Peter Stokkebye PS-306 "English Oriental Supreme" (Bulk by the Ounce)

A great tobacco and as always great customer service

So, the description for Ahab's Comfort obviously hints that this is their take on Penzance. I had never tried Penzance before, but as it happens, my local B&M had an 8 oz. bag of Penzance available the VERY DAY my Watch City order arrived. I probably shouldn't do this, but what the hell. After smoking a half dozen bowls of each over the past week, and finally one of each side by side, here are my thoughts... Having been initiated into the Penzance club, I guess this is supposed to be where I put on my haughty tobacco snob cap on and say, "Ah, you fools. Nothing could possibly compare to Penzance." I can't do that though, because Ahab's Comfort is actually pretty similar. More so than I recall any of the other blends frequently compared to Penzance. I find the VAs a bit more noticeable, and a sort of "aged" flavor in Penzance. I think Ahab's might be a bit spicier, and I get some subtle notes of vanilla. They're both outstanding. Supposedly, Ahab's has 60% Latakia, but it doesn't taste like it. It's not over the top at all. Both are very fine Latakia-forward crumble cakes. Both full in flavor, and moderate at most in nicotine. If you think Penzance is God's gift to pipe tobacco, you might be disappointed. Clearly someone who feels that way finds something so unique about Penzance that it would be impossible for others to compare. There's nothing wrong with that. That said, if you're like me and think Penzance is merely an excellent pipe tobacco? I think you might find Ahab's Comfort to also be a very excellent tobacco and in the same class as Penzance. If you don't give a rat's A about this comparison and just enjoy a nice Latakia blend? Highly reccomended for you as well! If you just want this review to end already? You're in luck.

If Ahab's comfort is this white whale and we pipers all have Penzance, then this white whale definitely is our match. I typically call it the 'golden unicorn' due to it's obscurity and packaging color, but still, this white whale is more easily obtainable than the golden unicorn and just as good. I have both the golden unicorn and the white whale and side by side it's really difficult to tell them apart. There is one very slight difference, the golden unicorn has an oceanic salt air with a creamy texture due to it's birthplace. The white whale here has a very slight citrusy mildly sour note in it's place. Very minor but noticeable when doing a side by side comparison. Everything else is identical; How the kake krumbles to the ease of loading the bowl, lights to perfection, burns slow to a white ash with no relights, no dottle, no moisture, it's identical. Ahab's comfort is knowing this secret exists in the world, it comes highly recommended to buy a pound, half for now half for the cellar. Thank you Watch City for making the best match out there!