Hearth & Home Capitol Stairs

I found Capitol Stairs to be a medium to full-bodied blend that can be ?burley sweet? at times and yet present cigar-like qualities at other times. While the addition of the deer-tongue may be an attempt to temper this blend, I had a difficult time discerning its presence when smoking it but the deer tongue flakes are quite apparent in the pouch. It was extremely dry upon arrival; a little moisture improves its smoking qualities. The first 2/3 of the bowl, although largely monochromatic, had a good, base, burley flavor but harshness can creep in towards the last 1/3 of the bowl if you are not careful. To mitigate the harshness and to appreciate this blend fully, smoke it slowly like you would smoke VA and VAPER blends. Although the components and proportions may vary slightly, I found Capitol Stairs similar to C& D?s Big ?n? Burley and Gray Ghost but not quite as strong as either of these C&D blends. Strangely, while CS is not one of my favorite blends, it is one of those four or five blends I crave from time-to-time.

A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this tobacco 8.3 out of 10.

This is a wonderful ,old fashioned ,uncased aromatic blend. I find it works best in a small pipe, sipped very slowly. It is nutty, spicey and sweet. Sip it very slowly to get all of the nuances. This does smell remarkably like French toast. For me a top quality change of pace.

I found this to be a pleasant and fairly comfortable VaBurPer to smoke when I don't want to fuss and bother too much with the pipe. Nothing to write home about, but a relaxing, occasional go to blend reminiscent of the niche and function of some OtCs of old. Smooth and uncomplicated. Nothing to fall heads over heels about, but nothing to repel me either.

Updated note: My review is about the version of this blend without any deertongue.

I find this to be a very mild smoke that stays rather consistent from beginning to end. There may be a little spiciness towards the end but nothing horrendous or over powering. I can see this making its way into the lineup; perhaps as a back-up player, the DH (designated hitter.) I plan to buy a small amount to jar up; it may even improve with a little age. That is not to say it was not good straight from the mailbox. Indeed – very nice. If you enjoy a mild English smoke (even though they call this American) this is one to consider. As with most non aromatics, this is one that da little women enjoyed its’ aroma.

This is a pleasant, cool, all day smoke. The deertongue adds a nice vanilla flavor, and the blend of bright virginia, burley, and just a dash of perique is easy on the mouth and the nose. The only issue I find with this blend is that it burns quite quickly, however it does so cleanly, burning all the way to ash with no dottle.

At first light the perique lets you know is there followed by the virginias, the deertongue is there also, in the second part o the bowl the perique is nearly gone and the burley comes in at full throttle, he deertongue has mellowed and the virginias is putting up a decent fight, the last part of the bowll deertongue still there burley has mellowed out, virginia is gone, perique like it was never there. The only reason that this blend is getting three stars is because is a good change of pace you can smoke this around none smokers and nobody would be offended but I have a feeling that this could leave a trace in your pipes. Then again if you like aromatics this will immediately will make it into your rotation, if you like vapers is a good alternative to when you're not sure which blend to grab, if you are a english/balkan smoker this might no be at all in your alley.

Recently, pipesandcigars.com tobaccos have been getting lots of ?press? on the ASP Forum and Newsgroup. Mostly people have been talking about Russ Ouellette's efforts. A friend sent me a sampling of several of the blends I'm most curious about and Capital Stairs was among them.

Deertongue is said to be a ?natural alternative? to the casing agent many use for vanilla. This is my first experience with it.

Appearance: A nice selection of Red Virginia, Burley and Perique with a smattering of deertongue. It is varied in cut yet mostly medium ribbon cut.

Aroma: This mixture has a deep sweet aroma very enticing. Immediately one smells a deep hay-like quality, not of hay in neat bales stacked in the barn; rather of freshly mown hay, slowly drying in the summer sun. Deep, sharp and earthy. Carmel tones and nuts are evident, as deertongue with a scent similar to vanilla but there is something about it which reminds me of White Sage being burned as well.

This tobacco is nearly perfect in moisture and I employed the ?once like a baby, once like a lady, finally like a gentleman? method of layered packing.

For this review I've chosen an Armellini Freehand dedicated to Virginia mixtures.

Lighting is very easy, and with a friendly ?lighting tamp? I was well on my way each time. As expected, the initial flavor very Burley, with a thick silky mouth feel, a nice nut-like goodness. Hay-like tones and smells and flavors of Autumn are abundant with deepening flavors of nuts and butter interplaying in a fascinating way. A very slight vanilla taste is also noted. Combustion is very self maintaining as promised, this very nearly smokes itself every time. There is more to deertongue than just vanilla as I expected, there is a sage-like quality as well, very appealing.

Mid Bowl: Approaching mid-bowl, the fullness tends to build the toothsome mixtures of Red Virginia and Burley develop in strength slowly along predictable lines. The Perique begins to develop more of the deep fruity sweetness adding to the Red Virginia. The slight vanilla continues steadily though, being dominated by stronger flavors. The nuttiness becomes more pronounced and the grassy hay like qualities build as well. The room note is fantastic and though billed as smelling like ?french toast? what I smell is just a very nice natural tobacco aroma, slightly sweet with vanilla tones.

Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, complexity abounds. This blend smokes remarkably cool and evenly, not requiring the more "refined technique" of other Virginia mixtures. The final third has matured nicely with all the flavors working in deepening harmony. One can enjoy this blend without the rigors of concentration, however, there is plenty of subtleties to concentrate on if one so desires. I really didn't know what to expect of deertongue, people either seem to love it or hate it. Put me down in the ?love it? column. It adds another dimension to tobacco mixtures without the artificial tastes found in so many vanilla mixtures. The Perique, while becoming more pronounced, never really takes over the show as some others claim. I find this to be a fascinating and well balanced blend of fine quality.

Supplemental Notes: Capital Stairs has earned a place in my cellar. I find myself craving it. Rating for those interested in numbers ***1/2 stars

I'm a fan of VaPer tobaccos, but I wasn't too sure how the burley would play. I enjoyed this tobacco very much, the burley seems to soften the edges of the Va and perique. I guess I must like deertongue since this was my first experience with it. The tobacco arrived a little dry and I smoked it that way; it was fine. I have since added a little moisture and found no real difference in the taste. I'll definitely order more of this blend.

Follow up: After smoking a few more oz of this blend, I can understand the comments about it having an effect on your throat. It does seem to have some bitterness that lingers in your throat. I don't know if it is the deertongue or some element in the tobacco. I'll have to drop this to a 3 star blend; recommended but with reservations

I won't take a lot of time with this review as it's rare that a blend delivers just about all of what the blender claims. This blend packs easily, burns cool, and leaves a pleasant aftertaste and room note. The natural sweetness and deertongue gives it an almost aromatic quality. This one's a keeper.

F. Prefect