Hearth & Home Old Companion

Not the greatest of Burley blends, but not the worst either. I do agree with my fellow reviewers that it does produce some tongue bite if not puffed slowly. Not much in the way of flavor, just a plain simple uncased blend. Thats about it.

I have to echo the last few posters. It's not bad stuff, but there are definitely OTC burley blends that are better. I'd smoke Carter Hall over this, same with Prince Albert. I get a bit of tongue bite from this, and get none by comparison from the OTC I mentioned. Something odd is going on with either the tobacco selection, the method of processing, or both. Generally I have trouble with bright VA and that is probably the issue here.

UPDATE Definitely a light, acrid smoke which gives me a bit of tongue bite. Flavor is pleasant, but nothing special. I can't give this two stars when I give most MacBaren blends one star, and much like them, it bites me and doesn't have a lot of flavor

Smokes hot; tastes hot; flavors are near non existent; and it smells kind of like an arm pit when lit. I'll take any number of drugstore burleys over this any day.

Well, I tried and tried but it didn't happen for me. It is very strange: the first third of the bowl I always find it great. And then it starts: pipe burning hot, tongue bite and bitter towards the end. I am smoking this sample on and off for 10 months and tried drying, packing light etc. Concerning the bite it is strange because I usually smoke straight VAs and am quite immune to tongue bite. It gets also some nasty comments for the room note. Looks like quality tobacco, so it is for the burley clan to try and decide.

(2nd update) I'll take it as is and love it. I don't know what took me so long to come around to this conclusion. I think personally, that it was my foray into drugstore blends such as Prince Albert and Half and Half and Carter Hall that made me come back to this and say, well it really blows all those away and has similar flavor notes actually. Although there may be some slight casing that imparts a cinnamony taste almost, I can taste Burleys mostly coming out of this. Of course, I'm not otherwise familiar with steam-toasted VAs so it might be those. I really just left this in a plastic bag, abandoned for months at a time. It's gotten pretty dang dry, but it smokes really well that's for sure. And tastes better than before, I think, unless that's just my palate playing catch up. So that's my three takes on this one. How completely confusing and probably worthless to anyone reading this. But such is my experience.

(update) Well, I'm not completely sure, but after giving it a break for a couple of months, and coming back to this, I kind of like it now enough to increase its rating. I've also lately been mixing it with more Virginias such as McClelland's 2035 and 5100. But, I've learned basically that burley's not a bad thing, I don't think. Most of the blends I like I've noticed have some component of Burley in there, so there's definitely something nice in there, still sort of sussing it out here... thanks for your patience...

(old review) Well I suppose I shouldn't be reviewing this one, but I am because it is one of the tobaccos that I really have not enjoyed particularly. This may have something to do with my general aversion to Burleys, which I thought would be balanced out by the Virginias. The problem here is that it leaves a bitter aftertaste. I think I might have to toss the rest of my two ounces out, as I can't seem to bring myself to try it again after giving it several go's and even trying it as a blender. Ah well to each his own.

I can summarize this blend for you in five short words:

Oooch. Ouch. Eeech. Oach. Oooch. (Okay, four words then.....

Seriously, folks.....I have two other P & C blends that I really enjoy, so I know Scott Benedett, Russ Oulette and company are all about fine, quality tobacco blending. But this one just didn't have my number. Long before the onset of the ferocious tongue bite, I found myself thinking "this is interesting.....a Burley/VA blend that doesn't taste anything like Burley or VA". The flavor and the room note were both as close to cigarette-like as anything I have ever tried; it burned quickly, burned hot, and was rather ashy. As I say, I know pipesandcigars.com can and do offer quality blends, so I'll just chalk this one to up to a case of not agreeing with my palate. Not for me, sorry guys.

Old Companion is a spicy, hot-burning blend with a thin flavor profile. Considerable drying and a light pack help reduce the bite. I won't buy this one again. The Burley used is also tough on my throat toward the end of the bowl.

I find this blend to be quite bland. I'm lighting up a second bowl of it as I write this review.

The burley here lacks flavor and the VA is barely compensating.

The smell is unsubstantial.

Unlike a previous reviewer, I'm having no trouble with lighting it. No moisture issues, either.

As I get midbowl, the VA pokes it's head out a little more. However, I'm still left with a very hollow flavor on my tongue.

This would be a good blend to use in saturating a hot-burning VA without detracting from the flavor.

Otherwise, I won't order this again.

Yes, smoke this stuff slowly or OC quickly turns into old blowtorch. For the first 3rd of the bowl, I could not taste anything but what seemed like trying to burn wet cardboard. Then, the sweet/nutty flavors of the virginia and burley came thru with noticeable strength for the rest of the smoke leaving a pleasant taste in my tobacco-bite stricken mouth. Cool burning you say? My sample was quite moist and burned like a grass fire. I'm not as experienced with Va/Burl blends as I am with others and that certainly played a role in it. Still, I think this blend bears further exposure and will probably return after same. For now, the caution flag is out.

Meerschaum Man smoking an old CAO Bacchus