Smokers' Haven Krumble Kake

Nice dark black oily crumble cake, that basically disintegrated in my hands, so loading was the 3-step method. Lots of latakia in this one but not so much as to make the smoke "dusty" for the first half-bowl. Latakia is not only a spicy, smoky tobacco - it's also somewhat sweet, and the sweetness really stepped forward. Excellent tasting... in the first half-bowl.

Oddly enough, this one turned ashen and cloudy from about the halfway point through the end, getting worse as I progressed. That phenomenon never failed. I'd get a wonderful first half with typical latakia-blend goodness only to get a mouthful of ashy taste in the 2nd half. I haven't smoked Penzance in awhile so I can't make too many comparisons, but I did not get this from Penzance. The only other tobacco to do this to me regularly is SWR. However, I don't see this problem among the other reviewers so, as usual, it's probably me rather than the tobacco at fault.

Undaunted, I smoked the last of this one in a parfait with a few other blends as an experiment. It performed best as the top half of a Krumble Kake/GLP Meridian parfait. The oily sweetness of the KK merged nicely with the impeccable balance of the Meridian and the smoke was memorable (although Meridian needs no help!). I'm splitting the difference on my recommendation between the top half (4) and the bottom half (1) and awarding this 3 stars. The extra half-star is due to the graciousness of Premal Chedda (my spelling is undoubtedly wrong) who was kind enough to send me a free tin with a pipe purchase. No way do I reward that kindness with a grade less than 3!

The smoky, woody, rather sweet Cyprian latakia also sports a very light incense-like taste that seems slightly more obvious by the half way point. Some dry, wine-like woody Syrian is also present, though it is hard to determine how much is here. Either way, latakia is the star component. The woody, dry, buttery, creamy sweet and mildly spicy, floral, sour Turkish sits in the strong support position. The grassy, citrus sweet Virginia is just a little more than a background player. The nic-hit is closer to mild than it is to medium. Won’t bite or get harsh. Has no dull spots, but the the last third of the experience is not as complex or as pleasing as the earlier part of the smoke. The krumble kake literally falls apart in your fingers as you prepare it. Burns at a moderate pace with an inconsistent flavor as previously noted, though it does have a richness all the way through. Needs an average number of relights, and leaves just a little moisture in the bowl. The after taste is a little bitter and unattractive. Not an all day smoke.

-JimInks

I have to agree with Philo Beddoe's review below. The folks at Smokers' Haven on High stated this is just a cake form of their Our Best Blend. I have never tried a cake blend before, always considering myself to be too lazy to rub out the tobacco. However, since they've been out of OBB (and Exotique Mixture) since forever, I decided to give this a try.

This really didn't remind me much of OBB but I found it to be a very enjoyable smoking experience. If anything, it's a darker side to OBB. It has somewhat of a creamy component like OBB but not the "buttery" quality that both OBB and Exotique mixture have. Even though on the smokier side, it is probably one of the most smooth and refined moderately heavy Balkan blends I've smoked to date. Moderately heavy meaning stronger than Balkan Sasieni but not as strong as Butera's Vintage Latakia No. 1 or Bill Bailey's BB. There's also no aftertaste or that overwhelming affect some heavier Balkan or English blends can give. Recommended.

Sorry, but though made by Germain, this is NOT the same as Penzance. It totally lacks the layers of complexity and refinement. It's not as briny and earthy. It also crumbles dryer and lacks the oilyness of the real article. Something happened from the time it got from Jersey Island to Columbus, Ohio. (Perhaps red states will do that to you). I sampled this at the recent Chicago P & T, and was very disappointed, especially after hearing all the hype about it. I was also upset by the people running the booth. They didn't want to talk to anyone and they weren't very friendly. I know pipe smokers can be a rather introspective lot, but these gents were downright cantankerous. If I want the very best full English mottled flake, I'll stick with Penzance.

