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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.