Hearth & Home WhiteKnight
(3.46)
WhiteKnight is a medium bodied, very complex and well balanced Balkan style blend created to evoke memories of one of the most iconic pipe tobaccos ever made.
Notes: When we won the 2011 Balkan Sobranie 759 Throwdown at the Chicagoland Pipe and Tobacciana Show, with our entry, BlackHouse, it caused quite a stir, and the blend has become one of our best sellers. We followed that up with Fusilier's Ration, which was modeled after Bengal Slices, and it too has become incredibly popular. There was one other blend that I loved, that I thought about making a tribute to, because I enjoyed it so much. But I resisted, due to the iconic stature of the tobacco. After a couple of years of work, though, I finally put together a blend that I feel so confident in, that we're ready to bring you BlackHouse's cousin - WhiteKnight.
Balkan Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture is legendary among those of us who were privileged enough to have smoked it. It had gone through some changes, but my memories are from the blend as it was in the late seventies. Using Cyprian Latakia, remarkable yellow Virginias, and amazing Macedonian Orientals, including the Queen of Tobaccos - Yenidje, WhiteKnight has received rave reviews from people who sampled it prior to release.
If you love smooth, fragrant Latakia blends with a bright, sparkly character, I think that WhiteKnight will find its way into your regular rotation.
Details
| Brand | Hearth & Home |
| Series | Marquee Series |
| Blended By | Russ Ouellette |
| Manufactured By | Scandanavian Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Coarse Cut |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.46 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 31 - 40 of 57 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2015 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This is an amazing medium bodied Balkan-style blend, and I knew that I would enjoy this tobacco from the moment I cracked the tin. The tin note is a mixture of a woodsy campfire, and rich premium leather. The cut of the tobacco was a consistent short, yet thick ribbon that seems to pack well, and due to it being a little more on the dry side, it takes a light easy enough. At first light you are greeted by the smoky and leather like Latakia which to me seemed to be the strongest in the first third of the bowl. Now the Orientals were present throughout the entire smoke, however it just seemed that the Latakia was the star of the show for that first third. Other than that one observation, the tobacco stayed pretty consistent throughout the entire smoke with no singular tobacco stealing the show so to speak. As for the room note, I was told by those around me that it had a tolerable if not pleasant smell of a camp fire. The tobacco burned down to a fine white ash, although I did have to tend the pipe more frequently with this blend than I am use to. Overall, I was very pleased with WhiteKnight and will be purchasing more in the future. I would recommend this blend to anyone that enjoys the English/Balkan style blends
Pipe Used:
Various Dunhills
PurchasedFrom:
PipesandCigars.com
Age When Smoked:
New from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2015 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Never have any vintage Balkan Sobranie before, but been trying several Balkan blends that Russ made. White Knight is medium, multi layered, a little sweet, and refined oriental forward Balkan blend. I would say it's not as strong as Black House and Magnum Opus, but the flavor by all means is full and taste. The room note is classic, incense-like to the smokers and horrifying to wives.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 06, 2014 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I was lucky enough to be one of the pipe smokers who enjoyed many decades of Balkan Sobranie. Alas now our old faithful balkan blend is gone. But I say to you, it's okay fellow lovers of aromatic spicy blends that leave your taste buds asking for more. Hearth and Home has come up with a worthy runner up to an old friend.
White Knight is a truly flavorful blend masterfully blended to appease those of us who desire a more complex english blend. This tobacco smells great from the tin and smokes well without any additional drying or preparation. I would recommend this offering to a seasoned smoker. As most Balkans this should be lingered over along with coffee and the Sunday paper. Sweet smokes my friends!
White Knight is a truly flavorful blend masterfully blended to appease those of us who desire a more complex english blend. This tobacco smells great from the tin and smokes well without any additional drying or preparation. I would recommend this offering to a seasoned smoker. As most Balkans this should be lingered over along with coffee and the Sunday paper. Sweet smokes my friends!
