pipesandcigars.com blends

[a.paul]

Are the "home and hearth" blends from pipesandcigars.com usually dry?

The ones I got were dry and smoked bitter. I was expecting great things from Sunza Bitches, for example. I wonder if I just got a bad batch, since I also got the wrong pipe in my order...maybe someone wasn't really paying attention when the order was filled or something?

After reading the positive comments here and elsewhere, I'm not sure what to make of this.

Thanks.

[kheffelf]

Well I can't comment on their bulk tobacco but give me a couple days and my virginia spice should be coming in, but when I placed an order for tins everything came just fine.

[NCatron]

They definitely don't ship "wet", when I got mine a few months ago, they smoked just right, out of the box. You might try hydrating a pipeful of Sunza with some water and see if that helps, it certainly shouldn't be bitter.

Which other blends did you try? I found the Virginia Spice very bitter, probably owing to the cigar leaf.

[cquon]

The tin of Virginia Spice I ordered from them was fine. I haven't tried the bulk version.

[a.paul]

Originally Posted by NCatron

They definitely don't ship "wet", when I got mine a few months ago, they smoked just right, out of the box. You might try hydrating a pipeful of Sunza with some water and see if that helps, it certainly shouldn't be bitter.

Which other blends did you try? I found the Virginia Spice very bitter, probably owing to the cigar leaf.

How would you do that without making a hell of a mess? Thanks.

I got Sunjammer, Sunza, Armada, Va Spice, LA Red and Old Tartan.

I've smoked the Sunjammer (dry and...well I didn't care for it much), the Tartan (dry, but the deer tongue helped the flavor) and the Sunza.

I'm not trying to bust on them, just curious if this is 'normal' and it's just my own taste issue or what.

[NCatron]

Unlike cigars, it's perfectly reasonable to rehydrate pipe tobacco. Pipe baccy doesn't lose "it" like cigars do when they dry out. There should be good details on how to do it in the FAQ, but it's pretty easy. Spritz it with some water if you have a spray bottle, put a moist paper towl in the bag with the tobacco and let it sit for a few hours, etc. I've never done it myself, so go read up on it for the exact details.

[Hydrated]

I resurrected some EMP by putting it in a large bowl and covering it with a damp towel. Stashed it on top of the fridge overnight... and it was perfect.

Smokes just like new...

BTW... That tobacco dried out because I didn't pay attention to it. I assumed that the Dunhill tin would seal like the rest of mine did. But that one dried out for lack of a good seal. It pays to check on them occasionally.

Originally Posted by a.paul

How would you do that without making a hell of a mess? Thanks.

I got Sunjammer, Sunza, Armada, Va Spice, LA Red and Old Tartan.

I've smoked the Sunjammer (dry and...well I didn't care for it much), the Tartan (dry, but the deer tongue helped the flavor) and the Sunza.

I'm not trying to bust on them, just curious if this is 'normal' and it's just my own taste issue or what.

Do you want to pay for water or tobacco? I've never had a problem with H&H stuff coming in too wet or dry, seems just right for me.

As for a good way to rehydrate tobacco to your liking get yourself a couple of pipe buttons. Cost is under a dollar per and you just sray it with distilled water and drop it in with your tobacco. Take it out when you like the moisture content. Quick and easy to use and you're not going to over soak anything.

[Fullbent]

I like Virginia Spice and Distiguished Penguin. Never experienced either being dry or bitter.

[pistol]

I have some trout stream aromatic tobac from pipes and cigars and it smokes great. The above posters are right with regards to the tobac's moisture content. I bought mine in bulk, and it was just right for smoking; it definetly wasn't too wet, as is the case with many tinned tobacs. It's the only aromatic that I've consistently enjoyed as a change of pace from my VAPERs and English/Oriental blends...

[F. Prefect]

Originally Posted by a.paul

Are the "home and hearth" blends from pipesandcigars.com usually dry?

The ones I got were dry and smoked bitter. I was expecting great things from Sunza Bitches, for example. I wonder if I just got a bad batch, since I also got the wrong pipe in my order...maybe someone wasn't really paying attention when the order was filled or something?

After reading the positive comments here and elsewhere, I'm not sure what to make of this.

Thanks.

I've tried several of Russ's blends and they are drier than what one might call "typical" for most bulk tobaccos. By that I mean just about the right moisture content to smoke the day they arrived.

I think a lot of bulk tobaccos are shipped a little on the wet side for fear of moisture loss in the thin plastic bags most are shipped in. The H & H blends I received required no drying at all. However, I would keep a close eye on these blends as they are what you might say on the verge of being too dry. I transferred mine to Mason jars the day I received them and only bring out what I will need for a week or so, storing them in ziplock bags.

F. Prefect

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by NCatron

They definitely don't ship "wet", when I got mine a few months ago, they smoked just right, out of the box... ...I found the Virginia Spice very bitter, probably owing to the cigar leaf.

I have ordered bulk VaSpice from them twice - just right and ready to smoke or store.

VA Spice has a lot going on, but bitter is not a word that comes to mind. I can tell there's a hint cigar leaf in it, but it comes to me as wisps of spicy cigar - never bitter tasting.

[a.paul]

I'm looking forward to trying that--and I'm hoping the problem with sunjammer and sunza was some sort of aberration in my tastebuds that day...or maybe it was the pipe, I don't know. I smoked them each in new cobs so I wouldn't pick up previous baccy flavor. Maybe the cob had an issue or something. Based on all the good feedback I'm more than willing to cede it may be an issue with me and not the baccy.

[Coz77]

I have the pleasure if visiting Habanas (pipesandcigars.com) once a week as I live only about 3 miles away. So I can’t comment on their shipping methods. But that’s a great shop, with some great products, and employees. Give them a call if you had some issues. I’m sure they will "make good" on there sale.

[Fullbent]

They also have a 1-800 number listed on their website...

1-800-494-9144