Hearth & Home Anniversary Kake

In spite of the fact that I have smoked two pounds of this stuff I have never reviewed it. With over 100 already posted I suppose one more doesn't matter, mostly though it's because I am at a loss to understand why I like it. Let's start first with the fact that I did not ry this blend until right after H&H switched it's manufacturing to Sutliff so many of the descriptions I have read about large dark and dense cakes are not what I have got. In fact not a single tin I've opened has ever had cakes in it, it is instead a fluffy rough cut. It is rich brown in color with no visible sign of perique. It smells in the can of a hint of rum and must. The must is enough for me to say why do I like this but I do, inspite of my disappointment in the lack of cakes to break up I filled that first bowl with low expectations. A subtle sweetness flowed from the first light and the perique wafted in and out throughout the smoke. It has an almost buttery quality and I was soon finding myself craving it and it became a daily smoke for awhile.

I don't smoke as much of it these days but I still have another two pounds (in 8oz. cans) and will buy some more in the future. It is a bit moist, as some have pointed out, but not problematic.

Anyhoo I like it, maybe after a few more pounds I will be able to express more eloquently why. But I doubt it...

I'm giving it four stars but you should probably not use my review as a reference.

I've been an Aro-Smoker for over 35 years. This year I found out that you can actually TASTE your pipe tobacco and not just Smell it! Latakia and other Orientals have been on the menu in several variation,s and I really like the subtleties in flavor and taste. However, I saw some very positive reviews on a group of blends of tobaccos called VaPers (well, it was new to me anyway!). This was my introduction to H&H Anniversary Kake. So, I ordered four ounces to see if it could actually be "that good." IT REALLY WAS! I love this stuff!!! Tasty Sweet Virginias (whatever Russ found to mix in) and the Perique...Oh, the Perique. Sweet Cinnamon Bun Spicy Goodness! And, when I came back to re-order, it appeared that everyone else had discovered it too! THEN CAME THE FAMINE HIT: Backordered!!!

So, for the past three weeks I've been on an ordering rampage !my wife DEFINATELY thinks so! I've been trying desperately to find a Virginia/Perique blend to fill the void in my life since the H&H AnniKake famine began; From PS Luxury Navy Flake to Luxury Bullseye Flake. McClellands 2015, Escudo Navy Deluxe and even Dunhill's Deluxe Navy Rolls. (They seem SO similar!) Please don't misunderstand me. I can honestly say, these tobaccos I've sampled over the past couple of weeks are very good. Some of them are Extremely Good...BUT, none of them Ring my Bell like the Anniversary Kake! Please tell me that Russ has this stuff ready to ship. I'm having AnniKake withdrawals.

I have nothing new to add except that Russ told me he makes Ani Kake 9 pounds at a time and he has sold huge quantities of it. I save Ani Kake for when I can sit quietly and really appreciate the flavors as they evolve down the bowl. This, and Rolando's Own are my favorite tobaccos lately. They both are lovely blends...but Ani Kake is worth my full attention as I smoke a bowl lest I miss a wiff of spiciness or the evolution of the french-toast-like caramelization of the sugars in the Virginias....do yourself a favor and just get some and try it.

I ordered a few ounces in bulk from Pipes & Cigars. It's a great predictable smoke and came in the bag as a rough ribbon cut with some loose clumping. I enjoy Virginia-Perique blends and appreciate the flavors of Anniversary Kake. If you don't like to work with flakes, this bulk VaPer might be a good option. I enjoy it more than Elizabethan Mixture.

There was no production date indicated on the tin, but I'm pretty sure the blend was made this year.

The appearance is that of a finely chopped tobacco blend pressed into an easily crumbled cake. Component colors range from straw to bitter chocolate. The different varieties of tobacco are fairly easy to distinguish. The moisture content of the blend appeared to be excessive. The tobacco is easy to pipe and light, but I recommend a little drying.

The flavor is, to describe it in one word, "luxurious." When I opened the can outside, I smelled two bright notes - mocha coffee and cream and hazelnut. In reality, however, it turned out to be much more complex. Beneath the rum topping, which I mistook for a hint of hazelnut, was hiding a whole ensemble. First of all, the aforementioned chocolate and coffee, with cinnamon and a light peppery set next to it. The citrus duo - bitterish lime and sweetish mandarin - played the second role, but not inferior to the leaders. In the background lurked a light note of stale hay, dried fruit (a little prune and pear), some wheat bread and barely perceptible saltiness. The whole bouquet unfolded very gradually - after a couple of minutes, in general, quite reminiscent of a rum-soaked biscuit cake. The only thing left to do was to taste it.

An equally complex set awaited me. Baked sweet dark fruits, citrus, a creamy chocolate note, sweet biscuit, a bit of walnut, pepper and spices, and all generously topped off with an alcoholic dressing. The blend lived up to its name. Fruity and citrus notes played together with the topping the main melody, biscuit, cream and chocolate were in the secondary roles, the rest created the shades. Surprisingly, the main notes of flavor and aroma almost switched roles, without destroying the overall composition and idea of the author.

