Hearth & Home Ten to Midnight
(3.00)
A dark, full Balkan style tobacco containing bright and matured Carolina and Virginias, a healthy mixture of Turkish and Orientals, and plenty of flavorful, fragrant latakia. A superb late-evening smoke that can stand up to a sturdy single-malt scotch, small-batch bourbon or hearty port.
Details
| Brand | Hearth & Home |
| Series | Signature Series |
| Blended By | Russ Ouellette |
| Manufactured By | Sutliff Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Krumble Kake |
| Packaging | bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.00 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 51 - 60 of 60 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2019 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
Ten to Midnight has been my favorite tobacco for about seven years now.
Ten to Midnight is a light bodied Balkan, but certainly not light on flavor. Light bodied meaning a lighter and brighter variety of tobaccos used to enhance the Latakian centerpiece of this blend. I believe I read an article by Russ Ouellette somewhere mentioning bright Virginias and Macedonian Orientals for this blend. For my taste the citrusy Virginias and aromatic Orientals certainly brighten up the incense-like flavor of the Latakia.
Ten to Midnight is a rather dry krumble kake which takes a little more effort to prepare, but I'm use to it and have gotten pretty good at it.
I use two hands and break the kake up into smaller pieces. And then just using one hand, I take the longer pieces and kind of bend them between my fore finger and thumb to break them up into yet smaller bits and pieces to about an 1/8 of an inch or perhaps just a tad bigger in size.
I place the bits and pieces in my pipe, tamp them very lightly, or maybe not even at all, and keep everything pretty loose.
Light it and smoke it as you would any other blend. Keep everything pretty loose all the way down to the final ash. I find this method burns very well with minimal moisture and excellent flavor.
You should never rub this kake out because the pieces get too small and the Latakia turns to dust.
If the bits and pieces are too big, then you'll have draw issues.
So yes, it's a little finicky but if you do it often enough, like anything else, you'll get it figured out and become accustomed to it... Honest, it'll be a piece of cake!... Lol, yes the pun is intended.
Ten to Midnight is a light bodied Balkan, but certainly not light on flavor. Light bodied meaning a lighter and brighter variety of tobaccos used to enhance the Latakian centerpiece of this blend. I believe I read an article by Russ Ouellette somewhere mentioning bright Virginias and Macedonian Orientals for this blend. For my taste the citrusy Virginias and aromatic Orientals certainly brighten up the incense-like flavor of the Latakia.
Ten to Midnight is a rather dry krumble kake which takes a little more effort to prepare, but I'm use to it and have gotten pretty good at it.
I use two hands and break the kake up into smaller pieces. And then just using one hand, I take the longer pieces and kind of bend them between my fore finger and thumb to break them up into yet smaller bits and pieces to about an 1/8 of an inch or perhaps just a tad bigger in size.
I place the bits and pieces in my pipe, tamp them very lightly, or maybe not even at all, and keep everything pretty loose.
Light it and smoke it as you would any other blend. Keep everything pretty loose all the way down to the final ash. I find this method burns very well with minimal moisture and excellent flavor.
You should never rub this kake out because the pieces get too small and the Latakia turns to dust.
If the bits and pieces are too big, then you'll have draw issues.
So yes, it's a little finicky but if you do it often enough, like anything else, you'll get it figured out and become accustomed to it... Honest, it'll be a piece of cake!... Lol, yes the pun is intended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 07, 2019 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
I bought several ounces of this a few year's back. I recently returned to pipe smoking and had a few bowls' worth left.
This blend comes in that weird kind of crumble cake that some compare to particle board. It's harder and flakier than, say, Anniversary Kake, and I don't really care for it. Takes a bit more work to prepare, but nothing too cumbersome. I wonder if now that some of Russ' blends are getting the Sutliff crumble cake treatment, which is an A+ presentation for me, if this might be more like those in recent vintages.
Flavorwise, I'd rate it between medium and full English, and medium in flavor overall. It's fine, but doesn't really do it for me. Just tastes a bit flat. I really love Latakia blends where the interplay between the Latakia and the Orientals give you that spicy incense like combination. I don't really get that here. This is Latakia forward, but not a Lat-bomb, and it lacks the Oriental presence to really give me that Balkan kick as well.
There's nothing offensive or bad about it, but I'm a huge fan of Russ' Latakia blends in general, and given all the great ones out there, I don't really recommend this one.
Obviously, YMMV and it's worth a try.
This blend comes in that weird kind of crumble cake that some compare to particle board. It's harder and flakier than, say, Anniversary Kake, and I don't really care for it. Takes a bit more work to prepare, but nothing too cumbersome. I wonder if now that some of Russ' blends are getting the Sutliff crumble cake treatment, which is an A+ presentation for me, if this might be more like those in recent vintages.
Flavorwise, I'd rate it between medium and full English, and medium in flavor overall. It's fine, but doesn't really do it for me. Just tastes a bit flat. I really love Latakia blends where the interplay between the Latakia and the Orientals give you that spicy incense like combination. I don't really get that here. This is Latakia forward, but not a Lat-bomb, and it lacks the Oriental presence to really give me that Balkan kick as well.
There's nothing offensive or bad about it, but I'm a huge fan of Russ' Latakia blends in general, and given all the great ones out there, I don't really recommend this one.
