Hearth & Home Rolando's Own

Generally, I have been somewhat of a Eurosnob when it comes to VaPers as almost all of my favorites are European made. With that said, Russ Ouellette is changing the error of my ways. After really enjoying his VaPer variation in AJ’s, along came Rolando’s and I am becoming a believer. As with AJ’s, I wasn’t very fond of Rolando’s when I first purchased it several years ago. So I tossed in a jar and forgot about it. Now, 5 years later, I am wishing I had bought more. It’s now sweet, although not as sweet as AJ’s, and slightly tangy. There is an ample amount of Perique that comes across with some spice. My guess is that there is some C&D tobacco in this blend. The only issue I have with Rolando’s is that it can be a bit bitey and somewhat hot when pushed, thus not a four star blend for me but a nice change of pace.

I can't recall who first described the cut of many of Russ' blends with the term "fish flakes" but it's quite accurate with this one. Large chunks give way to small ribbons and just about everything in between. Color is mostly light with small pieces of dark mixed in. The bag aroma reminded me of C&D Haunted Bookshop with its musty, "old book" smell. Some of the perique-y aroma came through as well.

This musty aroma transfers to the taste for the first 1/4 bowl, and detracts from my overall experience. Once it dies, I'm treated to what seems to be to be a standard, middle-of-the-road, Vaper. A light sweetness with some tartness and "burley-like" body, with a moderate amount of complexity. The flavors change often but in subtle manners. The perique is noticeable in the flavor but is a bit too restrained for my tastes. I also noted the extreme heat this one puts off that reviewer Emil did. No matter how slowly I smoked it, my meerschaums (and thank goodness I smoke those because I may have fried a briar!) gave off a tremendous amount of heat. The cause of this is certainly unknown to me.

Of the basic VaPers I've smoked from Russ, I put this one well behind AJ's (at the top) and LA Red/Anni Kake/Sunza in the middle. That does not make this a bad blend, and indeed it scores 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 in my book, but it's lacking whatever makes those blends noteworthy. Pretty much a no-frills VaPer that doesn't produce any jump factor in me. Definitely one for the VaPer lover to try, however, as it does seem to have its fans.

Its pretty good. Not much more to say.

This is a very straightforward Vaper blend. Good quality blend. The cut in the jar is pretty large. Not chunks, but wide cut. I actually like it quite a bit, it packs and burns well.

The flavor is what you would expect of a standard Vaper. Blends like this one tend to fall to the back of the cabinet for me. There is nothing wrong with them, they just don't have that extra something that keeps me coming back. There are so many fantastic Vaper blends out there that I tend to reach for one of those first. I personally prefer Russ's AJ's Vaper. That has that little extra something I like.

This is a vaper with a distinctive old time style casing, vanilla / floral, something like Amphora, but still has solid vaper flavors throughout. The balance is such that the aromatic tones fall and rise as you go down the bowl. An interesting blend well worth trying a bulk ounce or two. Rough and ready ribbon cut with a few twigs, but hey, that just adds to its charm.

The review before mine by MDP sums up this blend very well. I think this may be one of the best blends for anybody wanting to know what a Virginia/Perique blend is like, as well as what it SHOULD be like. Great cut for the tobacco, burns slowly and coolly, has that sweet, earthy, somewhat citrusy flavor from the Virginias, and the Perique gives it just a touch of spice, without overwhelming the blend and making it taste like you're smoking out of a salt shaker. It smokes great in a meerschaum, corn cob, or briar. I didn't experience any tongue bite, but I made a point of gently sipping at the pipe when it was full of this blend. You can get some thick, voluminous clouds of smoke out of this if you want; but you'll taste the subtle flavors a lot better if you go slowly. Another excellent job by Russ, who deserves to have his picture (and pipe) put in a place of honor in the American Pipe Tobacco Blenders Hall of Fame.

This is a good VAPer, although not up to snuff compared to, say, Long Golden Flake. However, for the bulk price it can't be beat.

I find it a bit more citrus-harboring and also sweeter than its peers. A nice enjoyable smoke.

Images evoked include a zombie-wraith breakdancer on a slab of cardboard and the triumph he experiences after doing a headspin without his skull detaching from his spine.