Hearth & Home Old Tartan
(3.14)
A new interpretation of a blend that was a mainstay in the Albany NY area for more than a half-century. This smooth-smoking mixture uses a variety of cube and rough cut Burleys and a splash of natural Cavendish with just enough Latakia to add a slight smoky spice. Enjoy this taste of the past.
Notes: According to Pipes & Cigars Deer Tongue is no longer used.
Details
| Brand | Hearth & Home |
| Series | Signature Series |
| Blended By | Russ Ouellette |
| Manufactured By | Pipes & Cigars |
| Blend Type | American |
| Contents | Burley, Cavendish, Latakia |
| Flavoring | Alcohol / Liquor |
| Cut | Mixture |
| Packaging | 1.5oz Tin, 8oz Tin, Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.14 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2013 | Mild | Strong | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Old Tartan is a fairly solid rendition of an old-timey American-style blend. There’s quite a few variations of this kind of “American English” blend on the market—a Burley base with a smidge of Latakia and other condimental leaf finished with some sort of aromatic agent—so Old Tartan has some competition as it tries to stand out in the crowd.
Old Tartan is much more American than it is English. The Latakia hides in the background—as it should—for most of the bowl. The Burley, with its toasted bread and hazelnut quality, tends to dominate for part of the smoke, but there are times when it plays a losing game of tug-o’-war with the deer tongue. Several reviewers here have complained about how forward the deer tongue is in this blend and I find myself agreeing with them. I like deer tongue but not if it’s used in a proportion that overwhelms the tobacco.
This tobacco does have one virtue: it lasts a long time. I tossed 2 ounces of Old Tartan into a Mason jar in February 2009 and I’m only now—almost 5 years later—approaching the bottom of that jar. Truth is, I find myself eyeing the tobacco cabinet when I’m about halfway through each bowl of this stuff because I’m neither satisfied nor am I ever inclined to smoke two bowls of Old Tartan in a row. It smells pretty good, I guess, but I really don’t care about the room note.
It’s worth mentioning, I suppose, that someone who better appreciates a generous helping of the herbal, vanilla-like deer tongue will probably have a completely different opinion of Old Tartan than I do. So be it. From my perspective, however, there are several more enjoyable tobaccos in this style and I’ll probably stick with them in the future.
Old Tartan is much more American than it is English. The Latakia hides in the background—as it should—for most of the bowl. The Burley, with its toasted bread and hazelnut quality, tends to dominate for part of the smoke, but there are times when it plays a losing game of tug-o’-war with the deer tongue. Several reviewers here have complained about how forward the deer tongue is in this blend and I find myself agreeing with them. I like deer tongue but not if it’s used in a proportion that overwhelms the tobacco.
This tobacco does have one virtue: it lasts a long time. I tossed 2 ounces of Old Tartan into a Mason jar in February 2009 and I’m only now—almost 5 years later—approaching the bottom of that jar. Truth is, I find myself eyeing the tobacco cabinet when I’m about halfway through each bowl of this stuff because I’m neither satisfied nor am I ever inclined to smoke two bowls of Old Tartan in a row. It smells pretty good, I guess, but I really don’t care about the room note.
It’s worth mentioning, I suppose, that someone who better appreciates a generous helping of the herbal, vanilla-like deer tongue will probably have a completely different opinion of Old Tartan than I do. So be it. From my perspective, however, there are several more enjoyable tobaccos in this style and I’ll probably stick with them in the future.
PurchasedFrom:
pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh, aged, really aged (1-5 years)
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22, 2006 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I am somewhat confused (a natural state of mind for me,) because the pouch of Old Tartan I received came from Altadas, not pipesandcigars.com. The components described above and what I smoked were the same... maybe?!?
All I know is that Old Tartan from Altadis is a cube Burley and Latakia combination that was okay, but not impressive. The blend burned well and produced tons of smoke. I can usually detect deertongue, even when lightly applied, but I tasted none of it in my Old Tartan.
The Altadis version is not remarkable in any way, and packed little punch in nicotine or flavor.
All I know is that Old Tartan from Altadis is a cube Burley and Latakia combination that was okay, but not impressive. The blend burned well and produced tons of smoke. I can usually detect deertongue, even when lightly applied, but I tasted none of it in my Old Tartan.
The Altadis version is not remarkable in any way, and packed little punch in nicotine or flavor.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 2014 | Mild | Medium | Mild | Unnoticeable |
I don't think I've had a tobacco I've vacillated on more than this, but it has grown on me consistently over time. Some reviewers have detected perique, but I don't, nor is there any in the manufacturer's description. However, it might make a great addition, as my main complaint is a lack of complexity.
