Hearth & Home Larry's Blend

**I really wish Russ had access to a flake press. I added some Perique to Larry's and put the bag under the couch leg to press for a week. The added Perique and marrying of the leaves made this an absolutely stellar blend. Very Nightcap like but I enjoyed the improvised Larry much more as it was not as harsh and gave off a buttery creaminess that's lacking in Nightcap. If only I could give a pound of my concoction to C&D to press and slice, I'd be in heaven (and make a small fortune selling it). This is still a fantastic blend in its original form!!!!**

Larry's Blend is the fullest Latakia blend I have in my cellar, reserved for cold evenings. There is enough Latakia present to bring Larry's close to Latakia Bomb territory but having smoked Old Ironsides and Star of the East Flake I believe Larry's is a notch or two below those heavy blends. Really delicious and SOUR as some other reviewers have stated, briny and salty with a wonderful smokiness in both taste and aroma, really really nice! Larry's being a Balkan is very different from my English blends so I keep a pound in a large glass jar as the Balkan blend in my rotation. Recommended for very chilly nights with a glass of aged scotch - truly delightful pairing. My only negative is the large amount of dust that accumulates and is present in the 8oz tins that I have purchased, I have not found another Balkan with so much dust but regardless a must try Balkan at an extremely affordable price!!

At first glance, the appearence of Larry's blend looks like it's going to be really strong latakia bomb. However, I find it to be very smooth and cool burning. Currently it is one of my favorite Balkans. The flavor is full and somewhat smokey but not totally dominated by the latakia. The balance of the Orientals and the Latakia really make for wonderful dance partners. Add in the very fair price from Pipes and Cigars and Larry's should be part of every Balkan smoker's rotation. Highly recommended!

This is my all time favorite! When I was in PAD phase, I tried anything I could get my hands on and this one was love in the first puff! I would say it is a full Balkan with good latakia amount and the taste is sweet, sour, spicy, savoy, woody and keeps change. Always in my rotation and one of the best in tobacco world.

Russ Ouellette is definitely the king of Balkan blenders in my book. All three I'd tried:this, black house and ambassador, are outstanding and impeccable. They're way better than some of GL Pease's blends IMHO. Maybe after proper aging time things will change and do Mr. Pease real justice. Until then, Russ rules.

I can't help nose inhaling the wonderful smoke and the fullness may keep you from trying others in the rest of the day. I therefore would smoke Larry's blend as the last puff before bed or use morta to reduce the strength and edginess. That works to me.

Okay, there IS some kind of flavoring in this tobacco. The predominant taste was sweetened Latakia with the Virginia leaf giving the blend some strength (although not a lot), and the orientals giving balance to the Latakia and Virginia.

It smokes slow and provides gobs of smoke. I think the rich presentation of all the condiments came together perfectly and that is probably why this blend is so flavorful and well thought of. I can see where it would quickly become a favorite.

Larry's Blend is a creamy buttery smoke. Slightly sour from the orientals. It coats the mouth, Bringing flavors of a mild savory inscent to the nose. Wisps of smoked leather and a melange' of orange spice.

Larry's Blend creates plumes of smoke, never bitey. It's a consistent smoke from top to bottom of the bowl. A great blend for the fall, winter and early brisk spring. Goes great with an English Breakfast Tea during or after a pipe. I would say a day of Squadron Leader, Wilderness and a finish with Larry's Blend would be a day well spent In the Balkans.

Larry's Blend is an amazing blend for me (Thanks Russ and Larry!). Well, I think some members here described this blend well. But, this is my opinion: -Smooth, full-bodied, sour, creamy, buttery, spicy, earthy and smokey. -Cool and no bite. Perfect until the end of the bowl. Drives me to inhale the smoke. But there is a lot of powder in the tin. Still, it deserves 4-star rating!

Second Russ Oulette blend for me, the 1st being Anniversary Cake, which was terrible. This, however, is a blend fantastic.

The tin note is Latakia forward, and the consistency is of grossly irregularly cut shag? No kidding, there were pale blonde Va leaf in there six inches long-I measured. It was drier than I like, and if it lasted long enough I'd have to throw in a humidisc. It won't last that long though.

This stuff is rich, sweet and buttery, it doesn't burn hot and although it seems laborious to get established-from a fire-it-up perspective, it burns cool and slow. Sweetness to a nice soury taste, all in the same bowl.

Well done, well done indeed. Wonderful stuff.

This excellent entry by Russ Ouelette of Hearth and Home Tobacco is just that: excellent. I could not, however, give this four stars, simply because of the cut of the tobacco. It is a coarse cut which has given me trouble with the packing of it, and I cannot smoke it in some of my pipes because I simply cannot pack it properly to prevent tobacco from being sucked into the shank and causing blockage. Other than that, it's all excellence, but I felt that this deserved mention as it is a rather important issue, practically speaking.

I had heard so many good things about Hearth and Home and about Russ that I decided to try this, especially because I favor Balkans, and especially Balkans with some punch to them. This one delivers, big time. The nicotine level is how I like it: nice and high. Not overwhelmingly high, but high enough that you don't feel the need to smoke another bowl of it once you're done. That's important to me.

The taste is as described on the tin: rather buttery, and "amped-up" with latakia. It is perfect with regard to the amount of each component tobacco that is used. It is just so well done; as with any good English or Balkan, the tobaccos all harmonize, rather than each one singing in a different key. Occasionally the latakia would really pop in and say hello, but overall, probably due to the quality of the Orientals used, this tobacco is clearly blended by a modern day master. Russ, if you didn't know, won the competition where several different blenders attempted to recreate Sobranie 759, judged by his peers. I never had 759, but I imagine Russ did it justice, and then some.

Really, you would be doing yourself an injustice to skip this one if you like Balkans. Even if you are decidedly an English smoker, try this; it might turn you on to the Balkan genre. Now if only the cut was similar to, say, 1820 or the current Dunhill ribbon cut, I would be much happier, but I guess one cannot expect perfection at all times. Still, very much recommended.

EDIT: I can't even believe my eyes when I read my old reviews sometimes, that's the trouble with doing this. Anyhow, I have upped my rating to four stars, and this blend would get five if I could. It is in my "top five favorites tobaccos on Earth" list. I just ordered half a pound of it in bulk from pipesandcigars.com. Seriously, to not try this should be a crime against tobacco. Do not hesitate.

Also, maybe I shouldn't say anything, but to the guy who said this is an in-your-face aromatic similar to Paladin Black Cherry... are you sure you're smoking the right Larry's Blend? There is absolutely no flavoring in this tobacco whatsoever.

This was quite dry out of the bag, just the way I like it. Packed very easily, almost a gravity fill because the dryness discouraged tamping. It burns beautifully and does not require relights.

This is a rich, delicious blend and I will certainly buy more. It's more earthy than Stokkebye's Balkan Supreme or 965, and when I say earthy I mean dirt, like the rich black soil I planted my tomatoes in last week. It's a big mouthful of taste for those times when I'm in the mood for a more raw, back to nature experience, while BS and 965 will remain my choices for a smoother and creamier smoke. Get a bunch of this stuff and put it away for while!