Hearth & Home Distinguished Penguin
(3.03)
This is a light/dark mixture (technically, it's considered a Scottish blend) of Carolina and Virginia flake-cut, with Stoved Virginia, a light amount of Latakia, and a bit of unflavored toasted Black Cavendish. A mild and slightly sweet smoke with character.
Notes: The name existed before the blend. One of our employees suggested that we make a tobacco called Distinguished Penguin, so we took the challenge.
Details
| Brand | Hearth & Home |
| Series | Signature Series |
| Blended By | Russ Ouellette |
| Manufactured By | Pipes & Cigars |
| Blend Type | Scottish |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Latakia, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Coarse Cut |
| Packaging | 1.5oz Tin, 8oz 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 to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.03 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 30 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 2011 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Update 7/2015: A thoughtful person used this as packaging for a used pipe I bought on the Devil's Playground (don't play dumb) instead of styro peanuts. As a result of me not having any more canning jars, I've been trying to smoke it up from the baggie (maybe 4 oz.) before it turns to dust. The smell of graham crackers permeates the area wherever the baggie lies and I have no trouble locating it. I don't recall graham crackers from my previous experience of this, but it reminded me strongly of a bulk burley sample from McClelland I liked years ago. What amazed me is that burley is not listed as an ingredient. What?? I definitely taste and smell burley and it is yummy. Eh, cavendish? I think not: I found my sample of burley (X-some illegible number) I still had and it matched with the big ol' flakes (fish food, as someone put it) in DP. Same graham cracker smell and taste.
And I stick with my 3 stars. A reliable comfort food for the pipe.
Original review from 2011: I am reviewing this based on a bulk sample tightly packed in a canning jar 5 1/2 years ago. I remembered it tasting "green", i.e., harsh and ammoniacal (as many Pease and C&D blends can initially possess). Age has resolved that issue, as it always does.
Two things surprised me about this blend: for all its references in the description and reviews about minor amounts of latakia (confirmed by appearance), I could smell it through the lid seal and could taste it immediately upon lighting. It is present in "condiment levels" and is well balanced (I like latakia and I like mustard, but not so much when either approaches 30%.)
The second is the presence of the discount drugstore standby "cavendish". The mere word has a lisp to it and I irrationally avoid blends that proclaim its presence on the label, fearing tastelessness and bite and cheapness. Well, it may have a diluent function, but there is still an adequate amount of flavor here for my unleathered tongue. Rather nice, and yes, a touch of sweetness. Whether is is natural in the leaf or added doesn't matter to me. There is a slight burley-like taste and smell to it if I seek it- that must be the cavendish.
There is nothing to dislike about this blend unless you seek strong nicotine or profoundly robust mouth-filling taste. I don't smoke every day and it provides what I often seek: a tasty light smoke. It delivers what is advertised: "A mild and slightly sweet smoke with character." I like it.
And I stick with my 3 stars. A reliable comfort food for the pipe.
Original review from 2011: I am reviewing this based on a bulk sample tightly packed in a canning jar 5 1/2 years ago. I remembered it tasting "green", i.e., harsh and ammoniacal (as many Pease and C&D blends can initially possess). Age has resolved that issue, as it always does.
Two things surprised me about this blend: for all its references in the description and reviews about minor amounts of latakia (confirmed by appearance), I could smell it through the lid seal and could taste it immediately upon lighting. It is present in "condiment levels" and is well balanced (I like latakia and I like mustard, but not so much when either approaches 30%.)
The second is the presence of the discount drugstore standby "cavendish". The mere word has a lisp to it and I irrationally avoid blends that proclaim its presence on the label, fearing tastelessness and bite and cheapness. Well, it may have a diluent function, but there is still an adequate amount of flavor here for my unleathered tongue. Rather nice, and yes, a touch of sweetness. Whether is is natural in the leaf or added doesn't matter to me. There is a slight burley-like taste and smell to it if I seek it- that must be the cavendish.
There is nothing to dislike about this blend unless you seek strong nicotine or profoundly robust mouth-filling taste. I don't smoke every day and it provides what I often seek: a tasty light smoke. It delivers what is advertised: "A mild and slightly sweet smoke with character." I like it.
Age When Smoked:
fresh to 10+ years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 23, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
There is no doubt that two things are important to enjoy this mixture. 1º Must be dry (as from home) 2º Smoking with small and slow pull.
