St. Ives

St. Ives is an aromatic-leaning English blend sold under the Esoterica Tobacciana brand, produced at the J.F. Germain & Son house in Jersey. Dark and golden Virginia leaves are combined with black Virginia cavendish; Greek and Cypriot Oriental leaves and Latakia are added on top. In the final step, a light fruit essence is applied, so the record sits somewhere between an English blend and an aromatic.

In the smoke, Latakia does not build a pronounced wall; it stands more as a smoke and leather note behind Virginia's sweetness, while the fruit flavouring gives a sharpness close to citrus and apricot. Being light to medium in nicotine, it suits smokers seeking a blend they can smoke all day, who don't want the full weight of English blends. The Esoterica line is prepared for the American market but produced in the British Isles.