This is an easy smoke, but personally I'd prefer more punch. Recently, I was informed via Pipes & Cigars (I think) that this blend no longer contains deer tongue, but a close substitute, which is perhaps why I've not enjoyed it more. While I've not studied the room note enough, I think it tastes like potpourri should smoke. Finishes in a vacant way with barely any dottle. Two stars.
UPDATE My vacillation continues. Having smoked this several more times I find two stars to be too high. Just not enough notable going on here. One Star.
This is an easy smoke, but personally I'd prefer more punch. Recently, I was informed via Pipes & Cigars (I think) that this blend no longer contains deer tongue, but a close substitute, which is perhaps why I've not enjoyed it more. While I've not studied the room note enough, I think it tastes like potpourri should smoke. Finishes in a vacant way with barely any dottle. Two stars.
UPDATE My vacillation continues. Having smoked this several more times I find two stars to be too high. Just not enough notable going on here. One Star.
Pipe Used:
various- cobs to Petersons
PurchasedFrom:
pipes and cigars
Age When Smoked:
delivered to me new as of late last fall 2013
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 24, 2010 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This one is rather bland for me. It does not really do much for me personally. It lights easily enough and stays lit. It does produce a decent amount of smoke and burns down to a nice ash at the bottom of the bowl. But just not might cup of tea. I'll finish up the sample I have, but won't be ordering it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 23, 2010 | Very Mild | Very Mild | Very Mild | Pleasant |
This blend is very mild in taste, the presence of Latakia is nearly imperceptible, even visually bag received the Latakia is not seen. Burn very smooth, it leaves a very slight aftertaste of hazelnut. As the first morning smoke, especially in my opinion, with a warm climate, is a good option. But I do not know if I buy it again.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 25, 2006 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This was my third blend with Deertongue. I had high hopes for it since I like Burley blends and deertongue. It started nice- I could actually smell the room note myself. Taste was kinda- And forgive me anyone that may get offended- Like Prince Albert with a light vanilla haze. It was a real treat. Then I hit midbowl- It kinda got harsh and bitter. Now I know burleys tend to do that...So I pressed on....by third part of bowl I was headed for the ash tray. Disappointing to say the least. I tried another pipe (first was a big Prince of Wales freehand)- A bent apple with the same result. Sorry to Pipes and Cigars- Could only go 2 stars on this one.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 17, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
My experience with Old Tartan was akin to an aging, leg-weary prizefighter who loses his punch. Old Tartan lost its punch after the first quarter bowl: the flavor, taste, mellowness and zing that was there in the beginning of the smoke slowly began to dissipate and became a ?hot air,? bland smoke with no flavor or taste as I progressed down the bowl. This happened repeatedly over several weeks in many different pipes. I can?t explain it nor was I ill so my taste buds were in working order. This tobacco does not DGT well, either. I am a big fan of P&C blends but this one just didn?t do it for me.
A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.
I rate this tobacco 6.5 out of 10.
A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.
I rate this tobacco 6.5 out of 10.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 03, 2008 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Well well, this is an unusual one. I've had a sack of this around forever and it never seems to run out. Could be because I rarely smoke it. Here's what happens when I do:
Since it's in crispy condition (entirely my own fault), I'll gravity feed a bowl to the top and blow through the stem till gets pliable, then tamp it down. Top it off with a little from the bag and off to the, um, chair.
I always think straight off, "why don't I smoke this more often?" The first half of the bowl is Great. Burns fine, no bite, quality leaf, fer sure, fer sure. Dan-o's chai tea comment is dead on as far as flavor goes, owing I guess to the deer tongue.
Trouble is, it burleys-out on me at the half way mark. I do like Burley, but it doesn't like me. It always goes stale on me somewhere, regardless of quality or maker. So, I can only give this two stars, even though I don't think there's anything wrong with it. There must be something wrong with me, instead. (But you knew that already.)
p.s. I think they should call this 'Bambie's Lisp'
Since it's in crispy condition (entirely my own fault), I'll gravity feed a bowl to the top and blow through the stem till gets pliable, then tamp it down. Top it off with a little from the bag and off to the, um, chair.
I always think straight off, "why don't I smoke this more often?" The first half of the bowl is Great. Burns fine, no bite, quality leaf, fer sure, fer sure. Dan-o's chai tea comment is dead on as far as flavor goes, owing I guess to the deer tongue.
Trouble is, it burleys-out on me at the half way mark. I do like Burley, but it doesn't like me. It always goes stale on me somewhere, regardless of quality or maker. So, I can only give this two stars, even though I don't think there's anything wrong with it. There must be something wrong with me, instead. (But you knew that already.)
p.s. I think they should call this 'Bambie's Lisp'
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