Tobaccos Hermit Tobacco Works Co. - Captain Earle's - Ten Russians

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Miyanovich (13)	2010-06-19		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

I'm 6'4" tall, and 220 pounds in weight. I am very strong, and can withstand smoking a lot of Latakia. The telling of my Ten Russians Tale is not an exaggeration.Skip this if you have no patience, or sense of humor.

The Tale of Ten Russians: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

I absolutely love my extra large, bent poker that was made for me by Tom Johnson. The chamber is almost 3.5 inches high, and 7/8 of an inch in diameter. Nothing pleases me more than stuffing that pipe with an excellent tasting tobacco, and draining it to the bottom.

Yesterday, I was feeling my oats. I bought a tin of Nightwatch and a tin of Ten Russians. I went to my favorite place in the world, hiked the woods and fields a bit, and smoked a full chamber of Nightwatch. As I was about to head for the car, I got a notion to call a friend. As the conversation was sure to go long, I decided to, against the advice of some reviews here, pack that huge chamber with Ten Russians, after a full dose of Nightwatch. I love latakia, and smoking that bowl of Ten Russians was amazing. I kept saying to myself, "what are these bozos talking about? The Vitamin N isn't that strong. Hell, I could probably finish this bowl, and then another."

I continued under that delusion until I hit the last 10% of the bowl. This is when the truth was revealed to me about Ten Russians. Have you ever been so out-of-wack, that you felt as if your pants had fallen off, even though you still had them on? Because, if you know that feeling, then you know what it felt like to me.

My body temp went from 98.6 F to about 100,000 degrees Kelvin. I could barely finish my phone conversation. Every muscle in my body got weak. I began to yawn incessantly. As I drove home, I had to keep my head perfectly still and my torso at a perfect 90 degrees. You see, I was gripped by the fear that I was going to projectile vomit so hard that my windshield was going to get shot out, like in a Starsky and Hutch episode...except from the inside of the vehicle. The drive home is still a complete mystery to my memory banks.

When I got home,I couldn't even gather all of my goods from the truck. I just left my sh*t in the cab. I walked in the house, grabbed a cold rag, laid on the couch, put the rag on my head, and passed out.

I woke up an hour later, refreshed and okay because the Vitamin N overdose had processed. I had to eat a large bowl of organic noodles, and a bagel to reach true homeostasis.

I give Ten Russians 9.8 out of 10 stars. It's powerful, unassuming, great Latakia taste, and if you step out of line with it, it will pummel your a$s with the power of ten extremely burley Russian men. I'm better for it. Can't wait to smoke a bowl of it when I don't act like an a-hole with the amount. I'm not giving it a 10 star rating because my nuts still hurt, and I am sure that I will never sire another child while I am on this planet.

~~~~~~~

Update 07/04/10: Now that I know how to approach Ten Russians, I can say that it is by far my favorite blend.

Yes it is almost singular in taste, but that's what I love about it. It is earth, and smoke, and strength.

Bravo to Cornell and Diehl, and Hermit Tobaccos.

This is Big Boy stuff.

It's Darth F-ing Vader.

76 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3023)	2016-02-25		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

A deeply smoky, woody sweet Cyprian lat-bomb that’ll leave no doubt about what you are smoking. Sitting in the back ground is an earthy, fruity Virginia, and a sweet cavendish that serves to tames potential harshness from the large amount of latakia. The smoky, woody Turkish adds minor support as a welcome addition you’ll usually notice. The krumble kake is easy to break apart, and burns slow, requiring a number of relights. It won’t leave much moisture in the bowl, and can burn to ash. Won’t bite, and doesn’t have any harsh or dull spots. Has a little creaminess, is fairly smooth from start to finish, burning cool and clean. Not very complex in terms of complexity by design, you’ll be in for a strong, very rich latakia experience with plenty of nicotine that will teach you respect for Madame Latakia. Strong after taste and room note, you won’t make any friends when you smoke it, unless they are fellow latakia fiends.

-JimInks

47 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AlexL (26)	2013-05-24		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

Best stuff for Latakia maniacs. I wanted to try it because I speak Russian and love Latakia.

It looks like a black brick which slivers easily. I've tried it in small filtered Savinelli. Very sweet and rich taste, mostly Latakia but some Orientals and Virginia inside. Is it strong? You bet it is! But not like Irish Flake or 1792, which is going straight on you like a drunk Irishman, and you know what to anticipate. This one crawls to you slowly from behind like Russian partisan in snow-covered forest, and in the end his axe will reach your head.

Seriously, this tobacco is good. Top-quality tasty mixture with high but manageable nicotine content. Treat it with respect, and it will be your friend for life.

27 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2016-02-25		Medium	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant

This is one of the most powerful Latakia blends that I've ever smoked. The stuff comes out of the pipe in waves and my tongue got a little overwhelmed, frankly. I do like to smoke Latakia from time to time, but also enjoy the other elements in the blend. With Ten Russians, I get a Latakia Intravenous drip.

Pipestud

23 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NoirPipes (6)	2014-06-16		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Yes it's one note (Latakia!!) but I have smoked straight Latakia before, once, you know just curious, and it didn't taste any thing like this. For this reason it seems to me a clever blend in that it has such a smooth flavor while giving you the impression that you're mainlining Latakia. There is the smoothness - (black cavendish) sweetness (Virginia) and fullness (Turkish?), it’s just that they are playing the part of structure but not even hinting at their own flavor. Usually I would say this means a lack of balance, but strangely I want to give this blend a pass because I find it has its own excessive kind of charm. You Know like an actor who always chews scenery, seems to like himself too much, and you want to hate him but you just can't. He gets away with it because of CHARM. Also, of all the high NIC hitters (Irish Flake, Nightcap, 1792, Brown and Black ropes) this seem to be the smoothest on the tongue, no bite. I do recommend not drying it out as much as others, smoke it moist and don't pack it as much either. And do yourself a favor, use a small pipe and go slowly. It seems like a pussycat at first and then you'll get the shakes. Just keep repeating, it's only the nicotine....it's only the nicotine....it's only the nicotine....

Pipe Used: Peterson Kinsale, small Mark Tinsky

Age When Smoked: new to 8 months

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Plum Pudding but way, way stronger and way better..

18 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Capt (339)	2016-01-13		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Thick. Rich. Bold. Satisfying. Think charbroiled Steakhouse ribeyes. Peaty, malty, well aged scotch. Leathery, earthy. This blend portrays power. Authority.

Thick chunky cake of mostly dark brown and black leaf. Specs of lighter Va can be seen from the top view of the cake. Rubs out very uniform, packs with the perfect amount of spring. Light, tamp, light, rest. Light again, and you are on your way. The Orientals really stand out and l enjoy the clean refreshing taste that lingers on the palate. This blend is not very complex, but it is perfectly balanced.

I enjoy it during an autumn stroll in the woods taking in the fall colors, or sitting in front of a roaring fire with my bird dogs at my feet and a Macallan neat. 10 Russians is an undiscovered Latakia Masterpiece!

Age When Smoked: 5 years

17 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ATW (110)	2015-04-02		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

If tobacco reviews was used to determine popularity on its own to determine if a company should blend a particular blend then the Captain Earle's brand would be screwed. This brand needs to be more recognized on tobacco reviews.

I've began to really start getting into C&D blends and this has to be the best one yet. To me it is just like Nightcap but is deeper and smoother and just a tad bit sweeter. If you like Nightcap then try this. Who says that Top notch English Blends only have to be made in the EU.

Update 6/30/19 I just now got around to finishing this blend up. Unfortunately I find it to be much better fresh then aged. My tin was dated 12/31/14 so it had about 4 months on it before I purchased it. With a fresh tin the orientals shine well with the Latakia which makes this blend deep and earthy. With almost almost 5 years the Latakia is very subtle and all I pick up on is the unflavored black cavendish. Fresh I give this a 4. Aged it gets a 3

17 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	beercritic (33)	2014-09-27		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

This. Is. The. Best. Tobacco. I've. Ever. Smoked. It's a bit more balanced than Captain Earl's Stimulus Package. If you hate Latakia, stay away, because this is very strong in that department. It's so good I have to ration it, buying at least 5 tins for each one I turn to ash. I wish it came in larger tins, or bulk.

Pipe Used: A variety - best in the meer

Age When Smoked: 2 months

Purchased From: P&C

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2009-06-30		Medium	None Detected	Full	Very Pleasant

Good Lord have mercy - what a shot of Latakia!

I know this tobacco has other components, but the various flavors were snuffed out due to all the Latakia. I think CAO's Old Ironsides wuld take a back seat to this one. If there is a fuller Latakia on the market I'd frankly be afraid to try it. I like Latakia every now and then, but this is just too much for this old cowboy. Taste presentation; leather & salt.

15 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3023)	2014-04-19		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

The taste is mostly latakia as the Virginia and cavendish play minor supporting roles, though you will notice the Turkish some. The Virginia is earthy and the cavendish is sweet. Strong and forceful in taste, it'll give you the nic-hit you're looking for if you are into lat-bombs. If you're looking for a complex English, this isn't the place to be, but if you're a latakia fiend, you'll enjoy the journey if you smoke this. The flavor is consistent with no harsh or weak moments. Burns well, slow and leaves no dottle.

-JimInks

13 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Matsutake Slayer (11)	2017-02-01		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Upon lighting the bowl it isn't ten Russians that greet you, but rather three Ukranians, an Odessan and a brooding, disquietous highwayman from Samarkand. The Ukrainians cajole you, the Odessan offers tea, and the latter host seems to be plotting a coup.

Later, just past midway through your bowl, those ten Russians appear abruptly, as though from nowhere, and shuffle you bumpily away to a dimly-lit room heavy with a salty, even slightly peaty smoke, the faint music of a prima balalaika in the background. You can't quite make out any faces in the room, but there's no mistaking that you're in the company of serious men, most of them with disfiguring scars and tales of high adventure.

When it's all done and the smoke clears, you find your companions have departed without a trace, except for the fine gray ash in your bowl to remind you that you didn't dream the whole thing. Quite a journey!

