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

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.

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....

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

I liked this one. Opening the tin, I was met with a smoky, barbecuey scent. The bowl itself was very good. A nice latakia taste throughout, and only a few off-tasting puffs. Overall, it's a good English.