Hearth & Home Anniversary Kake

Rubbed out and left to air a while this blend has good burning qualities. Some sweetness of the VA comes through countered by the peppery spice of Perique but I have to say the flavors seemed a bit muted. I smoked this very gently because I could tell from the start that it was trying to bite. ESCUDO is my benchmark for a 4-star VAPer and this one did not reach that height. 3 stars for a good effort and a decent blend. If I were stuck on a desert island with nothing but Anniversary Kake I would probably be content for a while, but eventually would build a raft in hopes of finding ESCUDO or Stonehaven on a neighboring island.

First, I was disappointed this blend didn't blow me away after reading all the four star reviews. The blend did smell nice, a bit lemony in the bag and it had a nice tang to it whether it was from the lemon virginias or perique I'm not sure. It burnt smooth but I found it to be otherwise bland. I smoked it intermittantly in rotation over 2 months while keeping it in a flip seal mason jar.

I think I gave it a fair trial, smoking through the bag and going back time and again. But it didn't knock me out and I can't say I ever really got to looking forward to smoking it. Perhaps I got a substandard batch and there's a quality control issue?

Generally, I favor english/oriental blends over english/virginia/vaper blends but I like to have a straight virginia in the non-aromatic rotation to have a change of pace. Importantly, I should note, some of the best blends I've smoked have been predominantly English virginias and I recently rated a virginia flake at 4 stars. So, I am not entirely adverse to predominantly virginia blends.

This blend has no detectable casings or flavorings. Anyone who thinks it's an aromatic has been smoking wacky weed.

Worth a try especially for the virginia fans.

Anything that I could write about AK would be largely redundant. That said, I'll give it three stars for being a very nice and satisfying smoke.

As a new reviewer I first want to say how thoroughly I enjoy tobaccoreviews.com. It is a fantastic database of information that provides for many hours of pleasurable reading - and it goes without saying - helpful insights for all fellow pipe aficionados. I visit the site several times a day and always come away with a new perspective concerning pipe tobaccos. A big thank you to all of my fellow reviewers and for the hosting of this site.

After reading all of the reviews for ANNIVERSARY KAKE (a Hearth & Home bulk tobacco blend that can be obtained through pipeandcigars.com), it was a blend I just had to try. My 1 pound order arrived yesterday in a zip-lock bag. It was a combination of solid kakes and the rest of the kakes crumbled (shakes). The aroma upon opening the bag was sweet and spicy with a mustiness present as well. I didn't detect any chocolate aroma from the bag per-se. I don't know if there really is any in the mix: the word "chocolate" being used more as a descriptive item along with "fig-like" to describe the pouch aroma by the blenders. I believe the "chocolate" description to be attributed to the Perique. In spite of this, there was a chocolate-like quality to the smoke that I found very appealing, and in no way cloying.

It was moist in the bag, but not overly so. I scooped out some crumbled, partly broken bits, and set it on a napkin while crumbling it some more. I didn't feel the need to dry it out and proceeded to load it into a 7 inch sandblast ALPHA Canadian that hasn't been smoked very much over the years (I have over 100 pipes) and was set aside just for this blend after placing my order.

I've been a pipe smoker for nearly 35 years and have tried virtually all different types of blends ranging from the smokiest of Latakia to the goopiest of aromatics. With ANNIVERSARY KAKE, the Virginia was very subdued as far as Virginias go - not a typical VA tasting blend in my opinion, and only mildly sweet. It was never hay-like or grassy. The Perique did present with its characteristic pepper-like taste. I am not a huge fan of Perique, but it was just right for me. It burned nicely; a fine, medium-gray ash was all that was left at the end.

I found that taking your time with this one was needed to bring out any of the Virginia flavor. This also brings out the chocolate note which is way better tasting than if chocolate had been added to the tobacco by the blenders (according to the blenders, no chocolate is added). A very skillfully blended tobacco that definitely gets better with aging, and very tasty in a narrow guage bowl.

I really prefer English tobacco but like an occasional Virginia or other blend. I find this weed to be very good and if you puff slowly you will think you actually taste cake. Russ did a nice job on this one.

Well I have to go against the grain again........Don't get me wrong I loved the blend and may at some time in the future get some more. The first time I bought this it came VERY compact and was a little stronger. This last time it was pretty loosley compacted and a little weaker (QA????) With that being said it was a great mix that didn't bite at all and was a little sweet and VERY smooth. The only reason I didn't give it 4 stars was due to the fact that it didn't have the tobaccy flavor that I like. It was too weak, but still an excellent tobacco.

Anniversary Kake from Russ Ouellette is yummy stuff. Mine came in a 1oz sticky yummy brick that was fun to rub out, stained my fingers nicely =). This is a perfect balance in the Vaper genre. The Virginia and the Perique marry so lovely in this delicious kake. It goes without saying I thoroughly enjoyed this smoke. I will gobble some more of this sticky kake up for sure. Everything I have put in a bowl from Russ has been top notch.

This blender definitely loves what he does and we reap the benefits thereof...thanks Russ! 3.5 stars...almost 4.

I'm someone who really needs nicotine, and I've bought a lot of the concoction through this site for over a decade, and I admit to being a bit of a playboy when it comes to tobacco,

Now I have received four samples from H/H company.

AJ's VaPer, Anniversary Kake, Louisiana Red, Marble Kake.

AK formula is very special, I have some Old Red around, I like it very much, although it is discontinued now, but it does not mean that the company does not continue to produce it, I found it here, this is the Virginia base color of AK.

I need a real nicotine hit a lot more times a day, but not every time. There are a lot of mixtures that just keep me in a routine. AK is one of those types.

Jar note of tart plums, sugar, and rum. Tobacco is dark and medium brown Krumble Kake. Moisture content is a little high, drying may be needed for some. Kake breaks apart and rubs out easily. Burns slow with few extra relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. Flavoring is mild, with notes of spiced rum. Flavoring plays nicely with the tobacco, then it dissipates around the first 1/4. Taste is medium and fairly consistent, with notes of wood, leather, spiced dark fruit, dry earth, floral, hay, fermented sour, tangy citrus, mildly spicy, savory, sweet grass, lemon zest, mildly acidic, vinegary, a very bready background note, and a peppery retro. Virginias are leading with Perique and Flavoring supporting. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is great.