McCranie's Hell's Gate
(3.43)
An English aromatic you won't believe. An extremely smooth mixture of Orientals blended with an aged, mellow Latakia cube. Trent blended this for a good friend in the Big Sky country in Montana and now it is a favorite of many.
Details
| Brand | McCranie's |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Aromatic |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Extremely Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.43 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2009 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Just remembered that I have never reviewed this one. I have not had it for a year and a half, but remember it well. If I am in Charlotte again, I will go to McCranie's and buy some more. I do not like enough McCranie's blends to order online and pay that shipping, but it is not inconceivable that I might order a half pound of this from them sometime. I remember this one so well because it was the first Balkan I really loved. I loved it too dearly one memorable night, I can tell you! I had an Ebay estate pipe that was an unusual piece made in Israel. Made by Anderson, though I have never been able to find any information on it. It is not a fine pipe, but has a quasi-rusticated bowl and seems to be made of very light briar. On its last night on earth as a smokeable pipe, I was in my car (parked in my driveway but with the radio on drinking beer, smoking Hell's Gate, and listening to classical music), and I had my nice new Israeli pipe stuffed full of Hell's Gate. The pipe had a really big bowl, so I was smoking happily, easily for an hour, and really going at it. And it was good, I can tell you. Not hellish at all, but rather one of those blends that manage to be full and complex yet mild and forgiving at the same time. As I neared the end of a sublime and nearly orgasmic smoke, one of the best I have ever had, I noticed a campfiery aroma that was not coming from the Latakia. It was the bowl of the pipe about to burn through. Perhaps the pipe is badly made; it could still be smoked carefully, but if I ever put Hell's Gate in it again, it will be the last time. Such is the nature of this wonderful blend: you will want to puff away like there is no tomorrow, but use a stout briar! It's probably good at any smoking rate, but it made me want to huff and puff like the big bad wolf. Despite that, the big bad wolf didn't once bite me in the mouth, just nearly chewed through my pipe. Highly, highly recommended!
Just ordered some more after all this time to see how it would strike me. Seems different; I think I notice the aromatic qualities more, and I don't like it quite as much. I don't know for sure whether it is the blend or just my tastes that have changed, so I will stick with my original recommendation.
BTW that pipe is still smokeable, if I am careful.
Just ordered some more after all this time to see how it would strike me. Seems different; I think I notice the aromatic qualities more, and I don't like it quite as much. I don't know for sure whether it is the blend or just my tastes that have changed, so I will stick with my original recommendation.
BTW that pipe is still smokeable, if I am careful.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 29, 2012 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Spicy, full, and smooth as velvet. You'll want to find some time to enjoy this one without distraction. I'm dedicating one of my best pipes to this blend exclusively. Simply one of the most enjoyable tobaccos I've ever smoked.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 12, 2008 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
"English Aromatic"? I am still not quite certain what makes this blend aromatic. Like "CaptnDan", there is something in this blend that I am not able to detect. But, it works. Luckily, I did not realize that it is considered aromatic before I bought it: that is usually a deal-breaker for me.
In any case, this is a wonderful tobacco. For my taste, it could have more latakia, but it is well balanced. It has been a great "all day smoke": no bite, not hot, and easy to light and keep lit.
In any case, this is a wonderful tobacco. For my taste, it could have more latakia, but it is well balanced. It has been a great "all day smoke": no bite, not hot, and easy to light and keep lit.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 11, 2007 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Nothing hellish about this blend. Smooth, tastey, easy to light, easy to smoke, no goop, no bite. Unique flavor. Try this one now.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 08, 2004 | Mild | Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
This arrived double wrapped in plastic and I could smell it ten feet away. The pouch aroma is decidedly clove-like, and gives the impression that it will give you a whollop of licorice/clove upon lighting, but do not fear- the gates of Hell are more mild than I was expecting. It would seem, in fact, that satan himself prefers the scent of baked ham. All of this notwithstanding, the blend is, without a doubt the finest English aromatic that I have tasted. It is delicious, cool and leaves you wanting just one more bowl.
Once lighted, the clove aroma ratchets down into a perfect compliment to Latakia. I can't quite describe it, but the "mothballs and cedar" quality of English tobacco seem to be bolstered and sweetened by the topping in the perfect manner. In just the way that cream cheese frosting takes carrot cake into the stratosphere, the casing on Hell's Gate grabs Latakia by the hand and ushers it to a higher level. Perfect for warm days by the lake, and dessert around friends.
Now, if you have been chain smoking Cuban cigars and eat Oriental tobacco in a cereal dish with milk for breakfast, maybe this is not going to be your thing. For all the rest of us, I can't think of a more interesting sojourn for the English lover.
I first tried a pipeful of this stuff from a stash that a friend had been keeping for some time. I admit that his older vintage had less of a pungent pouch aroma, and was a little more smooth. With that, rest assured that I will be ordering a few 14oz. bags and vacuum sealing 2oz. at a time for storage.
I have run out of accolades for this tobacco, so I will simply end by relating my highest endorsement.
Once lighted, the clove aroma ratchets down into a perfect compliment to Latakia. I can't quite describe it, but the "mothballs and cedar" quality of English tobacco seem to be bolstered and sweetened by the topping in the perfect manner. In just the way that cream cheese frosting takes carrot cake into the stratosphere, the casing on Hell's Gate grabs Latakia by the hand and ushers it to a higher level. Perfect for warm days by the lake, and dessert around friends.
Now, if you have been chain smoking Cuban cigars and eat Oriental tobacco in a cereal dish with milk for breakfast, maybe this is not going to be your thing. For all the rest of us, I can't think of a more interesting sojourn for the English lover.
