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Post by exbenedict on Nov 11, 2018 16:47:34 GMT -5
So I have finally gotten hold of some Penzance to try. After smoking a pipe for about two years now, I have wanted to try it and I did not want to pay the exorbitant eBay prices so I patiently waited until I could grab a couple ounces for a reasonable price. After smoking three bowls through a meer and a Peterson Outdoorsman, I can honestly say that I don't see what all the hype is about. It is good, and tasty, and has a nice out of the tin smoky, peppery smell that I like, but as an extravagant hard to find tobacco, I find it meh. If I had to choose a flake to smoke on the regular it would be something different, and more accessible. Just my $0.02 worth.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 11, 2018 16:51:42 GMT -5
At least you didn't pay an exorbitant price for it... And it doesn't seem so bad that you'll not smoke it again.
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Post by exbenedict on Nov 11, 2018 16:59:44 GMT -5
No I'll definitely finish off the tin, it just strikes me as a good regular smoke, nothing that I would go out of my way for but wouldn't turn down if offered to me.
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Post by puffy on Nov 11, 2018 17:04:33 GMT -5
I've had some for a few years.I don't smoke often.I really like it when I do smoke it though.I couldn't pay today's prices for it though.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 17:12:26 GMT -5
Ex, I too feel the same...I would not go out of my way to purchase or smoke Penzance.....it really did not “ float my boat “!!
Every pipe smoker has their personal favorite tobacco, I know a few that would “ KILL “ for Penzance.
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Post by Darin on Nov 11, 2018 17:15:39 GMT -5
Agreed!
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 11, 2018 17:48:06 GMT -5
I was fortunate to get some from a member here...I have to agree, it is a nice tobacco, and even with some age on it...it is OK, but nothing I would spend stupid dollars on....actually if I did it would be stupid dollars in the true sense.
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Post by haebar on Nov 11, 2018 17:52:57 GMT -5
Penzance is pretty good, but there are other tobaccos that shine just as brightly and are not as hard to come by. GLP Gaslight really blew me away. The hype has to do with how scarce Penzance is.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 11, 2018 17:59:36 GMT -5
I 2nd, 3rd, 4th, whatever number were on, this same thought. Although I do have a little bit, it's not something I would hunt down and trade my watch for.
I can scratch that itch with Balkan Supreme for a lot cheaper. That itch doesnt need scratched very often anyhow.
(Gaslight is good, I find myself smoking it more often lately when I want something other than a Va)
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haveldad
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Post by haveldad on Nov 11, 2018 18:04:29 GMT -5
Yeah i agree its okay. Not the greatest thing on earth. Smokes well at least.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Nov 11, 2018 18:45:34 GMT -5
I 2nd, 3rd, 4th, whatever number were on, this same thought. Although I do have a little bit, it's not something I would hunt down and trade my watch for. I can scratch that itch with Balkan Supreme for a lot cheaper. That itch doesnt need scratched very often anyhow. (Gaslight is good, I find myself smoking it more often lately when I want something other than a Va) I love the smell of Gaslight. I can be found with my nose buried in the jar, inhaling deeply |
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 11, 2018 19:12:59 GMT -5
Same here. If I could find a candle that smelled like it, I'd buy a case. But, I also love the smell of creosote coated wood under a house and Gas Light reminds me of that.
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Post by slowroll on Nov 11, 2018 19:14:27 GMT -5
Yep, I agree. If I had only a couple of premium lat blends to smoke, they would be Balkan Supreme or Engine 99, with the edge to Engine 99.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 19:16:59 GMT -5
I 2nd, 3rd, 4th, whatever number were on, this same thought. Although I do have a little bit, it's not something I would hunt down and trade my watch for. I can scratch that itch with Balkan Supreme for a lot cheaper. That itch doesnt need scratched very often anyhow. (Gaslight is good, I find myself smoking it more often lately when I want something other than a Va) I love the smell of Gaslight. I can be found with my nose buried in the jar, inhaling deeply I agree.....@ my age Gaslight is about the only thing I can bury my nose in and enjoy without running away👌👍👍 |
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Post by qmechanics on Nov 11, 2018 19:20:53 GMT -5
I have heard from more than a few sources that if you want something similar to the Penzance experience with the flavors even more pronounced try GL Peace Quiet Nights; Better on the budget and easier to find in the USA.
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Post by slowroll on Nov 11, 2018 19:25:08 GMT -5
I don't know, I find quiet nights kinda meh. Odyssey much better. But not as good as Engine 99.
