Hearth & Home Frenchy's Sunza Bitches

This is a fine burly based VaPer. In my opinion not for the novice smoker. Has a great jar note. Be patient in smoking this offering and it will reward you with a rich tobacco taste with a hint of pepper and spice. If you smoke Frenchy's too quickly it will reward you with tongue bite. I will reiterate NOT FOR THE NOVICE SMOKER!

Based on a 1 oz sample. Golden brown in the bag, the unmistakeable aroma of perique with a dab of bourbon, and the familiar H&H cut of a cross between large fish flakes and mulch. The faintest taste of bourbon at lightup, this moves quickly to a rather perique-y taste, with the VA and burley in the background. It's a rich tasting blend but not overpowering on the perique. Burns rather quickly but never seems to get anywhere near too hot or bitey.

The flavor is briny with a touch of sweetness. What there was of the bourbon flavoring burns off quickly but it remains ever so slightly in the room bouquet. Some notes of cigarette but not to the point of being dull. I'm not sure if the mild sweetness is a result of the virginia or the topping but it doesn't taste of bourbon to me - more of a wisp of vanilla, but that's not quite right, either. It works, however, and keeps this blend from becoming all brine and pepper. Not as rich or flavorful as Haddo's Delight from GLP, my reference for booze-flavored VaPers. This would probably make a better early morning version but since I don't get to smoke much early in the day, I'll stick with Haddo's. Even so, this one is well worth a try and recommended for those who enjoy perique that is very noticeable but not too heavy on the palate.

I enjoyed this quite a bit. It performed beautifully in my cobs. No bite, unobtrusive flavor and fairly easy on the gums and tongue. Nothing really stood out to me in terms of the tobacco. I wasn't overwhelmed by the perique. I may buy it again because I think it could be an all day smoke and it is at a very good price, It's considerably less strong that the two tobaccos I smoke most which are Royal Yacht and Condor RR.

As usual from Russ, low maintenance, low bite, no drama, easy to manage and packed with delicious flavours.

The bourbon was subtle but it was definitely there when this warmed up. The concoction is off with VaPerBur all out in force, and this is the 3rd blend in a row I've reviewed that was way stronger than I was expecting and had to fix myself a strong sugar-laden coffee to counter the effects. Its rich a true, the Burley sings loudest in my take, with sweet and peppery notes coming through from the others.

It does burn a bit hotter than I was expecting, and when its hot is when you get a searing sting here and there from the bourbon, the rest of the time it just hints here and there.

I like it enough to get an 8oz and store some of it. Good hot day smoke even though its baltic here as I'm writing this. Heartily recommend.

First off.. the name says a lot...so be ready for a good ole fashioned S.O.B. blend. As the description says.. this is VA with your Perique... so instead of a Va/Per.. its more of a Per/Va ... hmmm maybe a new blend description. The bourbon is a light addition to a very strong and straight forward blend.. but it rounds out the experience quite well. I would like to give this four stars.. it really is a great blend.. but it was just a bit harsh for me..... but as a morning pipe with a strong cup of coffee.. you will not be lacking for any flavor from this blend.

I smoked a bowl, then let this sit for nearly a year, then smoked about half of my two once plus sample. I'm going to leave the balance another year, maybe more, as the Virginias continue to mature.

The bourbon adds a super pouch aroma, but upon lighting, the perique fig smell dominates. As for taste, the Virginias dominate the light, but the perique flavor and aroma dominate after the first third of the bowl. It burns extremely well with little or no dottle.

Burley bites me big time, but I got no bite from this. Fair warning, though - it can get hot.

I am a big fan of Russ' Sweet and Savory, and although it looks similar, I don't taste the comparison. I prefer Sweet and Savory. For VA/PER lovers, I think this ranks right up there with Greg Pease's Haddo's Delight, but Haddo's is richer and heavier.

One thing to add - those in the know can immediately spot a Russ Ouellette blend. For the uninitiated, Frenchy's Sunza Bitches is the best example I've seen. No other blender uses this cut or delivers tobacco with this immediately-smokable humidity. Too bad we can't add photos. Tons of Russ' blends are cellaring worldwide because this guy is a master.

