. I guess there is no accounting for tastes right. Note: I smoked this blend long before the hipsters took to it and must say I'm disappointed that's it's harder to be had these days. Anyway, I took it as a loss and traded it off. The smoking experience itself demands that one takes their time when enjoying it. I try to carefully fold and roll a flake and stuff it "vertically". Four stars just isn't enough for this fantastic blend! Sort by: FIND INVESTMENTS. Balkan Sasieni One of the finest examples of small-batch production challenges doubled by an overblown reputation. Best bet is to put in an "in stock" alert on a few vendor web sites and buy it AS SOON AS the email hits your inbox. I would call truly outstanding. Has this blend become so popular that trying to keep up with the demand that quality control has suffered ? Is Penzance the best pipe tobacco I have ever smoked? 2 talking about this. Definitely purchase some if you can find it. Current Stock: Add to Wish List. Anyway, that smell. Germain have produced an excellent tobacco and simply won't market it fairly even in the USA. That in itself is a compliment as he passed away when I was six. Oh well, there's no accounting for taste and to a lover of full blown Latakia blends this would be great, especially due to the great burning characteristics. It is definitely a Latakia blend and has a spicy side to it as well but not very pronounced. Upon smoking the lemongrass comes through, must be that wonderful oriental tobacco. Several other Esoterica blends have that same iodine scent as a noticeable component of the tin bouquet. Penzance is my favorite tobacco, bare none. It does have a decent nicotine kick, which I started to feel about 1/2 to 2/3 through the bowl. The first time I smoked this it was remarkable. Long matured and easily crumbled to facilitate pipe filling. Penzance is a slice of heaven! So much so, that it made me feel slightly nauseous ( and this comes from a smoker that can handle Night Cap all day long ). I've either traded or sold all of my Penzance, and will not be acquiring any more. The Krumble Kake format did not present significant problems for me. It is very nice in a Meerschaum outside in the winter. I find myself in a bit of a pickle. "I am not a man" - (tobacco).."I am Cantona!" According to the wife, the room aroma reminded her of vanilla. This is a nice, full bodied blend very similar to Smokers Haven Krumble Kake and both are made by Germain so there ya go. I happened to find this blend at a shop I frequent a few times a year (they are good for supplying hard to find blends). Just because I may be arrogant, doesn't mean that I'm not right (big grin). If I tried to describe and characterize it by reference to its taste, mouthfeel or strength I would fall woefully short. The moisture level is conducive to a great, smooth smoke and the tobacco tends to retain this moisture level due to its pressed flake cut. I avoided all other English blends thereafter. There is always a bit of moisture buildup from the first third to half of the bowl, but this clears up after halfway. Like most of you I've had it up to here (insert hand held high) with lame music analogies with regard to tobacco. enhancement. Yes, it is deliciousand it's perfectly suited to large bowled pipes as it burns slowly and coolly. I have gotten lost and almost fallen asleep smoking this in the late hours, it relaxes me so. This is nothing more than a one dimensional Latakia bomb. For me the creaminess is amazing, the aftertaste, the sweetness that jump out now and then. Am I the only one who gets a chemical sensation from the taste and aroma of Penzance? ---------------------------------- update 3/05 - I take back the negative side of my review and provide a few revised thoughts. In my 25 years of pipe smoking, I?ve only found 3 perfect blends, and they are all Esoterica and consider Penzance to be one of them! Second, the flakes are quite damp in their normal state, but do not require any extraordinary measures to ignite and burn cleanly to a dry, white ash. Volumous smoke with a great depth and breath of flavor and aroma. I've smoked 2000, 2008,2016, and last run of 2020/21. It burns down as well as most, maybe a tad better. This thing had sugar crystals already. There was no flavor at all. When I opened the tin I discovered a rich leathery dark aroma that I can only discribe as heavenly. If it ever comes back, I highly doubt it'll be exactly the same as the originals. Packaging: Tin When I first tried it, I had just started pipe smoking and having begun with Kendall's Sweet Peach, this English blend was a bit of a shock I wasn't ready for. There seem to be countless English mixtures on the market today and Penzance is the only one that I could never, ever confuse with any of the others. Still am. The tin description above says, "A wonderful complex secret recipe .". In few words, good perhaps very good but definitely overrated. Esoterica- Scarborough 8 ounce. This is the finest Latakia/Balkan style blend in the business with Margate running a very close second. J.F Germain's truly are the masters of rare, time consuming and perfect blends. Penzance is a very well matured mixture of Virginia, Turkish, Cyprian Latakia, and other Oriental Tobaccos. Upon finally deciding to buy tobacco from SmokingPipes.com due to a lack of fine tobacconists in my area I went to the top rated tobaccos on this site so I might try what everyone else found to be excellent. The "aroma" (read "STENCH") is enough to make you think that Granny's Depends are failing. 