Then you can enjoy aa good light smoke with notes, sweet and smoked. It is not easy to smoke, but I consider a very good test for those who wish to start or better smoking the pipe.
When smoke this great light mixture without pinches language,I think we can say that, learned to smoke a pipe. More, i consider this mixture just for inside place, car.....
Then you can enjoy aa good light smoke with notes, sweet and smoked. It is not easy to smoke, but I consider a very good test for those who wish to start or better smoking the pipe.
When smoke this great light mixture without pinches language,I think we can say that, learned to smoke a pipe. More, i consider this mixture just for inside place, car.....
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 09, 2010 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Upon first setting my eye on this blend, it had appeared that oatmeal with raisins had replaced the 'baccy. The bag smell had a faint hint of oatmeal too. It was very dry and flaky upon opening.
Upon smoking, I could detect the latakia. It was a sweet smoke. Not the best, but by far not the worst. I felt like I detected a faint taste of cinnamon. The room note was pleasant, and the 'baccy was easy to keep lit.
At mid bowl I could really detect the sweetness of the virginias. This is another find blend by Russ, and this will be making my regular rotation.
Upon smoking, I could detect the latakia. It was a sweet smoke. Not the best, but by far not the worst. I felt like I detected a faint taste of cinnamon. The room note was pleasant, and the 'baccy was easy to keep lit.
At mid bowl I could really detect the sweetness of the virginias. This is another find blend by Russ, and this will be making my regular rotation.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 12, 2008 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This is basically Captain Black with much better quality. The first half is a light scent of vanilla and some plum and raisin over a semi-dry, but very pleasant, cool smoke. The second half brings the richness of the Virginias and Latakia to the front.
I wrote a REALLY long review, but my login expired before I hit submit and I lost it...I don't feel like retyping it, so I will just summarize by saying:
1. This is mild, easy to light and keep lit. 2. This DOES have fullness and richness to it in the second half of the bowl. 3. This is good tobacco and very solid. 4. This is light enough to be an all day smoke. 5. You will like this if you are into light aromatics or milder English blends. 6. 3 stars for quality and solidness, but it loses one star for no WOW factor.
This is a solid, wonderful smoke. Thanks to Russ and his yeoman's work on this fine blend!!
I wrote a REALLY long review, but my login expired before I hit submit and I lost it...I don't feel like retyping it, so I will just summarize by saying:
1. This is mild, easy to light and keep lit. 2. This DOES have fullness and richness to it in the second half of the bowl. 3. This is good tobacco and very solid. 4. This is light enough to be an all day smoke. 5. You will like this if you are into light aromatics or milder English blends. 6. 3 stars for quality and solidness, but it loses one star for no WOW factor.
This is a solid, wonderful smoke. Thanks to Russ and his yeoman's work on this fine blend!!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2008 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A friend of mine raved about this tobacco so I had to try it. When I open my package and saw this baggie I thought to myself 'what the hell, they sent me some wood shavings'. When I opened the bag I thought for sure I was right and this was some kind of a joke. The stuff was so dry I was hesitant to light it up inside for fear of starting a fire in the house.
Well, sophistication is not something people associate with me. I either like something or I don't and I can't tell you that I think the smoke flavor of the camel dung mixes superbly with the delicate cow patty - hell I don't know all that intellectual stuff.
This surprised the hell out of me. I like it. A bowl smokes pretty fast, and while there is a tingle of a bite, it isn't a real bite as it disappears after about a third of the bowl. There is sweetness and some kind of different flavor from most tobacco's I've smoked. Like I say, all I know is I like it and will keep it around for at least a bowl or two a week.
Well, sophistication is not something people associate with me. I either like something or I don't and I can't tell you that I think the smoke flavor of the camel dung mixes superbly with the delicate cow patty - hell I don't know all that intellectual stuff.
This surprised the hell out of me. I like it. A bowl smokes pretty fast, and while there is a tingle of a bite, it isn't a real bite as it disappears after about a third of the bowl. There is sweetness and some kind of different flavor from most tobacco's I've smoked. Like I say, all I know is I like it and will keep it around for at least a bowl or two a week.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 11, 2006 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A very unique tobacco where the Virginias take center stage.The Latakia is a background player in ths ensemble cast. This is best described as an excellent rich tasting blend. Smoky- I think is accurate. The only drawback I found was that it left a very dry feeling in my mouth. It reminded me of Dunhill Cigs.The Virginias are excellent and rich. More Cornell and Diehl than McClelland in nature.It was a very nice change of pace for me ,but will not be a regular player. I've stated in previous reviews Virginias affect me in a weird way. I'm a Burley man through and through. For you English/Virginia lovers though,this is a must try. 3 of 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 28, 2006 | Mild | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Update: I am uping this to a four star...I have placed two orders of this stuff since the review...I love it!