The tobacco smokes softly, slowly and quite cool, but the overall flavor and relative lightness of the blend provokes you to take longer puffs. In this case, it, because of the excess moisture, can bite the tongue. Of course, you can protect yourself from this by taking a pipe with a filter, but then some of the nuances of the blend will probably be lost. The strength of the tobacco is below average, but the XL pipe can remind you with a weak nicotine kick that it is still a vaper and not a light flavoring. The tobacco burns into a light gray dust, leaving quite a bit of moisture in the pipe. The aftertaste is sweet and spicy, with a slight sourness.

The smoke from the tobacco has the flavor of caramel and allspice and, being light, it is easy to disperse.

Bottom line: the blend is definitely not made for every day. Again, it has a great smell and a great taste, but it can get boring if you smoke it all the time. If you indulge yourself with it as a tasty dessert, it is a lot of fun. The only disadvantage is the excessive humidity, but this little thing can be easily corrected. It remains to add that if the Golden Triangle blends were a vape assignment for beginners, this tobacco is a real test. I hope I passed it.

I've been on a big run lately trying blends in my possession that, allegedly, have a rum flavor infusion in them. Some are okay and some are failures. Here we have a winner that shows the rum flavoring adequately and, at the same time, is a fine vaper. I could detect the rum in both the tin and smoking aromas, although it was all but gone by the one quarter point in the smoke-a fate shared by most aromatic blends. Although called Anniversary Kake, my tin came in a sliced and partially rubbed out form that made it quick and easy to light up and enjoy. The enjoyment level shot straight up at about the time the rum infusion quit, though I don't think they are necessarily linked. AK quickly became a four star smoke and that level of enjoyment lasted throughout the top third of the bowl. Like many pipe blends, the strength and tenor of the smoke leveled off in the middle third to an okay blend. To my surprise and delight, the toasty strength and aroma came back in the bottom third to a beautiful finish. Pretty sure by now that this was a four star blend, I began to insert it into micro blends and was just as happy as in smoking it straight. That's what I call a four star pipe blend and, once again, thanks Russ!

OK, I've been through all the H&H VaPers, this one, despite being a bit weaker on N, is the winner. I didn't like Escudo, but I will cellar some Peterson's Irish Oak, for an occasional treat. I'm usually craving an N or Lat Bomb, but I will repeatedly return to this wonderful stuff.

This is a blend that needs drying out. From the tin, the tobacco is "sticky and clumpy" and I suspect that the chocolate is to blame.

When you spread this tobacco out to dry and smell it, the chocolate is there in a good amount. That's not a bad thing, just understand that chocolate is what you're smelling and not the virginia nor the perique. It's not V/P figgy smelling, it's Hershey®.

If you are or were ever a cigarette smoker (I raise my hand as a former cigarette smoker) then you'll understand when I call this the Marlboro® of pipe tobaccos. That's a compliment coming from me, not a negative remark.

Some won't know that chocolate is one of the biggest components of cigarette blends. I always smoked Camels and Marlboro Reds; The Camel gave a little turkish "bang" to the smoke and the Marlboros were full and smooth with that chocolate flavor. In fact, I'd say that Marlboros are probably the most chocolatey cigarettes as I remember them.

Anniversary Kake is still moist even after the drying and is more difficult than most to get lit properly. I wanted to be careful and not "over-heat" the tobacco and get into a harsh beginning. The cut is excellent for packing the pipe.

Patience is rewarded. Once settled, the blend hits a good full note and smokes consistently down the whole bowl. The Chocolate mutes the sweetness/woodiness of the virginia but keeps the perique from becoming a "pepper bomb" on the tongue. Solid, round and satisfying.

I found myself attempting to light the ashes once the bowl was done. The last quarter of the bowl was hearty and full. If you're not careful, you'll find yourself inhaling this tobacco (cigarette smokers/ex-smokers).

Anniversary Kake - I'll buy more. It's different enough to warrent a place in my tobacco rotation. If you like Gawith and Hoggarth "Louisiana Flake" then this is similar, maybe a bit fuller and definitely a cool smoking V/P with a heavy chocolate bass note.

Good stuff.

The sample bag I received smelled like a dark sweet Virginia, some vinegar, hay, malt, honey, stewed fruit. Moist but it smoked just fine after some light rubbing out.

What I like about this is how smooth it is. It’s not harsh on my tongue or in my nose some some va/pers can be. This has and deep rich stewed fruit sweetness to it. Barn yard wood, hay, and some vinegar tartness too. This is a darker Virginia perique flavor. Smokes just fine too with average relights and moisture. I feel like whatever “sauce” they used on this really helps mellow it out and amplifies the flavor. This is really good and tart too with just a touch of the pepper on the nose. A definite winner. Nicotine is medium. Repeatable after a meal.