Pipe Used: The ugliest sandblast root briar available

Age When Smoked: 6 yrs

Purchased From: Such things are not purchased, they are "acquired."

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Legionnaire (26)	2017-11-24		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

I had always been told by a long time pipe smoker that Ten Russians has the highest Latakia content of any blend. I don’t know if that’s true, but it is in fact a Latakia bomb. This is not a tobacco to be feared. It is expertly blended to produce one of the finest smoking experiences ever for those who enjoy Latakia. It’s smooth, doesn’t bite and is very flavorful without being harsh. It leaves a taste in the mouth that is quite enjoyable and reminds me of a fine steak.

Pipe Used: Briar, meerschaum

Age When Smoked: 3 months

Purchased From: www.pipesandcigars.com

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	GabrielCRT (115)	2016-02-15		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a strong candidate for my all time favorite pipe tobacco. Definitely at the top of the English blend category including Penzance, Old Ironsides, Nightcap, etc.

Ten Russians offers an injection of Latakia straight into the veins. It is smoky, woodsy, and sweet. It is always the first thing you taste throughout the entire bowl. However, the Orientals, Virginia, and Cavendish all play important supporting roles. The Orientals add some depth and complexity, the Virginia adds some sweetness, and the cavendish smooths everything out.

This is a strong, full-bodied tobacco but I don't think it is the monster everybody makes it out to be. I regularly enjoy it in the morning after a big breakfast. It has a nicotine kick to it but it is no 1792 Flake, Gawith Rope, or Royal Yacht.

The room note is rather pleasant for an English blend. Never bitey or harsh and the DGT is the best I've encountered. Several hours after putting the bowl down the blend still shines.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrumsAndBeer (217)	2013-07-21		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

There are a lot of really nice full Latakia mixtures on the market and there's no doubt that this is one of them. It comes in a nicely pressed tobacco cake and gives off a rich deep smoky aroma from the tin. Once I have broken off a chunk from the cake and roughed it up a bit, I do find that it needs a bit of dry time, perhaps 30 minutes on average. Overall the presentation is a bit more moist than a lot of the other latakia mixtures I smoke. I would imagine that the pressed cake form has a bit to do with that.

The first half of a bowl of Ten Russians provides a densely layered smoke quite reminiscent of mixtures like Pease's Odyssey and Dunhill's Nightcap. However as far as nicotine goes, Ten Russians sits a bit more firmly on the Nightcap side of the spectrum. My only knock on Ten Russians is that unlike Odyssey and Nightcap, the back half of the bowl gains a somewhat aggressive acridity. Too much information for my feeble minded tongue to unravel? Perhaps. Nonetheless, I prefer the end game of the other two aforementioned blends over this one.

Altogether this blend is still quite satisfying. It's spicy, rich, and nicely balanced. However I doubt I will stock up on it as I have plenty of blends on hand in the same realm that I enjoy more, but I am very happy to have tried it.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RonR (85)	2017-09-04		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

3rdguy

This is some good stuff! Did not notice the nic hit at all. The retrohale on this for me is Nightcap taste minus the nic hit. Crumbled easily for me and burns great. Puts out some fairly serious room note & smoke so the War Department doesn't like it when I smoke it in the house. I control this home so I smoke it whenever I want....as long as she is gone :) I air it out before she gets home. OK....she is the 10 Russians but you get the idea.

Pipe Used: Mostly cobs but also briar.

Age When Smoked: > 1 year

Purchased From: P&C

Similar Blends: Nightcap.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	sleightinmind (2)	2017-08-02		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

A latakia lovers choice. I really like this blend and don't notice the nicotine as others have stated. Superb flavors blend nicely and at at times can be single dimensional, but not the norm. I think that depends on how the puffer rubbed it out. Recommended if you enjoy a good lat bomb.

Pipe Used: All kinds

Age When Smoked: 10 months

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: C&D da Vinci and oddly Lancer's Slices.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TSchiraldi (5)	2016-04-13		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Ten Russians is top 5 in my rotation. This is a full, strong, Latakia forward blend. It is a complex and tasty crumble cake. Pungent, yet soothing. The Latakia plays well with the Orientals - a perfect balance! The smoke is sweetened by the Virginias and mellowed by the Cavendish. The magic happens during the last third of the bowl. The tobacco tightens and a sweet pungency hits you full on, and you have to force yourself not to start puffing like a freight train! Treat it gently at this point and you will be rewarded! This is my favorite evening smoke. Think Gas Light with a touch of Cavendish.

Pipe Used: Ascorti bent Dublin, Caminetto Business

Age When Smoked: Fresh - New

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: G.L. Pease - Gas Light.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	boc777 (39)	2020-10-31		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

This is a latakia lover's delight and the vitamin N hit is incredible, but not overwhelming in my opinion. But, take that with a grain of salt, as I enjoy mainly very full english and lat bombs on a regular basis. When I am feeling my oats on a weekend night, I might enjoy 5 to 7 pipes (oversized) packed with very strong baccy. This one is a smooth, strong, real mans man no BS lat bomb with excellent flavor and strength. It is a bit one dimensional, and some of the other Captain Earls line offer more complexity, but this one is always satisfying to me. Have not had the opportunity to age any yet, but that is on my list. It rubs out very easily, packs nicely, but do not go overboard. I dry it out slightly, then light up and go to town. It will give you a nice buzz, but do not shy away from it on strength alone. It is not an all day smoke obviously, but also not something to only dip into once a month. You will be tasting it for sometime on your tongue, and your SO will most likely not approve of the room note. I have the pleasure of having a shop to retire to for smoking, so I do not have to worry about disturbing the household with my intolerable weed choices. You will not be able to get away with sneaking this one in. It lingers, which is a good thing for me, but be prepared to drop your clothes in the laundry after imbibing. And respect it, or it can bite if you get greedy. Otherwise, it is a leathery, salty, chewy old time sailor kick you in the arse and head full bodied Russian bad ass round house to your salivary glands. Im in the process of exploring every single offering in the CE lineup and this one is an early favorite, but I compare this to trying to smoke your way through the entire Pease English lineup. It takes time. Its a nice journey and you will be rewarded. Will be penning reviews on the CE lineup as time allows, as I am really thoroughly enjoying them all. As funds allow, I will be cellaring the best of the line up for aging and sampling. Will try to update as time goes by. This one is 4 stars all the way.

Pipe Used: Big briars

Age When Smoked: new

Similar Blends: The rest of the CE line.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jacinto Cupboard (209)	2014-11-11		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Tin note is mostly Latakia with some sweet caramel notes. The kake is dark and variegated and easily crumbles between thumb and forefinger to produce tobacco of a perfect consistency and moisture for burning. Leaves a fair amount of oil on the hands so something to clean up with is recommended.

I like Lat so I liked this baccy because it has a fair chunk of it. However, I found I preferred it less than Pirate Kake and other bombs because it feels a little rough and monotonous. It is also a bit lightweight in the nic department, as any baccy with a majority of Lat is likely to be unless it is supported with some robust Burleys, so it doesn't work as a kick starter for me either. Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me, but since I am unlikely to repurchase, I'm marking it as a 2.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-01-02		Extremely Strong	Extremely Mild	Very Full	Tolerable

It's fun to open the box and see this "brick" of tobacco – it is called Kramble Cake – which will later give you a very strong and delicious dose of Latakia. It feels like a punch in the stomach, especially if you smoke in the morning before breakfast along with your coffee. So, just be careful. On the other hand it is a good tobacco cut in such a way that it helps you smoke it really slow. It does not cause any tonque bite ofcourse, no matter how nervously you might smoke it. It leaves a very nice (to me) bittersweet aftertaste in the mouth. What else is there apart from latakia?? Virginia, Oriental and there must also be some Perique in it. One of the most powerful (if not the strongest) tobaccos I've tried. I strongly suggest sparse filling.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Virginia lover (218)	2018-07-28		Medium	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

This mixture screams of Balkan when smelled but comes out as a full English. A delicious mixture where the Cavendish imparts sweetness, the Virginias some tanginess and the Orientals give a discreet sourness. All those flavors actually manage to tame the Latakia that cements this mixture together with fire camp and exotic spice notes. For lovers of full Latakia/English mixtures, a potential replacement for Nightcap.

Virginia lover

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2076)	2018-04-02		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Hermit Tobacco Works Co. - Captain Earle's - Ten Russians.

I love a nice English as the first smoke of the day and as I've finished my jar of Germain's Special Latakia Flake and my order to replenish it's been delayed by the bank holiday I went to my cellar and grabbed this.

The smell of Ten Russians gives a perfect impression of what kind of smoke's on its way: strong Latakia. It's a loosely compressed kake so a pipes worth can be gently rubbed from the block. Once rubbed it's a good idea to give it a short airing.

'You say you like Latakia? Well, try this!' It may say it contains Oriental, Virginia and Cavendish, but the only flavour I get is Latakia......STRONG Latakia. I like English/Balkans but this is too much. The Latakia tastes harsh, acrid, bitter, astringent, caustic, acetic and severe! That's me out of descriptive words, lol! I can't smoke anymore than a quarter bowl before I get Lat-Overload.

Nicotine: very strong. Room-note: strong.

A decent enough Latakia but better as a blender than a straight smoke. Somewhat recommended:

Two stars.

