Esoterica Stonehaven and Tilbury

[Anonymous]

I love the taste of Esoterica stonehaven
And was curious if anyone here had smoked it and esoterica Tilbury and how they compare to each other in taste and nic hit

 

[Kapnismologist]

I recently posted the following review of Tilbury on TR (as for Stonehaven, have not tried it yet):

Slim broken brown and chocolate ribbons tossed with a bit of chopped tan leaf. At one time this blend may have been a broad-cut, but the current preparation (for Butera) is anything but. The fine cut and overall dull appearance of the mixture is not initially all that attractive, but the bits of Burley interspersed throughout an undistinguished mélange of broken ribbons foreshadows what, in the bowl, turns out to be a rather noticeable nicotine punch – certainly one of the most interesting feature of an otherwise rather humdrum blend.

Tin nose of dried figs, mushrooms, and earth with a piquant Burley top note. Quite moist in the tin, the mixture retains its moisture long after opening and thus requires a bit of dry time prior to packing. Properly dried, Tilbury packs and burns easily, if not a bit quickly due to its rather fine cut.

On the full sided of medium bodied, in the bowl Tilbury presents a solid core of semi-sweet matured and stoved Virginias encased by on again, off again, notes of toasted nuts and earthy spice. Tongue bite is rarely an issue, although the Burley makes it presence known by way of a notable nicotine punch which seems to assert itself most strongly towards the end of the bowl. The finish is short and crisp, if not a bit flat at times.

Overall, Tilbury is what it is. Given the preponderance of excellent Virginia-Burley blends currently available (of which a number of C&D offerings come to mind), in this reviewer’s opinion there is little need to settle on this admittedly good, but certainly far from excellent, example of the genre.

 

[Ol'Dawg]

Tilbury can be a lively and flavorful smoke. In fact, one of my most memorable smokes was with Tilbury. It seemed more dependent on packing, smoking technique/time and mood than other tobaccos I've tried. However, the nicotine content is pretty high and I can't smoke it anymore. Stonehaven seemed to me to be a stoved and pressed form of Tilbury.

Jim..my ha'pence if that much.

 

[djf1]

I really dont know what to make of Tilbury. Just finished a tin, used 7 different pipes to smoke it. It smoked best after 2 days of opening and it smoke best in my straight billiard Castello. I feel that it probably needs a couple of days to mellow a bit out. One thing that I found surprising is how cool it smoked.
I agree with the comments that it burns fast though.

So just puffed the last bowl. I was not thrilled. Liked it on some other days, but the jury is still out on this and I dont think that its a must have smoke, mirroring the comments above...

 

[aadelma]

I wish I could compare Tillbury to Stonehaven for you, but I have yet to find Stonehaven in stock! I like Tilbury quite a bit, though. There is something unique about it which I don't find in other burley/Va blends. As mentioned, it is a fickle blend. I've had sublime smokes and poor smokes with it, even in the same pipe. I've found that more often than not, it smokes well as an occasional smoke in a freshly cleaned briar. Maybe a meerchaum would make it a more reliable smoke.

I love the taste of Esoterica stonehaven
And was curious if anyone here had smoked it and esoterica Tilbury and how they compare to each other in taste and nic hit

 

[cigarstorejay]

I have smoked both and found myself enjoying Tillbury. It has earned a spot in my regular rotation. I found it to be flavorful and easy on the pallet. It is not overly complex with many different levels or multitudes of flavors. It does what it does well, though. I really want to like Stonehavevn more than I do.

Keep the hope alive.

Jay

 

[Tennessee Dave]

Fortunately for me I have a few pounds of Stonehaven squirreled away as it is one of my favorites. I have not tried the Tilsbury. The tin description just never appealed to me.

 

[NeroWolfe]

Good question! I have seen quite a bit of discussion that would lead one to believe that Stonehaven and Tilbury are basically the same blend; note that Stonehaven is only packaged bulk in bags, while Tilbury is only packaged in tins. I have smoked both, and have not discerned very much difference between the two, although I would admit that I do not have a particulary refined palate. I agree that both need to be dried out before smoking; they are pacakged too wet for my taste.

 

[cigarstorejay]

Stonehaven definitely has a different flavor than Tillbury, at least to me. I am surprised to hear that there is discussion that they might be the same blend. Does anyone know where I can find out more about this?
I have 8 oz of Stonehaven sitting in a humidor. I have only smoked it a couple of times, but I found myself instantly liking the Tillbury vs. working towards the Stonehaven. I was wrecked by the Nicotine in the Stonehaven the first time I smoked it. I am not usually sensitive to such things either. I figure I'll let it stew for a while and try again soon.

 

[NeroWolfe]

FYI, further info from packaging, etc. Quite similar descriptions, but there are differences in the specific wording. Reference to a "special process over 100 years old" is missing in the Stonehaven description. Again, Tilbury is only packed in tins, and Stonehaven in bulk bags. I do recall seeing someone talking about / presenting a view that they were basically the same blend, but I cannot find it on the web. The reviews on http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/ do not shed much light on comparing the blends that I can see, although I did not read all of the reviews in detail.

Tilbury: "A harmonious blend of Golden and dark Virginias with small portions of Burley and air-cured leaf. Matured by a special process over 100 years old, producing a unique natural aroma and piquant flavor. This is a potent tobacco, causes dizziness!" Air Cured Burley Virginia Ribbon

Stonehaven: "A marriage of air-cured leaf and Burley with selected dark Virginia. Hard pressed and aged to produce brown flakes with dark undertones. A traditional English flake favored by experienced pipe smokers." Air Cured Burley Virginia Flake