Mac Baren HH Acadian Perique

Tin Notes:

This blend is the third of the HH tobacco family. The first two, HH Vintage Syrian and HH Mature Virginia, have been well accepted by pipe smokers worldwide. The characteristics of the first two have been toward a more natural tobacco taste where you really experience the tobacco blend. And this is also the case with the third HH blend – the HH Acadian Perique. What also was of a concern to us was that the final blend should have no tongue bite along with a big natural tobacco taste. When we first started creating the HH Acadian Perique it quickly turned out to be a very complex blend. With each testing we ended up wanting more taste nuances. The final blend includes Virginias, Burley’s, Original Cavendish, Dark Fired Kentucky, Orientals and of course Acadian Perique. All of these tobaccos marry in the most fantastic way. When smoking the HH Acadian Perique you will notice the sweetness of the Virginia tobaccos, the mild spice of the Orientals and the slightly tart, with an undertone of spice and fruit of the Perique. We did not want a blend where the taste of the Perique was overpowering the taste nuances of the other tobaccos. The solution was to use the Acadian Perique, which is lighter and smoother version of this unique tobacco. By using the Acadian Perique we achieved a balance so all of the tobaccos could participate with their own natural taste and together marry into this rare blend. After creating the blend, it was a simple decision that this symphony of high quality tobaccos should not be overpowered by any top flavor. This is also true of the first two HH tobaccos. The HH Arcadian Perique has no top flavor at all. We leave you with a blend where you indeed taste the natural tobaccos, but don’t be fooled … it seems to be a mild smoke but it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. You will experience a rich and flavorful smoke that is very satisfying. And it smokes to the bottom leaving only grey ashes.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: None Detected
         Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin note was fruity possibly figs or plums. On the charring light the sweetness of the Virginia came through. On the true light the smokiness of the Dark Fired Kentucky was present. After a few more puffs there was a rush of flavors coming forward. The tart and spiciness of the Perique, a slight nuttiness from the Burley, a sweetness from the Cavendish, and more spiciness from the Orientals. All these flavors merged into an amazing conglomeration of flavor. Acadian Perique burned to a fine gray ash without dottle. It also burned cool without relights. The Perique does not overpower any of the other tobaccos like you might think due to the name. I would recommend this blend to anyone.

The Smoker Civil War

Tin Notes:
This is a distinctive and easy smoking aromatic blend with truly remarkable flavor and aroma. Civil War is a mixture of Cavendish cut light tobaccos and a steamed black Cavendish with hints of warm, smooth vanilla, a sweet nuttiness and a rich mix of flavors that not only satisfy the smoker, but leaves an amazing room note.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
         Taste: Medium
 Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of maple with a hint of vanilla. The blend was moist in the tin and needed a little drying time. On the charring light the predominate flavor was of sweet maple. On the true light the vanilla from the Cavendish became noticeable. A quarter of the way into the bowl a faint nuttiness joined the flavor profile. Civil War burned cool and with few relights. I would recommend this blend to Aromatic smokers.

Sutliff - Edward G. Robinson

Tin Notes:
A mild aromatic with a light Burley nuttiness and flavored Black Cavendish taste. Fruity plum notes are given a slight flavor push from a hint of Latakia, and a very pleasing top note of liquor.

    Strength: Mild to Medium
       Flavor: Mild to Medium
        Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of plums and the smokiness from the Latakia. On the charring light the wine was the primary flavor. On the true light the mild nuttiness of the Burley was also evident. The plum flavor and the sweetness form the Cavendish was added shortly after the true light. About a quarter of the way into the bowl the Latakia flavor came into the background. Edward G. Robinson burned to a light gray ash at the bottom of the bowl without dottle. E.G.R. also burned cool and with out relights. I would recommend this blend to both Aromatic and Non-Aromatic smokers. The Latakia is well in the background so it should not be an issue to most pipers. I will be stocking this in my cellar.

Dutch Masters Whiskey

Pouch Notes:
The superb and exotic blend of smooth Burley, tangy Virginias, and exotic Oriental tobaccos forms the base for our premier Dutch Masters pipe tobacco line. Uniquely blended with genuine Kentucky Bourbon..

    Strength: Mild
       Flavor: Medium
        Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The pouch note was of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. On the charring light the flavor was of the Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. On the true light the flavor from the tangy Virginias was added to the flavor profile. As I smoked further down in the bowl a faint nuttiness started to come through from the Burley. Dutch Masters Whiskey burned well with no relights. There was no tongue bite. This is one of the better Over the Counter blends that I have smoked and would recommend it to anyone.

Hearth & Home Signature Marble Kake

Tin Notes:
We have wanted to produce our own Virginia-based flake or Krumble Kake, and the result is Marble Kake. A firmly-pressed blend of Bright and Red Virginias, it comes as a solid piece which can be broken or sliced and rubbed-out, and the flavor changes depending upon how you prepare it. One of our knowledgeable Virginia fans has compared it to Hamborger Veermaster as a smooth, but tasty Virginia blend.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild
         Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was a combination of natural tobaccos. The red Virginia and golden Virginia aromas meld together into a wonderful scent. When I first opened tin the moisture level was fine. So I loaded up a bowl and went to town. There was an extreme tartness bordering on bitterness. So jarred it up and let it sit for a week. This made a tremendous difference. The jar note was now of a more mature Virginia. I know that a week is not that much time, but it did make a big difference. On the charring light and the true light there was now mild tangy citrus flavor. about a quarter of the way into the bowl a sweet grassy flavor was added to the profile. Marble Kake burned well with no re-lights. I recommend Marble Kake with the caveat on letting it rest in a mason jar for a little while.

Mac Baren Golden Extra

Tin Notes:

American pipe smokers will find this blend under the name of Golden Extra. The blend is 100% identical to Golden Blend it is just the name that is different in the USA. Since Golden Blend was introduced back in 1952 it has gained many, many fans all over the world – rightly so. The special selected brown Burley tobaccos, mixed with just a touch of golden Virginia, are carefully pressed and stored. The large slices are cut and partly rubbed up, which makes this blend easy to fill into your pipe. This slowly burning blend is very satisfying and you will enjoy the slight note of chocolate – a note that all good Burley tobacco produces naturally.

     Strength: Mild - Medium
        Flavor: Mild
         Taste: Mild - Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was a combination of natural tobaccos. The brown Burley and golden Virginia aromas meld together into a wonderful scent. On the charring light and the true light there was a mild nuttiness from the Burley.  About a quarter of the way into the bowl the sweetness from the Virginia made its presence known. During the bowl a faint hint of chocolate wandered in and out of the flavor profile. Golden Extra burned to a dark gray ash with a little dottle at the bottom if the bowl. It stayed lit with no re-lights. This is a good smoking Burley blend and I would recommend Golden Extra. 

Dutch Masters Cherry

Pouch Notes:
Not unlike a masterpiece painted by Van Eyck or Rembrandt, this blend is distinctive. Toasted Black Cavendish forms the base for this blend with Bright Cavendish and Virginia added. A subtle Cherry flavor is applied for sweetness.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The pouch note was of cherry, but is not overpowering like some blends. The tobacco seemed a little moist out of the pouch and required about 15 minutes drying time. On the charring light and true light there was a mild cherry flavor. The tobacco took several tries to get going, but once it was lit it stayed lit and burned well. There was no tongue bite. The flavor of the Virginia and Cavendish was not buried under the cherry flavor or any chemical taste either. I would recommend this blend to both Aromatic and Non-Aromatic smokers.