Hearth & Home Old Companion

Picked this up in a trade and was intrigued. The first thing I noticed is the size of the tin - very large for a 50 gram tin. I expected a "fluffy" tobacco and that's what I got. That always makes for an interesting load! And interestingly, my first snoot of the tin note presented a McClellands-like silage tang and I thought "Oh goodness, the McClellands Ketchup Brigade is going to have a field day with this one!". However, this smell went away literally seconds after the air hit it. I'm now not sure it was ever there. As it turns out, I got a tin of McC's Sophisticate in the same trade and I may have subconsciously thought I was going to open that one instead. This gives me some insight into how the old "ketchup" thing has perpetuated! 🙂

The taste was a source of consternation. For the first few bowls, it took almost 2/3 before I got much flavor of any kind except an initial Granger-like plasticity. Unless cardboard is a flavor. The bottom 1/3 produced some nutty and mildly sweet tones. I tried hydrating it a little which was even more disastrous so I dried it out a little more. This helped the flavor develop somewhat but it never got terribly interesting. And there was a tongue singe just waiting to happen that I had to constantly fight off by puffing overly slowly. Then again, slow is the ticket if you want any flavor from this one. Slow and dry but not too dry. It does have an "old timey" taste and may have nailed the profile of some of those old, long gone OTC's. It did taste a bit like Carter Hall but didn't have CH's odd casing.

Not a bad blend but not something I'll likely smoke again. Try it as a sidebar to blends like GLP Cumberland or C&D's Burley Straight. Interesting but a bit perplexing.

Nothing overly special about this blend. Just the straight tobacco flavour, as described; clean burn and without bite. You could find an OTC blend that would suffice for half the price.

I am having a hard time finding some of the redeming qualities of this blend mentioned in some of the other reviews. This blend was hard to light, hard to keep lit and burned hot no matter what I tried to do. I may finish what I have already from the 2oz I ordered to try this but will not re-order.

King Albert, I met your more obnoxious, cheaper son. That guy's a jerk. He's been freeloading in my desk for like six months and won't leave. I don't have the heart to throw the guy out. Just thought you should know.

Old Companion presents as a medium ribbon of light to medium brown tobaccos. Tin note is extremely neutral with some subtle parchment burley notes.

I'm having some trouble reconciling my experience with this blend to some of the other reviews, both the overly negative and the overly positive. Old Companion is a mild VaBur, leaning more towards the "Bur". There are papery, nutty tones here from the burley and just a touch of sweeter, condimental Virginia notes.

The tinned blend arrives at just the right moisture content (I can't speak for the bulk), takes a match well and burns evenly with minimal relights. The first third of the bowl, as noted in a previous review, is extremely mild and neutral in flavor. I think this rather tasteless first third is what causes the experience others have noted with hot, fast burn. I think some are puffing this blend too hard looking for flavor that simply isn't there. The patient smoker, however, will be rewarded with a light maple flavor by mid bowl and just a hint of aniseed.

Old Companion builds in strength and flavor as the bowl progresses and one is advised to watch one's cadence lest a bit of ashy tongue bite appear. The second half of the bowl contrasts interestingly to the slow and rather uninspiring start.

The burn is rather dry, leaving little mess on the bowl. The finish is a bit bland with some cardboard and sour notes.

Old Companion isn't a bad choice for an all-day smoke, but doesn't distinguish itself in this crowded field. Those looking for a bit more flavor in the "nostalgic burley" category may want to check out Russ's Angler's Dream for a more robust flavor profile. But I could name a half dozen better options for straightforward all-day smokes that would push OC towards the bottom of my list.

Objectively, OC lives up to its aspirations: a modern version of an old school pouch blend without the overuse of chemical humectants and preservatives so common among today's "drug store" options. In context, this isn't a bad tobacco by any stretch. Those seeking tobacco Nirvana will be disappointed.

The room note will be pleasantly familiar to anyone with a father, uncle or grandfather who smoked a pipe.

A short ribbon cut of mostly mid, caramel, browns. There is a very mild cocoa and anise tin note.

This tobacco packs and burns a treat. It produces a nice volume of creamy smoke.

Tends to burn on the hot side and can bite even when puffed gently. There is also some bitterness as the bowl progresses. This is a no nonsense simple tobacco that will cause the smoker no real problems at all. Not much to offer on the upside however.

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.

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.

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.