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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2018 6:43:24 GMT -5
First a little history on this fine tobacco, and it’s been quoted.........
” The 2011 Chicago show's "Balkan Sobranie Throwdown" was a competition to see who could produce a blend that most perfectly emulated the revered Balkan mixture - surviving tins of which had long been demanding sky-high prices on auction sites. Master blender Russ Oulette was the hands-down winner, and this is his championship mixture: Blackhouse “.
Now the blends main tobacco’s :
This blend consists of:
Black Cavendish, Kentucky, Latakia, Oriental, Perique, Virginia
No flavoring added
As you might have noticed in the “ What are you Smoking “ thread I smoke BlackHouse fairly often. It’s a blend I’ve enjoyed since 2012.
BlackHouse is sweet, most likely from the combination of high quality Black Cavendish & Latakia. Extremely smokey from the Latakia & Kentucky without any bite once you let this blend reach the moisture level you prefer. The Kentucky raised the strength to a much higher level of smoking pleasure. Just the right amount of spice from the Perique and added sweetness from the aged Virginia. This is one of those rare blends that actually makes my mouth water while smoking and puffing away!! The Latakia is extremely mellow and of high quality, the Orientals were able to be picked up on the first puff once lit. The cut was perfect for loading my pipe, after roughly 30 minutes of air drying ( when fresh ) in a tobacco tray. The blend burned well with one light, a tamp and a quick re-light, I was off and running. No re-lights were required. The end result, it burned to a fine ash with little moisture left at the bottom of the bowl, no dottle. I would consider the nicotine level to be slightly above medium, for some it might be on the stronger side.
It has been a while since I've smoked a bowl of the original Balkan Sobranie 759, there is no way I can offer an honest comparison between the Original 759 and Russ Oulette’s creation of BlackHouse. I based my opinion of BlackHouse for being what it is, rather than what it is supposed to match or surpass, this is a superb tobacco that stands alone for me as far as Balkan blends. I’ve been smoking BlackHouse since May 2012 and had the chance to stock up with a number of tins from two different B&M’s that were forced to close their doors. Glad I did, six years later with age this fine blend smokes a bit smoother with more complexity. Leaves a very pleasant taste to the palate and a sweet room note as well. Definitely a repeatable smoke during the course of the day. For some it can be an all day smoke.
If you have yet to try BlackHouse, I “ HIGHLY “ recommend you purchase a tin.......I don’t believe you’ll regret it!!!
PLEASE POST YOUR THOUGHTS AFTER SMOKING A FEW BOWLS......ENJOY!!!
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 1, 2018 6:53:37 GMT -5
This ranks somewhere in my top ten. I dont grab for it often, but when I do I am never dissapointed. It's always a good smoke. I have 1 jar that I've been smoking out of for a while and 5 tins in the cellar.
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Post by william on Nov 1, 2018 7:50:52 GMT -5
Oops.....
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Nov 1, 2018 8:04:46 GMT -5
… Right on target Ted!
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Post by Lady Margaret on Nov 1, 2018 8:30:17 GMT -5
a little over a year and a half ago a gentleman gifted this to me... a tin of Blackhouse and a Scottie Piersel pipe. He was of the opinion I smoked too many cobs, lol. I hadn't quite gotten into latakia blends at the time, but this helped edged me in. I've smoked 3-4 bowls from this tin, but not for a long time, so I'll be breaking it out again in a bit. I remember liking it okay, but now with more latakia experience under my belt it will be interesting to see what I think of it now   |
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Post by Wolfman on Nov 1, 2018 8:38:45 GMT -5
peterd-Buffalo Spirit I was going to write @lonecoyote hit the target. This is an excellent and accurate description and review. I have never had the opportunity to smoke 759 or B.S.O.S.M. roadsdiverged, BH is also a top 10 for me. I’m not sure when, but Russ made a 759 Match. I ordered a few ounces to see how it compares to BH. My one question I have: was the contest for 759 or the original ? Whiteknight is another outstanding blend, but if i had to choose one it would be BH. Unfortunately, I never tried Blue Mountain, which is supposed to be similar to 759 and BH. Thoughts anyone?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2018 8:46:15 GMT -5
Oops meaning you don’t have any? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2018 8:46:59 GMT -5
It’s a blend you enjoy👌👍👍 |
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Post by william on Nov 1, 2018 8:59:01 GMT -5
Oops meaning you don’t have any? It means I had not had my first cup of coffee and thought I was posting in the "What are you smoking" thread. At least that sounds better than admitting I might have been having a "senior moment."  |
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Post by Lady Margaret on Nov 1, 2018 9:05:55 GMT -5
LOL!
