Hermit Tobacco Works Co. Pink Champagne

Unique tin art and unique flavor; Pink Champagne delivers the goods in many ways. Strong Latakia & Turkish flavor with a cased and heavy dose of cavendish that simply adds to the body and sweetness of the smoke.

I appreciate blends that are like no other, and this little jewel has no peers. If you don't mind loads of nicotine and full English/natural aromatic taste, try this tobacco.

This is a mildly topped Lakeland mixture by Samuel Gawith. I noted the Orientals as the central fixture in the blend, but I also believe that different pipers are more or less sensitive to different flavors.

The nicotine here is also noteworthy, as I really feel the kick from this blend.

When I first tried this tobacco, I made the mistake of smoking it in a knock around that I had been smoking another topped English blend wihin. Bad idea. This particular tobacco ended up tasting like plastic. Just awful. Next, I smoked it in a brand new corncob. Much better. The Oriental and slightly caramel champagne topping was a very pronouced treat. This tobacco is a very definate high quality mixture, however, like the other Lakeland blends, probably for a more specific audience.

I had a generally tough time keeping this lit, and it was a little too peppered with stems for a tobacco of this pedigree. With that I will give it two stars. I will however re-visit the blend later and update this review.

Hermit's Pink Champagne (blended by S. Gawith) is just one of those unique blends that is anything but run-of-the-mill. There are so many quality English blends out there now, that things start running together. Not here.

Pink Champagne is a full English tobacco with plenty of Latakia and Turkish in a coarse ribbon cut. This also has a good amount of natural (not goopy cased) Cavendish in the blend so it is smoother/softer than most typical English blends (similar to Dunhill's use of Cavendish in its venerable 965). Perfect moisture. Fabulous tin aroma.

When fire hits this excellent tobacco. . . you are in for a real taste treat! There is a wonderful warm undertone of sweetness to the Latakia that reminds me of carmelized sugar. The Orientals are gentle and do not take center stage. The Cavendish rounds out the blend. I really can't taste the Champagne itself, which to me is a good thing. What sets this tobacco apart for me is that carmelized sugar undertone. Truly a unique blend.

To be clear, this is not an aromatic tobacco. It is more of a sweet/dark English blend. It carries a bit of a nicotine hit as well. If you like the sweet/smokey interplay in Macranie's Hell's Gate or like the Cavendish nuances in 965 . . . I think you are going to love this one. Try it!

I love trying as many different tobaccos as possible. If you were to take a look at my list of reviews you would find very few that I have rated one star as I find that even the tobaccos that I don't care for still have some quality that I can find in the blend. Pink Champagne is one of those rare blends that I can find next to nothing that I enjoy. It is also one of the rare tobaccos that I couldn't finish the tin. Well, maybe the strength....but it's not enough to overcome the terrible taste of this blend. I did like the tin art, but sadly I can't smoke that! Not recommended!

OK; I bought this mainly because of the tin art, but also because it's blended by Samuel Gawith and I like English blends. I have only been able to get through three bowls and will not smoke it again. All I tasted was burnt grilled meat (the Turkish?)--no champagne, not even latakia. Oddly enough, however, I could smell the latakia in my mustache after the smoke was over. The room note is a guess, based on dirty looks I received from passersby on an afternoon walk, although I suppose that could be a reaction to the piper rather than the tobacco. The Captain Earle's line from Hermit is much better.

Ok this is an update I had a tin sitting in my cabinet since around 2005. I opened it. It still had that heavy aroma of Latakia. However it smoked as smooth as any English that I have ever smoked The Champange topping was there just where it should be. The aroma was now that of a classic old fashion English blend with a sweet hint of Pink Champange or wine It was so good that I will order three tins and let them sit for years and enjoy them on special times. Really a good rich heavy smoke. Some thing do get better with age and this is one of them. Move my rating up to 4 stars.





Here is one of those blends that is better sold in small tins so that you don't abuse it. Pink Champagne is a heavy Latakia and Oriental blend that is topped with a Champange flavored casing. This blend sizzles on your teeth when smoking it. It is great fun and sure to bother your friends and neighbors when smoking it. The room aroma reminds me of melting crayons. However, here is the secret of this blend, it is one of those blends to be enjoyed by the pipe only. It smokes best in a small bowl. And is definelty recomended for those nights alone. When you can really finish the bowl. Treat yourself to this pleasure once in a while since any more then that and you will find yourself addicted to it and without many friends due to the pungent aroma. It is truly a great Old World style classic. Try it it is worth keeping that tin locked away for those special moements.

Once Again, i really just wanted the tin to epoxy it to my steel toolbox.... This is unique and worth buying for the tin. the warning label clearly states " If Death Occours, Discontinue Use"

This blend consists of Latakia, Turkish, Virginia, and a good amount of cavendish tobacco. There is definitely a true champagne topping. When smelling the tobacco you can litteraly almost smell the bubbles. The flavor is very similar to midnight lace but with the champagne dimension included. The nicotine kick can be substantial at times. The room note smells of grilled steak and is quite strong. A definite change in pace.