Hearth & Home Black House
(3.55)
The winning blend from the Chicagoland Pipe Show 2011. Virginia, Kentucky, Turkish, and some black cavendish.
Details
| Brand | Hearth & Home |
| Series | Marquee Series |
| Blended By | Russ Ouellette |
| Manufactured By | Scandanavian Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Kentucky, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 1.5 ounce tin, bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.55 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 51 - 60 of 114 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
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.
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.
PurchasedFrom:
Pipesandcigars.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 18, 2016 | Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable |
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
Pipe Used:
Aldo Velani
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 14, 2016 | Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable |
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!
Pipe Used:
Savinelli Nonpareil, Castello Old Antiquari
PurchasedFrom:
Cup O' Joes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh - New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 27, 2015 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This is a Latakia forward blend, reminding me a bit of C&D De Vinci (another heavy Latakia. Black House is full body, but I would not suggest it to be strong, perhaps more a medium robust smoke. The smoky flavor is found from the top to the bottom of the bowl. No Tongue bite, easy to pack, light, and kept lit with minimal effort.
Pipe Used:
Corn cob
PurchasedFrom:
Pipe and Cigar
Age When Smoked:
6 month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2015 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
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!
Pipe Used:
Mizzou Legend
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 16, 2015 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Tin Note-Very Pleasant. Smokey scent, which is to me liking. Moisture content perfect. Perfect amount of Latakia. Slightly sweet. Not harsh. Great room note. Nice puffs of smoke. Infrequent lights. Fantastic flavors. Flavors are variable during entire bowl. Slightly complex but fun to smoke and figure out. Great blend. Even burn. Top ten in my rotation. Love this blend!
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 28, 2014 | Very Strong | None Detected | Full | Strong |
I want to like this. I really do. Maybe, it's the Kentucky, but this one is on the strong side as far as vitamin N. The cool latakia taste is great. I agree with other posters that this burns a bit quick. This stuff just goes to my head. I think this is going back into my closet for a while.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
6 months to a year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 18, 2013 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
Bought 8oz in bulk. First impressions were a weak tobacco without much flavor. A month later I found the flavor and aroma did not come on until about a third of the bowl was smoked, but for the rest of the bowl it was very tasty, woody and nutty. Full flavor. Leans more toward the Oriental side rather than the Latakia side. moisture was about right. It was very good but not excellent, however, I would guess after 6 months or so of aging it might be excellent. We'll see. Recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I enjoyed this blend, I wouldn't say it's anything to write home about, but I did enjoy it. The craft in the blending is there, it's actually a nice balkan, but my tastes these days are leaning towards more Va influenced english blends such as Chelsea Morning. This blend actually does remind me of the Balkan Sobrani that I tried or rather what I'd imagine it would have tasted like in it's younger state. There is something to it, I think the orientals maybe, that pops at times, but it has failed to capture me the way I like my english blends to. I'd say it was worth smoking a tin, and I enjoyed it, but I won't be stocking up.
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