4th Generation Pipe Tobacco 2000-2023 Laudisi Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Jar note, smoky but mild. I have 2oz in a mason jar, and a sealed 8oz bag that I dare not open until I can secure some more. trial sample. However, since I posted this online, you will have to hurry, before one of the other forum member beats you to it. Unfortunately, they do not shine through as I think they should. Up to date I loved anything that Germain's had manufactured and Penzance isn't an exception to this. In a word: yes. Outstanding. If you have it around long enough to dry out, it still never becomes harsh as with some blends. Esoterica's Penzance is one of the finest traditional English Flakes available anywhere. When I saw a couple of tins on the shelf of my local tobacconist, I grabbed them without thinking. I've heard about pipers paying immense amounts of money for just tiny amounts of this blend, and personally I find it a bit ridiculous. The mild flavor is creamy, sweet, and a tad bit fruity think a very mild raisins or prunes. I saved the tin until a few of my buddies and myself could sample this fine tobacco together. Limit One Bag Per Customer Tin aroma is predominantly Latakia with an oriental undertone. High quality tobacco. I like what's there, but it's missing something important to me. It has a soft delicateness that is pleasant to handle. I smoked this blend for the first time a little over a year ago and was extremely impressed. I'll wait a few more weeks and give it another try. Packed the bowl and lit up BAMMMM! When that time came, I've been disapponted at first as I was expecting a big latakia hit from the beginning to the end. It was my first experience with a crumble cake. Limit One Tin Per Customer At first the note is boldly phenolic, reminding me very much of an islay scotch, particularly laphroaig. This is the only Latakia-blend I smoke in my pipe after having tried many blends. Greetings, I must say that for me unquestionably this is the best Latakia infused English I have ever put a match to. Either this tobacco has changed or my taste buds have. The more I smoke of this the more I come to enjoy it. Are better than many, including legends 4 stars and benchmarks, as Presbyterian, Stonehaven, Squadron Leader, NightCap, Dunhill's Standard Medium, Altadis Similar 965, Dunhill's 965 etc You know, after hearing so much hype about this legendary tobacco, I finally found it for a very affordable price in NYC. It was just sour smoke. I like it so munch I bought 20 tins and a stanwell #227 that I use just for penzance. So cheers to the room note fellas! You will be spoiled! The tin aroma suggests fine tobacco, and the smoking of that tobacco confirms it. When I first tried this smoke I thought it was disgusting, but now I guess the more I smoke it the more I grow to like it. True english sliced crumble cake. It seems like the blend may have lost some of its vigor after 6 years. We smoked it all night long. This stuff is amazingly good! Lets see! The good stuff takes too long to kick in, it's almost insipid. Simply on of the BEST English blends I have ever smoked. Personally, I like Balkan Sobranie much better. I believe that this should be made more available, so that more people can enjoy it and demystify all that is around this blend. starting at $2.00 per ounce and up! The only thing I can add is to emphasize the subtlety of this magical blend. This may very well be the 'Grail' of english blends for me. Luckily Pipes and Pleasures of Columbus Ohio had this in stock, and I managed to order 'some' which a friend who lives in Ohio collected for me and sent over to the UK. yes Quiet Night is a very suitable option if you can not find Penzance online or at your local B&M store. smells like beef jerky in the tin. Packaging: Bag With the understanding that there is zero, zip, zilch added flavorings this tobac is truly a blended masterpiece! The bulk tobacco was a lot drier than the tin. This is one smooth, rich, mellow and satisfying tobacco. The smoking flavor is on the medium to full side. This is the best English Flake tobacco I ever smoked! I wish it was a bit more together. This is simply the smooth epic English blend that all of us are looking for. This certainly is magnificent stuff. The best behaved and easiest English tobacco Ive ever smoked. I just finished a bowl of Penzance (dated February, 2012, purchased-and-jarred in August 2015). I have to say that many other blends in this genre are just as good though not as unique in flavor. Rubbing out into small pieces yields a more satisfying smoke for me, and I do not mind that a few pieces escape out of the mouthpiece on test draws. If you're reading these reviews to help make up your mind, buy Penzance immediately. The background is Virginias, but I could not differentiate any particular vaieties. Broken down nicely and had to be careful not to pack too tightly. They are by no means identical, but in my honest opinion, have the same flavor profile. There is reason why this is the 322nd review of this classic blend.