Pipe Used: Peterson Around the World China

Age When Smoked: Stamped 09/22/17

Purchased From: 4noggins

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DD Stolz (2)	2013-09-07		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Very Pleasant

Okay folks here we go. This will be my third or fourth review. I usually smoke the blend I'm reviewing while I type. This is the first time that I will not do that. I have smoked this earlier this day. It was such a pleasant and notable smoke that it has compelled me to come to my computer. As you may, or may not know, I have been puffing for years and my early favorites were Sullivan's Gentlemen's Mixture and Bengal Slices. Having said that, I must say I may have found a tobacco that is at least, in the same league! You may be thinking, what did he just say, okay I'll say it again. Same league! Ten Russians has really impressed me. The earthy body, heavy thick smoke and very rich pleasant taste of yesteryears spender! To me it was not just like going back to the house you grew up in, but getting to go in and walk through the house and feel the warm feeling you got when you go back to a time and place when everything was easy and effortless. A safe place where things were comfortable and worry free. Well by now you must know that it was quit and experience for me! That's why I'm sharing it with you. The proverbial holy grail, for me, maybe. It put me in a good frame of mind, that's for sure. I feel a good tobacco, like a good song can do that. If you have had the good pleasure of smoking one or more of the greats I've mentioned and have not tried Ten Russians, then please try it. You may want to have a handkerchief handy.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tantric (321)	2015-09-18		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

A very nice surpise. This is, by all means, a very good Latakia laden smoke: strong, manly, perhaps a tad overwhelming. But it is very good: meaty, hearty, full of flavour. The Virginias are quite dry, with all their natural sweetness gone. The orientals (Turkish) and Latakia predominate. The strength is obvious. One draw and the palate is immediately greeted by a blast of a heavy English taste that lasts long after you've put the pipe down. I would not recommend this as an all-day smoke, but every once in a while, specially when it's cold and windy, it's an exhilarating smoking experience.

Pipe Used: Peterson's System

Age When Smoked: N/A

Purchased From: N/A

Similar Blends: Maltese Falcon; Black Mallory; Nightcap..

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gjoiner91 (1)	2014-07-31		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

This tobacco is truly a masterpiece. I am a huge fan of English blends and this one is by far one of the best I've had so far. As soon as you open the tin the latakia hits you right in the nose, but ironically you really don't taste the latakia till later. When first lit the blend has a very light almost sweet yet savory taste .The turkish is more prominent in the beginning however towards the middle and end of the bowl the latakia takes over and transforms the entire flavor profile of the blend. In my opinion that is the best part though. The smell is incredible as well, like a campfire fueled by the trees your grandfather cut down himself. I can't speak highly enough of this blend...if your a fan of latakia and English blends and like tobaccos a little stronger anyway. Try this you won't regret it.

Pipe Used: Roma Canadian, la rocca poker, mauro #314

Age When Smoked: Fresh out da mailbox

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipepundit (168)	2014-06-05		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Ten Russians comes as a single briquette of two ounces, comprising largely dark leaf with specks of lighter tobaccos. The tin aroma is rich, inviting and full of promise. Cutting a slice and crumbling it to produce a pipeful takes no time at all. As with any crumble cake it is best to pack it lightly.

The tobacco takes a couple of lights to get going, but thereafter burns steadily enough. After a slightly bitter start it settles down to delivering a latakia heavy but still complex smoke in which the orientals and virginias do not get lost. The mouth feel is weighty - a heavy Algerian red wine comes to mind. The taste is consistent right down to the last shred.

I did not find it to be particularly strong. Alternating between FVF and Ten Russians, I found the former to be noticeably stronger.

On the whole, Ten Russians is a dour, heavy evening smoke. It is highly satisfying, even though it does not sparkle like Nightcap or Penzance.

Pipe Used: various briars

Age When Smoked: two years

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2013-10-30		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

I've tried and tried, but all I can taste is latakia. I can't get anything else out of this. The one plus here is that it's good for use in tweaking other blends.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LSU Tiger (14)	2013-08-02		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is a wonderful tobacco! Heavy on the latakia, a bit sharp at times, but full of flavor.

The cake breaks easily, loads well and lights easily. I had my first bowl in the Dunhill group 5 Shell Dublin, which I feel is the perfect bowl for this blend. There was a tiny bit of dottle at the end, expected with a tapered chamber.

I'll certainly stock my cellar with more of this. After all, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-01-01		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Ten Russians. Very easy to light and didn't require a second light. The taste of latakia is noticed straight away,and it's first class quality is enjoyed immediately.As I smoke my way on I find I'm enjoying this superb blend,more and more. It contain's a full robust flavour that remind's of a really good cigar at time's. Beyond the half way mark of the bowl the rich spiciness begin's to kick in,and I find myself loving this tobacco more and more. To me it's thoroughly delicious and the more I have smoked it,the more I love it. If you ever loved Balkan Sobranie,and enjoy Dunhill's Night Cap,or,balkan's and latakia,then you should definitely try this. Give it time to really get to know it,I did,and I certainly don't regret it. At the bottom of the bowl you are left with a very clean white grey ash,and a dry bowl. It's a really great companion! 10 out of 10.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Badmedicine (51)	2019-02-10		Medium	None Detected	Full	Strong

Ah, Ten Russians; my favorite lat-bomb. There is some Tang here, but the star of the show is Latakia. Smoky, leathery, peppery Latakia. I'm starting to think my palate doesn't take notice of orientals, or that they get interpreted as "Diesel Fuel". I actually like that note quite a bit, but it goes to show how difficult it can be to describe an impression of sensation to another person. The smoke is heavy and creamy (if smoked in a short pipe, as I favor, it actually sticks to the hollows of ones face when exhaled). Smokes bone-dry and cool to the very bottom. The room note will not please most bystanders, but my wife actually enjoys lat-heavy room notes. She says this one is "Brighter, more energetic" than most of my heavy favorites. I'm not sure what that means, but it fits. Side note: Some of the reviews for this blend rank with the best of classic literature. Especially Matsutake Slayer's. Addendum 12/18/21- In the grip of boredom, I decided to try mixing this 50/50 with Bayou Night. That's it, I'm done; I have found my "Unicorn" tobacco, and will never be the same.

Pipe Used: Big Ben Pipo, Wimbledon Author

Age When Smoked: 1-3 years

Purchased From: B&M

Similar Blends: Pirate Cake, Balkan Saseini (for the "Diesel Fuel" note).

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hobie1dog (2)	2018-11-10		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Strong

I get a chuckle out of just opening the tin. The guys at the B&M shop said, " lookout, Marty is getting ready to throw a Goodyear on the burning peat bog fire". Yes, I am a Latakia lover and this is one of my top 5 blends. For me it burns slow, and not as rich in flavor as Penzance, but just as satisfying. This is one of the few blends that I am stocking up on.

Pipe Used: Aaron Beck Freehand

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Burners- Cornelius, NC

Similar Blends: Old Ironsides, Penzance.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RatRod76 (1)	2018-07-10		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

I was looking for a good latakia blend since my usual Pirate Kake was out of stock. This one definitely delivered. I didn't catch the big nic buzz several people have talked about, but I did find it very calming after a long work day. The latakia is not as front and center as I was expecting it to be. This is my first time with any of the Hermit tobacco works brand, but if this is a good representation of their blends then I'm going to make my way through their stock. I wouldn't label this a latakia bomb, it's a completely different animal altogether. It's like listening to a 15 minute jazz quartet jam session where it's the same tune, but every member of the band has their solo to make it their own. In one word...symbiosis. The crumble kake is easy to break up and required little drying time. Smoking a bowl of this as I prepare for slumber. This may have to be my new nightly ritual. Next time I'll pair it with a nice bourbon.

Pipe Used: Peterson Aran XL

Age When Smoked: 2 months

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Some things dont have an equivalent. This is one of those things..

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gahdzila (61)	2017-03-20		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Very Strong

Mostly black with a few brown flecks. I'd call it a plug, I think. It is softer and easier to cut than plugs I've had by Peterson and GL Pease, but I found it too dense and firm to easily crumble with my fingers, so I can't in good conscience call it a cake. Suffice it to say, I found it quite easy to prep as far as plugs go, but it does require a knife or some other sharp tool. It's just a hair on the moist side...surprising considering that it is manufactured by Cornell & Diehl, as their stuff always seems to me to be a tad on the dry side. I'll blame it on the plug, which always seems to hold more moisture than ready rubbed. Anyway - it smokes fine as is, but it wouldn't hurt to leave it out and let it dry a bit.

A bold latakia presence makes itself known right out of the gate. I don't believe this has quite the lat percentage as Pirate Kake, but it might be close. Ten Russians no doubt fits my definition of "lat bomb." There's a significant Oriental percentage, methinks, as I notice a sour tang next. Personally, I don't like an overwhelming Oriental presence...this is up front, but it isn't over-the-top. Mouthfeel is thick and spicy. A bit of pepper in the flavor, just enough. On retrohale, I get a nice peppery burn in the nose, but also a creamy sweetness comes into play that I previously didn't notice in the mouth. The latakia sledgehammer mellows a bit as I pass the halfway mark, and the overall flavor quiets down somewhat into a nice peppery smoothness for the remainder of the bowl.

Burn is good, requiring an average number of relights. Room note is somewhere between "foul" and "wretched." LOL Nicotine is perhaps a bit stronger than medium.

Rich, bold, spicy, and very complex in flavor. I've had four bowls so far, but I still feel like I haven't quite wrapped my brain around all of its intricacies; unfortunately, I've only got a small sample to review, so I had to go ahead and get my thoughts down. Ten Russians is by no means an all day smoke, but is wonderful in the evening on a full stomach paired with an after dinner black coffee. Highly recommended.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Presbyterian Piper (4)	2016-03-23		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Tolerable

This is a great blend for the Latakia lovers. It comes in a plug that you can either tear apart or cut chuncks off with a knife. A very smokey blend that I like to have on cool winter nights. Has a good amount of nicotine i smoke cigarettes on occasion so may be overpowering to some. This really is one of the best English blends I've tried.

Pipe Used: Vintage Custom Bilt

Age When Smoked: 5 months

Purchased From: Bodas in Greenville SC

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	crazy owl (74)	2016-01-29		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Strong

Well a lot of cyprian stuff and nothing more,perhaps a touch,only a touch,of cavendish.The last tins from C&D like this or Pease´s ones on the Va side are really rubbish.Luckily in this case the high proportion of Lat doesn´t lease the feeling so obvious.They can say that it was a bad batch but the bucks are of good batch.Anyway I counsel to smoke this blend if it comes from old stock or to wait they´ll finish with the present Va stock.Beside all this I perceive an undertone of cigar leaf,burley?.Sorry,but to be honest and not misleading other people I must give a lonely star,texans forgive me.

