Hearth & Home Ten to Midnight

What happens when you mix Plum Pudding, Edgeworth Ready Rubbed and a smidgin' of Balkan Sobranie? I'd like to think you get something like Russ Oulette's Ten to Midnight (I'll have to try to blend those other baccy's up one day, just to see).

Of course, this blend gives you even something more, something of it's own, but what exactly that is, remains indefinable to me. None of what I've said about this blend is meant to denigrate it in any way, it's just when a blend tastes like something else, I can't help but mention it.

There's no doubt I liked this blend, though I did have a bit of a time getting it lit, but if you rub it out well enough (as I did the second time around) you'll have no problems keeping it going. I don't smoke cakes often, as I prefer flakes, but, this is one cake I could see smoking for a good long time. Really, I preferred this blend over Plum Pudding proper—Ten to Midnight is milder to my palate, mildly complex in nature, and a true pleasure to snork. It was a delight to smoke!

Recommended!

Keep on Piping!

I have seen this compared to both Penzance and Abingdon. These are two of my favorite tobaccos and I see absolutely NO similarity to either of them. The first time I tried this blend it was in the small tin, and was a lump in a plastic bag. I am not one of those who likes dealing with kakes; all I got was dust and smaller lumps, and it did not burn smoothly. I did like the taste though. Others here have covered that quite well. HOWEVER -- In the 8-oz size it is presented in flake form and is FAR easier to deal with. It burns quite well if packed loosely and is far more enjoyable when smoked slowly. I think this would be a better cool weather smoke; it is a bit harsh when smoked outside on 90-degree humid days.

I love latakia, and this blend expresses it beautifully for the most part. This kake burns beautifully, and yields a smooth, cool smoke throughout. There is no bite whatsoever, and this stuff smoulders gently away as you smoke. The latakia is full, bold and creamy. This is a rich smoke. However, I would prefer more of an edge in the latakia, and more of the smoky flavor that I adore. To my taste, this blend is lacking on the finish as well. The opening is strong, but the flavors dissipate through the middle and all but vanish at the end.

I found myself comparing this tobacco to wine: a beautiful nose, a powerful start, but no statement on the tongue once it is swallowed. It is sort of the equivalent of a "flabby" wine, where the structure doesn't quite match the body.

All of that said, this is a delicious balkan. As seems to be the case with all of the Hearth & Home blends, it is the product of a master blender, and is highly enjoyable. I just found it a bit shy of totally satisfying. I think it might be just right for someone who enjoys latakia but without the "dark side" of hambone and campfire that emerges in many other blends. It is worth noting that Mr. Ouellette has once again demonstrated his mastery of the leaf by developing certain flavors in the latakia while subduing and taming others with the Turkish and Virginia. This is a refined and civilized balkan blend... I think I would like it better with a little more barbarian in it.

I struggle to understand the negative reviews here. Pretty, this cake ain't, but fragrant, flavorful, smooth, and satisfying are appropriate adjectives. There's really nothing to preparation: break off a chunk, rub it up, drop it in , pack lightly, sit down and enjoy. The folks complaining about prep and burning characteristics must have gotten a different batch, but given Mr. Ouellette's consistency and skill, I doubt this is possible. For me, this is a quite nearly perfect, medium English/Balkan cake. There is no bite or harshness, and the flavors are nicely melded. Ten to Midnight is smooth, sweet,and smokey with adequate Latakia and the delicious Virginia base common in pipesandcigars.com blends. Give this a chance, in a small bowl, enjoyed slowly and quietly. 3.5 stars-deduction for looks.

A member of one of the pipe boards was kind enough to recommend this blend to me as I was berating P. Stokkebye's co. for discontinuing Balkan Supreme. I got a four oz. sample of Ten to Midnight and upon opening ran to get my sharpest machete. This tobacco is HARD. However,it repays you when you get it cut/stomped or however you get a bowlful of it. I finally broke off small pieces, stuffed them into the pipe with some crumbs sprinkled on top and lit up. I like Latakia and I love a good Balkan. This tobacco is very good right out of the pouch. very tasty, full and gentle. I like it! If you like latakia blending well with other orientals backed up with some really good VA's, try this. The only reason I don't give it four stars as a Balkan is that place is reserved for my beloved Balkan Supreme. Three stars and I'll bet after a year of age gets on it, it will easily be a four star tobacco.

I received this blend as part of a 6 blend H&H series sampler. Upon receiving & opening my package I was overwhelmed by the wonderful aroma of the blends and was excited to start trying them out. I have reviewed most of the blends individually but all had one thing in common, they all had a very pleasant pouch smell and wonderful room note but lacked taste and most were harsh on the palate. 10 to Midnight fell right into this category but to a degree. Wonderful smell both fresh and while burning and had a somewhat interesting taste but like the others burned a little on the hot side. Upon first light the mild amount of Latakia shines through but as the smoke progresses it tends to fade away some, not totally but enough to start making the smoke dull. I must say that out of the 6 blends I tried I liked this one the most HOWEVER not enough to reorder or keep on hand. I ended up keeping about 1 ounce and trading off the other ounce. I don?t know why but something inside is telling me that this blend has potential. I?m going to let what I kept age a little and see what happens. Understanding that everyone has a different palate and different others might find this blend more exciting than I did however this is one of few H&H blends that I would actually suggest people try an ounce of just to see what they think. Sorry Russ but something your using in your blends seem to be making them smoke hot & bite. Please take this review as constructive criticism and not personal.

A solid little English/Balkan cake, rather mild but consistent, very sturdy construction. Nice nose before and after lighting. Tasty but never overwhelming.

And yes, the alternate version of this, Larry's Blend, is more potent and flavorful but lacks the brick/cake form of Ten to Midnight and is instead offered as loose ribbon.

I really enjoy the latakia and combinant flavors in this blend.

Although a bit of a chore to tear it apart, it smokes long and cool and leaves me with a splendid platter of endorphin and nicotine relaxation.

I'd give this 4 stars but I recently tasted Larry's Blend (also from Russ) and it's so outstanding that I shifted my ratings to reflect my relative enjoyment.

Back when this came out, I was pleased with having a cheaper version of Penzance. While I ought to be ecstatic nowadays because of the price difference, it doesn't quite work that way.

It's not Penzance. Aged Penzance, perhaps, as RMBittner noted in his excellent review. TTM never had the range of tastes that fresh Penzance has, and after aging 10 years, melds to a mild, nondescript, albeit pleasant smoke. As with Penzance, fresher is better; actually aged TTM is better than aged Penzance, IMO.

Comparisons aside, I still like this blend on its own merits. I like bold (for example- GLP Gaslight, Smoker's Haven Exotique) and mild at different times, depending on my mood. It is nicely economical, in fact a damned good bargain when purchased during frequent sales.

As to the "krumble kake" bars: they are a cool compact novelty which offer some aging advantages, but they start out rather un-krumbleable and after a decade require a sharp chain saw. Not insurmountable, but a PITA to prepare if not forewarned. The rub: unless thoroughly crumbled, it will require frequent relights.

Both fresh and aged are welcome in my cabinet. 3 solid stars.