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 1 - 10 of 11 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2009 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
It's fun to encounter tobacco in an unusual form, and I'm glad to see that the crumble cake is still alive and kicking. As for what really counts -- taste and aroma -- this one can be recommended.
Despite its aroma in the tin and in the smoke, the flavors are actually quite mild. You can smoke this for 90 minutes and not taste it when you set down your pipe. (For some, that's a benefit. For me? Not so much.)
This constantly gets compared to Penzance. The comparison is apt; this is as close to Penzance-without-being-Penzance that I've encountered. But for me, a lover of that Esoterica blend, it lacks the spice and effervescence that you'll find in a fresh tin of Penzance. With some time in the tin, Penzance's spice and effervescence fades away. (It's one of the few blends I've tried that is much better fresh than aged.) But it's the "aged Penzance" profile that you get here. In Ten to Midnight, the latakia dominates against what tastes like a soft cavendish foundation, only occasionally allowing waves of orientals to poke through. This seems to have more latakia, less orientals, and significantly more cavendish in it than Penzance. It's a softer smoke as a result, without the distinctive qualities that keep me returning to Penzance.
But let's set direct comparisons aside.
As a Balkan, Ten to Midnight succeeds somewhat, although the cavendish mutes things for me. (I don't believe cavendish belongs in a true Balkan, and I'm convinced it's here in good portion.) In addition, too many puffs seemed to consist of nothing but latakia. I believe a good Balkan blends the latakia and orientals in sufficient proportions to create layers of richness that neither tobacco could manage on its own. This never reached that level for me.
I don't think the Virginias surfaced at all during the smoke, making this much less successful if smoked as a straight English. It's perhaps more successful as a Scottish blend (because of my belief that there's unsweetened cavendish present), with an emphasis on the latakia.
Ten to Midnight is certainly enjoyable no matter what you call it or how you categorize it. But it's certainly not a Penzance replacement for me, and it won't make any of Pease's Balkans quake in their boots. (Except for Kensington, the only Pease Balkan that fails, in my opinion.) I'm glad I tried this, but I won't be buying any more.
One Note: Although this can require an extraordinary amount of finger strength to break up, I found that the long bars of tobacco actually have a kind of "grain" to them; try breaking this up from every angle, and you'll find that one direction works better than all the others. (And breaking this up as much as possible is essential if you want the mixture to remain lit in the bowl.)
Bob
Despite its aroma in the tin and in the smoke, the flavors are actually quite mild. You can smoke this for 90 minutes and not taste it when you set down your pipe. (For some, that's a benefit. For me? Not so much.)
This constantly gets compared to Penzance. The comparison is apt; this is as close to Penzance-without-being-Penzance that I've encountered. But for me, a lover of that Esoterica blend, it lacks the spice and effervescence that you'll find in a fresh tin of Penzance. With some time in the tin, Penzance's spice and effervescence fades away. (It's one of the few blends I've tried that is much better fresh than aged.) But it's the "aged Penzance" profile that you get here. In Ten to Midnight, the latakia dominates against what tastes like a soft cavendish foundation, only occasionally allowing waves of orientals to poke through. This seems to have more latakia, less orientals, and significantly more cavendish in it than Penzance. It's a softer smoke as a result, without the distinctive qualities that keep me returning to Penzance.
But let's set direct comparisons aside.
As a Balkan, Ten to Midnight succeeds somewhat, although the cavendish mutes things for me. (I don't believe cavendish belongs in a true Balkan, and I'm convinced it's here in good portion.) In addition, too many puffs seemed to consist of nothing but latakia. I believe a good Balkan blends the latakia and orientals in sufficient proportions to create layers of richness that neither tobacco could manage on its own. This never reached that level for me.
I don't think the Virginias surfaced at all during the smoke, making this much less successful if smoked as a straight English. It's perhaps more successful as a Scottish blend (because of my belief that there's unsweetened cavendish present), with an emphasis on the latakia.
Ten to Midnight is certainly enjoyable no matter what you call it or how you categorize it. But it's certainly not a Penzance replacement for me, and it won't make any of Pease's Balkans quake in their boots. (Except for Kensington, the only Pease Balkan that fails, in my opinion.) I'm glad I tried this, but I won't be buying any more.
