Hearth & Home Classic Burley Kake

Classic Burley Kake is a good example of the need to really take your time to spend time with a blend. I did not like this blend at all initially. It bit me, didn't burn well, and despite the amazing tin note, did not have an appealing flavor at all. I didn't buy into the whole "old-time blend" story and I immediately regretted getting it. By the end of the tin, I completely changed my mind.

The tin note is one of the nicest that I've ever smelled. Chocolate with a bit of vanilla and floral note, smells like a really nice chocolate cake.

Much of that translates into the smoke as well. The Burley leaves aren't overpowering, but give smooth cocoa-chocolate flavor, on top of the actual cocoa-chocolate flavoring. I wouldn't have guessed that there is Virginia in it, but now that I do, I can sense a tiny sweet fruity note. Same with the alleged Rhum topping, I can potentially sense it in the far background. However, I think that the Rhum is unnecessary and that the blend would be better without it. No traces of Dark Fired Kentucky nor the anisette for me. Flavor is maintained throughout the smoke. Very good balance, no harshness or flavors take over the others.

I initially struggled with the mechanics of this blend. It seemed to moist and the crumbled pieces too big for a nice packing. Therefore, it worked best to fully crumble the whole thing and give it some drying time. It doesn't lose much flavor and it becomes far easier to work with. However, unlike the standard American OTC blends, this still requires a bit of work. If I stuff my pipe with Prince Albert, Half & Half, or Sir Walter - I have no issue at all. These are cube cut and very easy to smoke and keep lit. Classic Burley Kake, even after crumbling and drying time, is just a step away from those. Keep a moderate smoking pace, otherwise it can bite. Can definitely be an all-day smoke.

Mild-medium in body, mild in strength. Not a boring blend but not very complex either. If I smoke it in either a small bowl or a large bowl I miss some details. Medium-size pipes are best for this one.

This is a great update on the old U.S. blends and deserves a good score. Some people compared it to Carter Hall because of the chocolate topping. For me, this is far better than Carter Hall and deserves a nice 3 stars rating. Why not 4? The Rhum takes a bit away from the sweetness of the chocolate, the blend is just a bit too mild for me, and I prefer to go for one of my favorite old U.S. blends over this because they are more straightforward and easy to smoke.

This is an aromatic; I mean that really. I’ve dabbled with pipe smoking off and on and returned to it last month. I bought a number of aromatics just to find them wanting. I tried this and was very pleased. The “tin note” reminds me of deep bran flakes with molasses and a hint of cocoa. When packed smoked gently as an aromatic ought to be, it won’t burn out. The nutty flavor of the burley comes though and is just a pleasant smoke with sweet cocoa notes. I have difficulty picking up the subtleties of aromatics anyway and so lean toward English blends but this an aromatic keeper . Room note is “good” per the wife.

A small note with 'soapy' reference in mind. Play-dough? By other reviews I thought this would be for me ... Sorry Russ, doubt I'll buy this again.

Just starting to explore burley blends. I found this to be an enjoyable, mild-flavored burley. The cocoa flavoring isn’t obtrusive and adds an interesting element. This has the potential to become my go to afternoon/evening smoke.

Do not be fooled by appearances. This is quite a visually unappealing blend. It looks like a monochrome pile of squashed-together shreds of ugly brown leaf. But it is delicious. A darker take on an American OTC burley blend, it has more cocoa and less anise, more dark burley and less white, a touch of dark fired so you can even taste it with a head cold, a random dollop of rum because why not. Some sweet and sometimes sharp VA for interest, and a healthy moderate helping of Vitamin N. Sweet, old-timey aroma. It is true aromatic in that it tastes like it smells in the bag and the room, and the whole time. It's an elevated codger blend, not a sophisticate's tobacco, and excels at it. Yet the hand of a master blender is evident. Smoke this in a cob, it's what it wants.

H&H Burley Kake - arrived moist in the bulk plastic bag and needed some dry time .Strong smell of chocolate from the bag and it DOES translate to the smoke. Mostly a Burley blend but the Red Virginia grassy hay thing is there . I really can’t say I taste the Kentucky. This is a little more Aromatic then say Carter Hall . The Rum is obvious and the Chocolate as well but i like it ! The white Burleys seem to absorb the toppings quite well . It still has a nutty , earthy woody and a little bitter Burley taste . It like it better than Chathom Manor and even Carter Hall . Good Job 3 1/2 stars for me .

Bought this blend in bulk from p&c july 2019, the first time I tried this blend it was not what I thought it would be, I let it sit in a jar for 4 months and went back to it. I took a drastic undertaking when I realized how many open tins I recently had along with various jars. I came up with an idea that I would fill my tobacco pouch up and smoke it for a week or until it was gone, and post a review. A week later and here I am.

This blend brings me back in time, as I imagine like it says in the description the smell on a passing street.

This tobacco primarily consists of burley, mixed with a small amount of Virginia’s which I detected on occasion mid way through the bowl and that was more so the maple flavoring. The cocoa from the burley was most prominent for me along with the nuttiness, on the retro-hale I got a deep chocolate nutty taste which o thoroughly enjoyed, as I was worried by the tin note that the cocoa would overpower everything. Upon first light this blend is a little sharp and rough around the edges but once you get your cadence down it taste amazing, sip it slow and it will love you back, if not enjoy the wrath of the tongue bite.

This for me is an all day codger smoke, I prefer this over Carter hall anyday. This is a reasonably well priced blend, that’s on my radar to be added to the final tobacco rotation.

I would not rate this a 4/4, but definitely a 3.3/4 stars.

First impression: a decent burley, no noticeable nic hit, tasted like other burleys, smoked slow in the bowl, had a very nice smell in the bag. I packed it like usual and it smoked just a little hot. Moisture level seems perfect. Nothing special about it.

The second smoke, a day later, I packed loosely. It smoked just right with only the usual amount of relights. This time I noticed some very fine burley flavors which were there right up to the end of the bowl. I detected no sweetness although some reviewers say there is. No nic hit at all. I enjoyed it this time. Some of my mild tobaccos give me a muzzy-headed feeling afterwards but this one does not. I can't taste any of the toppings which is something of a mystery.

After smoking a couple of ozs: All tobaccos are sensitive to how firmly they are packed but this one is a little more so. Not as strong a flavor as Carter Hall. Not as tasty. But it is a good burley tobacco overall. I still can't taste the toppings. An all day tobacco.

The description is pretty much right on target. I keep mine in a Fido reasealable glass jar and it stays at just the right moisture level for many months. Jar note is molasses and vinegar. It packs well, lights easily, stays lit well and is bite proof if smoked slowly. Nice sweet Burley and Virginia flavors top to bottom. Smokes sweet and dry with a dark ash. I broke up the cake for storage and ease of use. Russ nailed this one...you can almost hear the swirl of 1950’s traffic along Main Street. Probably would smoke well in an old Yelobole. In my good size Peterson Billiards, it’s just the thing for a relaxing, enduring smoke. No complaints from the wife either. If you’re a Burley lover, this would be a fine choice. Sutlif did a better than average job producing Russ’ recipe. It’s a little too commanding for me to think of it as an all day smoke but good for a relaxing evening pause. Think it's best in a larger bowl.