Smokers' Haven Krumble Kake

I've had this tin in my cellar for awhile now and initially was hesitant after I heard it compared to an Esoterica blend that I've decided not to waste anymore time trying to find the wonderful experience others write about. This is an excellent mottled flake that burns evenly, doesn't leave a large amount of residue in the bowl and delivers a quality smoke from start to finish. True, it is for Latikia smokers, but it is the almost coffee like overtones of the Turkish that drive this blend's experience. If you are careful, it can be smoked in the slice. The Virginia adds a silky sweetness to an otherwise buttery smooth delivery. Rich and satisfying, it provides me with a cool burning blend of robust yet refined character. The art of the blender's task has been realized in this sublime flake.

Meerschaum Man Smoking a CAO Bacchus

Many have stated that this is just Penzance with another label, but I don't think so. My review will give you some reasons to consider.

Appearance: Ahh, crumble cake in a small tin a la' Penzance, but not as dark and oily. Same krubly slices that fall apart as you grab them.

Tin Aroma: Mana!

Packing: easy, except that this literally crumbles as you grab the slices. I found it good to pack your pipe over a sheet of wax paper so you can save what ever doesn't make it from tin to pipe. I found a light sprinkle in the pipe and a slight tamp before lighting works best.

Lighting: If packed as above, normal 3-4 lights total.

Initial Flavor: Delicious, but a little sweeter than Penzance.

Mid-Bowl: We are as close to tobacco heaven as you can get folks. The three types of leaves are playing a beautiful fugue for your senses.

End of Bowl: It is over too quick, ash is grey and fine, but you do feel satiated as the flavor is definitely on the full English/Balkan side.

Overall: another winner from JF Germain. It seems to fall between Penzance and Special Latakia Flake on the fullness scale. Cons: Room note is a killer to those who don't like latakia, and this leaves its odor on everything around it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 points, a true Reformer, Tulip, and Calvinist blend, Enjoy...

I received a generous portion of this tobacco at the 2004 NASPC show courtesy of the Smokers' Haven team. (Glad I only live 90 minutes away!)

If you're not sure what Latakia smells like, have a whiff. Latakia has rented the whole Tobacco Hotel and invited its friends Turkish and Virginia to stay in the Honeymoon Suite. This is a whopper of a blend: full-on English goodness with a hint of Balkan influence. Krumble Kake is huge -- HUGE, I SAY!

The folks at J.F. Germain have squeezed the life INTO this stuff. Could they shoehorn any more depth into Krumble Kake? No.

Krumble Kake comes moist, so it's probably best to take what you need for the bowl in hand and let that portion dry out. I've smoked it wet (for laughs), and it doesn't bite or smoke too hot; however, the experience isn't as memorable as when it's just right

Sure, you get loads of Latakia in Krumble Kake. Luckily, it's of extremely high quality. No doubt about that. Same goes for the Turkish and Virginia leaf that manage to stand out in this Latakia Lovefest. Could a blend like this still offer some notes beyond the musty, earthy, leathery, and spicy Latakia? It sure can! Welcome to the top of the second third of the bowl, where the Latakia takes a breather and hands off the baton to the VAs and Orientals. Yes, the rest of the bowl is more than happy to send your tastebuds into a tailspin of swirling flavors. Sure, the Latakia is always there; however, the fact that the other components can hold their ground is nothing less than a testament to the good taste displayed by Smokers' Haven and the processing and preparing prowess of J.F. Germain.

Krumble Kake is magnificent. Give it a smoke!!

I was lucky enough to gain an opened tin of this in a trade with someone who didn't like it so much. I happened to like it a lot. I found it to be very smooth and creamy, a must for me in a latakia blend. I would categorize this as full latakia blend. Its smokiness is unique in that it combines both Syrian and Cyprian latakias and both their taste profiles can be picked out throughout the smoke.

The Turkish is not the star, but has a slightly sour taste that is elevated by the Virginia. The latter of which was pretty sweet. This blend is for the person who likes a contemplative smoke with shifting flavors. I found that this blend is not a good blend for the early morning. At least for me it wasn't nor could it be an all day smoke for me, but this is pretty common for me for full latakia blends. They tend to give me, what I refer to as, lat mouth. Usually I can only do a bowl of any of these blends every two to three days, but when I do, they taste so good.

This is one of the finer examples of this type of blend that I have tried. I am happy to have acquired a couple more tins of this as I am not sure it will ever be available again. It certainly hasn't been available from Smoker's Haven the entire five plus years I have been smoking a pipe.

This is another home run from Smokers' Haven, it's packaged in either 2oz tins or an 8oz foil sealed pack, I've purchased both. Krumble Kake resembles Penzance, they're both produced by Germain, but the use of Syrian rather than Cyprian Latakia results in a more refined and somewhat more delicate blend. The tin aroma is not as fragrant as OBB or Exotique, the flakes are fragile and not too moist. I crumble two or three of the flakes in my palm with my thumb and fill my larger bowls and after several lights I'm off for a long, fine smoke. The flavor is a bit more briney than OBB, somewhat sweet, but darker tasting. 10 out of 10 stars.

Although I have never tasted Armpit Shavings I am fairly certain of two things. Smoker's Haven's Krumble Kake is neither composed of those, nor is it supposed to be Penzance. I am no expert, of course, nor am I very distinguished in any way, but my tiny tongue tells me this is a fairly tastey blend. Penzance is, for sure, more elegant and creamy with orientals, but not by much. Smoker's Haven's Krumble Kake ( I really don't like these 'k's, they seem so English--sorry UK) is in it's own right very cream-sweet and less latakia than many Penzance copys. I have to wonder, Why would Germain possibly try to copy itself for a local blender?? Well, whatever I think is unimportant, as always, and what the funk is so important about what anyone has thunk? Try it. If you likes it, it may like you too.

I for once, can deal with the Germain crumble format, because this one, more than Penzance, is worth it.

p.s. my sample has a bit of age, though I'm not sure how much. Your armpits may vary.

The Latakia in Krumble Kake is applied with greater discretion than in - say - Pirate Kake. That permits the flavours of the orientals to come through. Rather than being a bully, the Latakia in this is a friend and a responsible companion. A very well balanced composition.

Knowing ahead of time that this was not to be a copy of Penzance, I enjoy this tobacco very much. I tend to enjoy this much more than Penzance .

Gifted a few flakes from 1999.

White powder on them. Smells like Latakia.

So after 20 plus years wow has this mellowed out. It’s not that it’s not flavorful it’s just smooth and easy. The herbal smokey Latakia is the main component but it’s far less pungent. The retrohale is very easy and nice. The Virginias are deep, dark, earth, sweet. The orientals are woody and tangy. I’m sure this was good back in 1999 when I was in high school. But it’s great now. Really mellow mouth feel and a wonderful flavor. Age has done wonders for it.