One of five stars

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update 2007 - I apologize for my last KK review, though several things may have happened here: Penzance is not currently in production, Old Ironsides became less appealing, Pirate Kake is too hot and oily or KK just plain got better. Whatever the case, this is really excellent and I will be purchasing some the next time I order a tin of the excellent Exotique from Smoker?s Haven. Unfortunately, they were out of virtually everything I wanted at the Chicago Pipe Show 2007. They brought samples, but had nothing for sale. A strange aspect of the show this year was an excellent, boutique variety of the world?s finest pipes by some impressive artists, but an absolute dearth of fine tobaccos. I?ve indicated in a previous review that I?m done with Russian roulette guessing games from C & D. MacBaren doesn?t do anything for me. McClelland had nothing to offer this year in addition to its ?charming? owner being even more irascible, drunk and obnoxious than usual. Perhaps KK is not so great as the fact that so many other things got worse and my patience for incivility wears thin. Whatever the case, I will be ordering a small tin of this Germainy blend with its own distinct personality. If it remains consistent, I will be purchasing a bulk pack if and when I attend the Columbus Pipe Show in late August.

Three and a half to four of five stars

This was the very first pipe tobacco I smoked and it came as a free sample with a high end briar I bought from the gents at Smokers Haven. Not knowing what to expect I popped the tin and was really puzzled by the appearance...later I found out about cake. Krumble is perfect to describe my efforts to get this in my new pipe... now I'm getting kinda mad wondering if this whole pipe thing was worth it. Finally getting my pipe career underway I was pleasantly surprised with a mellow, full bodied, musky smoke that was entirely satisfying. That was the good news...the 'ol ball and chain took one wiff of this stuff and threatened legal action.Now I'm off to investigate lighter fare...God help me.

Peterson bent brandy.

Krumble Kake is "Our Best Blend" in pressed form. Strangely, I find OBB a better blend. I chose to rub out the flakes and I enjoy it most in a group three size bowl.

I completely agree with DK in that the first half of the bowl is terrific but it becomes muddled as the bowl progresses. The first half of the bowl is sweet and smokey but, unlike Our Best Blend, it seems to lose some of the complexity in the latter half of the bowl as for me the Latakia takes too dominate of a role. Krumble Kake is a quality blend, but for me, I prefer it in ribbon form. Recommended.

When I used to work at the old Smoker's Haven, in Worthington - the one on Gay Street was a bit before my time - the owner found a whole sleeve of old Krumble Kake. Well I snapped up four or five tins right off the bat.

I just finished smoking a bowl full - half a bowl really, because it burns so slow I didn't have time to finish it over lunch. Oh well. A nice pipe for the ride home then!

What a wonderful smoke. Full of sweet rich latakia. Yum! The Virginia and Turkish are there in the background, and occasionally chime, but its latakia what hold the spot light for this show. And its delicious!

I honestly would give this 4 stars, but to say I smoke this regularly would be a lie. Its too prescious to smoke regularly.

Krumble Kake from Smoker's Haven was only the second blend containing latakia that I tried...and I loved it. It remains as one of my favorite change of pace blends when aromatics start to get a little dull.

It packs well but it a bit on the moist side, so I highly recommend that you make it a point to pack it lightly.

The taste is somewhat difficult to describe. Somewhat nutty and creamy. The latakia is obvious but not overwhelming. However, be advised that this smoke does not leave a pleasant room note. Most non-smokers will quickly let you know about it.

Picked this up at Chicago 07 after hearing a lot about it on ASP. I opened it today and fired it up in a Meer. Rubbing it out is easy, a little too easy a lot of it turned to dust. It did pack well, I had a little trouble getting a good light.

Taste was very mild english. Good latakia taste without overkill. Good aftertaste. I've only had two bowls and expect to learn more as I work my way through the tin.

I thought that it as a little pricey at $10 for a tin, still lots of Dunhill stuff available for 40 percent less.

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UPDATE

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Just finished the first tin. Doesn't last a month, but it was very tasty. If the price was a little cheaper this could be a daily smoke.