I first tried a pipeful of this stuff from a stash that a friend had been keeping for some time. I admit that his older vintage had less of a pungent pouch aroma, and was a little more smooth. With that, rest assured that I will be ordering a few 14oz. bags and vacuum sealing 2oz. at a time for storage.
I have run out of accolades for this tobacco, so I will simply end by relating my highest endorsement.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 30, 2004 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This was my first tobacco from McCranie's and I am happy I tried it. Hell's Gate is delicious, particularly if you are fond of Latakia but also like a bit of sweetness in your smoke.
The tobacco is a large ribbon cut of what must be Orientals and Cavendish with a healthy dose of cubed Latakia. The pouch aroma is good enough to eat. Sweet, a bit fermented, and smokey.
The flavor is even better. This tobacco is a perfect mix of Latakia smokiness and sugary-molasses sweetness. Sort of like a sweet yet spicy BBQ sauce. Yum! I have tasted English aromatics in the past and have not liked the sweet/smokey interplay. Not here! It is done so very well in Hell's Gate.
Mild in nicotine but full in flavor. This tastes good all the way down.
A must try in my opinion.
The tobacco is a large ribbon cut of what must be Orientals and Cavendish with a healthy dose of cubed Latakia. The pouch aroma is good enough to eat. Sweet, a bit fermented, and smokey.
The flavor is even better. This tobacco is a perfect mix of Latakia smokiness and sugary-molasses sweetness. Sort of like a sweet yet spicy BBQ sauce. Yum! I have tasted English aromatics in the past and have not liked the sweet/smokey interplay. Not here! It is done so very well in Hell's Gate.
Mild in nicotine but full in flavor. This tastes good all the way down.
A must try in my opinion.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 24, 2004 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Full | Tolerable |
Hellsgate is a must-try in my opinion, if you're a fan of Latakia. Well balanced, subtle nuances that I just can't identify. Someone more experienced may be able to name everything in this blend, but not me.
If you're used to light aromatics, you might want to work up to this one. They call it an English aromatic, but aromatic means something very different here.
This is a great cake builder too.
I didn't rate room note, because I haven't smoked it around anyone but my wife. And her rating of anything with latakia is not complimentary.
I must confess, the reason I bought it was the name. It was intriguing. Hinting at something evil, forbidden. I bought the small bag, and after trying a few bowls, I ordered a big bag right away. I didn't want to run out!
The name Hellsgate conjures images quite opposite from the experience of smoking it. Fire and brimstone? No way - smooth and cool. Loaded with flavor. In my opinion it is on a par with Dunhill's 965 - But don't tell the folks at McCranie's that, they might increase the price!
You owe it to yourself to try this one!
UPDATE: I have dedicated a pipe to this blend exclusively and as I smoke more of it I am finding a subtle taste that reminds me of cloves. It appears to have more complexity than I originally thought!
Also, my wife said that of all the latakia blends I have smoked around her, this was the best smelling. She said she smelled something like chocolate (?)
Based upon this, I have updated my rating on room note and flavoring - though the flavoring may be entirely natural.
If you're used to light aromatics, you might want to work up to this one. They call it an English aromatic, but aromatic means something very different here.
This is a great cake builder too.
I didn't rate room note, because I haven't smoked it around anyone but my wife. And her rating of anything with latakia is not complimentary.
I must confess, the reason I bought it was the name. It was intriguing. Hinting at something evil, forbidden. I bought the small bag, and after trying a few bowls, I ordered a big bag right away. I didn't want to run out!
The name Hellsgate conjures images quite opposite from the experience of smoking it. Fire and brimstone? No way - smooth and cool. Loaded with flavor. In my opinion it is on a par with Dunhill's 965 - But don't tell the folks at McCranie's that, they might increase the price!
You owe it to yourself to try this one!
UPDATE: I have dedicated a pipe to this blend exclusively and as I smoke more of it I am finding a subtle taste that reminds me of cloves. It appears to have more complexity than I originally thought!
Also, my wife said that of all the latakia blends I have smoked around her, this was the best smelling. She said she smelled something like chocolate (?)
Based upon this, I have updated my rating on room note and flavoring - though the flavoring may be entirely natural.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 05, 2002 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Full | Pleasant |
Hellsgate is one of my "regulars". It consists of equal amounts of dark brown, and black tobaccos that appear to be broken flake & heavy ribbon cut orientals,and course crumbled latakia. The package aroma is tangy sweet, pungent, and leathery. It comes feeling fairly moist, for a bulk blend, but sprinkles nicely into the bowl, and holds a loose pack very nicely. The pre-light taste is just like it smells. Enough already.......get me a match!!
Hellsgate chars easily, despite it's moistness, and holds the second light very well. AHHH, this is a cool, rich, and full bodied smoke, right from the first puff. Smoky latakia, tangy orientals, and an overriding sweetness combine to form one of those "stick to the mustache" flavors that remains consistent and complex throughout the bowl, but gains some potentcy in the last third.
As for room note, I've gotten several favorable comments, even from non-smokers, and feel that this is a good "party smoke".
As if you couldn't tell, I really love this tobacco. If you're looking for that more acceptable, smoke in the house, english blend, give this one a try. 4 stars+++
Hellsgate chars easily, despite it's moistness, and holds the second light very well. AHHH, this is a cool, rich, and full bodied smoke, right from the first puff. Smoky latakia, tangy orientals, and an overriding sweetness combine to form one of those "stick to the mustache" flavors that remains consistent and complex throughout the bowl, but gains some potentcy in the last third.
As for room note, I've gotten several favorable comments, even from non-smokers, and feel that this is a good "party smoke".
As if you couldn't tell, I really love this tobacco. If you're looking for that more acceptable, smoke in the house, english blend, give this one a try. 4 stars+++
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