Hearth & Home Heart of Darkness

(3.33)
Cyprian Latakia, bright Orientals and flue-cured Virginias -- good for a late-day smoke.

Details

Brand Hearth & Home
Series Marquee Series
Blended By Russ Ouellette
Manufactured By Scandanavian Tobacco Company
Blend Type English
Contents Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Ribbon
Packaging 50 grams tin
Country United States
Production Currently available

Profile

Strength
Medium to Strong
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

3.33 / 4
3

2

1

0

Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jul 30, 2020 Medium None Detected Full Tolerable to Strong
This is a superb blend. There are many English mixtures that rely heavily on high doses of Latakia, to a numbing and monochromatic effect. This, while very robust and redolent of the heady Cyprian leaf, is a masterpiece of richness, complexity, and even a touch of that old style funkiness that is lost in so many modern tobaccos and that I can only find in the best G.L. Pease offerings, in a couple of Samuel Gawiths, and in this one.

Great classic mixture, quite finely cut, that packs great, burns great, and smokes delicious and cool. A very decent replacement for those craving for the Balkan Sobranies of old.
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jul 10, 2019 Medium to Strong None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant
Hearth & Home - Heart of Darkness (Marquee Series).

Quite a well rubbed ribbon, apart from just a few twigs. It has an appearance which is even with browns and dark browns. The aroma is steadfastly English. The moisture looks impeccable.

The smoke tastes full, without being too cloying or heavy. Lots of Latakia, but not quite in bomb territory! The Latakia gives a savoury, smokiness, whilst the Orientals have an acetose, tart, sharp flavour; these take the supporting role. The Virginias are outweighed by these two, they require 'searching' for. Don't expect a paroxysm of grass, citrus, etc. There's a delicate sweetness, which I'd wager comes from the Va's, but nothing too preeminent. The burn from it's good, necessitating only a little maintenance, distributing a cool smoke. It doesn't bite.

Nicotine: above medium. Room-note: I quite like it.

Heart of Darkness? To my palate it's a good smoke. Three stars:

Recommended.
Pipe Used: Brebbia MPB 70th Anniversary
PurchasedFrom: Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked: 6 months
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Feb 06, 2019 Medium to Strong None Detected Medium to Full Pleasant
The aroma from the tin is like nearly every other English blend I've had before: briney, peaty, and smokey, much like a good Islay scotch. The tobacco was a little too moist upon opening the tin and needed to sit out for about 15 minutes before being ready to pack a bowl.

Heart of Darkness lights up easily, stays lit very well, and produces thick plumes of smoke. Strength starts just below the medium mark, but builds as you progress, settling at noticeably above medium by the end of the bowl.

At the start there are notes of earth and cinnamon, as well as an undertone of dark fruit and pepper. At the half way point, the pepper becomes the dominant flavor and the fruit goes away. Despite the smell, there is very little of the briney, saltiness from the Latakia.

I would not recommend this blend for a morning smoke, unless you're looking for something on the stronger side to jolt you awake. Heart of Darkness seems to fit in perfectly after a long day's work, to help the stress melt away. If you like the other blends in the Marquee Series, Heart of Darkness is definitely for you.
Pipe Used: Meerschaum
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Nov 05, 2019 Medium None Detected Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
This is an excellent medium strength English blend. Everything about it is middle of the road, which isn't a bad thing. The rich, smokey Latakia dominates but only just so. The Orientals bring in some nice spice without being too sharp. The Virginas play a supporting role. They all interplay very nicely throughout the bowl without it ever going monotoned. Well worth buying a tin if you are looking for something new.
Pipe Used: Dunhill 6103
PurchasedFrom: Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked: 6 months
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jun 01, 2019 Mild to Medium None Detected Medium Tolerable
I can't believe that there is only one review on this? I got two tins of this on sale, one to smoke and one in the cellar. It's a medium body English with no real suprises. It is also more latakia foward as the orientals dance in and out. The Virginia is there as a bit a sweet tang but I mostly get lat from this blend. It is one of Russs blends but my question has always been this. On the tin it says Scandinavian Tobacco Company, Lane limited? Is it just a relabeled English blend that STG puts out or Russs recipe? No offense intended Russ, you're a master blender! Oh well, so much for the conspiracy theories. It's not a bad blend and I will see how the tin ages, but I probably won't buy again as there are so many better blends out there. Smoke in Peace- Lager
Pipe Used: Pete's, Savs
PurchasedFrom: Pipes and cigars
Age When Smoked: New to 2 months
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 26, 2023 Mild to Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
Tin note of smoky, sour, and fruit wine. Tobacco is dark brown and black shag cut. Moisture content is good. No drying/prep needed. Burns fast with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is mild to medium and mostly consistent, with notes of smoky, floral, leather, toast, very spicy, tangy citrus, spice, orange peel/zest, herbal incense, sour, dry wood, savory, earthy, mildly acidic, mildly vinegary, a mildly sweet stewed dark tart fruit background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Oriental/Turkish and Virginia supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.
Pipe Used: James Upshall Smooth Acorn (4) (P) (FH)
PurchasedFrom: pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked: 5 years
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