Hearth & Home Egg Nog

This is a decent blend from H&H. I'm not head over heals for it but it is a good sweet smoke with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. It burns well and doesn't get ashy and gross at the bottom. I am undecided if I will purchase this again if only due to the large number of aromatics out there that are better than this, it just doesn't make the cut for me.

I first tried and reviewed this blend a little over a year ago and gave it 4 stars. Now I'm having to update my review and lower the score to 2 stars, let me explain why.

When I first tried this blend back in 2007 I thought it was great, truly the first all cavendish blend I enjoyed. I packed my pipe and put it in my mouth and I could taste the spices without even lighting the tobacco. Upon lighting it I could taste the spices and the hint of vanilla, I was truly amazed at such an interesting blend. I quickly smoked the 4oz. I had ordered and promptly order 4 more ounces which I enjoyed as well.

Now, more than a year later, as I was browsing pipesandcigars.com I remembered the interesting egg nog blend and decided to order 4 oz. As of today, 03/17/2009 I can tell you that something changed, and not for the good. The spices are no longer present, I don't know if it was because people were complaining about that, but they are definetely toned down a LOT. There's much less flavor present and it burns way hotter than it used to. I don't know if they are using cheaper leaf or cheaper ingredients to keep the cost down, but they certainly destroyed an otherwise amazing blend.

Sorry Russ, you lost a customer. I will continue to shop at pipesandcigars.com but I certainly won't buy any more of the R.O. blends.

Smells great, and burns alright too. My main complaint (and it’s a big one) is that there is no taste. You are puffing on scented steam here. Love the smell and aroma, but not a particularly inspiring smoke. If you’re in the market for a light aromatic to smoke indoors and not offend anyone this will accomplish that.

Boff...I've tasted better tobaccos.

The burning qualities were good, though.

Maybe it's just that I don't like Egg Nog outside a glass?

This is a good aromatic with a very nice flavor and a great room note. I did find it to burn quickly and to burn hot. Flavor stayed consistant throughout the bowl and was left with a fine gray ash.

I have to be honest. I have to give this mix two stars. This particular batch of Eggnog smelled better in the bag than it tasted when smoked. The smell in the bag was outstanding even for aromatics. And that was because you could really smell the tobaccos besides all the tasty flavoring. It got me all psyched up for an old school aro. However, this blend did not smoke very sweet and ultimately the tobacco flavor was a bit harsh. It reminded me of burnt dark roast coffee flavor.It's well worth a try for a new smoker getting away from drugstore blends.

Slowly it is dawning within my sludge-filled brain that I am not a huge fan of aromatics. I enjoy them on occasion and will pick one when considering those who shall share space with me while I smoke. That said on to Egg Nog.

Mild aroma hinting at the ingredients; rum, vanilla, nutmeg and wee wisps of cinnamon. Moist enough to clump and hold when pinched together so I left it to dry about 90 minutes. Packs easy when dried and still has most of the aroma remaining.

Lights up, tamps and off to the races. No relights were required, minimum attention while smoking. No bite, no bitterness even when I romped on the bellows, huffing and puffing. Had a hint of the nutmeg on the tongue but I couldn't detect the cinnamon in the tasting. Vanilla was nice, no strange chemical taste in this one.

Burned clean, didn't leave much of anything behind in the bowl or mouth. Pleasant aroma in the room, like some sort of baked pastry.

If you are an aromatic fan, or like an occasional aromatic for change of pace this one is worth trying. Not something that I will be getting more of.

This is a pleasant blend. Although there is a sweetness, it doesn't really taste like egg nog to me. Its a good overall smoke, especially for outdoors. However, if you're looking for a "Christmassy" blend, I think you'd be better served by one of the McClelland's Christmas Cheers.

I'm such a cliche sometimes; I waited 'til t'was the night before Xmas to give this blend a try, expecting great sleigh bells and whiskers. But alas, it was not to be. The room note is extremely pleasant for all those in attendance, (even if someone just happens to wander into your smelly old garage while your smoking). But it does not translate to your own palette. I really wanted to like this one alot, (as I enjoy many of the pipesandcigars.com blends) but it'll just be in my "maybe" pile of occassional smokes.