Hearth & Home Marble Kake
(3.13)
A firmly-pressed crumble cake blend of bright and red Virginias, it comes as a solid cake which can be broken or sliced and rubbed-out, and the flavor changes depending upon how you prepare it. Knowledgeable Virginia fans often compare it to Hamborger Veermaster as a smooth, but tasty Virginia blend.
Details
| Brand | Hearth & Home |
| Series | Signature Series |
| Blended By | Russ Ouellette |
| Manufactured By | Sutliff Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Krumble Kake |
| Packaging | 1.5 ounce tin, bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.13 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 29 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Generally speaking, this is a very nice tobacco and will resonate well with the smoker looking for a reliable Virginia; it might lack some of the depth of some of the fuller VAs, but as light, airy blends go this really is a good one.
I had this in bulk, and it came not in a single cake but broken into very thick strips - in other words, its as if someone sliced top-to-bottom through the cake so that each layer was present in each strip (as opposed to, say, lateral slices cut one layer at a time). The presentation in an actual tin might be different. The aroma was a nice, citrusy tang that was somewhat sweet in a very natural way.
The smoke itself was fairly straightforward. Despite the layering of the cake, there wasn't much layering of flavors; this is not necessarily a bad thing, as the tradeoff is a consistent and predictable smoke, bowl after bowl. It is a tangy, sweet VA as one would expect, but I found a bit of spiciness in there as well. Not so much so that I'd suspect some perique to be hiding in there, but enough from the underlying VA to really highlight the sweetness. Very, very satisfying in that regard.
Rubbed out, it takes on the appearance of a chunky confetti, so I've found that gravity filling, followed by a VERY light tamp, then topping of the bowl resulted in the best burn. To that end, it takes the flame very well and requires very little in the way of maintenance - very few relights, does not overheat, and doesn't generate a lot of moisture. Very much a "set it and forget it" sort of blend.
The nicotine is medium - not a monster nic hit, but enough that it's noticeable. Personally, I have an above average (but not exceptional) tolerance for nicotine, so I can handle several bowls without feeling like I've overdone it, but for most the nic level is enough that MK probably won't be a bowl after bowl after bowl, all-day sort of blend.
In then end, I'd call it 3.5 stars. Definitely good enough for a re-order, keep on hand, and smoke regularly, but juuuuust short of being one of those "day dreaming about smoking while sitting at my desk at work" blends.
I had this in bulk, and it came not in a single cake but broken into very thick strips - in other words, its as if someone sliced top-to-bottom through the cake so that each layer was present in each strip (as opposed to, say, lateral slices cut one layer at a time). The presentation in an actual tin might be different. The aroma was a nice, citrusy tang that was somewhat sweet in a very natural way.
The smoke itself was fairly straightforward. Despite the layering of the cake, there wasn't much layering of flavors; this is not necessarily a bad thing, as the tradeoff is a consistent and predictable smoke, bowl after bowl. It is a tangy, sweet VA as one would expect, but I found a bit of spiciness in there as well. Not so much so that I'd suspect some perique to be hiding in there, but enough from the underlying VA to really highlight the sweetness. Very, very satisfying in that regard.
Rubbed out, it takes on the appearance of a chunky confetti, so I've found that gravity filling, followed by a VERY light tamp, then topping of the bowl resulted in the best burn. To that end, it takes the flame very well and requires very little in the way of maintenance - very few relights, does not overheat, and doesn't generate a lot of moisture. Very much a "set it and forget it" sort of blend.
The nicotine is medium - not a monster nic hit, but enough that it's noticeable. Personally, I have an above average (but not exceptional) tolerance for nicotine, so I can handle several bowls without feeling like I've overdone it, but for most the nic level is enough that MK probably won't be a bowl after bowl after bowl, all-day sort of blend.
In then end, I'd call it 3.5 stars. Definitely good enough for a re-order, keep on hand, and smoke regularly, but juuuuust short of being one of those "day dreaming about smoking while sitting at my desk at work" blends.
Pipe Used:
Briars, Cobs, Meers
Age When Smoked:
2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 27, 2014 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
One of the few Hearth & Homes blends I would recommend. It may be because of the moist cake it comes in that keeps it from biting, or the simplicity of the straight virginia.
It kept cool and had a good body. I wish they would stick to these simple blends because it seems the tobacco is quality.
I would recommend this blend, however there is a learning curve with all cake/plug tobaccos.
It kept cool and had a good body. I wish they would stick to these simple blends because it seems the tobacco is quality.
I would recommend this blend, however there is a learning curve with all cake/plug tobaccos.
Pipe Used:
Peterson System (Bent)
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes & Cigars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
This is a good example of what I would call a 'standard VA' blend.
Slightly sweet, light hay, and light lemon. It's very mild and would make a good introduction into straight VAs. It's smooth, unoffensive, but lacks a 'wow factor'. Burns well and has a quick drying time. I prefer it in a narrower bowl as a wider bowl mutes the flavors too much.
Very pleasant room note which I enjoyed more than the flavor of the smoke.
2.75/4 stars. Would recommend if you;re looking for a mild VA.
Slightly sweet, light hay, and light lemon. It's very mild and would make a good introduction into straight VAs. It's smooth, unoffensive, but lacks a 'wow factor'. Burns well and has a quick drying time. I prefer it in a narrower bowl as a wider bowl mutes the flavors too much.
Very pleasant room note which I enjoyed more than the flavor of the smoke.
2.75/4 stars. Would recommend if you;re looking for a mild VA.