Pipe Used:
Cobs and Briars
PurchasedFrom:
pipesandncigars.com
Age When Smoked:
New tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
The description of this tobacco is right on. You don't have to warm up to it. It's complexity is evident with the first Puff.. the interplay between the Latakia and the orientals is flawless and very pronounced. In fact that's what this blend is all about. For those who are obsessed with the incense quality of some English blends, they just hit the jackpot. But, it is not musty and old. It does not remind you of squeaky leather, tapestries, or furniture with wooden feet. It is much too vibrant for that. This tobacco seems alive.
Some tobacco I prefer to smoke on rainy days, such as Mcclellan's black shag or G.L. Pease's quiet nights. But not this one. White Knight is made for sunny days and convertible cars. Fireworks in the backyard or with a game of horseshoes. I think this smoke is made for good times. You don't have to ponder it, or break it down. It just feeds you what you want.
Pretty dry blend. Not much dottle. Like any good tobacco, a great reward with small puffs.
Some tobacco I prefer to smoke on rainy days, such as Mcclellan's black shag or G.L. Pease's quiet nights. But not this one. White Knight is made for sunny days and convertible cars. Fireworks in the backyard or with a game of horseshoes. I think this smoke is made for good times. You don't have to ponder it, or break it down. It just feeds you what you want.
Pretty dry blend. Not much dottle. Like any good tobacco, a great reward with small puffs.
Pipe Used:
Cobs
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and cigars
Age When Smoked:
1-2
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Alas, I am too young to have had the original Balkan Sobranie, so comparison is impossible. What I can say is that if BS was as good or better than WhiteKnight, then its legendary following is easy to understand. If you are a fan of Balkan blends, then WhiteKnight is a must to try. Russ's reputation as a master-blender is well deserved, indeed!
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
Various
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 24, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
A creamy smokey blend with a sour edge that is oh so good.
The latakia is evident on the first light with notes of oak campfires and old leather. I work with leather as a hobby and I find the latakia here enticing. But it does not overwhelm the blend. The oriental variety(ies) is very pleasant—giving off a distinct sourness and a slight nuttiness that helps it stand apart from other oriental varieties that I have tried. Together with the latakia, they combine into a creamy-smooth yet complex smoke. I cannot distinguish any flavor notes from the Virginia tobaccos.
I can smoke White Knight all day.
The latakia is evident on the first light with notes of oak campfires and old leather. I work with leather as a hobby and I find the latakia here enticing. But it does not overwhelm the blend. The oriental variety(ies) is very pleasant—giving off a distinct sourness and a slight nuttiness that helps it stand apart from other oriental varieties that I have tried. Together with the latakia, they combine into a creamy-smooth yet complex smoke. I cannot distinguish any flavor notes from the Virginia tobaccos.
I can smoke White Knight all day.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 02, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
After smoking for years looking for the perfect mix of latakia, in the end I found it in WhiteKnight. Some time I smoked it and it did not seem to be the right one, but one day experimenting I kept it with a stone boiled with water to moisturize the tobacco, after trial and error the humidity did not allow me to smoke it pleasantly, so I ended up airing it 15 to 20 minutes before smoking; vuala, surprise, I got it! Maybe it seems too much to do, but I assure you, moistening the snuff and every time you go to smoke, air 15 to 20 minutes. This mixture offers from the ignition sweet and sour tones like lemon I believe by the combination of the light Virginia base and the Yenidje. The Cyprian latakia sweet and soft like the Turk with incense tones. Does not bite anything. It's similar in my memory to the old My Mixture 965 who smoked 20 years ago.
Age When Smoked:
4 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 05, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have never had the opportunity to try Balkan Sobranie. This review is based solely on my impressions of WhiteKnight.
The tin note is smoky, and herbal. The ribbons have very little moisture and are ready to smoke.
Upon lighting, I sense smokiness, wood, a citrusy sweetness, and an intense herbal explosion that’s both spicy and mouthwatering. It overloads my senses, and is pure bliss.