One Note: Although this can require an extraordinary amount of finger strength to break up, I found that the long bars of tobacco actually have a kind of "grain" to them; try breaking this up from every angle, and you'll find that one direction works better than all the others. (And breaking this up as much as possible is essential if you want the mixture to remain lit in the bowl.)
Bob
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
One of the weaker links in the H & H arsenal. Unlike their other kakes, this disintegrates into dry powder. Bad start. No charring light necessary. Smokey? Decidedly so. Warm, sumptuous, comforting smoke? Anything but. The only flavor profile I come away with is one of the smoke that was used to cure the tobaccos, not the finished products themselves. Stick with Engine 99 or Nightcap for a substitute, or any number of other H & H Latakia-forward blends (Ambassador, Strikeforce, Armada, Black House and Magnum Opus to name a few).
Pipe Used:
Various Large-width billiards and bulldogs
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes & Cigars
Age When Smoked:
One year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2014 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I have trouble to pack well this tobacco at first, when i pack it without rubbed is hard to draw or make air pockets so i got a poor smokes and if i rub it first it burnt so hot on my pipes. The taste is quite dull, sour and i dont get anything until it reach the middle of the bowl. No special things and just flat, and no lasting after taste. I dont found an oriental spiciness that usually i got from usual english blends accept sour smokey taste and get more sweeter after it reach the middle of bowl. But this blend is not bad at all, from the name i think this blend is fit for evening smoke but according to my taste this blend is just fit at breakfast smoke, as first smoke of the day.
Age When Smoked:
fresh and 1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 16, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
This is a good tobacco at a great price in bulk. This is heavy on latakia.I enjoy the krumple kake , however, you must fully rub it out or else it tends to need frequent relights. I find myself puffing fast with this one, just because I'm greedy for more of its great latakia flavor, more of a bitter aftertaste than sweet. This tobacco has a little tingle that I can't fully identify, almost when you have a sprits of seltzer with your drink. Smoke it fast and it will bite, 6 months of aging should mellow this out. One dimensional with Latakia out front.
Update 9/6/11 Well It's been 9 months, and this still has a bite and is hard to keep lit. This tobacco smokes salty , reminds me of "Engine 99". I'm removing one star
Update 1/5/12 There it is, almost one year of aging to the day and the bite is gone and the Turkish begins to play. Latakia is out front , like an oil refinery having an outdoor Bar-B-Que. The Turkish has nice support but rather than a sweetness from the Virginias , I get a saltiness. Upon lighting you get an explosion of flavor, Latakia & Orientals ,but this fades fast at about a 1/4 bowl and it becomes ashey. Actually, if you tamp this out and relite, you get another explosion of flavor for another 1/4 bowl ( great northern winter feature for running out of the house when it's 20 degrees outside and smoking 1/4 bowls !!) Oh, and it I still have trouble rubbing this out, you get little nuggets ( like Grape Nuts Cereal) that don't burn real well.
Updated 3/20/12 Hope you can live with my updates but as this tobacco aged and breathed it has improved. Orientals play well and the latakia is more in the background, you need to sip this to get the most. I tried this against "Larry's blend" and LB is smoother but less lat. and I like it better than 10TM. However, 10TM is worth 3 stars.
Updated 10/26/12 One more update I promise, I like my Balkans with more Orientals and sweeter. This is hard to sip, it goes out, that simple.I'll stick with Larry's blend and won't buy this again.
Update 9/6/11 Well It's been 9 months, and this still has a bite and is hard to keep lit. This tobacco smokes salty , reminds me of "Engine 99". I'm removing one star
Update 1/5/12 There it is, almost one year of aging to the day and the bite is gone and the Turkish begins to play. Latakia is out front , like an oil refinery having an outdoor Bar-B-Que. The Turkish has nice support but rather than a sweetness from the Virginias , I get a saltiness. Upon lighting you get an explosion of flavor, Latakia & Orientals ,but this fades fast at about a 1/4 bowl and it becomes ashey. Actually, if you tamp this out and relite, you get another explosion of flavor for another 1/4 bowl ( great northern winter feature for running out of the house when it's 20 degrees outside and smoking 1/4 bowls !!) Oh, and it I still have trouble rubbing this out, you get little nuggets ( like Grape Nuts Cereal) that don't burn real well.
