Hearth & Home Lakeland Brickle

This is no longer in production, and that is a pity. I struggled with the rating, because my 4's are something I think everyone owes it to him/herself to try. It is a little unfair to do that to something that is unavailable, but I am going to do it anyway. I was really impressed with this smoke.

The Virginias are a mix of red and yellow. The red provides a tart, heavier fruit, and the yellow gives it a bright citrus edge. The burley is earthy and mellow with no bitterness. The Lakeland essence is done very well for my palate. It is mellow and smooth. The effect is a mild floral, sweet with some perfume. The topping fades in the last half of the bowl, but it is never gone. The VaBur seems to pick up strength perhaps. I was startled by how much I liked this.

Russ hit the nail on the head with this blend, and I am sorry to see it is NLA. If you get an opportunity to try it, do so.

I received an 8 oz. bag from the first batch of Lakeland Brickle pipesandcigars put up for sale in early 2011. The presentation and cut are exactly as described by the manufacturer. It is rather easy to prepare to one's desired state.

I smoked two ounces initially and aged the rest in a sealed jar until this past weekend. After two bowls of three years-aged LB, my initial opinion remains consistent. This is a grand, heady tobacco.

There is subtle sweetness from the Virginia leaf and creaminess with toasted spices from the burley. It has a medium punch from the nicotine and is at the same time smooth. The botanicals are noticeable and not overwhelming, providing interest to the palate and pleasantness to the room note. This could very easily satisfy even if the only tobacco in one's desert island survival kit.

In my review of LB Fortissimo, my one complaint was that while it was a fine tobacco, I thought that the Lakeland flavor and aroma was lacking. When I received a sample of this, I was afraid that it also was too weak in essence for my tastes. I was wrong. While the scent was all but unnoticeable, the flavor is definitely in full force. The rose, tonquin, and gardenia make themselves known from first light. And while the Virginia's could use some aging, this is a worthy Lakeland blend, albeit American in origin.

I followed the suggestion on the “tin” description (this comes vacuum packed in plastic) and cut the cake on a paper cutter into 2 inch strips, which I placed in a quart mason jar. A wide mouth jar makes it easier to pinch off tobacco and rub it out prior to loading the pipe. On opening the bag/jar one is hit with a strong aroma of Tonquin Bean and floral notes, perhaps Rose. It is unusual, not an aroma I would seek out. However, it works when smoked, at least for me. I would not label this crumble cake as sticky to the touch, but it has an unusual feel. A little moist – yes, but this works too. On lighting the taste of Tonquin and Rose is strong, but as the smoke settles in this lightens to a background note while the sweetness/spice of the VA/Burley blend carries the day. It has a complexity I liked. The blend burns cleanly and cool to a grey/white ash, and does not grow bitter in the bottom of the bowl. Nor did it bite me in spite of some hard puffing. I'm a lover of flakes and crumble cakes.

I like VA/Per and Burley blends, but I'm not a big fan of aromatics, especially tobacco flavored with Tonquin Bean and other floral notes. If I hadn't tried Lakeland flakes and Russ Ouellette's other crumble cakes, I would have never tried this tobac. But it works, at least for me. This was a good, cool, and enjoyable smoke and I give it 4 stars.

I got this as a sample from a pipesmoking buddy. It came still packed in its cake form and was easily broken off and rubbed out for the pipe. Light in color, this loaded and packed well, and burned perfectly.

The flavoring was very close to my experience with lakeland blends. The flavor/scent was perfumy and flowery but not soapy... fairly heavy but not overpowering. It acted like a velvety smooth layering of flavor that softened as the bowl progressed. It never dissipated; it just sort of "melted". That's the best way I can describe it. It was sort of ice cream-like in that sense, with a flavor burst at the onset and a slow lingering finish. My taste buds were bathed in the flavoring, and it was quite a uniqe experience. Towards the bottom of the bowl, the flavoring had melted away and the natural sweetness and robustness of the VA and burley took over. And not a moment too soon! As the flavoring took over center stage in my brain and just before it wore me out, it ended and I found myself with a natural smoke. Nice! And it refused to bite or become bitter, no matter how much I purposefully provoked it on a couple of occasions.

If you enjoy Lakeland flavorings, you MUST try this! It's ridiculously cheap (for now!) and it has the essence of the Lake District offerings, although it isn't the same. I view it as an American's take on the venerable Brit recipe. And I find it to be very well done indeed! I can't smoke this all day, just as I can't spend all day with any type of flavoring - sometimes "au natural" must take over. But this is something I don't intend to have very far from my tobacco jars.