Virginia Tobacco » Hearth & Home Anniversary Kake Tobacco Reviews

A Classic

This is my Go-To blend.  Lots of fragrant, white smoke, while the tobacco burns down to a powder.  I use it to break in new pipes.

One of my five favorites.

The tin note is definately chocolate over a wee bit of fig. Both batches I've used packed well with what I consider the right amount of moisture.  I tend to smoke Vapers slowly in order to avoid the over-peppery taste and therefore experienced no bite at all. It starts off mild almost aromatic and ends up nice and spicy.
I was not suprized to find my wife even liked the room note, and doesn't mind me smoking it in the house at all.
I like aromatics and mild English blends and for a Virginia Perique... this is one of my favorite smokes.

Love it

This is up there with some of my favorite blends. I usually smoke this a couple times a week. Rich  VA tobaccos add to a semi-sweet chocolately and fig taste. The perique is just right.  Reminds me of Figgy Pudding. Not an in your face kind of blend - but can be enjoyed anytime of day. This blend really confirms Russ Oullette's place as great Tobacco Blender. Highly recommended.

An Awesome VA/Per Blend!

Anniversary Kake is an attractive looking mixture that ranges from very light brown pieces all the way to very dark brown pieces of tobacco. The tin aroma was very intriguing and pleasant. I could detect the sweetness of the Virginias with a light chocolate scent that was accompanied by a slight tanginess in the nose that made my mouth literally water. I was also able to pick up a very slight pepperiness from the Perique. This tobacco has a great smell!

The moisture content when it arrived felt a little on the moist side, but it was definitely smoke-able upon receiving it. I do suggest a little drying time though to help out with an easier burn with fewer re-lights. I rubbed out a few chunks of the tobacco and loaded up my pipe.

Do not make the mistake of thinking this is an aromatic based on the chocolate and fig in the description. This is a pure VA/PER (Virginia/Perique) blend. I detected no fig taste and very little chocolate flavor. The chocolate is very faint. I only pick up very slight hints of it every now and then, and it is way in the background.

This is a very good blend that uses very good quality tobaccos. The Virginia offers up a very nice sweetness and the Perique adds a nice, balanced tanginess every once in awhile. The Perique also keeps the Virginia in check so it does not bite as much as some Virginias do. It has a very nice finish that is a little sweet and a little tangy, a very good balance of both.

This is an excellent VA/PER and will always be in my rotation. It smokes slow, cool, and dry. It did not bite me, but it may have the potential to if it is pushed to hard. If Virginia and VA/PER blends are up your alley, then this tobacco should definitely be at the top of your ‘To Try’ list.

I Highly Recommend it!

One of my top two VA/Pers

The trick to making a good Virginia/Perique blend is balance; balance between the red and lemon Virginias tempered by just the right kiss of Perique. Therein lies one of the secrets to this blend's success; Russ has nailed that perfect amount of the peppery Louisiana leaf.

      One other thing I also love about this tobacco is its' cake form. I really enjoy rubbing out the correct amount to the texture I want. AK does come a little moist and some have reported success with drying it a bit before smoking it.

      The taste is nothing short of exquisite. Tangy notes from the lemon Virginias mingling with the sweetness of the reds with the peppery Perique tones adding spice to the mix. Complexity is this blend's middle name. Towards the bottom of the bowl, the Perique moves more towards center stage to finish off the smoke.

      Packing, lighting, and relights are all above average, particularly for a cake tobacco. Being a cake, it is also easier to store, since it takes up less room than a bulk tobacco.

     Rumor has it that AK was actually a result of a  mistake when Russ Ouellette ordered some red VAs and got a melange of reds, goldens, and browns. The aroma was amazing so he went ahead and used them. Russ, you did good! Anniversary Kake is a solid five star tobacco for me.