Hearth & Home Chestnut

I've always been moderately interested in the series because they represent a less expensive way to enjoy some of the blends you have always liked, but have thought they were just more expensive than they should be. The major manufacturers and well known blenders have always protected their recipes and methods by copyrights, patents and some unknown other methods. The Hearth & Home Mid Town Series are advertised as being the "same thing" as well known blends and much less expensive.

When I saw that P&C was packaging these in a 2oz size for sampling, they suddenly became worthy of trial. The idea of buying a large canister of a tobacco that I wouldn't like and might find unable to smoke had always stopped me cold. I do like getting a small amount because If I can't smoke it, it's no great loss if there is a need to toss or otherwise put it in an inaccessible place. I might be able to revisit it later just to test myself.

I decided to buy 2 of the blends to see if they were what I remembered, and test P&C.

Of the 2, one was their take on "Walnut", a very good tobacco from my past, that at one time was really enjoyable, and named "Chestnut". The other is Derby Club, which is supposed to be the same as Kentucky Club Aromatic. My memory is usually rather good, especially if it is something I have seen, or tasted.

First, the Chestnut. Something about this blend is different from the original. The original "Walnut" had been a mild tasting, very nut like tasting tobacco that I smoked on occasion just to taste something different from what was my go to, Prince Albert. I really liked it. When I put effort into recalling it, I could almost taste it. The Chestnut is not even a close approximation. There is something about it that makes it a radical departure from the memory of Walnut. The toppings, flavoring, tobaccos used to build the blend and it's feel (texture, moisture level) are way too different. This tobacco blend is bitter, tongue bitey, harsh on the inhale and retro-hale, bad mouth feel, nasty after taste, lingering bad effects of nastiness, and so many other things that I am so glad I waited until a "sample size" was available. I've recently discovered Cyprian Latikia and quickly found that it can be a living monster when used incorrectly. I really enjoy the flavor and everything Latikia when used as a condiment to bring a sort of roundness to a Balkan or English/Scottish blend, or even to make a different American Blend Aromatic or OTC Burley blend of your own liking. The way it is used in this Chestnut, along with the other leaf that should bring balance and all things good smelling is totally lacking. The character of the Chestnut is one of the least friendly, least likable, least tasty (good) difficult to pack in a way that helps it be a good smoker, and the "tin note", "room note" and effect it has on other people in the room are all massively against it. Based on my experience with the Chestnut, and I've given it several tries at different times, I doubt if I will ever buy another Hearth & Home Mid Town blend. Like almost all of the Match Series, it ain't even a close call. Both the Chestnut and most of the Match Series are reminiscent of just one thing. That's the smell of what I remember the barn smelled like when being raised on a farm and tending animals.

Now, the Derby Club Aromatic. Char light is good. That's all. It tastes nasty. I is hot, bitter, burny mouth feel, bad after taste, rough inhale, almost a chokey feeling, nasty smelling "tin and room note", nasty overall burning smell, lingering foul odor, miserable smoking properties, and fights all the way against being a decent smoke, which is the only reason to use a pipe in the first place. I'm not going to break it all down for you. I will sum it up as "this just ain't gonna work" and may be a good way to ruin an otherwise decent pipe.

My overall assessment? Never again, with any of the Hearth & Home Mid Town Series.