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

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!

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.

Captain Earle’s
Ten Russians

Blend notes: “ Capt. Earle's Ten Russians is a true delight for lovers of latakia. Rich and full bodied, Ten Russians is pressed to deliver a perfectly balanced blend to the true aficionado of full English tobaccos.”

Ten Russians is a strong Latakia blend. The other tobaccos serve as the crowd in the movie — you see them cheering but none of them get name credits. Now, I don’t know the definition of a Lat-bomb and don’t really care. In most lists of supposed Lat-bombs this Ten Russians is included.

That said this is not terribly complex. The Latakia is good and a bit sweet. It does not overpower but it’s clearly the star. This isn’t as tasty or as strong as Tashkent, Balkan Suprene, Balkan Sasieni, Bengal Slices, Quiet Nights or Gaslight.

It’s a step or two past Maltese Falcon or Father Dempsey in terms of Latakia.

I think it’s a 3.5 stars out if 4 blend.

A Cake tobacco, with a rich black color, and great aroma. It packs well, keeps, well and because it is cake the tobaccos flavors are well married. This Latakia forward blend is for the more adventerous or experience piper who loves a fine smooth Latakia blend. This a good blend for the end of the day and pairs well with strong beverages, bourbons, and rye.

A nice stronger latakia where I didn't get much of what I consider to be an oriental flavor. As far as the share of latakia is concerned, it is quite strong tobacco, but it can be consumed quite pleasantly. Even though I smoked it from a freshly opened tin, the tobacco was not too moist. To my satisfaction, all ten russians burned evenly and without stinging.

Strong, pungent stuff. But lacking something. Pretty straightforward. Isn't overly complex so you find yourself having to sit and sus out every note in there either. Pretty good stuff, not my fave but I don't hate it either.