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Post by danno44 on Nov 11, 2018 19:31:53 GMT -5
I have a few tins I picked up back in ‘15. It’s a nice smoke, but nothing I would chase after. In fact I’m in process of reviewing all my pipes and baccy and may let them go, they are in the “maybe” sell pile.
IF I decide to sell, I’ll offer them up here at a very reasonable cost.
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Post by qmechanics on Nov 11, 2018 19:35:43 GMT -5
I don't know, I find quiet nights kinda meh. Odyssey much better. But not as good as Engine 99. Speaking for myself, I enjoy Quiet Nights as well as the offerings you mentioned. The point I was trying to make is the similarity between Quiet Nights and Penzance based on what I have read. Penzance has proven illusive ,so I can only report what others have said. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Nov 11, 2018 19:46:30 GMT -5
So I have finally gotten hold of some Penzance to try. After smoking a pipe for about two years now, I have wanted to try it and I did not want to pay the exorbitant eBay prices so I patiently waited until I could grab a couple ounces for a reasonable price. After smoking three bowls through a meer and a Peterson Outdoorsman, I can honestly say that I don't see what all the hype is about. It is good, and tasty, and has a nice out of the tin smoky, peppery smell that I like, but as an extravagant hard to find tobacco, I find it meh. If I had to choose a flake to smoke on the regular it would be something different, and more accessible. Just my $0.02 worth. I tried it in 5 pipes before I finally found one that it sang in. Have you tried it in a ghost free pot? That is my suggestion. I never found a pipe that would make Stonehaven taste like anything but warm air. |
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Post by blackmouth210 on Nov 11, 2018 19:58:12 GMT -5
So I have finally gotten hold of some Penzance to try. After smoking a pipe for about two years now, I have wanted to try it and I did not want to pay the exorbitant eBay prices so I patiently waited until I could grab a couple ounces for a reasonable price. After smoking three bowls through a meer and a Peterson Outdoorsman, I can honestly say that I don't see what all the hype is about. It is good, and tasty, and has a nice out of the tin smoky, peppery smell that I like, but as an extravagant hard to find tobacco, I find it meh. If I had to choose a flake to smoke on the regular it would be something different, and more accessible. Just my $0.02 worth. I tried it in 5 pipes before I finally found one that it sang in. Have you tried it in a ghost free pot? That is my suggestion. I never found a pipe that would make Stonehaven taste like anything but warm air. Good point. Unless a blend is too awful for me to bear, I try to not come to a conclusion or to judge a blend if I've smoked less than 1oz. And, really, 2oz is a more ideal minimum. I enjoy Esoterica blends. But if anyone is not blown away by an Esoterica blend, it is not hard to believe. It was only some years ago that those blends were just another blend and maybe mostly even ignored by pipers. |
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Post by That Falls Guy on Nov 11, 2018 20:01:28 GMT -5
I've always been curious about Penzance, as well as Stonehaven, but was never able to try them. I wish that I could have, but since I don't know what they taste like, I doubt that I would buy into the hype either!
As much as I liked McClelland 5100, as well as the Frog Series, and MacBaren Vintage Syrian, they are gone.
I've found some others to replace them. While not quite the same, they're close enough so as not to miss the originals quite so much.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Nov 11, 2018 20:26:11 GMT -5
I'll take the other side of this observation... I tried my first bowl of Penzance a couple of years back. It was a 20 YO tin that I paid $50 for. It was by far the most I'd ever paid for tobacco, but gotta tell ya, it was EXCELLENT, to my palate anyway. I am a huge fan of English's, Balkan's, Orientals, etc... I much prefer the subtleties of Esoterica offerings, with Stonehaven, Penzance, Margate & And So To Bed, topping the list. Thus, I have subsequently acquired bags and tins of all of the Esoterica blends, as well of other sought after Germain blends. Realizing my situation may be different than other members here, I'm still working vs being retired, and I travel the eastern seaboard weekly for business, as well as trips to Europe a few times a year, it avails itself to the opportunity to seek out rare or unusual blends. Not a snob here fellas, just someone who "Likes What I Like" ;-) I also have shelves and jars full of McClelland blends, primarily Frog Morton, as well as some aro's, and the old OTC Codger blends such as Carter Hall, Prince Albert, Borkum Riff and others.   My Esoterica shelf is 11" X 16" X 21"... That's 3696 cubic inches or over 2 cubic feet of Esoterica. All of which, besides the original $50 tin, that I paid around $20 to $25 a tin for and $40 to $45 per 8 oz bag. I realize this is more than some would pay, but fortunately within the humble budget I've set aside for it. just my $0.02 Dino |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 20:42:08 GMT -5
So I have finally gotten hold of some Penzance to try. After smoking a pipe for about two years now, I have wanted to try it and I did not want to pay the exorbitant eBay prices so I patiently waited until I could grab a couple ounces for a reasonable price. After smoking three bowls through a meer and a Peterson Outdoorsman, I can honestly say that I don't see what all the hype is about. It is good, and tasty, and has a nice out of the tin smoky, peppery smell that I like, but as an extravagant hard to find tobacco, I find it meh. If I had to choose a flake to smoke on the regular it would be something different, and more accessible. Just my $0.02 worth. I tried it in 5 pipes before I finally found one that it sang in. Have you tried it in a ghost free pot? That is my suggestion. I never found a pipe that would make Stonehaven taste like anything but warm air. Stonehaven with 6 plus years of aging and dried properly is a superb tobacco in the “ right “ briar. Even in a new MM Country Gentleman pipe 👍👍👍 |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 21:05:41 GMT -5
Too hard to get so I just moved on down the road. Samuel Gawith tobacco was that way many years ago when it came back around I stocked up on my favorites but they have yet to re-enter a regular rotation. Now we are moving into the second Dunhill shortage but I wrote that off the first go around a few years back as well. No McClelland does not affect me as well. Blends come and go so if you think you cant live without it cellar hard and deep.
