Hearth & Home Frenchy's Sunza Bitches

The chameleon blend... stayed with friends for several days and we tried this blend, bought in an 8-oz. tin and jarred for 2 years--and not brand new when jarred. Dry. Not crunchy but way too dry. It smoked too hot and my sole impression was of heat! Had to keep putting the hot pipe down, not something that happens to me much. Could smell the bourbon, but barely, and none of it in the smoke. Don't ask me about that first bowl's taste, because all I can remember is the f'n heat. Dry burley just slaughters me. Then we re-hydrated some of it overnight in a cereal bowl with wet muslin pulled tight over the bowl. We mixed the baccy a couple of times that evening and again, early.

Wow, the difference is incredible. I was in on the re-hydration impulse so couldn't avoid trying it on Saturday but I was dubious. Actually I was scared sh*tless. It was fabulous. The bourbon was there and very refined this time, in its Sunday best, not loutish or overpowering. Could have been a little stronger, for that matter. This time I got the Perique, which was very forward yet well-behaved. Instead of VaPer, this may should be called a PerVa when smoked at the proper humidity level, but I mean that in the nicest possible way. The Burley was a nice addition the second time around (a burning viper the first bowl). Those reviewers who didn't like this either smoked it too dry to get the real taste balance or just don't like that much Perique. I smoked 8 or 10 bowls SAT & SUN. And loved every one.

Speaking of moisture, a couple of points: many of the bad reviews of this blend obviously (to me) needed a Re-evaluation with Re-hydration (RWR, a new abbreviation). This FSB is some rough sh*t when too dry. I also agree with the reviewer who said that moisture makes a difference in the aging. 'Tis true, tobacco does not age properly when too dry. Some things like Semois are supposed to be bone dry, but not a Vaper and certainly not a Vaper with some potentially bitey Burley coiled up inside. I'm surprised that RWR (see how handy this is?) made this much difference on a 2-Jahre jar and can only surmise that it did a lot of aging anyway, even though so dry. But the inherent aging effect was dormant dry and awoke with a song once RWR'd. Hmmm. Re-juvenation with Re-hydration also works for RWR. Am I on to something here?

OK. So I've not tried this fresh, and may never. I ordered a couple of 8-oz. tins (if tin cardboard shall be called) at a really good price ($19/tin, did I pay too much?) from SP.com. I will hydrate it if necessary and jar it in 2-oz. jars for at least a year, then try. Some will go 18-mo. and some 2 years. Oh, WTH, I'll try a bowl straight out of the tin.

I thought FSB less complex than others, like Haddo'sD, but I love the spice of FSB. I'm a Louisiana boy who's been smoking pipes and cigars a long time and actually used to smoke unfiltered Picayunes (there was no other kind) back in the 60's--but not every day, or even every month. I takes a lot of N-power to put me down and FSB did not do it, but it might be a little tough for new pipers without some real prior smoking experience.

Note to future reviewers: hope you read this review before writing yours. FSB, properly moist, is a marvelous blend for VAPER lovers. Please rehydrate if necessary before writing the review. Too dry, and this tobacco has no non-military uses.

My wife came in the room and asked me what I was smoking and I foolishly replied "Sunza Bitches"...I ended up ordering two more pounds anyway.

Meer lined cob, 2oz. sample

Despite sounding like a skit from SNL from the 1990's "Did I offend you? ... But I am Frenchy!!!" Name aside I really like this blend. There is enough Perique and Bourbon flavor to make this blend an interesting change up. The Virginia's offer a supporting back bone to the blend. Not overly sweet and my order came perfectly hydrated. I do not not get the "cigaretteish" note some reviewers claim. For me this is a very pleasant Warm Weather smoke. Will leave your bowl pretty dry and is not goopy at all. I think Russ and ahem... "Frenchy" could up with a better name. This "Frenchy" won't offend... Except in the name department!

Son of a...Oops! SUNZA BITCHES! Yessir that's what I feel about this blend. Them Sunza Bitches are right on with this one. Perique is up there nice and spicy without being hot. I think the litle bit of burley may cut it back just a little. Actually just enough to smoke it hard if ya want to and if ya smoke 'er very slowly she's sweet as a spicy nut. The Virginia in the blend makes it smooth and slightly sweet in my opinion. A rather pleasant room note too. Let me tell ya if it wasn't I'd have heard about it buy now.

There's nothing overpowering here but a great smoke in a large bowl, two in a row if you have time. I'm rating it at FOUR stars but you have to like perique to appreciate it.

Just by the name I knew I was in for an experience with this one, and I did. Wow! Spicy Perique out the wazoo! But it works, it really works and I liked it a lot. Not for the faint of heart though, when you smoke this blend, you have taste bud OD but what a way for your tongue to go!

This blend is a rough cut of light, medium and dark brown flakes, and has a fig sweet aroma that is mouth watering. It is somewhat dry but perfect for my tastes and it packed easily into my pipe bowl and lit up quite easily. But look out, a burst of flavor! Spicy, somewhat sweet, and oh so good. I smoked it hard as I really enjoyed it and could not get enough of it, yet no bite, yes the tongue numbing taste and strength of the Cajun tobacco but no bite at all. It smoked smoked clean and dry all the way down to the bottom of my bowl with no moisture or dottle at all. It kept it's flavor to the last puff and remained creamy and smooth to the end. I have never had a blend like this before, so in your face good to smoke. I will be ordering this one in bulk and large quantities. Can you tell I highly recommend it?

I have had some of this in storage for 5+ years now and just found it again. It is freakin fantastic! This is an awesome blend. I wish Frenchy was still around, I miss him. He ran a straight up business and he was a hell of a guy! Hope ya are enjoyin retirement my friend!

Sunza Bitches! Hell it's just fun to say if nothin else! This is a great tobacco. I didn't feel like the perique was overpowering at all. It is most definately there but it mixes well with the Virginia and the Burley. I didn't pick up much of the burbon but it does have a very slight sweet note to it. I didn't get any bite from this one, just a little peppery on the tongue from the perique. Salute Frenchy!!

Update 04-27-08 Went ahead and bought a pound of this. Good stuff, it will be a regular part of my rotation.

I received a sample of this blend along with a pipe purchase. I found it to be a very enjoyable tobacco. The very light burbon topping and the burley really smooth out the taste.

I did not find the perique to be overpowering just a good counterpoint to the virginia. Nicotine is moderate; I found it very tolerable I immediately ordered more of this tobacco and plan to keep it on hand

This blend took me by surprise. Despite the marketing suggesting massive amounts of Perique, I found SB to be a very well balanced VaPer with virtually no bite. The burley adds just the right counterpoint to what is obviously first-rate Virginia leaf. The bourbon isn't over-the-top either and mellows the whole concoction a bit. It does pack a not insignificant amount of nicotine for those accustomed to stronger blends. However, it doesn't produce any adverse reactions that typically accompany such fare.

Russ' blends are sort of hit-or-miss with me but this one is most certainly out of the park. Well done indeed.