Pipe Used: peterson systems

Age When Smoked: current production

Purchased From: smoking pipes

Similar Blends: many others.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2012-05-27		Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

The question of “Strength” and “Taste” to me is often confused. I find Ten Russians to be medium in a strength department as in the level of Lady N. In the taste department, TR is definitely full. For lovers of Latakia, it will be on most pipers top five list. I enjoy it both aged and newly tinned. The other tobaccos merely show up as there is no doubt who the star of the show is in a fresh tin. Ten Russians with three years of age presents at least to me, a more balanced smoke. The Latakia softens a bit while the Virginias gain a bit of sweetness that I don't find in a newly minted tin. I find very little complexity in a newer tin and a greater degree of it in one with some age on it. I prefer to rub it out, being careful to not overdo it and being careful to not let it get too dry as it will turn to dust. Either way, if you are not a fan of Latakia forward tobaccos, than this is one to take a pass on. If you love well made, Latakia forward krumble cakes, it's hard not to recommend Ten Russians.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-12-05		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

As expected, it tastes like latakia and has little to no development as the bowl progresses. I would prefer Odyssey over this, but this over DaVinci and Pirate Kake, although they are all in the same genre...that is, heavy latakia blends tempered only minimally by Orientals.

You can get the same smell by jamming your head into a fire pit the day after a campout, but it isn't as relaxing or socially acceptable.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. Big (321)	2011-11-14		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

This is good stuff. This review was from a fresh tin and smoked from a large cob ; you get an initial hit of nice smoky Latakia that quickly develops into a cheesy bacon Oriental flavor, very flavorful through the first half of the bowl with nice balance. I wouldn't say there was much sweetness and the Cavendish doesn't do much either. Unfortunately, half way through the pipe the flavors become mottled, Latakia totally taking over the Orientals and a spice bringing some heat, (Smoked at a sip). It seemed to stay lit very nicely and smoked for a long time. I really think this will be super blend with a little bit of cellar time, I don't like the harsh spice on the tongue. I'm doing my own comparison test against Engine 99 and Odyssey, I'll update with my conclusions , 3 stars now.

Update: Best **- Odyssey ( 9 months cellaring),

Good *- Ten Russians ( new tin),

OK **-Engine 99 ( new bulk)

I just noticed reviewer," Tom Servo 03/29/2011", I have to agree

Updated 7/29 2015- I just retried this blend after about 3 years in the in the cellar, very smooth and flavorful. This has definitely improved to a 4 star blend . If it only came this way as a fresh tin.

Pipe Used: cob

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-09-30		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

Perhaps my palate is jaded. I've almost finished a two ounce tin of Ten Russians and have enjoyed it thoroughly. My tin was dated 27 Jan. 2011; I opened it in mid- September of 2011 so perhaps the almost nine months of "aging" toned the latakia down somewhat.

I did not find it to be a latakia bomb nor even a nicotine bomb (though I do have a very high tolerance for nicotine).

What I did find it to be was an exceptional smoke. Not a whole lot of nuances but a very pleasant, somewhat sweet and somewhat heavy on rich smoky flavor. It crumbled very easily, loaded very easily (a light loading and a very light settling/tamping in the bowl) and "held fire" very well. Overall, a very very pleasant, easily-smoked mixture with enough flavor to hold my interest and enjoyment until almost the end.

I say "almost the end" because in some pipes, particularly those with a dublin shape, the mixture would get a little sour and a little harsh at the very end.

I tend to smoke my pipes down until there is nothing whatsoever left but ash; on this mixture I found myself sometimes dumping out the dottle... the leftover shreds of unsmoked tobacco at the very bottom of the bowl, mainly because I just didn't want to taste that bit of souring and harshness at the end.

Room note was not objectionable to anyone; my wife never once commented on it, as she might with some latakia blends (GLP Odyssey or Penzance for instance).

I also thoroughly enjoyed Ten Russians after somewhat lengthy DGT; many times I would load a pipe in the evening, smoke a third or half of it, and then relight in the morning with a cup of coffee... it always, after the first couple of puffs, blossomed into a good, rich morning accompaniment to a strong cup of coffee or a strong cup of Earl Gray tea stirred with brown sugar and just a hint of Half & Half.

I very much intend to purchase more of Ten Russians... I've enjoyed it in the morning, midday and in the evening. For me, at least, a very very pleasant and enjoyable mixture.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	UTOPIAN PIPER (1)	2010-08-01		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

I had the pleasure of savoring this wonderful tobacco at our pipe club meeting this month. As an avid cigar smoker, I've always loved a full-bodied smoke. This holds true as well with my pipe tobacco. I've always searched for a tobacco that was strong, cool to smoke, and did not have any bite to it.

I was handed a small batch of tobacco in crumble cake form. I've heard of Hermit as a brand. I know they're made by C&D. I've heard a lot of good things about it; however I've never tried any of their tobaccos. From the beginning one can deduce that this would be one powerful smoke. It was dark and there is no mistaking the good amount of latakia in this blend. I have to admit I do love latakia and lots of it. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite tobaccos is C&D's daVinci. Unlike other krumble kakes, this tobacco broke apart easily, packed and smoked very well.

I used a Cavicchi Bent Brandy with a chamber depth of 1.89” and a chamber diameter of 0.90”. I will concur with everyone who reviewed this product. This is a POWERHOUSE of a smoke. I mean this in a good way, though. What is so surprising is that unlike other strong tobacco, it had such a cool smoke that I could hardly detect any bite to it. Again, be forewarned this is NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED SMOKER! C&D for the most part, have always put out a good product. Captain Earle's Ten Russians is an example of such product. Out of a possible 4 stars, I would give this 3 ¼. Although I love the strength and the coolness when smoked, it could do with a little more complexity in flavor. However, I still HIGHLY RECOMMEND it.

I am glad I was given the opportunity to smoke this fine tobacco. I wish this came in 1 lb. tins. I will definitely try other products from Hermit.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-05-21		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Extra Strong

This actually deserves 3 1/2 stars.

There's just something about this blend. Sure, it's Latakia. And oh Lord is it strong. Like coffee from Africa strong. And the room note scares away all but the masochists. But whether it's the pressing or some other magic hoodoo, J and Louise give up a really great one here.

This blend is made for sitting on the porch or walking through the woods. This is not an all-day blend. This is not an every day blend. This is a blend for pot roast and Yorkshire pudding evenings, for stiff ales and lagers. This is a blend to bring out when some n00b annoys you by lighting up some sticky pouch of dessert like Cap'n Black or Cherry Cordial. This is the real deal.

Complex? Please. About as complex as a Nascar race. It's loud, it's strong, you get dizzy just being there and it keeps going around the track until it's over. But there's no question in your mind that you've had a pipeful of some high-octane Latakia. And you'll be back for more. Right around the time your wife speaks to you again, you'll think to yourself... "Yeah, that was some powerful stuff. I wouldn't mind another bowl."

Not for the faint-hearted, experimental or dessert topping crowd. Consider yourselves warned. But for you Latakia fiends, you have no excuse for not posessing at least one tin of this. Break half of it up and jar it up. Leave the other half in bricks and jar that up too.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	smallshinythings (7)	2007-05-13		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

My favorite thing I've tried in I can't say how long. I Love Lat and this comes through. I continually set the pipe down and walk away just to enjoy every last bit of flavor on the back of my teeth and roof of my mouth.

Strong, but not overwhelming, full and complex. Seems to be pretty even all the way throught the bowl, I describe the room note as pleasant against the sig. oth.'s vote, I think she was leaning toward unbearable as she does whenever I smoke anything not from the drug store or the tinder box.

Note to self buy more

Update 9/26/15

Still a blend I return to regularly. Married now, not to the previous sig oth. Wife loves the room note. Strong, interesting (she says).

I've come to find that I like Latakia blends with orientals present, which this has plenty of. The smoke tastes busier with some oriental present. This has the smoky Lat, but plenty of the spicy and complexity I like in this type of blend. I don't think it's the one note Latakia mix it's been accused of.

In a large bowl it smokes cool. The flavor is consistent throughout the bowl. I prefer it to nightcap because I prefer the nicotine and the robust, full mouth feel. Perhaps the cavendish gives it body.

Still living this.

Pipe Used: Large bents

Age When Smoked: New to five years

Similar Blends: G. L. Pease - Westminster (Heirloom Collection), Dunhill - Nightcap.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2004-03-20		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

An absolute HOME RUN of an english blend! A Full and rich latakia infused rush of flavor.I would warn those faint of heart and used to aromatics and virginia's away from this!If you love lat. however,you may have hit "pay dirt"..HIGHLY RECOMMENDED preppypipe

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Doctor Watson (9)	2022-02-13		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Very Strong

You have to love Latakia and a big Nic-kick. Nothing subtle or complex here. Latakia, Latakia, and more Latakia. A very singular full throttle Latakia bomb with high nicotine content.

Pipe Used: Briar, Meer, Cob

Age When Smoked: 3 Months

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	O. D. Jones (25)	2021-06-03		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

This is the definition of a lat bomb, and this is pretty good tobacco. I generally keep a tin around, and I'm thinking of maybe stocking up and putting a few away to age, because I usually buy a can and just smoke it straight through. I don't usually jar this one up, I just wrap the cake with good old fashioned wax paper and keep it in the can. Seems like it keeps well that way and I go through it fairly quickly so I've never had it really dry out.

Right out of the tin it's a lovely deep dark, brownie-like cake. Easy to pinch off a bowlful, Ten Russians is at a smokable moisture level in the can. Definitely a "big" smoke, with a moderate level of nicotine, maybe even a few notches less than moderate, as I tend to smoke pretty potent tobaccos, so my judgement maybe a little off. I wish we could do a half star rating here because I think this is a three and a half star tobacco. Only thing that keeps this from being a full four stars is the fact that it's a little one-note; it's a good note, and it stays consistent throughout the bowl, the drawback, as such, is there isn't an enormous amount of complexity here. I don't think it's supposed to be particularly complex, it's supposed to be the proverbial lat bomb. Burns very well, maybe needing a relight or two as you get to the bottom of the bowl. I do not find it gurgles, or leaves much moisture in the bowl. Personally, I prefer this to Plum Pudding; Plum Pudding is fine, so I think it's more of a matter of 'do you prefer Coke or Pepsi?" A very full tasting, satisfying tobacco.

