Hearth & Home Black House

Probably among my two or three favourites if not my absolute favourite. An English with complex flavours but not overwhelmingly heavy. When I smoke this it almost is like eating some roast for Sunday dinner. Very filling. Very delicious. 4/4

I always go back and forth between this and Whiteknight. Both have that very enjoyable “soda biscuit” note, but I think it shines through more in WK than BH. This is probably due to BH being a bit more full flavored than WK. Both a very enjoyable depending on what I’m in the mood for but there are some advantages that BH has over WK.

The primary difference would be the type of tobacco in BH makes it burn a bit slower and cooler than its counterpart. The light sprinkling of perique gives it some interesting spiciness as well. That plus the Kentucky adds a bit of complexity here. The Latakia isn’t too toward here and is more of a steady background note. The orientals are just barely perceptible and the cavendish is almost nonexistent. I assume this is due to the Kentucky wanting to overpower everything else.

The main advantage the WK has over BH is that it’s an oriental forward and those blends are slowly becoming my favorite. It does burn a bit hotter so you have to baby it more than BH. I enjoy the taste of the orientals and notice the Yenidje “baking soda” note much more in WK, since it’s a lighter smoke. There’s no perique, which I see as neither good nor bad. I think perique in any amount would spoil WK and overpower it, but that’s just a hunch. BH is strong enough with the Kentucky that the perique doesn’t take over.

Really it just depends on what you’re in the mood for. Both are sweet and Smokey and flavorful. Both are exceptional smokes in their own right. You really can’t go wrong with either of these. The age old battle continues and it will be up to your pallet (and mood) to determine if the fabled Whiteknight will be victorious over the intriguing Blackhouse.

This Black House is a classic.

When Black House won the 2011 Balkan Sobranie 759 Throwdown at the Chicagoland Pipe and Tobacciana Show, it would be another two years before I even picked up the pipe. I have never experienced the 759, so I can’t compare Black House to what it was intended to replicate. But were I given Black House in a blind taste test, I would have drawn the following conclusions:

1. This is Balkan – it’a a fantastic Balkan – and it’s not like the Balkan Sobranie (London), nor is it like the Balkan Sasieni (STG).

2. I immediately loved this blend: it’s sporty, very fun to drive; I love the fine wood trim, along with the fabulous plum & raisin leather interior. The Latakia smokes – the mixture burns totally clean – and it only gets better as you go.

I’ve never driven a 1962 Corvette, but this Black House version is just totally awesome! Highly recommended. 4-stars.

The winning blend from the Chicagoland Pipe Show 2011, Balkan Sobranje 759 throwdown. I have smoked almost two tins of this in the past few months which for me says a lot since I am hopping around from blend to blend. It starts out smooth and slightly spicy with a little sour note toward the end. If I had a top ten this one would be in it. For me this one is on the mild Latakia spectrum but that is not a negative. I would highly recommend this one to try.

I have no idea how I've not reviewed this one yet. Still not a balkan guy (I keep telling myself that), and while I gave White Knight 4 stars on blending merits alone(even though I don't plan to smoke it regularly), I give BH 4 stars plus 1 for all the same merits and the fact it's a top 5 blend for me. It's the added complexity brought by kentucky and the general smoothness and hint of sweetness brought by the cavendish -- that's what sets this stuff apart and above in my book. Hardcore balkan lovers may disagree, but for me personally, the combination couldn't get any better.

The flavor is still led but not dominated by latakia and orientals. As with WK, this is high quality leaf. The Kentucky gives it a little extra depth and strength that makes me wonder if there isn't some perique in there. And the cavendish rounds it off with that mellow, fermented sweetness. As with WK, I don't really care what blend this BH is trying to emulate, recreate, or even pay homage to. It has the potential to be legendary in its own class.

Nice burn, never harsh, no bite, just the right strength, loads of flavor...a true treat to smoke. Very, very nicely done again Russ. The Marquee series may make a balkan guy out of me yet.

Black House is as good as a Balkan gets IMO. Earthy, sweet, a hint of spice and butteriness with a faint caramelized sugar quality in the smoke that I seem to find with most Latakias. I could use a little more Perique, but that's my preference and in no way takes away from how good BH is.

It´s my first approach to a balkan, latakia based blend, and I have to say, I´m extremely pleased. It´s intense and full and the after taste lasts for hours; it leaves me craving for more, however it´s not for an everyday smoke. I detect some spice in the background which is most enjoyable and overall a full body taste with a strong aroma. I was afraid at first because they say latakias are not for everyone, but, I´ve loved it

Rich and complex, BH is one of my top 3 go to blends. It packs easily and burns evenly. Taste is consistent throughout the bowl. Smoky, sweet, spicy at times, pungent in a good way, this one is best sipped slowly to bring out all the flavor combinations. Don't smoke BH on the go! Sit on the front porch, with a cup of coffee, fill a bowl with Blackhouse, and just focus on the taste of this elegant blend. Tease the flavors into your mouth. Pure tobacco pleasure! Right on the money, Russ!

This is a blend that is synonymous with roaring crackling mesquite wood camp fires, Texas starry skies, cold, dead still nights, yapping coyotes and remote deer camps! A smoke perfect for woodsmen! This is a well balanced blend though the aroma clearly states Latakia. The perique is evident and adds still another facet to a complex full flavored blend. Similar to Britts Balkan though I give Britts a slight, very slight edge. That may change. 4 Texas Stars!