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chasingembers
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Post by chasingembers on Nov 11, 2018 21:17:10 GMT -5
I mostly use Penzance as a mixer. With blends like Meridian, Yenidje Highlander, and Peretti's Royal, Penzance just seems a little bland.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 22:05:00 GMT -5
It stays in my top 3 list, but here recently I think Quite Nights,Old Ironsides,Ten Russians,Pirate Kake, and this week's newest latakia tin, Royal Jersey, are just as enjoyable. And yes, I am President of the Royal Brotherhood of Latakia Hounds.
The great thing is that if Penzance disappears tomorrow, there are plenty of blends to take its place. Now that I have determined that latakia blends are the only thing I am interested in, I can concentrate just on them. As long as it tastes like a campfire made of railroad ties soaked in motor oil with a heap of peat bog and a Goodyear racing tire thrown on top, I'm happy.
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Post by morallynomadic on Nov 11, 2018 22:09:38 GMT -5
This has been my experience with every Esoterica blend I've smoked. Not bad tobacco, but not 5 times as enjoyable to me as anything else, so I can't justify paying five times the price.
Lucky for me and my bank account, my palate is just as much of a cheap bastard as I am.
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Post by mwps70 on Nov 11, 2018 22:42:57 GMT -5
I love both Penzance and Stonehaven. Both are wonderful fresh and aged. I've been lucky to have been able to find both fairly regularly during my smoking career so I will be the odd duck. They are incredible blends and there is nothing out there that can take their place. I disagree that Quiet Nights compares to Penzance IMO. And in my mind both blends are in my top 5 of all time. I have other Esoteric blends that I haven't tapped into yet so I will be looking forward to trying those as well.
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Post by slowroll on Nov 11, 2018 23:06:28 GMT -5
It stays in my top 3 list, but here recently I think Quite Nights,Old Ironsides,Ten Russians,Pirate Kake, and this week's newest latakia tin, Royal Jersey, are just as enjoyable. And yes, I am President of the Royal Brotherhood of Latakia Hounds. The great thing is that if Penzance disappears tomorrow, there are plenty of blends to take its place. Now that I have determined that latakia blends are the only thing I am interested in, I can concentrate just on them. As long as it tastes like a campfire made of railroad ties soaked in motor oil with a heap of peat bog and a Goodyear racing tire thrown on top, I'm happy. Hear, hear. I second that! |
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Post by ChewsUrOwnAdventure on Nov 12, 2018 12:05:54 GMT -5
I'm not quite on the "meh" wagon with Esoterica, but I do think they make solid blends. Honestly I think their real strength is in their uniqueness. It's easy for me to find blends that I simply enjoy more than Penzance, Stonehaven, Dunbar, And So To Bed, etc... But I never find a burley flake quite like Stonehaven, never latakia/Oriental blends quite like Penzance, and so on.
Esoterica has done a fantastic job producing unique tobaccos, and any time someone asks if they're worth trying, I think, yeah, they are, if they're readily available. Because the truth is I'm sitting on a pile of different Esotericas, having gone unicorn chasing in the past, and I usually just reach for something I like more. And, while there are several blends I think are better and more available, if I happen on occasion to want some Stonehaven, then there really is no replacement for it.
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