Would like to make one complaint here that has nothing to do with the brand or the company that makes it... I hate the warning labels on these ( and pretty much all ) tobaccos! Strictly from an aesthetic point of view... I have a much older can here that doesn't have the warning label on it I use to hold metal push pins in the studio, and I think it's got a great look! Same thing with Warhorse Red Bar, such a nice looking design ruined by the absurd warning labels. Handguns don't come with a great big warning label on each gun, and neither does a bottle of whiskey, both of which can be potentially as hazardous to your health as a pipe full of tobacco! Thought I'd just like to vent about it here... of course, a buddy of mine in the UK has to put up with grotesque full color photographs of supposed health issues caused by smoking on each package of Condor he buys. I'd pay an extra 50 cents a can or tin for them to put on one of those static cling stickers containing the big warning labels, so I can peel it off and go "yeah, there's that cool graphic design"... I'm sitting here in the living room and I can see on the mantle piece old enamel tins of Balkan Sobranie and Dunhill Royal Yacht, right next to my little magnetic Abe Herbaugh pipe stand... I suppose this is a silly and pointless complaint, but, I imagine I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Pipe Used: Peterson 406 Spigot and Rocky

Age When Smoked: freshly opened tin

Purchased From: pipes and cigars, smokingpipes

Similar Blends: Seattle Pipe Club Plum Pudding.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LiterarySmoker (143)	2021-02-06		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

I don't have a lot of experience smoking such strong Latakia blends. I typically think of Kentucky or Perique blends as the strongest I can buy. The reviews on tobacco reviews are very investing so naturally I had to give this a try. This is the only blend of the Captain Earle's series that I didn't have to order for a review since I had a tin sitting in my cellar since last year so admittedly this one has more age on it than the other blends I reviewed before.

Opening the tin I see a nice piece of crumble cake that is easily rubbed out. The tin note smells of rich, leathery Latakia, sour Orientals and Virginia sweetness. It comes at a smokable dryness, but I let mine sit out for a half hour before smoking as a habit. It packs well and lights well. As with all the others it holds a light throughout the smoke even with a slow cadence.

Immediately this is a rich blend. This is a Lat bomb and let no one tell you any different. The Latakia is deep, earthy, woody, leathery, and salty. The Orientals are in the background but they are sour, herbal and flowery. The Virginias add depth and sweetness and help marry everything together. The room note is strong and in the presence of non-smokers you will, in all probability, find yourself on the porch.

The taste is a full. It coats your mouth but is simultaneously smooth and creamy. It's an excellent winter smoke. The strength is strong. Lady N has spent some extra time to give you a wow factor. I just ate lunch so I don't necessarily feel too much nicotine but I can tell its there. This is masterfully blended and I can easily see this as a solution when I need a Latakia fix. It's not an all day smoke. I give this 4 stars.

Pipe Used: Peterson Standard System XL315

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	cam91 (23)	2019-12-07		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

This tobacco came incredibly wet. Every time I pick up the jar it actually has moisture built up along the glass that you can wipe off with your finger. Kinda ridiculous. It tastes very strong. Not good, not bad, just strong. Armpit cumin creosote flavor. Which I normally love. But this blend seems to really irritate me. It just seems unrefined. And I'm no snob. Prince Albert is my daily smoke. There is a little hint of Virginia sweetness. I have trouble separating the oriental from the latakia. Not a bad smoke but certainly not recommended in today's market with all the fantastic English blends available. Just a run of the mill latakia bomb.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	King Weed (228)	2019-09-10		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

This is the second of the pint jars I've opened that I bought at our 2019 NASPC show this year from a recent and former pipe smoker. Here we have a blend that I have smoked in the past - just once. I tried a test bowl in my local shop in whatever year and whatever decade it came onto the market. I've never smoked it since untl this jar came along. Apparently my tastes have changed over the last thirty-odd years, as I actually got some enjoyment out of it; contrary to my memory. I want to state right up front that I agree with the opinion of reviewer Emeritus Account 2011-12-05 that it has plenty of Lat taste but little development down the bowl. In general, I didn't find it to be the Latakia "creature" that some seem to be talking about. Hard to light and keep lit, it didn't do much to distinguish itself in the top third. Starting with the middle third things got more tasty and interesting and the best smoke came, consistently from pipe to pipe, in the bottom third. Here the Latakia became somewhat subdued and the other components, finally, stepped up to the plate. I found Ten Russians to be more smokeable and enjoyable than most of the other big boys in this field and very similar to C&D's Pirate Kake. I give it three stars.

Pipe Used: Northern Briars Regal Roxcut Lovat

Age When Smoked: unknown but not recent

Purchased From: a former pipe smoker

Similar Blends: The last blend of this genre that I smoked was Pirate Kake by Cornell and Diehl and I found both blends to be quite similar to each other.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2019-04-23		Strong	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Strong

Strong in Latakia & overall strength. It might feel like it's biting but that's just the strength from the smoke settling in on your membranes. It also may seem a little harsh due to the heavy Cyprian Latakia infusion & Perique. Ten Russians was blended & intended to be a stout tobacco, especially designed for Latakia lovers. However, it doesn't bite or you'd be left with a sense of it after a bowl is finished. After rinsing my mouth, everything was back to normal.

Next to Nightcap, this is the strongest Lat bomb I've ever sampled & I believe that all the varietals in this blend were probably the strongest that could be acquired & there must have been plenty of Perique. Since it is predominantly a Latakia laden blend, I could not, or really wasn't able to taste hardly any other varietals in the mix. Still, I liked it fairly well as it totally satisfied in the Vitamin N department. What amazes me is how in the world Captain Earle ever found those ten Russians marooned at sea... maybe by accident?

I've only smoked two bowls thus far & plan on using this as a "Nightcap." It is definitely not an early morning or all day smoke unless you've nothing to do but sit back in your rocking chair all day. However, I would suggest a good breakfast before getting started. If not for the Cavendish & Orientals, this could possibly go "nuclear" and as a secondary use, a small amount shaken with water in a spray bottle would most certainly create a decent pesticide or insecticide.

It sort of reminded me a of a stronger SPC Plum Pudding. The square plug within is quite moist & breaks apart easily & contains hardly any trash/stems to be removed. I'm sure that whoever almost feinted while smoking this mixture was probably inhaling it. This is strictly an absorption type tobacco… one should take heed to avoid inhaling as it's such a strong mixture. Your lungs would be paved with asphalt in no time. Ten Russians has my respect & since I like strong mixtures before beddy-bye it gets midway between three & four stars. A decent alternative for Nightcap. So...

Good-bye, Nightcap! I don't miss you all that much & Nightcap seems outrageously overpriced these days considering Ten Russians &/or other strong Latakia bombs will give you the same effect. Sure, I liked Nightcap really well but refuse to allow myself the excessive expenditure for obtaining it... time goes on and Nightcap will become even more expensive as supplies dwindle. If you find yourself unable to do without, best to grab all you can while you can. I'll settle for a good replacement. Drucquer & Sons Levant Mixture blended by G. L. Pease works very well also. If nothing else works well for you in the strength department, throw in a little Picayune. Enough of that should make your eyelids slam shut in short order.

Pipe Used: Country Gent Cob, Danmore Dublin,

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: Nightcap or a stronger, more Latakia infused Plum Pudding...

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HabaneroHardy (395)	2019-02-10		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Unnoticeable

I have heard about this from a few friends of mine and decided to try it. The tin note has a nice leathery smell to it, nice soft crumble cake, easy to light. Not a whole lot more I can say about this one other than it is a full rich Latakia blend that tastes very good and is consistent to the end of the bowl. My tin was dated 121118. Definitely worth a try and a solid four stars for me.

Pipe Used: Briar

Age When Smoked: New

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JinxJar (6)	2017-10-20		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Very smooth smoke, no harshness or tongue bite, but a little one dimensional. I get some brief tastes of Virginia but mostly just Latakia. The Latakia used tastes a little different than Private Stock, but are tasty. It smokes dry, with few relights, and leaves very little dottle. It is a fantastic evening smoke and pairs well with black tea. I prefer Private Stock just because of the tingle I get from the Perique, I guess; however, this is a top notch tobacco and stays in my rotation.

Pipe Used: Peterson Kinsale XL23

Age When Smoked: 1-60 days

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: G. L. Pease - Gaslight (Old London Series).

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	1979 (62)	2017-08-05		Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Hermit Tobacco Works - Captain Earle's Ten Russians

Cut you off a sliver of railroad tie soaked in creosote and motor oil!  Okay, not quite.

Powerful and industrial.  You're in lat bomb country now. But, I'd like to say it's not complete lat bomb, the orientals are an important player also, adding some leathery musty spice to the campfire equation. It seems like the oriental component becomes more notable as time advances on an open tin. I almost want to give this one four stars, indeed within the heavy latakia field this is a definite four star contender.  This would make a mighty fine cool weather, outdoorsy smoke. 

Dry and smokeable straight from the tin.  I recommend a slightly looser pack here also.  There's surely some vitamin n here, although personally I didnt find this one to be the utter nicotine powerhouse some of my fellow reviewers did.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stinkypipe (155)	2017-02-11		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

So a friend of mine turned me onto this blend. His comment about this blend...."started smoking this and the next thing you know I am on the ground in nothing but my tidey whiteys and these ten big ass Russian guys are standing over me laughing."

Well how can you pass up a review like that! Opening note was outstanding....smelled like a campfire. The light up was easy and the first puff or two.....Wow this bad boy is potent. My friend suggested I smoke a small bowl. Good advice for me. This has a fantastic taste so sweet and smoky and perfect for a true lat lover. No it is not Syrian Latakia but Cyprian Latakia. Still it is damn good. You just have to respect the power of the nicotine level. Had to relight a few times but nothing really a problem as it gave me time to come down from the nicotine high. Room note is tolerable at best for the fairer sex. This is a big boy blend but outstanding to all us latakia lovers. A true five star smoke just mind those big burley Russians guys.

Pipe Used: Boswell pot

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Similar Blends: Nothing............

