Hearth & Home Black House

Another bell-ringer from Russ Oullette. I've never tried the original 759, but on its own merits, Black House is an excellent English/Balkan blend. The addition of Kentucky adds fullness and complexity, and the Virginias and Orientals really shine and are perfectly proportioned.

Two small quibbles: As I understand it, the cavendish was added to help approximate an aged sample of the benchmark smoke. I think that softens things up a bit, especially toward the end of the bowl. Also, the nicotine content is somewhat low.

I prefer 759 to the re-released Original mixture by Esoterica/Germain. It's far more stout, easy to pack and less finicky to keep lit. I know the differences are black and white (ba dum-dum tss), but I couldn't resist the comparison.

While only a neophyte in the world of pipe smoking, i can already claim that this is my favorite blend (so far, but something tells me it will remain at the top for a while). Reading the list of component tobaccos, its a bit scary. But one sip is enough to realize that this is delicious, flavorful, deep, savory, spicy, sweet, rich, etc. All these superlatives may make it seem overwhelming, but while it covers a very wide spectrum of tastes, Black House remains elegant and balanced. It is also well behaved, does not bite, smokes cool, and compared to most other english blends, does not leave me with a dry mouth and the smell of campfire, instead leaving me with a faintly sweet and delicous aroma that lingers for a while.

Never smoked Balkan Sobranie, so im judging this baccy on its own merit.

I was just not a big fan of this and I don't know why. My personal tastes for this type of tobacco are more towards Dunhill's standard mixture. I found this to be a too much in your face latakia blend without all of the subtleties that such blends should have.

Everyone knows the story of this blend and I bought it hoping to get a taste for what tobaccos were like 'back in the day'

It's beautifully balanced and rich. Latakia has a strong presence without overpowering the sweetness of the virginias and cavendish, nor the tartness of the orientals. I loved this blend and have put a few tins away for a rainy day.

If like me you are addicted to English blends for mercy sakes try this blend. I waited eight mos. before cracking a tin, I can't decide who likes the blend more , me or my bowl.

It is a heavy English with all the aroma you would expect. It's burns well along with balance of flavors this is hands down an triple A blend. There is no coaxing of flavors all are present from the start to the end of bowl, many times I have repacked the same bowl instantly, never a bite, nor warm bowl. Enjoy.

By far that only blend to me that the Latakia can stand out but not over power the rest of the blend. Has a sweet creamy leather like taste to it. I have noticed it kind of burns a little on the hot side but other then that it's great. Just wish I can still buy it in bulk. 10 dollars for a 50g tin? Robbery I tell you.

Edit 5-28-19. I've found this is another blend that loses its complexity and flavor as it ages. My order is a hair over 5 years old now. My theory is since this was originally blended to mimic an already aged balkan sobranie 759 that further aging it would dilute the flavors.

The first time I smoked Black House I found it to be to full for me as the different tobaccos competed for my attention. Actually it was not that strong, though the spiciness made it difficult to taste the layers of variety. I thought it might need some aging to reveal it's greatness. Today, I use my meer for a change and magically the spiciness resolves and the flavor comes together as a incense like, wonderful whole. I think this one is not an easy horse to tame, but once it settles down...heavenly smoke!

**A little update as I have finished my first tin, I found only one stick in the tin but being that it was a little over two inches long it made up for not having more 🙂 , I used it as a toothpick, but other than the tree trunk surprise the tobacco was not dusty or powdery so that's a plus. While I absolutely loved the changing flavors of BH, there is not enough nicotine involved to make it my bedtime smoke. As a morning smoke BH is Divine and replaces Early Morning Pipe as my mild English when I don't want Prince Albert with my coffee.**

O wow this is a delightful English blend! I smoke English blends at night as a nightcap (no pun intended) and as such I prefer my English blends to be complex and in the medium spectrum meaning not too much nicotine and yet not a wimp either so Black House meets those criteria as a bedtime smoke for me. I just love how the Orientals and Virginia's play nicely with the Latakia, no one really taking all the attention. Russ did a very good job here and although I have never had the opportunity to try any version of BS, I can see how this won the throw down being that it is truly delightful, if a truthful replica of BS then my hats off to him! Since I have no comparison I just take BH as a wonderful example of the masterful blending of exotic and top shelf leaf that leave many companies blends in the dust. In fact besides Smokers Haven Exotique and Blackpoint, BH might just be the finest English blend I have tried to date.... I am sure BH will age beautifully in the tin and is sure to be a classic in the years to come. As a plus BH has just enough nicotine to keep me satisfied which is rare for a medium strength mixture and therefore I can see this being someone's all day English, smooth, mild and very unique. Very good job Russ, your best blend yet IMHO!!

ABSOLUTE TOBACCO NIRVANA!!!! Russ MOST CERTAINLY hit the ball out of the park with this blend!! EVERYTHING the English smoker is looking for---and then some... My everyday smoke... Pure Bliss!!