Pipe Used:
Peterson B42, Savinelli Duca Carlo Bent Billiard
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
2mo
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 04, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I haven't smoked a terribly wide variety of pure Virginia blends, but I can say that this has miles over McClelland's 2010. It's smooth, requires little to no drying, stays lit well, packs easily weather worked or not, has less bite, a sweeter flavor, and did I mention how smooth it is? I realize that palate may not be as cultured as others posting here, but if you're in the market for a good Virginia blend, give this a try, it may surprise you!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 2011 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
It took me a couple times to finally get into this tobacco but after trying it in my Savinelli churchwarden which is my dedicated Va pipe, oooo boy this stuff is tasty. Though I wouldn't go so far as to compare it to SG FVF, it is what it is... a nice golden VA that is properly aged and very smokeable right out of the bag. This is one I would like to try aging to see how the flavour changes over time.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 08, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Marble Kake belongs with blends like Orlik Golden Sliced, Dunhill Flake, and the many other mild-medium flakes of brighter Virginias pressed on the Continent. Fragrant and not noticeably flavored, MK delivers solid Virginia flavors on the sweeter and grassy side of the spectrum of that well-known leaf.
I have the best results trickling large pieces into a wide bowl with shallow chamber, such as a pot. Sprinkle in some well-rubbed pieces to fill in the gaps and to ease the lighting ritual. Kept on the dry side, MK will smolder gently and provide creamy, caramel notes delivered on swirls of smoke.
If you need more complexity, Russ offers blends with more types of Virginias and condimental leaf. MK is an utterly relaxing blend and won't hurt my tongue unless I get careless.
I have the best results trickling large pieces into a wide bowl with shallow chamber, such as a pot. Sprinkle in some well-rubbed pieces to fill in the gaps and to ease the lighting ritual. Kept on the dry side, MK will smolder gently and provide creamy, caramel notes delivered on swirls of smoke.
If you need more complexity, Russ offers blends with more types of Virginias and condimental leaf. MK is an utterly relaxing blend and won't hurt my tongue unless I get careless.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 22, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
A great tobacco I wasn't much on the presentation or the ammount of work it took to rub out. The tobacco is quality tobacco if your looking for a good Virgina this is a great option I had been smoking SG BBF but with the degree of dificulty in getting it I needed a go to for an all day smoke this one is that one not by any means BBF but a good substitute worthy of a try
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 07, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Like most of Russ's blends, and I think i have smoked them all now, when you get them from the blender, they are a little green. One must let these blends sit awhile and let them meld. if you do, you are rewarded with some very tasty blends. This one is not different. It comes in broekn large cakes, looking much oke the range cubes I fed my cattle when I lived on a ranch. They do crumble easy but rub our hard. The tobacco appearance is a mix of light and dark irregular cut and it has a soft look and hand touch to it. I like most of my flakes dried out a lot, but this one can easily be dried out too much resulting in a very hot smoke. Dried out just right, where it is springy but not sticky, it results in a very tasty smoke without tongue bite and it smokes down the pipe at a nice even slow pace. The ash is a black and grey mottle and it smokes dry leaving a fine ash at the bottom of the pipe. It has a somewhat nutty, sweet taste to it, not the hay like, tart, citrusy taste a lot of VA's taste like. The room note is pleasant but not distinctive. It is not heavy in the air and room. It does satisfy but it is not overly heavy in the "N" factor. It is rather one dimentional but it is full bodied and a jot to smoke. I like this blend, no, it's not the best Va blend I have smoked but for the price it could be an all day smoke for many. I do recommend trying it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 12, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I enjoy this mostly alone, sometimes as a blender as I've found it interferes very little with other Virginia tobaccos I smoke. It reminds me of Cornell and Diehl's pressed brick tobaccos such as Briar Fox as mentioned below, though this is nowhere near the depth of flavor of a Night Train. It's a great Virginia blend though, especially about halfway through the bowl where some of the mellow nuttiness/grassiness really comes through. Otherwise it's not incredibly deep in flavor but generally has that wispiness of natural Virginia hay/grass/nut sheets of vanishing taste mentioned below. It is a very neutral tobacco, one that loads and smokes well, that tastes good, and is a great buy.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 23, 2006 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
The first Russ Ouellette blend to be loaded into one of my pipes is Marble Kake. It won't be the last. This pipe-weed is beautiful to behold, resembling, as others have said, a brownie. So much so that one is tempted to eat it. The aroma is mown hay. It was a delight to rub MK out, and an easy load. Once charred, the burn was even to the bottom.
The smoker is greeted with much natural sweetness, and almost no tang. I detect no citrus or floral notes. While there is not much complexity, there is also no lack of depth. The nuances of American VA are present to be savored. If you're not familar with such nuance, it is possible to find MK on the bland side of things. Delicious all the way through, improving toward the end of the bowl, with thick smoke, and nary a bite. This is one of the most bite-free VAs I've had the pleasure of smoking, and what a welcome change that is. In short, I've made a new friend.
The smoker is greeted with much natural sweetness, and almost no tang. I detect no citrus or floral notes. While there is not much complexity, there is also no lack of depth. The nuances of American VA are present to be savored. If you're not familar with such nuance, it is possible to find MK on the bland side of things. Delicious all the way through, improving toward the end of the bowl, with thick smoke, and nary a bite. This is one of the most bite-free VAs I've had the pleasure of smoking, and what a welcome change that is. In short, I've made a new friend.
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