Hearth & Home Black House

For me, there's little in this pipesmoking world less compelling than a brand new tobacco that is hyped as an emulation of some long forgotten classic. I realize there was a contest and all that, but I just usually shy away from these kinds of blends. However, since I was lucky enough to recently acquire a small amount of 759 and this was voted to be the closest to that classic, I thought I may as well see if I agreed. Such hype begs... no, demands... that it be directly compared to the blend it's trying to match, if such a comparison is possible.

First of all, the contents of my tin did not much resemble 759. It came fairly dry, but was also evenly matched between dark and brown tobaccos. The cut was a bit wider as well. In the pipe, this tobacco was indeed very similar to 759. How that is so, when this blend contains Kentucky and Black cavendish which was not in 759, is beyond me and very likely a testament to the blender. But the flavor was remarkably similar - same sweetness barely up front with the smooth and spicy latakia close behind. The orientals tasted like the ones in 759. This one as well refused to be DBT'd.

It was only when I pushed it a bit that this blend showed its ornery and decidedly non-759 side. It became cloudy and a bit dirty tasting, which I could never get 759 to do. Whether this is due to the inclusion of those two condiment/base tobaccos, I do not know. And it's a non-issue anyway, if one smokes suitably slowly and in a relaxed fashion. To my tastebuds, Russ matched 759 most admirably, based on my limited tasting. I'd go so far as to suggest that 759 addicts should look no further. It was so close that it exhibited the same shortcoming I found in 759, in that it was just a bit smoother than i normally prefer. But this one should be tried by every latakia lover, without question. It's a very fine blend.

I have never smoked the target blend and have not brought myself to pay the insane premium on eBay to try Balkan Sobranie 759 (maybe someday). I did get a tin of Black House and a tin of Blue Mountain to compare. I have since bought a couple more tins of Blue Mountain.

Black House is a quality tobacco and Russ knows his craft for sure. Smokey, broad flavor profile, balanced but definitely on the spicy end of the spectrum for my taste. Even when smoked carefully the spice level sometimes 'plasters the heck out of my palate', not an endearing quality - hence the 3 stars.

Burns down to a dry, gray mottled ash. I prefer Blue Mountain to this because of the slightly lower 'spice' level. Both are great blends and worth getting your hands on.

This is as good as it gets folks! I've tried countless of English blends and this is everything I have ever wanted in a smoke all wrapped up in a nice little tin. It's sweet (naturally), smooth, spicy and masterfully blended. The tobacco is ready to smoke right out of the tin, not too dry not too moist and burns down to a dry, white ash. Perfect blend to warm you up in the winter time. Essential purchase!

Edit* (7-16-16) I was left with no choice but to take away a star. In the above review I said, this was as good as it gets, well, I was wrong! I have since discovered Smokers Haven Exotique and in my honest opinion, that is as good as it gets. Don't get me wrong, I still very much enjoy Black House but it's just not as good as Exotique (in my book).

A very good Balkan. Not my favorite, but I could live with this one if my favorite disappeared.

For transparency I'll state that I've never experienced 759, and I did like this blends Showdown competitor Blue Mountain -yet neither holds a candle to Legends in my mind - as well as palate. At least as it pertains to a true 'Balkan' blend.

My tin was the old school large H&H type that could I expect hold twice the amount; some sizable stems and twigs, good moisture and light figgy note, subtle. I smoked this in recently cleaned Balkan pipes -sea salt & Everclear, so I didn't have any ghost flavors to detract or mask this blend.

It behaves well in the pipe, does emit copous creamy smoke, and gravitate toward a peppery finish at bowls - end. Burns cool, tolerated excessive sipping well, tolerant of Thomas the Train's types like myself.

The only negative for me, though minor, is that I consistently find Turkish components in blends to be like celery is to good gumbos, they both can be flavor killers to their recipes. Too heavy a hand while blending and -for me- the entire blend becomes lessened...muted.

I consider 4 star blends to require my full attention, and I burn through the best of the best at breakneck speed upon introduction to such gems... that didn't occur hear. So far in my trip through the Marquee Series I'm 1 for 2, as El Nino was a 4 star experience.

I wish all could compare their Balkan favs to Legends and taste what I'm trying to sell 🙂

I bought this tinned and bulk, both exactly the same. Although the bulk smoked a bit better out of the gate which is usually the case.

Somewhat vaguely similar to 759 it's been a quite a long time, and superior to Blue Mountain in my view. I'm puzzled by the Virginia heads reference I get very little of that, moderate nicotine as well, unless the comment refers to natural flavours which Black House has in spades.

In a blind tasting I feel one could easily indicate a Sam Gawith or a JF Germain concoction. Russ has a done an excellent job and his offerings are better suited to my palate. I wish I could say the same about Greg Pease; sobeit one of the reasons for so much variety in the pipe tobacco world.

For me this blend likes to sipped like a single malt although at a steady pace to keep it smouldering, too quick or too large a draw and it'll go off-kilter.

Black House is not one of the tobaccos you 'must try' before you drop off the twig; however, it's worth a punt and a nice one to have in the rotation for a change-up even for those on a prescribed regimen of Latakia and Orientals.

Latakia and oriental are in the forefront of this blend. It is topped with a sweetish liqueur-like flavor to have it apparently resemble an older bygone blend. Judged on its own merits, it is very well balanced and smooth as silk, lacking any sharpness or edge. It burns and smokes effortlessly to ash with few relights. The flavoring is sublime, and intriguing with the first pipeful, but the bold flavor statement can get somewhat tiresome with a second bowl.

Black House is a solid English blend with an unusually sweet body. The black cavendish is immediately obvious upon initial lighting -- it gives the tobacco a burley-like creamy foundation that sits nicely beneath smoky latakia and peppery-winey perique.

Those who appreciate ostentatious and strong Lat-bombs might be a little disappointed here, but otherwise this is a friendly place to start if you're new to English blends. If you love both English and aromatics, this might serve as a kind of synthesis in a way, being both sweet and spicy.

The burning characteristics are great. The tobacco comes pretty dry and doesn't seem to need much or any drying time.

I found this blend to be similar to Fusilier's Ration, which isn't surprising since it's made by the same guys. This is like a milder, earthier, and sweeter variation. It's a great casual smoke for quiet evenings and easy to relax with when a hard-hitter like Fusilier's seems like it would be too rough.

Overall, this blend is enjoyable and will highly please a select milieu. It's worth giving a shot.

When it comes to Balkans or Sobranie homages, Russ takes the cake. This guy is (in my opinion) made from quality leaf, a practiced, balanced hand, and one hell of a palette.

It’s smokey, floral, a touch prune-y, with a great foundation that lifts up the key players. It is a great Balkan and deserves its place in the Pantheon of Balkans, which is no surprise given the blender.