It smokes cool, dry, and burns at a moderate pace. It’s never harsh, even with quick puffing. It requires few relights. It smokes well in various size briars.
WhiteKnight is medium in body, and has a rich creaminess to it. The nicotine level is almost midway between mild and medium.
This is one of the best ‘Balkan’ blends currently available. If you smoke Oriental forward English blends, I highly recommend it.
The tin note is smoky, and herbal. The ribbons have very little moisture and are ready to smoke.
Upon lighting, I sense smokiness, wood, a citrusy sweetness, and an intense herbal explosion that’s both spicy and mouthwatering. It overloads my senses, and is pure bliss.
It smokes cool, dry, and burns at a moderate pace. It’s never harsh, even with quick puffing. It requires few relights. It smokes well in various size briars.
WhiteKnight is medium in body, and has a rich creaminess to it. The nicotine level is almost midway between mild and medium.
This is one of the best ‘Balkan’ blends currently available. If you smoke Oriental forward English blends, I highly recommend it.
Age When Smoked:
Fresh and 1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Perfect medium all day smoke. "Amazing Macedonian Orientals, including the Queen of Tobaccos - Yenidje" are supported by the Latakia in the background.
I think it uses the same recipe but higher quality tobacco than Match Balkan Sobranie (MATCH B.S.O.S.M).
The only complaint is the weak note of the unflavored "soda" notes from the yenidje.
By the way, Hearth & Home Marquee Series ( except Fusilier's Ration) are produced by Scandanavian Tobacco Company, which used to be produced by Sutliff Tobacco.
I think it uses the same recipe but higher quality tobacco than Match Balkan Sobranie (MATCH B.S.O.S.M).
The only complaint is the weak note of the unflavored "soda" notes from the yenidje.
By the way, Hearth & Home Marquee Series ( except Fusilier's Ration) are produced by Scandanavian Tobacco Company, which used to be produced by Sutliff Tobacco.
PurchasedFrom:
pipesandcigars; tobaccopipes.com
Age When Smoked:
six monthes
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 09, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Hearth & Home - White Knight
Perhaps you've heard of the "internet white knight", that guy who always sticks up for women regardless of any virtue simply because they're women. I'd like to coin the phrase "tobacco white knight": the guy who sits up all night waiting for Penzance to come back in stock. Well, anyway...
Not that I needed saved, but this is some seriously good tobacco, especially if you like orientals. I've never had the original Sobranie anything and consider myself better off for it, but I could compare this to Peretti's Royal...I like this one a little more. White Knight is a shade less sweet, less leather, more spicy mouthfeel. The latakia is so well blended I never catch a *distinct* taste. The yenidze spice is almost overwhelming at times and I enjoy it. The tobaccos combine into a taste that is clean, crisp and almost refreshing for tobacco...toffee, rye and fresh lakewater with hints of dry wine is my best stab at describing it. The room note is quite nice for a blend of this kind. Mr. Ouellette done a stellar job on this mouth-watering blend and I will absolutely purchase more... ... ...if it ever comes back in stock.
Perhaps you've heard of the "internet white knight", that guy who always sticks up for women regardless of any virtue simply because they're women. I'd like to coin the phrase "tobacco white knight": the guy who sits up all night waiting for Penzance to come back in stock. Well, anyway...
Not that I needed saved, but this is some seriously good tobacco, especially if you like orientals. I've never had the original Sobranie anything and consider myself better off for it, but I could compare this to Peretti's Royal...I like this one a little more. White Knight is a shade less sweet, less leather, more spicy mouthfeel. The latakia is so well blended I never catch a *distinct* taste. The yenidze spice is almost overwhelming at times and I enjoy it. The tobaccos combine into a taste that is clean, crisp and almost refreshing for tobacco...toffee, rye and fresh lakewater with hints of dry wine is my best stab at describing it. The room note is quite nice for a blend of this kind. Mr. Ouellette done a stellar job on this mouth-watering blend and I will absolutely purchase more... ... ...if it ever comes back in stock.
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