This is a Perique lovers blend, and if you like Haddos, Bayou Night, etc. , you'll like this. It is somewhat simpler than the above mentioned blends, lacking the deep notes of BN or the high notes of Haddos, yet this is a very good smoke. It is somewhat lighter in body too, yet the strength is nearly there. My sample was at the right moisture level and needed no aging to smoke. The Bourbon topping is very discreet, to the point where I could barely make it out (a little more Bourbon please) and the cut ( a kind of wild cut) encourages slow burning. Absolutely without bite, and a bit of a bargain, this is one of my favorites in the H&H line.

Entering for your offended consideration, comes a boisterous specimen of presumed arrogance and self-serving bombast. In making my case in particular, allow me to introduce one such jerk from the abundant collection of quality Hearth & Home tobaccos. Swaggering forward with affronting presumptuousness is their very own coarse mannered Frenchy’s Sunzabitches.

Originally constructed for the appeasement of one understandably colorful pipe restoration expert, this blend of stoney mixed Burley and full Virginian leaf heartedly combines with a respectable portion of that audacious Louisiana Perique, while being further dressed in just a shred of Black Cavendish.
Officially touted as a Virginia/Perique, there is nothing remotely conventional in the tobacco’s bawdy constitution. Thereby in their efforts, Hearth & Home has clearly presented an offering centered on the amazement of a deliberate novelty.

In tapping into his impressive blending knowledge, Russ Ouellette created and satirically named this mixture based upon its uniquely inspiring customer. In deference to Russ’s own words, Frenchy’s Sunzabitches further assures extended liveliness in being effectively splashed with the sensible inclusion of “high quality bourbon”.

Upon gazing at this willful mass of tobacco, even with the most modest eye of discernment, the dependable impression rendered is unabashed disorderliness. By merely suggesting that its appearance is unique would be far too simple to arrive at a fair depiction. And so with preposterous extremes, this moist rough neck’s gnarled features display a crudity of jumbled pieces, ridiculously massive braids, twisted compressed fragments, wayward ribbons, and a seething speckling of jagged micro slivers. Of murky complexion, the swarthiness of its pallor bridges lighter fawn, soiled red brown, tarnished gold, fermented stove umber-brown, and intimidating blackness. With the cautionary touch of the finger, Frenchy’s Sunzabitches feels exceptionally toothy and generally agitated in its rested state.

As a matter of circumstance, I jarred my sample ounces for a short interval before engaging in the smoking trials. Quite plainly, upon breaching the security of the lid, a bullish foray of spice, stinging tart, and fetid sourness attacked my unsuspecting senses. The magnitude denoted is so resonant, deep-biting, and decidedly funky, it imparts a tenacity common to the cigar with its punchy, seething headiness. Moreover, a fusty main body of air fashions a hardened earthiness and musty pungency that swirls profusely, accented by a determined herbaceous tang. Still, resting atop this vibrato the absorbing whiffs of classic bourbon coalesce seasonably assisting in the aromatized grandeur. With that jolting, I could easily foretell that the blend was going to be a true force of reckoning.

In pre-summarizing my trials, I must state that this medium-full blend demonstrates a nice degree of charisma and appealing complexity. Specifically, there is considerable movement in the characterization as the differing elements make known their agenda for recognition. This interesting divergence in veritable colorfulness has Frenchy’s Sunzabitches living up to its exaggerated namesake throughout the entirety of the bowl. Furthermore, the blend tends to evolve unfurled richness with the progression of time and continuous stoking.

All that being stated, it is true that for an original Virginia/Perique, the Acadian clearly outshines all the other ingredients’ remarking. What is more, the overtone and nuance of this recipe’s persona is different in that it is much heavier in girth as compared to others within the genre. It did seem to me, however, that the prime Virginia and equally present Burley contest earnestly for secondary importance, with the Burley gaining the upper hand with some regularity. The unmitigated humor of the registration is darker, spicier, and gently sweet, conveying a feel in the mouth that is notably weighty.

In summarizing the Perique element, this strain charted truly favorable in the overall assessment consistently projecting a pleasing buttered sweet quality. Its base endowment is centered as exceptionally woody and rich in musty dark prune notations. Further attributes are the becoming relish of salty umami, a node of general pepperiness and native charred pungency bordering on an impression of raw hides of leather. The leaf’s stimulating contribution holds steadfast in the flavor, posturing to appease those most avid Perique aficionados.