Obviously, YMMV and it's worth a try.
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
Fresh to 2 Years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I picked this one up, in hopes it would be similar to other English kakes I've tried; Bengal's Slices and it's second cousin Fusiler's Rations. Well, the aroma was similar, peppery, and quite deep, leaning more on the Oriental than the Latakia. I did smell a small amount of Virginia sweetness, but it was overpowered by the other two stars of the show. Classic English goodness in my book.
I was less impressed with the feel of this kake however. It was brittle and crumbled apart, as would a dried clump of grass under a lawnmower (layered organic material pressed together). Previous kakes I preferred, tended to crumble into sticky crumbs that just smoked better and longer. The smoke itself was good, though became a little samey throughout, and tended to bite a tad if rushed.
I prefer the other two I already mentioned, but since one can buy this in bulk for less money, it gets an equal rating based on value.
Most of the tin was smoked in the evening well before ten o' clock, but maybe next time I'll wait until two hours before the Doomsday clock gongs to ring in the apocalypse.
I was less impressed with the feel of this kake however. It was brittle and crumbled apart, as would a dried clump of grass under a lawnmower (layered organic material pressed together). Previous kakes I preferred, tended to crumble into sticky crumbs that just smoked better and longer. The smoke itself was good, though became a little samey throughout, and tended to bite a tad if rushed.
I prefer the other two I already mentioned, but since one can buy this in bulk for less money, it gets an equal rating based on value.
Most of the tin was smoked in the evening well before ten o' clock, but maybe next time I'll wait until two hours before the Doomsday clock gongs to ring in the apocalypse.
PurchasedFrom:
pipesandcigars.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 09, 2015 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I bought 2 oz of this. I wanted to like it and I did at first but it's too sweet and I little sickening for my tastes and way too much work to prep for what it's worth. Done a stash clean out today and sad to say this was one that had to go. People compare it to Penzance but I wouldn't know. So many people think of Penzance as God that a lot of us wouldn't be able to get our hands on it. But if they where truly similar then I most likely wouldn't waste my money.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 22, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I ordered this as part of a "sampler" pack. When it arrived I thought that someone had put a few chunks of coal in the bag. It was hard as a rock. I broke out the knife and chopping board and sliced/rubbed out enough to load the bowl of my Peterson. Wasn't worth the effort...
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 12, 2023 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
Been smoking this the last couple of days. It’s a very enjoyable blend. Nice smoky flavor with creamy smoke. The nicotine hit isn’t quite enough for me but a pleasant aroma and taste without any linger to speak of. I’ll have to work on preparation before I pack it in the bowl because I’ve had to relight a few too many times for my liking. The Latakia and Orientals are well balanced with the Virginia that’s present. Anyone who enjoys English tobacco should really like this one. It burns down to a light ash doesn’t moisten up your bowl, which makes it possible to reload and smoke another one right off. I would not say this is a “distinctive“ tobacco, but it is very pleasant and easy.
Pipe Used:
Vauen Pipe of the Year 2022
Age When Smoked:
2005
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2023 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Jar note of pungent smoky sour. Tobacco is mostly a black and dark brown Krumble Kake with a few highlighted tans. Moisture content is ok. Drying may be preferred by some. Breaks apart and rubs out easily. Burns slow with a few extra relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild to medium. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and consistent, with notes of smoky, charred wood, floral, rich earth, dry, mildly spicy, moderately sweet, tangy citrus, herbal spices, bitter orange peel, mild bread, peaty vegetation, musty incense, a mildly sour lemony background note, and a mildly peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Oriental/Turkish and Virginia supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.
Pipe Used:
1981 Peterson Mark Twain
PurchasedFrom:
TobaccoPipes.com
Age When Smoked:
4 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 15, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Very floral. Plenty of smokiness. Some salt. Some spice. A full Latakia but we'll balanced with the Virginia's and orientals. I would not call this a lat bomb but a well balanced blend with dominant Latakia characteristics. Smooth, meaty and just an excellent blend!
Pipe Used:
GBD New Standard
Age When Smoked:
2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I loved this blend.
This blend is just like every other good English blend, only more so. It has a richness and a fullness that is just not present in other Englishes that I have in my cellar.
The latakia makes itself very present, without turning this blend into a "Lat Bomb". It's woody, smoky, spicy, and infinitely complex. This is a contemplative blend, perfect for a long quiet session with your pipe. I've only just gotten into this blend, but so far I think it will have a home in my cellar for as long as H&H lets me buy it.
This blend is just like every other good English blend, only more so. It has a richness and a fullness that is just not present in other Englishes that I have in my cellar.
The latakia makes itself very present, without turning this blend into a "Lat Bomb". It's woody, smoky, spicy, and infinitely complex. This is a contemplative blend, perfect for a long quiet session with your pipe. I've only just gotten into this blend, but so far I think it will have a home in my cellar for as long as H&H lets me buy it.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Mycroft
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
1 month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2020 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This is a good blend, but it’s missing something. It’s like a quartet but missing the cello. It show the hallmarks of a good Balkan/English but the balance is off. The Latakia and orientals are good and fairly balanced, but the background notes are lacking. Overall, not bad at all and recommended.
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