So what is it about Stonehaven.....

[Bunker]

....that everyone loves so much?

The taste, the aroma, the nictotine, the performance (for lack of a better word)?

I am new to pies and picked up the Peretti today for the first time in over a week after a string of dissappointing bowls and decided it was time to try the sample of Stonehaven I received from a BOTL on another board.

(I figured I finally popped my Opus cork yesterday so I may as well go right to the top of piping today).

I will say it did perform better than anything I had smoked so far.

Lit relatively easy and pretty much kept going right to the bottom (which is a first for me) I did flame it a couple of times but it never went out.

I did like the volume of smoke.

No gurlging or moisture apparent (a problem I seemed to have with everything else).

It definitely had quite a hit of nicotine.

I did enjoy it but I didn't think the aroma or taste was anything earth shatteringly good (but I wonder if I would anyway being a noob).

I would just like to hear some other takes from the brothers that seems to be scrounging for this stuff constantly.

Any thought?

[Commander Quan]

Most of the hype around this tobacco is the scarcity of it, I have smoked a couple bowls of it and even though it was good, it wasn't a blend that made my eye's roll back in my head like some others do, but since it is [almost] completely unavailable that drives the demand up 20x

[Emjaysmash]

I've only had some cellared Stonehaven from '02 that was great! Maybe just going into it with higher expectations and it didn't live up. I thought it was a really mellow tobacco, but that could be becuase it was 8 years old.

[Bunker]

Don't get me wrong, it was the best bowl I have smoked yet - but I guess I don't really trust my tastes yet.

I just have had so many bad ones I was curious what the draw was for everyone else.

[Bunker]

Well I think I figured it out, it is the aftertaste that is different.

Not while you are smoking it but after you are done.

Of course now I want more and of course can't find any like everyone else.

[BigFrank]

I'm heading up to my Local B&M next week Bunker. (Friday). They often have a lot of stuff that is long sold out online. My last trip netted me some of the elusive Penzance. I'll get back to you on this, no guarantees, but I'll check nonetheless.
If they do in fact have some I'll just grab what they have, they usually only carry so much. If its a decent bit, Ill have to keep some to try myself!

[Bunker]

Much appreciated

[Mister Moo]

Tastes and opinions about our hobby and its tools vary widely. There are tens-of-thousands who believe that Captain Black Gold is the ultimate expression of pipe tobacco and that pa-paws stinky, battered Grabow is the finest pipe on the rack. Who am I to say they otherwise? Can't know a warrior until you've hunted a day in his moccasins.

I think Stonehaven is one of the finest blends on the planet and I could get all misty eyed writing about its virtues and pondering even the possibility of its demise. Fortunately (for me) I am one of the problems about Stonehaven availability; the cellar is 10-years ahead. What I smoke in Stonehaven ranges from divine (1-2 years) to sublime (6 years plus). It doesn't much remind me of burley and, outside of Dunhill Royal Yacht (another blend not everyones favorite), it is one of the few pungent-to-aromatic blends that makes the colors in my smoking palette complete.



So, what is it about Stonehaven? It is what you find in your own pipe.

[BigFrank]

There's an 8ounce bag of Stonehaven for sale on another forum for 55$ plus shipping Bunker.

[Ranger_B]

I had to check after reading this. I did pick up about 4oz of this when I first got my pipe and put in in a jar and it has been sitting for about 3 years. So i opened up the jar tonight and am enjoying my first bowl of this. What can I say its dark and when I broke the flake to fold into my bowl I could feel a little bit of the sticky casing (well I assume its cased). The first char did not show much of the flavor but as I get about 15 min in this smoke is great. Go figure another blend of HTF tobacco be it cigars or pipes that is how it is. I am going to go back and enjoy the rest of this now.

[hscmit]

Originally Posted by Bunker

....that everyone loves so much?


I am new to pies and picked ...

I love pie

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by hscmit

I love pie

Good catch! lmao!

[Bunker]

I read that over 3 times and still missed it

[OLS]

Ya bastards, you've got me headed for the tobacco ice chest.
------------
Ahahaha, what a happy accident. THE NUN sent me some samples earlier this year
and what does one of the baggies say?? Stonehaven! Folding it in now.

[OLS]

I liked it, but it was a but too much for my fragile tongue these past few days. Tastes like a strong VaPer,
not sure if it is or not. I'll do some reading.

[Bunker]

"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."

The flavoring used is supposed to be treacle, which is similar to molasses

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by Bunker

"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."

The flavoring used is supposed to be treacle, which is similar to molasses

[loki]

can't say i've ever smoked it so i wouldn't know

[VirtualSmitty]

I love the stuff. I don't smoke it all the time, but I always have some on hand.

Sounds like it's worth a shot.. I'll see if I can hunt some up =)