Updated 3/20/12 Hope you can live with my updates but as this tobacco aged and breathed it has improved. Orientals play well and the latakia is more in the background, you need to sip this to get the most. I tried this against "Larry's blend" and LB is smoother but less lat. and I like it better than 10TM. However, 10TM is worth 3 stars.
Updated 10/26/12 One more update I promise, I like my Balkans with more Orientals and sweeter. This is hard to sip, it goes out, that simple.I'll stick with Larry's blend and won't buy this again.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2011 | Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Strong |
I agree with Chris below, comparing this to Penzance means you either 1) Never have smelled Penzance, 2) It's been forever since you smelled Penzance. If I had to compare, I'd say this was a dead ringer to GLP Abingdon which is not a good thing in my case.
Before trying Abingdon I enjoyed English blends with latakia but Abigdon was like having a little tobacco with your latakia... Ten to Midnight is no different. The pouch aroma is Latakia, the taste is Latakia, and the aftertaste is (suprise) Latakia. I got heartburn just smoking this stuff.
Suffice it to say this is not my cup of tea and probably has reinforced putting me off of latakia for a good long while again.
YMMV
Before trying Abingdon I enjoyed English blends with latakia but Abigdon was like having a little tobacco with your latakia... Ten to Midnight is no different. The pouch aroma is Latakia, the taste is Latakia, and the aftertaste is (suprise) Latakia. I got heartburn just smoking this stuff.
Suffice it to say this is not my cup of tea and probably has reinforced putting me off of latakia for a good long while again.
YMMV
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 10, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I been smoking my way through the Hearth and Home sampler. I can't say that this is a bad tabacco. It is just not as good as some of the others I have tried. The flavor is average, it packs ok, and smokes easily. I think I was expecting more.
I have found I need to smoke it gently or it bites. I will enjoy smoking what I have, but I won't be buying anymore.
I have found I need to smoke it gently or it bites. I will enjoy smoking what I have, but I won't be buying anymore.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 27, 2009 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Strong |
This blend was just a bit too much for me at this stage in my pipe smoking career On the whole I am not a huge Latakia fan and it seems that is the dominant flavor. I won't fault the tobacco... it is that I haven't graduated to the level where I appreciate blends of this ilk. Like strong spirits and black coffee ... it is best appreciated by a fully educated palate.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 15, 2006 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Ten to Midnight is an average light to medium English blend. There is nothing terribly striking about this weed. It is well-blended and has some nice flavour. Russ Ouellette at Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe (PipesandCigars.com) uses high quality tobacco and those that prefer lighter English blends will like this. Certainly, I recognise this blend as the forerunner for Larry's Blend. With that said, I completely understand why Larry Loerzel, after smoking this, asked for 'something a little fuller and different.' Ten to Midnight is not full, is more English than Balkan, and is certainly nothing different from the many quality choices out there at present (including blends from Russ). I will not be purchasing this again, but note that it is fine for what it is--a light to medium English blend (as stated).
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 30, 2006 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I love the name of this one. This is a milder pressed Latakia that lacks the complex depth of C & D's Pirate Kake or the mouthwatering, brinyness of Germain's Penzance. The bars are beautifully pressed and are a delight to the eye, though a little hard to break up considering it's a krumble kake. The taste, though, leaves me a bit flat. It starts out very mild, but progresses into a huge mouthful of monochromatic smoke. Smoke this in a small bowl. A large one is too overwhelming and because it burns incredibly slow, you might wish for the ending to come sooner rather than later. A good effort, though I feel it lacks the profundity to make it truly special.
Two and a half of five stars
Two and a half of five stars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 09, 2019 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Russ is a master blender but even pros have an off day. That isn't to say this is bad, it's just not great. If I ran out of tobacco if be happy to find a stash of this but it would never be my first choice. The orientals shine but become monochromatic. The Latakia rarely push to the front. They claim it's a crumble cake but it's nothing like others. It's in consistent. Some crumbles,some are hard chunks. My hope is that will make a good blend to make a nice cross over blend.
Pipe Used:
Upshall billiard
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
New
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