Hearth & Home Black House

Having smoked balkan sobraine, this is really close to a very old tin of it, but not a newer one as most people remember it. Dunhill London mixture had a lot of the oriental flavor that sobraine did, but lacked some of the more earthy background flavor. There was never a huge difference between those two blends to my taste other than that. This, black house, has it in spades. The perique adds the age element to it, but also makes it sing a new tune. While easily a 4 star tobacco on its own merits, one I will buy more of for what it is, it is not quite on the same page as balkan sobraine. The one tobacco which has not only recreated balkan sobraine but surpassed it in all of its former glory by using higher quality leaf, is Robert Lewis Tree Mixture.

However do not pass this up, as some elements that made those old smokes what they were, are richer in this and other attempts to recreate them. You may prefer this over tree mixture, or one of the other options. I found the perique in blackhouse to hit a "scents of the fall" making this rather unique, and entering into a weekly rotation for that reason. This has a good incense style note to it which makes for a great evening smoke. The best english blends for me, have some cavendish in them, whether black or brown, and this does not disappoint.

I can see this becoming a favorite blend for a lot of smokers. The only complaint with it that I have, is the wide ribbons, which burn much slower than my regular rotation; however this may be perfect for a long evening smoke.

Balkan: Virginia, Oriental, Latakia, Perque, Black Cavendish & Kentucky. Outstanding. Close match to the venerable Black Sobranie 759 that I smoked back in the 1970s. Lights easily, burns perfect. Nice soft ribbon cut. Latakia forward, with a robust taste. Many components that are blended perfectly. Has rich deep complex taste with the Latakia and dark fired Kentucky delivering a pronounced smoky taste. The Orientals provide nice tang. As a pipe smoker for over 45 years, this is what pipe smoking is all about. Highly recommended.

This is what true pipe smoking is about. The marrying of complexity with pure taste and enjoyment comes together in what may be my favorite blend so far. I've smoked a few GL Pease blends that left me understanding that depth could be achieved with the varietal elements of blending, I just never felt most of those were completely superior because of their complexity. This blend, however, is far more than the sum of its parts. At first, I get the latakia and deepness and think I'm smoking something in the vein of 965, but it changes as it goes. 1/2 way to the end and I'm not noticing individual elements at all, but a marriage and synergy between all that is there to become a flavor in and of itself that is what its all about. Truly, a blend that stands above the rest.

Tin descriptions: The second entry to the Hearth & Home Marquee series.In 2011, our master blender, Russ Ouellette, was asked to submit an entry in the Balkan Sobranie 759 Throwdown at the Chicagoland Pipe and Tobacciana Show. Based on a 23 years old sample, Russ Oulette was the hands-down winner, and this is his championship mixture: Blackhouse. Like Balkan Sobranie 759, BlackHouse contains a good amount of Latakia, bright, fragrant, Orientals, sweet Virginias and a touch of dark-fired Kentucky. To help simulate the effects of long-term aging, Russ included a bit of Perique and unflavored black Cavendish.

Finally, I change my mind even though it contains Black Cavendish and Dark Fired Kentucky.

The tin note is exactly same as J. F. Germain & Son - Balkan Sobranie. A little bit hard to describe, I hope you to buy J. F. Germain & Son - Balkan Sobranie when in stock at smokingpipes.

For the difference, as JimInks said: "This has a little more sweetness than J. F. Germain & Son - Balkan Sobranie and lacks the "unflavored soda note" from the Yenidje."

Besides that, I don't taste the Perique. Black Cavendish is melting every part of smoke (not as standout as My mixture 759).

Overall, a perfect all day smoke.

By the way, right now Black House (my tin version) is produced by the Scandanavian Tobacco Company rather than the Sutliff Tobacco. And I have not done the side by side comparison of two version.

25.12.17 - Reading through my review of the BH, I'm only confirmed in my mind of those observations. I thought it might grow on me a bit, as some blends do. After working my way through the tin, there really is no interest in this blend for me. I find it quite sad that it's touted as a brilliant blend, but I still find it confusing and lacking in genuine "taste". I'm glad I only bought one tin of it.

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Well, I'm always the odd man out in most things and this is par for the course. After reading the reviews for BH, and all of the sighing and the crooning noises declaring their love for this stuff, I really had to try it. And I did.

I don't know why it tastes "off" to me, but, brother it's a bit like the boys left it near last weeks fish that got left out in the sun.

In my opinion, this is a very pretentious tobacco. It is very good quality, but for my taste it is very poor on the taste scale. Someone mentioned Kentucky. Obviously that is what's putting my off also. Give me Samsun anytime. A true oriental (not that BH is an oriental per se). I like a good whiff of Latakia but something in this has made it distasteful for me.

Amazing! It's a wonderful tobacco,I like it very much. Some friends say it likes the famous "dunhill 956",certenly they mean the old version.Unfortunately I did not try it.But if like really they said,I should find the "famous dunhill 965" try my best.

...Nice and well balanced, smoky, spicy, smooth, touch of sweetness nice aroma,....nothing over the top....(don't get me wrong I don't mean bland).beautifull harmony of flavours that all come together perfectly, consistent smoke........great blend well orchestrated....for me the sophistication is in the balance...very well done

A must try smoke with many brilliant layers

A savory dose of Latakia, but in no way overpowering. You will remember the performance of every character in the play. All the smokiness is cut pleasantly by the earthy spice of Kentucky, the sweetness of the Cav, and the orientals which to me taste like the word 'mysterious.'

The tin note is wonderful.

The tobacco from the tin was a bit dry for my taste. That is to say it smoked perfectly, but as a newer pipe smoker I am in a huge exploration phase at the moment and have many open tins. I feel like I need to smoke this all in the next week or so to avoid wasting it.

Never got too hot or bit and tastes great to the end.

Required no relights. Even after tamping.

Definitely an All Day Smoke if you dig it.

No idea what the blend this attempts to emulate tastes like, but I can imagine someday twenty years from now, I will be smoking something inspired by Black House and saying it falls short. haha

Tobacco came a little dry in the tin, but not too much so. Tin note belies the actual strength and flavor of this blend. Rich, vibrant Orientals team up with smooth leathery Latakia with just enough support from the choice Virginias. Medium strength with creamy, volumonous smoke and a very satisfying taste of a true Balkan. My only gripe is that this tobacco is difficult to keep lit and tends to clump - despite being relatively dry.