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	dixcreek (182)	2016-12-05		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

In a word, Excellent! A lat bomb, it has plenty but the Lady Latakia is tamed by the sweet Cavendish and well cured hay like Virginia. While it is noticeable I feel the Turkish is the least noticeable of all. While some have said it is not an all day smoke, I say, not so fast my friend! Smooth enough to go the distance, and enough nicotine to keep you on your toes. The crumble cake breaks up well and packs and takes fire well. Consistent taste throughout the bowl with little to no moisture. An all around satisfying smoke for this ole sod buster! If you like Latakia you will like The Russians.

Pipe Used: Petersom303

Age When Smoked: New to 1 month

Purchased From: Smoking pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MJG (17)	2015-05-18		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Leaf: This tobacco was my first Krumble Kake, it's no wonder it got caught up at customs, it must have looked like a brick of Hashish on the X-Ray. It is a little rectangle of very compressed tobacco, maybe 2x2x1 inches, dark brown and black, a little oily and a bit wet. It breaks up very nicely into a fine mix of what I guess you would call chopped leaf. It dries quickly once broken up.

Tin Aroma: Latakia. Glorious, thick, smokey Latakia. There is also an underlying sweetness here, and a spiciness from the orientals, but it all takes a back seat to the Lat, which is fine by me.A very rich aroma you can smell a mile off, Earthy, Smokey, and at the risk of sounding silly, I thought I got a hint of smoked bacon from time to time...

Taste: Things get even better here. My first mouthful was dominated by the Latakia, it is really packed in there, big, heavy, smokey, dry, earthy, a wonderful dose of what has to be my favourite component in many blends. But it doesn't end there, you could be forgiven for assuming this will be a one dimensional smoke, but I found it far from it, the orientals and Virginia don't disappear into the background, their sweetness and spiciness weave in and out of the heavy latakia all the way, it feels very well balanced, it is incredibly smooth, with thick velvety smoke. I found it to be a satisfyingly complex blend of elements that never seemed to leave any single component in the dark. By the end of the bowl I found the Latakia to be slightly less dominant, maybe due to becoming use to it, and the orientals and Virginia become a little more pronounced. At the end of the bowl I was left with a sweet, smokey after-taste in my mouth and on my lips. This is top quality leaf, a top quality blend, and a top quality experience.

Smokeability: I had no troubles with this, I never dried it, just crumbled it, packed it a bit lighter than I usually would with ribbon cut, lit it up with two matches, and smoked away. It stayed cool and dry throughout, it never even looked like biting even when I was taking big deep puffs to make the most of the thick smoke, and the big Nic hit. I found it very manageable and it burnt down to a fairly fine white ash. No fuss to clean up.

Summary: This is a GREAT smoke, I really, really, REALLY enjoy it, it has great depth of flavour, it is BIG, it is rich,it is smokey and sweet, and it has a big Nic-kick to boot, make sure you respect it or it will sit you down and teach you a lesson. It is like walking into one of those restaurants from Man Vs Food, and ordering their challenge, the "Super Dense English Supreme with Extra Latakia and legendary Secret Nicotine Sauce", except sitting through this isn't a challenge, it's a privilege.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tabaco (112)	2014-12-28		Very Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

A massive blast of Latakia which is great and that's all it does all the way down the bowl, with minimal complexity.

The first third of Stimulus Package when packed does the same thing, a blast of Latakia then the Orientals begin to shine with far greater complexity and nuances throughout combing/supporting the Latakia which is still very much apparent all the way down.

While I adore Latakia which Ten Russians has in spades, the preferred blend of economists everywhere is Stimulus Package; myself included.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wellpipe (66)	2014-04-19		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I don't think I've used the word 'comforting' before in a tobacco review but it fits here. This is a nicely balanced blend, definitely 'Latakia forward', that comes in a nice big brownie-sized cake that cuts and crumbles easily. Medium but definitely present nicotine strength, with a sweet and gentle flavor that has a familiar, warm, and 'comforting' feel to it - silky mouthfeel, light on the orientals (no bite or afterburn). I did not at all get the oily or creosote sensation that some have reported. This reminds a little bit of Penzance in flavor profile - dusty but round and smooth - although not quite as refined / subdued, and the cake is not as dense. This is a quality smoke, perfect for a mellow, contemplative evening on the patio accompanied by a snifter of brandy.

Update 2018-08-23: A little age (4 years) has been good to the Ten Russians in my cellar. Edges smoothed out a little. Leather, salt, and more cream than before. A tiny floral note peeks in just once in a while. Delightful.

Pipe Used: Wellington

Age When Smoked: New - tin date <30 days old

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Stimulus Package.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Susanna Hoffs (74)	2014-01-01		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Smoked this back in 2011 whilst staying in Florida and thought I'd reviewed it back then, but apparently I forgot!

I lapped up the opportunity to try blends unavailable in the UK whilst staying in the sunshine state. One of these was Hermits 'Ten Russians'

I tried this blend in principal based on suggestions that this was a lat bomb, and I wanted to see just exactly what one of those was. Upon opening the little can via its neat little ring pull, I discovered a dark brown/black soft'ish block of tobacco.

The aroma of the contents upon opening, utterly stank of used oil and creosote. Urrgh... Was this 'real ' Latakia I wondered?!

Any way I took out the little lump and found it slightly greasy in texture which reaffirmed the initial oily/creosote sensory experience.

I cut off a thick flake and rubbed out what to me looked like shredded dirty Autumn leaves. My fingers betraying a dusty darkness afterwards as if Id been handling a barbecue brickette.

I smoked it in a cheap cob which was fine for the job. There was no bite at all and the tobacco burned well, with a very thick, dusty, smoky aroma. The nicotine was medium to low for me and the smoke ultimately one dimensional.

I guess this is a real Latakia lovers blend, or one for those that miss the smell of a freshly creosoted wooden fence, surrounding a mechanics garage, the staff of which are having an oily bonfire.

So, a bit one dimensional in that what you smell is what you get from start to finish, but a nice change from lighter English blends/Virginia's or for when you want to blow the cobwebs away from an earlier aromatic adventure.

Similar to Nightcap and Artisans Blend, but for me with a smidgen less nicotine ...

Pipe Used: Cob

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Night cap & Artisans blend.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dude (9)	2013-12-02		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

I just finished the second +2 year old tin. I must say that this blend improves with age.

C&D typical good plug format- crumbles easy enough.

When the tin was new I had a few bowls and the smoke was good but a little
unremarkable. So I came back to it again at 6 months, with similar result.

At about a year ( stored in mason jar) this smoke became wonderful and extremely complex. I would say its not a Lat bomb but very Lat forward.
Virginias adding strength and depth.

Super smoky and almost dusty on the pallet . Bite factor is very low.
Smokes well fully dried out as well and it does not loose flavor (to me) when fully dried out.

Have just smoked the sister tin to the first one and having the same age gave the same result. I would consider to recommend this blend to anyone liking strong English blends (like Nightcap) but please consider to age for a while before smoking as the tobaccos seem a little "young" with new tins.

Pipe Used: bent / straight reserved for Lat blends

Age When Smoked: 2+ yrs

Similar Blends: like pumped up version of Nightcap -.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Phonomet (44)	2013-11-01		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is usually considered a lat bomb, but I'd say other cake/flakes like pirate kake and penzance are more lat heavy. The tin note is definitely aged cheese. Another reviewer described the taste as "cheesy bacon flavor" in reference to orientals, which is spot on, but I'd also posit the presence of perique (though unlisted) as a player in the blend. This would account for some of the heft of the smoke too. Ten Russians does need to be treated with respect with slow puffing and not too much retrohaling, etc. It is a rewarding smoke especially when you want something rich and savory.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MacNutz (12)	2013-06-30		Medium	None Detected	Full	Strong

I'm half way trough my second kake. The first block I got from a friend. It had some age on it. Now I'm smoking a fresh tin. There is a difference. More flavour nuances when aged.

I certainly see why this is so popular among the serious Latakia lovers. Probably hell on earth to someone who doesn't like or is just so-so about the Lat.

For me it was love at first light. This fresh tin has not disappointed. Very Latakia forward. I think it is medium strong regarding the Vitamin N hit, though not to be played with carelessly if you are nic sensitive.

I'm giving this four stars with the proviso that I'm a Lat lover.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bteddy (23)	2012-08-03		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Very Strong

You've got to love latakia for this to work for you. Strong from the first to the last. Think burning charcoal with a room note to match. If you can handle the in-your-face strength and the wife wondering "what's burning", then go for it, your reward is pure latakia. I occasionally need a wake up call and this is the one to do it. Can't do this all day, but when I need a bomb I turn to this tasty tin.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-10-02		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Wow! Now that's a tobacco, my head is still swimming from the bowl I had yesterday! This tobacco is somewhat deceptive, for the taste isn't overpowering hence the nicotine kick creeps up on you unawares. Not quick to learn a lesson, I spent several consecutive evenings with my head swimming, my nerves jittery, my stomach woosey, before I figured out to smoke this blend slowly and moderately. I cannot give this blend four stars as it does lack complexity and it is just too strong to smoke in my normative nonchalant manner. However, this blend deserves a solid three star rating.

Soli Deo gloria!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-06-13		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Hey... who put this barbequed brownie in my can of bean dip ?

It failed the wife test...I don't really care.

It's not a terribly complex smoke but doggone it's good, with the latakia blast and all. Every once in a while, I think I taste and smell a bit of sweetness behind the latakia, almost a very mild chocolaty taste. The brownie flakes apart well, it packs well and once I get it going I have no problem keeping it lit, unless I neglect it. No tongue bite here either.

At this point I'd say it's possibly the best tobacco I've ever smoked. I bought a can based on the reviews here and I ain't disappointed. *The Russians go great with a cold bottle of Guinness Extra Stout.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tom Servo (58)	2011-03-29		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin aroma of Ten Russians is definitely heavy on Latakia as every one of the previous reviews have pointed out. But I was surprised by the balance of the aroma coming off this little cake. The smokiness and creosote of the Latakia are softened by the VA and held up by the cool Oriental leaf. Leather, smoke (charred wood), bacon, dusty basements, sweetness from the VA - subdued and fruity, faintest spices and an odd scent like dry Portland cement. Complex and warm, the aroma is more than intriguing.