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 1, 2018 13:41:24 GMT -5
NICE review, @lonecoyote. I'm looking forward to December when I can join in again.
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cgvt
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Post by cgvt on Nov 5, 2018 22:45:33 GMT -5
I cracked open one of the three tins of this I bought once it was back in stock. Now I see why it was out. I am smoking it in my Stanwell Brushed Brown Canadian. Man, there is a lot going on in this blend. Smokey, woodsy, sweet, a little citrus (was that lemon I just tasted?) a little spice, some mild pepper, maybe a little cinnamon- all balanced with nothing overpowering. It burns cool, no bite at all. A pleasure to smoke. Ted, you picked a winner. I think this is a great blend. I'll have to get few more tins. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 6, 2018 2:46:26 GMT -5
I cracked open one of the three tins of this I bought once it was back in stock. Now I see why it was out. I am smoking it in my Stanwell Brushed Brown Canadian. Man, there is a lot going on in this blend. Smokey, woodsy, sweet, a little citrus (was that lemon I just tasted?) a little spice, some mild pepper, maybe a little cinnamon- all balanced with nothing overpowering. It burns cool, no bite at all. A pleasure to smoke. Ted, you picked a winner. I think this is a great blend. I'll have to get few more tins. Sounds like BOM is doing what it's supposed to be doing... Introducing people to new favourites. Nice work, cgvt. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 5:41:00 GMT -5
I cracked open one of the three tins of this I bought once it was back in stock. Now I see why it was out. I am smoking it in my Stanwell Brushed Brown Canadian. Man, there is a lot going on in this blend. Smokey, woodsy, sweet, a little citrus (was that lemon I just tasted?) a little spice, some mild pepper, maybe a little cinnamon- all balanced with nothing overpowering. It burns cool, no bite at all. A pleasure to smoke. Ted, you picked a winner. I think this is a great blend. I'll have to get few more tins. Jim, glad you found this blend to your liking. It’s my favorite Balkan “ style “ tobacco. Your description definitely describes this fine tobacco well. |
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Post by stilllernin on Nov 7, 2018 0:38:35 GMT -5
I've got some white night around, is it the same, ill try some and offer up my thoughts.
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Post by PhantomWolf on Nov 7, 2018 0:47:37 GMT -5
I am a non-official member of the Black House honor guard. I misplaced an open tin once and found it months later(maybe 5-6 months) and I thought it was too dry to salvage- Turns out, that's where the blend hits it's stride. The orientals come forward in a much larger role. It gets really sour and layered.. I wanna open a tin now.
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Post by mwps70 on Nov 7, 2018 0:48:26 GMT -5
I have one tin of black host. I wonder how Ile it. Maybe I should crack it
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Post by McWiggins on Nov 7, 2018 1:10:38 GMT -5
I've got some white night around, is it the same, ill try some and offer up my thoughts. WhiteKnight is different from BlackHouse. While they share some similar characteristics and both are part of the Marquee Series from Hearth & Home, they are different blends. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2018 0:38:37 GMT -5
@lonecoyote Hey Ted, great selection for the BOM. I decided to open a tin this evening, got the heater going in the garage, and made a nice cup of Taylor's Yorkshire tea to enjoy during the smoke this evening. Packed the F.Baki meerschaum bowl followed by a good charring light and I was off to the races. Tuned-in some Lars Larson to listen to and simply kicked-back and enjoyed some Blackhouse this evening. I'll most likely run this blend through the Baki again and a couple of other pipes before I place my thoughts and feelings down here. I usually start off the first time and just see where a pipe tobacco blend takes me, and enjoy what it has to offer me in total. In other words, I place my mind in neutral and let the blend lead me to wherever its going to take me. I can say that upon opening the tin, there was woody, sweet, slightly burnt wet tire notes, and the blend was pliable, meaning no dry time and it was ready to be placed in a bowl and fired-up. So, I need some more time with this to break it down more. This is really an outstanding blend, and I could see myself smoking this on a regular basis. Again, great selection Ted  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2018 7:29:55 GMT -5