Deferring to the recipe’s rank order of importance, the assorted Virginian component extends an umbrella of general weathered tanginess. In describing its individualized details, the registration favors a tart, sour fruity citrus much like the sharpness of a white grapefruit. There is a substantial floral affluence that records as rather piney in nature, with the core influences of fermented sweet wood and toasty aged hay. Last, passive accenting of caramel and bread pleasantly fill the spectrum, as well as a nice taunting of stoved earthen spice.

Coming around to a reflection on the comprised Burley, the mixture endowed a sweeter walnut flair co-mingled with softer oak. Expanding this chord were the trimmings of eased sourness, common zest, and strong highlights of brown sugar, rolled with a weaker tinge of cocoa-anise. Like the Acadian, the Burley rated fairly substantial in the experienced leaf attributes. With a finishing detail that leaned on a bitter herbal-tannic seasoning, the strain added a nice full mid-bodied complement to the overall taste profile. Finally, when this described Burley element clearly melds with the encouraging Perique, lovely glimpses of a docile cigar ambience surfaces with tasteful robustness.

As if there were not quite enough happening, Frenchy’s Sunzabitches shows evidence of a consistent embellishment attributable to the presence of caramelized bourbon that resounds in a malty wave-like pattern of varying intensity, especially on the top tiered finish. As a general observation, this spirited additive is not overly bold in demeanor yet one cannot deny is garnishing spice. Additionally, the smoking denotes some extra that is reminiscent of burnt cinnamon and a very subtle underpinning of a sweet fringe that is vanilla tempered but not actually quite so.

The combustion of this blend generates a satisfying body of cheery smoke that is of medium thickness and mellowing creaminess. At best, the tobacco elicits a consumed essence that is foreseeably tolerable to most, as its standard fragrance is rutty and decidedly affixed for a duration. Namely, the aroma is vegetal and softly sweet in tone, yet endows colorful streams of charred zesty spice, diminished tang, and the dominance of the musky fruitiness of the Perique. Furthermore, an offsetting aspect of seasoned Virginian hay and earthen Burley gusto nicely round out its brassy soul.

As to a functional perspective, this medium-high nicotine blend performs with good marks on the essential metrics. Namely, the average burn configures with a notably slower pace affording the smoker with the leisure of an extended session. Setting aside some minor moisture challenges, which necessitates a bit more preparation all be it, Frenchy’s Sunzabitches does hold consistent ignition. With that the witnessable temperature is well regulated, if sipped with reasonably sane pacing.

Not that it is a compelling detraction, I should clarify that the tobacco does manifest a bit of roughness on the mid-tongue while sensitizing the upper palate with raw tingling effects. Is it an actual bite per se? Certainly not, but a shallow degree of rancorousness it is. Occasionally the transitions of the streams can be a bit bumpy, but again, you are dealing with a bona fide SOB keep in mind. Given the blend’s vibrancy, at the close of a single bowl there is a feeling of true fullness. Therefore, engaging in two successive stints pushes the threshold of comfortable tolerance. As such, I would rate this one as an occasional smoker given its standing no-nonsense temperament.

And on a final point, always remember that your kindness is a language that even the deaf can hear and the blind can see, so strive to keep the SOB strictly within the confines of an obliging briar, my good pipers. Hearth & Home Frenchy’s Sunzabitches, with its distinct rendition of a Virginia/Perique, is well-positioned to fulfill that exception quite suitably it seems.

Objective Scoring (based upon standard genre attributes, mechanicals, and cost): 131/156 @ 84% ? 3.3.

Subjective Rating: 3.3 Pipes

This was like sex with an ex for me.

I had a brief but heated fling with this stuff awhile back. At one point I was convinced this was "the one" for me.

But then I started hanging out with the Latakia crowd and trying out some other VaPers and we just sorta drifted apart. Eventually I quit calling altogether.

But today I happened on a a half a jar of it and broke it out on a whim.

Damn.

I remember now why I was so In love at one time.

Really a very nice VaBurPer

I believe this incorporates mostly C&D blending components and will not be anything ground breaking for those familiar with the likes of OJK, Haunted Bookshop, Night Train et al.

But it is very nicely done. Tastes like a sweet bright VaPer but the burley rounds it out with substance. Sort of like if you rubbed out some Escudo and threw in some Prince Albert.

Anyway, a very nicely done blend I would recommend to anyone who is at all a fan of the genre.