Crumble Cake crumbles nicely. My tin was a little dry. Packs easy. Once it is lit it tends to stay lit pretty well.

In the bowl “Ten Russians” is much less complex. The Latakia in my opinion is over done, but it still keeps a smooth-ish balance. The Orientals have a sizable presence as well, the Oriental leaf seems to be trying the hardest to balance the Latakia landslide. Somehow it balances, but the flavors themselves are muddled. It gets more one-note as the bowl progresses. Still, it is a pleasant note. The second half of the bowl settles into very smoky, dusty notes from the Latakia. Sweet & tart notes and sea salt are all the Orientals tobaccos are contributing now, or at least that's all that I can get through the Latakia.

A surprising tobacco, enjoyed it quite a bit. Bites if neglected. High Priced in my opinion, for this particular blend. But well made and absolutely worth a try.

I personally think C&D should leave out a little of the Latakia. Maybe throw in a couple more Russians - make it an even dozen. (Ha, Ha! Hails of derisive laughter, Bruce!)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sorringowl (8)	2010-12-09		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Holy Smokes, Batman! This is one strong sucker. If you really like Latakia, (like, you wouldn't mind having it administered in an I.V.), this is for you. I'm still fairly new to Lat blends but I can tell there is some very good quality Latakia, Virginia and Orientals in here. However, I think I need to work my way up to this, learn to really "sip" tobaccos and eat a hearty meal before lighting a bowl of this up (I suggest you do the same).

I wish the presence of Cavendish in the blend was, well, absent (I can take them in small doses) as I think the other three blends make for a complex enough mix; but you Lat lovers out there probably won't even notice it. I will probably come back to this, because it's an interesting smoke, but Ten Russians is like one of the heavyweights of the tobacco world and you have to treat it with respect and train for it. Otherwise, it will feel like Ten Russians did a number on you.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-12-03		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

When I pulled out this fine black brownie of a tobacco brick from the tin, I was surprised at how easily it separated and loaded into my pipe (large bowl). After wiping all the charcoal-esque residue (which wonderfully smelled akin to peat or diesel fuel) all over my pants, I lit up and sat back. To my surprise, this tobacco did not kick my arse in the latakia department, but rather kept me guessing with other dimensions that rounded out the blend. Here and there I would get good latakia strength, but when my mind would start to wander, the Russians would reassure my palate that they were not done showing off. While it is true my personal tastes wanted Ten Russians to be more of a "lat bomb" given the name and such, but it is much more than that, it is what the masters at Captain Earle's wanted: "to deliver a perfectly balanced blend to the true aficionado of full English tobaccos." If you like such englishes as Odyssey and so forth, definitely puff on this in a generous bowl.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-08-14		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

The Ten Russian's krumble kake (pressed 1 oz. block) interested me immediately, as does anything that causes one to participate a bit more than usual in the process of packing. The pre-light aroma does promise a heavy Latakia smoke. Upon waking this morning, I forewent breakfast in favor of my first bowl. I "krumbled" off the desired amount and set it aside to dry for ten minutes. Sitting in warm shade, I noted the thick, salty smoke possible, though a relight, here and again, was necessary. The Cavendish, Oriental, and Virginia did not interfere with the punch of the Latakia, neither did their effects go unnoticed. Were it not for the subtle combination, perhaps they would interfere, or perhaps the Latakia would be vulgar (as it was in the old days of my own blending). In this blend, I'm satisfied that complexity is sacrificed for unadulterated strength of the Latakia. Unquestionably, this is the Latakia lovers' blend.

See my profile to get to my blog's more verbose review of Ten Russians.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sinister Topiary (84)	2010-03-06		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

If you are a confirmed latakiaphile, welcome; others need not apply.

This is for the hardcore latakia lover who believes too much of a good thing is never enough. It's the latakia equivalent of a Triple-Decadent Chocolate cake. This is as strongly balanced a latakia blend as you're likely find that doesn't go over the cliff into pure latakia. The orientals are distinctive and complement the latakia very nicely, and the virginias add just a hint of sweetness to take the edge off the tsunami of latakia that crashes over you.

I don't know that I'd call this an english or a balkan blend. If this is an English blend, then it's pre-Norman because there's something elemental and primeval about this blend. (Maybe taking the name as a suggestion, perhaps this should be called a Russian blend...? Somehow seems fitting.) Ten Russians is really in a class all its own -- it's like nothing else I've tried. It's not what one would call a subtle blend -- though very high quality, there's nothing remotely elegant or subdued about this in-your-face blend -- but it's got a complexity all its own. If you read through the previous reviews you'll see descriptors like leather, salt, clove, smoky sweetness, sourness, oily finish, and they're all correct. I would add words like earth and dirt.

The crumble cakes are the best I've seen. They break apart beautifully.

Ten Russians is uniquely satisfying when you're hungry for a full-bore latakia blast. Be forewarned, though -- this is one of those tastebud blockers that can have an effect on your appreciation for the more subtle, pure and "cleaner" flavors of virginia or VaPer flakes. You might need to cleanse your palate after this orgy of latakia.

I plan on always having a tin of this stuff around.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-12-18		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Produced by Cornell & Diehl for Hermit Tobacco, I find two rectangular Crumble Cakes in my 2oz tin. The cakes are dark and fibrous but they are lighter in color than Nightwatch. The tin aroma is Oriental with Latakia. I cross-cut the cake with my pocket knife and rub out enough to fill my Peterson. This blend is easy to light and produces voluminous clouds of smoke. A very nice Oriental flavor with quite a bit of Latakia mixed in. I find this is a very easy smoke to enjoy. 9 out of 10 stars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2008-11-08		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I confess that I made a mistake of having my first try of this blend first thing in the morning in a rather LARGE pipe. I was wide awake after that!!! It is a fairly strong blend (think London Blend 1000). The latakia is predominant taste here. Not in a C&D Da Vincci way but more of a Nightcap with 25% more latakia way. I am not complaining at all. This blend smokes very cool and also requires very little in the way of relights. It would make for a great break in tobacco. It has some VA and Turkish taste which makes the balance of strong latakia and sweetness almost irresistible.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2008-10-17		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

I am a Ten Russian lover. This is one of the best latakia blend ever! Better than Nightwatch or much european "english blend". Heavy in latakia, rich and full taste. Cut: Crumble Cake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-11-17		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

I love latakia, and I love this blend. The crumble cake is fun and has married the different components so that Ten Russians tastes a bit aged even from the get-go. You can taste the orientals and virginias from time to time; the latter are likely responsible for the good dose of vitamin N the blend provides--definitely not a morning blend. However, the delicious latakia is in the driver's seat throughout the smoke. Another reviewer noted a clove-like taste to this blend, and I concur. This is a spicy, full-bore Cyprian latakia blast. While I grant Ten Russians is a bit pricey, the high-quality tobaccos, great full English taste and long-lasting smoke make it well worth the ducats. Room note is only a guess, as I've only smoked this out of doors. It does not heat up too badly even in a breeze, which is nice. Three and a half stars for English smokers, four stars for latakia maniacs.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	nach0 (35)	2021-10-22		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

Maaaaan ... there´s something in front of me now!! I ordered this tin based on many good reviews here, most of them telling that this blend is really strong. All right, once it said, i opened the tin expecting find mainly latakia overpowering the blend (which is good IMO), as a latakia lover, there´s never too much of it. BUT ... i have to say, the first smell is sort of 'cheesy', im sure this smell is due to some cavendish fermentation, for the very first time i steped back thinking maybe could have something wrong going on. I smelled the tin again and then i could feel the latakia, now mixed with that stinky cheesy scent. Dont get me wrong, this is not like a stinky feet smell, is something closer to an aged food, dry aged, salty and sort of food condiment. Ok... after this first impression, i filled up my pipe to have a try, and once i was lightning the bowl, i got instantly the latakia and a salty nuances, smoked bacon and smoked cheesy are always coming back to my mind. i cannot get any sweet in here. I´d rather smoke it after a heavy meal or following a good and sweet drink than at morning drinking coffee. The nic-hit is lower than i was expecting considering the reviews here, the moist is perfect straight from the tin, easy to keep it lit and smokes cool as its heavy latakia body. One of the best blends i tried so far. 3 and half stars.

Pipe Used: mostly corncob

Age When Smoked: fresh from the tin

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Antonius Blok (190)	2021-02-15		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

If instead of talking about tobaccos here we were talking about colors, I would think that I have become color blind. I'm referring to I've read quite a few reviews here that speak to the overwhelming load of latakia and the powerful nicotinic punch of this mix. However, I have not found any of that. With this I am not questioning what other smokers have experienced.

When you open the tin, a very rich fragrance emanates, where the smoke of the Latakia certainly predominates. I think I remember that Spark Plug, by G.L. Pease, it had a similar smell. When the tobacco is lit, it burns perfectly well, producing a somewhat creamy smoke, with no more than a few re-ignitions required and no tongue biting at all.

In the flavor section it is very balanced and, in my opinion, latakia never appears as a soloist, but always goes hand in hand with the oriental ones, producing a very smooth and markedly dairy flavor, very typical of many Balkan blends ( although this mixture is presented as "English"). That flavor is maintained from start to finish throughout the smoke, something that may not satisfy those looking for a more complex tobacco, with more variations in flavor. In my particular case, I have not had any problem with this homogeneity in flavor, since I love those milky notes. So much so, that I usually smoke it in a very big pipe, and I have not been overwhelmed by the latakia, nor have I been tired of the taste, nor has the nicotine hit me to the point of leaving me k.o., hence the first paragraph of this review.

In short, an absolutely recommended blend for smokers who can enjoy a very rich but uniform tobacco, where the first puff tastes practically the same as the last and in-between. I will certainly repeat ...

