HU Tobacco Indaba

When smoking Inadaba first time, I was puzzled - in a very positive sense. Virginia often presenting itself as having a "hay" alike aroma and Kentucky adding some "cigarish" taste notes - both not being the case in Indaba !

This blend appears somewhat sweetish, but not in the foreground, but rather more spicy, without being overloaded with any of the accents. The obviously well chosen balance of the various leaf results in a nicely balanced "creamy" taste, somewhat reminiscent to caramelized cream, which is almost prone to addiction. Congratulation to this wonderful and unique blend, being far off any "boring" offerings being classified as "Danish"... Indaba is a wonderful treat - 4 Stars !

I was gifted about an ounce of this recently, I hadn't heard much about this before so wasn't sure what to expect. The previous HU tobaccos I've tried were of the highest quality, it turns out this one continues in much the same vain.

The aroma in the plastic pouch it came in was nutty and slightly sweet. The nice earthy coloured tobacco has a closer feel to being ready rubbed rather than ribbon, but that's no matter, it packs and lights so easily, the moisture levels are perfect. The nutty taste continues quite mildly into the smoke, there is also hints of the sweetness and something else, maybe it's cream, but I wouldn't swear to it. Very nice. Another plus is that it seems to be a slow burner, I can get 45 minutes from a bowlful where most other tobaccos of the same cut would give 30 minutes, quite a surprise given the cut.

On the whole then, a very good smoke, a little mild perhaps and not wildly exciting but the flavour is nice and the whole experience is a good one. Put against other HU offerings, this perhaps wouldn't be my first choice, though one does wonder how any tobacco can compete with, say, Director's Cut. However, this stuff suffers from the one complaint that all tobaccos suffers from - however much you've got, it's not enough.

For me it's kind of hard to put a flavor profile on this other than a very great, slightly spicy and sweet Virginia with some stronger Kentucky. The flavor is curious. It nearly reminds me of a touch of mesquite barbeque, and I know that sounds strange, but this tobacco blend is superb. Great burn rate, great relaxing tobacco for ending an evening. I would rate it mild-medium on nicotine levels, so it might only be a pinch of Kentucky. Gets sweeter and a bit more spicy towards middle to end of the bowl.

I'm not a great expert of kentucky, having smoked maybe three or four different mixtures,but let me say (again as in the case of Hu tobacco) that this mixture is different. Before I even knew what baccys was in,something recall me "The Bankers" (well,the old formula) but Indaba is not so cigarish:it's a classy,elegant and (again) smooth as silk tobacco,with beautiful nutty notes. I've have tried it almost dry,in my trusted old Dunhill group 4 pipe.

As noted in other reviews, I am primarily an aromatic smoker. This said, I have become a particular devotee of HU's Dockworker and Tillerman.

Hans kindly included a sample of Indaba with a recent order, which, as with his Sunset blend, I recently sampled in the garden in a Butz-Choquin churchwarden.

Try as I might, I could not get this to bite and now find myself drifting further off of the aromatic path.

The spice notes / peppery finish are compelling and I strongly recommend this, particularly to palates more sophisticated than my own.

The HU blends tend to be very unlike others, and not easily obtained here in the US, although Hans makes it as easy as possible.

Search these out, and I believe that you will definitely be rewarded.

HU Tobacco Indaba- This is the 9th blend for HU I have tried and it may be the best one yet ! Nutty , earthy , woodsy , spicy and also sweet , creamy and floral . So smooth . The Virginias and Burley go so well together. The dark fired Virginias are amazing . BBQ and dark fruit . The light caramel topping is the cherry on top . Amazing blend . 4

I must confess that I'm a sucker for HU's Virginia based baccies. Indaba is one of the top-of-the line (IMHO). I knew that VAs used were of first grade but this mixture is a world apart. The Dark Fired Kentucky is perfectly complimentary, like a good Bourbon and its ice, and never predominant.
There's a whiff of dried fruit (figs? Raisin?) opening the nice tin and it stays during the whole smoke. As reported by the manufacturer, a pinch of caramel is slightly noticeable and a good add-on.
No edges and medium strength. I'm used to Nic-bombs (Gawith & Hoggart are my cup of teas) so for me it’s an all day smoker. Highly, highly recommended.