Why Esoterica?

[Dudditz]

I apologize if this has been asked before somewhere and I missed it. I looked. What is the deal with the Esoterica blends and the "mystique" behind them? I am at a disadvantage here admittedly as I am a newbie and have never tried any of them. But it seems from what little I think I know is that they are hard to come by, in everyone's rotation somehow and expensive when you can find them.

Is it the taste? Are they THAT GOOD? I get it, that's subjective. Again, I have never tried any, so therein may be my answer.

Is it because they are scarce and that makes them alluring in some way?

Do you experienced members feel it is worth the effort to go on the "Grail Quest" for this stuff?

 

[coming to_falling too]

I managed to pick up a few tins of some Eso. And Germains at my local B&M, but I wasn't on the quest for any. Also I haven't even gotten around to smoking them yet. I'm far from experienced but an answer to your question is no. There's so much that is available and also good that hunting down these rare tobaccos seems almost trivial.

 

[Dudditz]

I managed to pick up a few tins of some Eso. And Germains at my local B&M, but I wasn't on the quest for any. Also I haven't even gotten around to smoking them yet. I'm far from experienced but an answer to your question is no. There's so much that is available and also good that hunting down these rare tobaccos seems almost trivial.

Gotcha. Thank you very much for your opinion. That's the kind of info I am looking for!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is it because they are scarce and that makes them alluring in some way?

Yep

Do you experienced members feel it is worth the effort to go on the "Grail Quest" for this stuff

Nope

Especially when they sit on B&M shelves collecting dust.

 

[Dudditz]

Yep



Nope

Especially when they sit on B&M shelves collecting dust.

Thank you for the input! I figured the scarcity added to the mystique in some way.

 

[mingc]

Surely those grapes must be sour.

 

[captainsousie]

They are rather nice, solid blends and I do find some of them worth searching for. Now, paying the exorbitant prices for them on the secondary market is not worth it to me. They are findable in good b&m shops and I stock up when I find them.

They also make for good trading stock and some easily liquidated funds for emergencies.

 

[ChuckMijo]

They are rather nice, solid blends and I do find some of them worth searching for. Now, paying the exorbitant prices for them on the secondary market is not worth it to me. They are findable in good b&m shops and I stock up when I find them.

They also make for good trading stock and some easily liquidated funds for emergencies.

This^^^^

 

[Worknman]

Maybe its all in the head but I do believe there is something special about them. If you smoke a few different blends you'll probably know what I mean. Are they in a league of their own? Probably not but there is a certain quality about them that is unique to them. Scarcity also plays into it as well Im sure.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

I have been a pipe smoker for quite sometime and haven't tried a single Esoterica blend - so I understand where you stand - but I have found no tobacco to be desired to the extent of panic buying
I'm sure it's tasty but it's tobacco - If they said semois was going extinct that would be one I'd understand - I haven't desired semois for years.

 

[Dudditz]

They are rather nice, solid blends and I do find some of them worth searching for. Now, paying the exorbitant prices for them on the secondary market is not worth it to me. They are findable in good b&m shops and I stock up when I find them.

They also make for good trading stock and some easily liquidated funds for emergencies.

Understood. No good B&M shops by me. Stuck looking on line and I guess finding anything in stock is like hitting the lottery. Appreciate the input!

 

[Dudditz]

Maybe its all in the head but I do believe there is something special about them. If you smoke a few different blends you'll probably know what I mean. Are they in a league of their own? Probably not but there is a certain quality about them that is unique to them. Scarcity also plays into it as well Im sure.

Just curious. What do you find special? I do smoke different blends and lean towards the latakia heavier blends. I think I understand what you mean. There are definitely some I do not see myself without having. Pirate Kake, Ten Russians, Nighcap to name a few. I heard that Penzance however is something that is a bucket list must try...

 

[saltedplug]

Two Esoterica blends started the craze, Stonehaven and Penzance. The former is worth the money and the time it takes to get it but not $120.00/bag, as I've recently seen it. From these two blends the craze spread to the rest of the line.

 

[Dudditz]

Two Esoterica blends started the craze, Stonehaven and Penzance. The former is worth the money and the time it takes to get it but not $120.00/bag, as I've recently seen it. From these two blends the craze spread to the rest of the line.

Gotcha. I guess if I find these at a reasonable price, they are worth a shot.

 

[FurCoat]

The most I've paid for a bag is 50 and the norm is 40. My last haul of tins were 11 bucks a tin and 15 is what I'm used to paying. Those prices are not out of the way and are fair for a boutique blend in my opinion. I won't buy from the secondary market. As for the taste, there is something unique about them. Sometimes I swear I can taste the salt air from the isle which may have crept in during the aging process or maybe it's flavors infused in the 100+ year old equipment used by the blender. Either way Eso has a distinct flavor profile I enjoy. I am not a fan of all their blends, but I am stocked on what I like.

 

[Dudditz]

The most I've paid for a bag is 50 and the norm is 40. My last haul of tins were 11 bucks a tin and 15 is what I'm used to paying. Those prices are not out of the way and are fair for a boutique blend in my opinion. I won't buy from the secondary market. As for the taste, there is something unique about them. Sometimes I swear I can taste the salt air from the isle which may have crept in during the aging process or maybe it's flavors infused in the 100+ year old equipment used by the blender. Either way Eso has a distinct flavor profile I enjoy. I am not a fan of all their blends, but I am stocked on what I like.

Thank you very much for the input!

 

[anotherbob]

well if they're not the most amazing thing ever why would they be in a gold bag? From what people say about them it sounds like a really solid brand but not better then any other really good brand. I think for some their cellar is pokemoned. They have to have it if it's out there at all.

 

[fireground_piper]

Agreed with some of the above. They have their own profiles and if you like them, you'll want them like anything else. I'm not a huge english smoker, but I bought a bag of Penzance just to try it. Had 2 bowls, gave the rest away to someone I know who really enjoys it. On the other hand, I do very much like virginia forward blends and consider Dorchester one of my favorite VA/Per blends.

I don't pay above retail though. $40-$50 per bag is totally worth it if you find a blend of theirs you like.

 

[Dudditz]

Agreed with some of the above. They have their own profiles and if you like them, you'll want them like anything else. I'm not a huge english smoker, but I bought a bag of Penzance just to try it. Had 2 bowls, gave the rest away to someone I know who really enjoys it. On the other hand, I do very much like virginia forward blends and consider Dorchester one of my favorite VA/Per blends.

I don't pay above retail though. $40-$50 per bag is totally worth it if you find a blend of theirs you like.

I can see $40 or $50 I guess for a good English. I was just curious if these were "toe curlers" when you smoked them.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I can see $40 or $50 I guess for a good English

With Esoterica that's just for 8 ounces/bag.

Balkan Supreme $42.58/pound

Balkan Sobranie Match (White Knight bulk) $30.09/pound

Balkan Sobranie 759 Match (Black House bulk) $30.09/pound