Hearth & Home Obsidian

In my quest to challenge any preconceived notions and prejudices concerning the various styles of pipe tobacco I've next taken on this intriguing mixture. I like Black Cavendish and Latakia (when not in overdose proportions). Perique is not something I'm enamored with, however as a condiment it has it's place and I'm ambivalent about Virginia tobaccos which can at times have a thin, sweetish,tongue stinging quality about them. The name Obsidian conjured up images of a powerhouse and combined with my awareness of the Perique prepared me for an aggressive assault on my tongue and taste buds. The stuff is black in a variety of degrees and shades of blackness. The tin aroma is surprisingly quite mild surprisingly, a nice sweet and slightly smokey scent is all that greets the olfactory investigation. Obsidian is a bit dry, another surprise, but also a bit sticky, indicative of the Black Cavendish content. The taste is the best and most precious surprise as it is far from the suspected powerhouse. Instead it is nicely mild but full flavored, sweet but not at all cloying, has a bit of delightful spiciness and no bite but only the mildest tongue tingle from the balanced Virginias. The Latakia is very restrained adding a perfect degree of smokiness to the pleasant sweetness. As for the nicotine content it is certainly there, but not overwhelming, which for me is a big plus. If you are searching for a head swooning affair with the Lady N, look elsewhere. The only drawback is the very poor burning characteristics. Obsidian goes out quite often and needs additional sparking up to continue the enjoyable smoking. I've tried this in a number of pipes, from an old Israeli made Tinder Box "Exotica" to a new Stanwell "X-Mas" pipe and the smoking experience is very consistent. This is a new favorite and even with the burn issues it still very much warrants four stars.

A great tobacco if you are an aromatic lover and want something a little bit meatier in your rotation. Leather, spice and mild sweetness at the start, pleasantly dry and still spicy at the end of the bowl.

I was recently gifted a few bowls' worth, so I can't be certain if this is from a new tin, or one several years old. Regardless, I'll be purchasing a tin of my own very soon.

Visually, it's stunning. Different dark shades of shiny, oily goodness that promise undiscovered pleasures.

Packing is a bit tricky, as this is a very rough cut. I swear there were twigs in my sample. Nevertheless, I stuffed them in there and commenced with the lighting ceremony. Lovely, grey smoke poured forth, along with an incredible earthy aroma.

As for the taste: If a standard English blend is a steak, then this is that steak blackened with cajun spices. If the standard is country music, then this is heavy metal. If the standard is Romero's "Dawn of the Dead," then this is the remake. You get the idea. I have not yet tasted anything like it. It's an English turned to 11. It's woodsy and earthy with at least a half-day's supply of Vitiman N, yet you can suck on it like a McDonald's Triple Thick Shake and it remains cool, with nary a thought of biting you back.

This, my friends, is a wonderful tobacco. To close with a more appropriate analogy: If the standard English blend were a cigar, Obsidian would be the Camacho Triple Maduro. 'Nuff said.