@lonecoyote Hey Ted, great selection for the BOM. I decided to open a tin this evening, got the heater going in the garage, and made a nice cup of Taylor's Yorkshire tea to enjoy during the smoke this evening. Packed the F.Baki meerschaum bowl followed by a good charring light and I was off to the races. Tuned-in some Lars Larson to listen to and simply kicked-back and enjoyed some Blackhouse this evening. I'll most likely run this blend through the Baki again and a couple of other pipes before I place my thoughts and feelings down here. I usually start off the first time and just see where a pipe tobacco blend takes me, and enjoy what it has to offer me in total. In other words, I place my mind in neutral and let the blend lead me to wherever its going to take me. I can say that upon opening the tin, there was woody, sweet, slightly burnt wet tire notes, and the blend was pliable, meaning no dry time and it was ready to be placed in a bowl and fired-up. So, I need some more time with this to break it down more. This is really an outstanding blend, and I could see myself smoking this on a regular basis. Again, great selection Ted Mark, glad your enjoying BlackHouse, I too have from my very first bowl back in 2/2012. Once you smoke a few more bowls please write your overall thoughts. Seems all that have tried this fine blend are really enjoying it. No wonder why it’s alway out of stock. |
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chasingembers
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Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
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Post by chasingembers on Nov 12, 2018 1:30:48 GMT -5
Bought a tin back in 2012 and couldn't finish it. The Latakia overpowered the blend and that's all I could taste. I also got a bit of an artificially sweet aftertaste somewhat similar to aspartame. Blue Mountain/Balkan Blue won the People's Choice Award at the 2011 Sobranie Showdown, and I can smoke that one all day, but BH just doesn't agree with me.
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Post by McWiggins on Nov 20, 2018 10:03:07 GMT -5
I’m not a reviewer but these are my thoughts and experiences of Hearth & Home: BlackHouse.
This is a blend I can easily over analyze while at the same time just simply enjoy it without thought. I did both of these as I have had a bowl a day for two weeks now. No matter the pipe, it smoked well right from the tin with no drying needed. I've taken the time to sip and savor the smoke while other times have smoked on it hard making for a few really warm bowls. No matter my smoking style, I got no bite.
I’m not one to talk too much about taste and smell as I find they vary from person to person. Obviously with the Latakia there is a smokiness to it. As for the other components, one will taste and smell what they and their pallet can and in my opinion, none offend the senses. I will definitely say the black Cavendish adds a good sweetness that is just the right amount but all the ingredients work great together.
For me this is truly a good blend that will have a home in my cellar.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 20, 2018 10:04:36 GMT -5
I’m not a reviewer but these are my thoughts and experiences of Hearth & Home: BlackHouse. This is a blend I can easily over analyze while at the same time just simply enjoy it without thought. I did both of these as I have had a bowl a day for two weeks now. No matter the pipe, it smoked well right from the tin with no drying needed. I've taken the time to sip and savor the smoke while other times have smoked on it hard making for a few really warm bowls. No matter my smoking style, I got no bite. I’m not one to talk too much about taste and smell as I find they vary from person to person. Obviously with the Latakia there is a smokiness to it. As for the other components, one will taste and smell what they and their pallet can and in my opinion, none offend the senses. I will definitely say the black Cavendish adds a good sweetness that is just the right amount but all the ingredients work great together. For me this is truly a good blend that will have a home in my cellar. Great review... It's one I can relate to. |
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cgvt
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Post by cgvt on Nov 20, 2018 10:09:41 GMT -5
I've got some white night around, is it the same, ill try some and offer up my thoughts. There is a BOM thread for White Night in this section. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2018 13:11:44 GMT -5
I’m not a reviewer but these are my thoughts and experiences of Hearth & Home: BlackHouse. This is a blend I can easily over analyze while at the same time just simply enjoy it without thought. I did both of these as I have had a bowl a day for two weeks now. No matter the pipe, it smoked well right from the tin with no drying needed. I've taken the time to sip and savor the smoke while other times have smoked on it hard making for a few really warm bowls. No matter my smoking style, I got no bite. I’m not one to talk too much about taste and smell as I find they vary from person to person. Obviously with the Latakia there is a smokiness to it. As for the other components, one will taste and smell what they and their pallet can and in my opinion, none offend the senses. I will definitely say the black Cavendish adds a good sweetness that is just the right amount but all the ingredients work great together. For me this is truly a good blend that will have a home in my cellar. Glad you enjoyed the blend, it’s a far smoother smoke with 2 years of aging. If fresh just air dry a bowl full for about 30 minutes. |
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Post by McWiggins on Nov 20, 2018 13:24:19 GMT -5
I cant wait to put some years on it then! :l
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