Pipe Used: Savinelli Tundra 111 Ex

Age When Smoked: 8 months

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BrokenRecord (124)	2019-09-05		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Ten Russians: Smooth perfected intensity

I do not know why I put off trying his blend for years. It is definitely one of the best full English blends that I have ever tried. The cedar-smoke and leathery flavors of the Latakia dominate this blend and are quite enjoyable. There are no harsh parts/points in the smoke nor any dusty residue that is present in some Lat bombs. The cavendish definitely adds a slight smooth creaminess but not much flavor. The oriental variety adds some sourness, which pairs well with the tanginess of the red virginias, though the latter keeps mostly hidden in this blend. The Nic hit is a step above Nightcap. The rubbed out cake burns well in comparison to others I have tried.

This is one blend that I will stock up in my cellar.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Cherry picker 1779 (51)	2017-12-24		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Crumbles and packs easily. Crumbs that we're in the fresh tin were good moisture content for packing straight from tin. Burns very very well and cool and is rare for a cake. The flavor is full and taste is phenomenal. Very enjoyable Latakia bomb , strong nicotine ooh does it hit the spot! makes for one nice fulfilling pipe ! This is definateley my new go to Latakia forward blend. It Smokes so cool and smooth . I am telling you this is quality stuff. I give this the highest reccomendation. I vill be "Putin" zis stooph in me pype for long time. !! Your winning if your pipeload is smoldering with ten Russians ! What a great name for this tobacco, just perfect! Update 5/30/18.... The honeymoon is over! Sorry but this last bomb is a good flavor and all but gets boring and every time I try a bowl at the end of the jar I take a few puffs and say to myself, "I've been here before". I also find myself wanting to just finish it so I can pack something more complex/ interesting. Good to buy, good to try , but doesn't stand the test of time for me. 3 stars for a one tin adventure lay bomb with satisfying nic hit but a 2 stars for me blend now....

Similar Blends: 10 to midnight.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tantric (321)	2015-06-27		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

A tobacco that is both strong in vitamin N and rich in flavour. Not very complex, but tasty and feisty. It comes in crumble cake so do not expect much moisture in this one. I personally don’t mind its brick-like structure—very much like Briar Fox—because it’s supple, simple to break up and easy to load. It burns perfectly well throughout the bowl. It is a rather cool smoke but one should be wary not to draw in too frequently.

Flavour wise this is basically Cyprian Latakia (on the dry end of the spectrum), with some Virginias and a few but tantalizing Orientals here and there. Tin description says it has Cavendish. It may be, but it’s in very small proportions and of the unsweetened kind. So what you get is an immediate blast of deep dark Latakia, and gradually, as the initial fireball subsides and things settle down, the other flavours emerge to reveal a nice and potent English mixture.

In my opinion this is a once in a week smoke. Flavours and strength are so overpowering that unless you are a diehard Latakia fan (meaning that’s all you smoke daily and throughout the day), it may ruin the taste and subtleties of other tobaccos in your daily rotation. A much lighter version of this may be found in Larsen’s Selected Blend N° 20, and a more similar version in G.L. Pease's Maltese Falcon.

Pipe Used: Charatan Mayfair

Age When Smoked: N/A

Purchased From: Gift

Similar Blends: Larsen's Selected Blend N° 20, G.L Pease Maltese Falcon.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2013-08-04		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

One of my favorite "Lat Bombs" so far in my relatively young pipe smoking career. Being a longtime cigar smoker, I find this blend strong, but not even close to overwhelmingly so. I really like the Krumble Kake presentation that's easy to break apart, rub out, pack & light. Needs a few minutes on a Chinet plate to reach optimal moisture level in my book. Smoky campfire notes, with some pepper on the retrohale. If you love Latakia, you should have some of this in your rotation.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-10-28		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Gents, I had been waiting for my tin of Ten Russians with great anticipation. It did not disappoint at all... Opening the tin I am pleased with a 20z brick of heavily compressed pipe tobacco. Dark colors predominate... Serious latakia here...Moisture is just right and the krumble kake is easy to handle and brake for a filling portion. Lots of campfire smell, bacon, typical latakia delight. It burns easily and steadily, No bite, no extreme heat... taste is full- latakia - hmmm awesome...I can compare this with Penzance with less sweetness and more punch on the nicotine contents. Smoke relaxedly calm - read a book, or your Ipad and contemplate the delicious tatse and aroma of the velvety dense latakia fumes. No gurgle, no mess on the bowl...burns to a fine gray ash. High quality stuff here - By Hermit and produced by Cornell and Diehl specialists. Highly recommended for anyone in love with Latakia and fuller English or Balkan blends. Grab your tin.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-06-11		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Appearance is a mottled dark brown crumble cake. Tin smells of wood smoke, creosote, and barbeque. Tastes oily and smoky, with very little sweetness.

Interesting, this Ten Russians. In the tin it smells a bit like an old factory; creosote, wood, and oil. The Crumble Cake format is very interesting, and it rubs with ease.

Smoking is nice, but boring over time, as the flavour has no nuances. It is simply smoky, not as an Islay whisky but actually like a campfire. It is indeed strong, and requires a full stomach before partaking. Although I will not likely buy again, it deserves three stars.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2004-07-30		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

The name sure is colorful - moreso than the black (and only slightly lightly flecked) cake tobacco I found in my sample bag. Break off a cake, drop it in the pipe, top it with some "starter" broken flake, and it produces HUGE amounts of lovely dirty white smoke.

Captain Earle's 10 Russians is a quality latakia centric blend. To the point it is a bit deadening to the palate. I love latakia and don't mind this excessive smokey sweetness. But I'd probably normally reserve this for a last smoke of the day. There isn't a huge amount of variation but the orientals do kick up to a spicey/tangy pitch later in the burn. Certainly all top quality and IMO a bit more flavorful than even some famous tinned premium blends. Not existential, but a hearty latakia smoke. I agree that this tastes a lot like some of the C+D latakia mixes.

Overall high quality but did not blow me away in any particular sense that would urge me to order a ton of this stuff. But I certainly will finish off my sample!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2004-06-11		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

This is all about the latakia. I believe hermit tobacco uses Cornell and Diehl tobaccos in their blends, if you like Cornell and Diehls latakia you will love this. This is perhaps the "smokiest" blend i've ever smoked. It reminds me much of a campfire. I enjoy this on occasion but I believe it would bore me on a regular basis. If you love latakia try this!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2003-10-16		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Open the tin and you get a wonderfull bacony (is that a word?) smokeness, two nice sticks of pressed tobacco. I take one stick and break it up in my pouch. This takes a couple of relights to get going properly, but one going burns forever. The taste: fantastic!! This doesn't burn my tongue, but imparts a rich smokey clove taste. This was my first tin, but I will be back soon for more. Interesting note where so many Latakia's leave an oder in your pipe, this didn't. A winner and if Hermis sold pound slabs, I would be buying it that way.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2002-01-24		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

Of al the Mystic blends this was my favorite . But still , it's not unique . A very good latakia blend .

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (448)	2023-02-11		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Tin note of pungent sour smoky and tart fruit. Tobacco is a brown, dark brown and black marbled Krumble Kake. Moisture content is great. Kake breaks apart and rubs out with a little effort. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium to strong and nic is medium. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and very consistent, with notes of floral, smoky, herbal, spices, wood, leather, incense, musty vegetation, savory, dry, tangy, citrus peel/zest, fermented sour, ripe sweet fruit, bready, mildly bitter, a sweet grassy background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Virginias and Oriental/Turkish supporting. Cavendish is cheering from the cheap seats. Room note is tolerable to strong, and aftertaste is great.

Pipe Used: Castello Old Antiquari SC 56F

Age When Smoked: 3 years

Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stah (139)	2023-01-17		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Appearance: 2-ounce tin had a label with the date "August 9, 2019." The tobacco is fairly even and fine cut, compressed into a cake that nevertheless crumbles easily. The color of the blend is well dark-brown, reminiscent of a not-so-dense oil, with occasional flecks of the color of stale hay. Definitely, it’s plenty of latakia. What is interesting: the color of the cake is darker than not only Quiet Nights, but also Da Vinci, which is claimed to have 75% latakia. The consistency of the tobacco is excellent, I did not need to dry it out.

Flavor: opening the tin, along with the dense aroma of latakia, I immediately picked up a distinct aroma of "ketchup". It became clear that the tobacco would take some time to air it before I could recognize the individual notes. After two weeks in the glass jar, the tobacco notes became more distinguishable, but the latakia notes - leather, peat, tar, baked meat - certainly dominated. Along with them there was a sour note of cheese, a subtle wine note of cavendish and a slight spicy aroma with a note of musk. As for the Virginia, it was almost completely lost in the density of latakia notes - I felt the baked fruit only after five minutes of airing the tobacco.

Taste: the taste was dry, dense and eloquent from the first seconds - massive wood-smoked, peaty and at the same time, creamy, with a dash of meat juice, latakia, which is so much that I almost touched it with my tongue. There was a bit of white pepper as a spice, a little bit of oriental sourness... Just a slice of grilled beef off the coals. No sweetness, simple and, I repeat, very dense. A "real man's" tobacco, a latakia bomb in all its glory. Cavendish and orientals smooth out the pressure of the "black queen" just a little, but there is almost no room for Virginia. Despite its simplicity and brutality, the flavor can't be called heavy - although maybe I'm just used to latakian blends. This flavor doesn't change much and doesn't depend on the shape of the pipe - except that the woody notes are a little more noticeable in bents than in straight pipes. The tobacco smokes equally dry and cool, leaving no moisture and burning out into whitish ash. The strength of the tobacco is clearly above average, the nicotine hit is possible even from a large pipe, in XL pipes it is inevitable.

The smoke from the blend is a dense carpet around the room, with a peaty, woody smell, and resists even a good draught and stays in the room for a long time. Don't even try to smoke this at home – or, obviously, you’ll be kicked out into the cold. Fortunately, my wife loves latakia. But even she found the smoke from the big pipe a little too much.

Well, conclusion? A somewhat monotonous, but very powerful, in taste and impact, blend. I don't recommend smoking it on an empty stomach. Also, it goes great with a glass of rum - add to yourself the atmosphere of the sea and remember Captain James Earle, his wife, Honor - and the ship “Charles W. Morgan.”

Pipe Used: Peterson 69, 999, POTY 2007, POTY 2019

Age When Smoked: 2019

Purchased From: Exchanged for good ;-)

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