Ah the Distinguished Penguin and distinguished it is! Upon opening my baggy full of this stuff I noticed it bore a slight resemblance to the tiny wood chip bedding you might use for a pet hamster and upon sifting it I also found it to be a lot like fish flake food. Very interesting first impression, very distinguished.
The penguin, fortunately, bears none of the above qualities while smoking. The bird has a slightly complex smoking pleasure to it and gets better as the bowl burns on. Depending on how you puff this weed the VA and Lat can come out nicely and the Cavy takes the back seat for a background note...like a gentleman.
Combined with the look, feel, and smoke I rather enjoyed a bowl or two of this. I just might keep some of this around...hum.
Ah the Distinguished Penguin and distinguished it is! Upon opening my baggy full of this stuff I noticed it bore a slight resemblance to the tiny wood chip bedding you might use for a pet hamster and upon sifting it I also found it to be a lot like fish flake food. Very interesting first impression, very distinguished.
The penguin, fortunately, bears none of the above qualities while smoking. The bird has a slightly complex smoking pleasure to it and gets better as the bowl burns on. Depending on how you puff this weed the VA and Lat can come out nicely and the Cavy takes the back seat for a background note...like a gentleman.
Combined with the look, feel, and smoke I rather enjoyed a bowl or two of this. I just might keep some of this around...hum.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 17, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Being a linux enthusiast, I picked up this blend for its name. Although this is kind of like buying cheap wine in a cobalt blue bottle, the tobacco was a pleasant surprise. Vaguely reminiscent of Piccadilly, DP stands on its own and may have a bit more body than that august blend. Although it only purports to contain a light amount of latakia, it possesses a wonderful smokiness that even this lat lightweight can appreciate. Distinguished Penguin is wonderful any time of the day.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 13, 2005 | Mild | None Detected | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Unnoticeable |
I don't know if I got a different tobac by accident or not, but I wasn't at all impressed with this. It was my one 'non-English' selection in a sample pack I ordered, and was, being brutally honest here, my great hope in the bunch, simply because of the name.
I definitely had problems with unpleasant aftertaste. This was odd, since I found the blend all but taste-free. I usually smoke English (965 or Early Morning) or Virginia (2010) but have some pipes set aside for burley blends, etc. It was in the latter that I smoked this, and even broke out a new pipe to try it in (Like I said, I really wanted to be able to like this!).
So, I have a half-baggie left of it to give a pal of mine who is renowned for smoking just about everything, and I'm hopeful that he will enjoy it, since I'm always looking for a chance to build up pipesandcigars.com.
I definitely had problems with unpleasant aftertaste. This was odd, since I found the blend all but taste-free. I usually smoke English (965 or Early Morning) or Virginia (2010) but have some pipes set aside for burley blends, etc. It was in the latter that I smoked this, and even broke out a new pipe to try it in (Like I said, I really wanted to be able to like this!).
So, I have a half-baggie left of it to give a pal of mine who is renowned for smoking just about everything, and I'm hopeful that he will enjoy it, since I'm always looking for a chance to build up pipesandcigars.com.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 27, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable |
This is an interesting tobacco because the flavor reveals itself in stages, or I guess some would call it complexity. Upon lighting, a medium Latakia flavor presents itself, a nice creamy smokey flavor that tickles your taste buds. About the time you have settled in to enjoy this sojourn, a sweetness from the Virginias and the Black Cavendish takes center stage, another delightful diversion for your palate. This lasts for a few minutes, then gradually the Latakia note comes back, combining with the flavors of the Va and Cavendish to form a lovely creamy sweetness that lasts for the rest of the bowl. As the other posters have noted, this is an easy packing, lighting, and burning tobacco. The only possible negative is that Pipes and Cigars has had to increase prices on their premium blends in the last couple of weeks due to increases in their own costs. Still, a tobacco this good is a value even at a premium price. Distinguished Penguin is an outstanding blend that all English smokers should try. Scores: flavor-18 out of 20, lighting, packing, and burn-9 of 10, value-8 of 10, total score-35 of 40 and a high recommendation of four stars.
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