House of Calabash

[jiminyshiznit]

I already posted in the June Tobacquisitions thread, but after trying a few of the blends, I'm curious to know.. is anyone here smoking Steven Books' blends?

The first one I tried was Grandfather's Own Blend, and wow.. I can't believe the quality of this tobacco. I haven't been smoking all that long, and the list of tobaccos I've smoked is fairly short, but this is in a completely different league than other aromatics I've tried.. "no chemicals, and only all-natural flavorings are added" was something Steven mentioned a few times, and I know that's gotta be a part of it, but the delicate complexity and balance of flavors is what really struck me.. and the creamy smoothness. And it burned perfectly, right out of the bag, with no fuss. Grandfather's Own was exactly like it sounds.. it's what I thought pipe tobacco tasted like as a little kid on a summer day, helping my grandfather tend to his garden.. or that whiff I'd get at the park. The cocoa note is just right.. slightly sweet and earthy, with nothing you'd call syrupy. I'll stop this clunky, amateur review here, but man.. I gotta believe that anyone with even the slightest interest in aromatics would find this to be nothing short of a treat. This was my favorite pipe yet.

I tried the Canadian Maple after the Grandfather's Own last night, and probably should have waited. It was also amazing, but I look forward to trying it on its own, so I'm not comparing it to anything (especially the Grandfather's). Again, not a syrupy sweet tobacco, but an earthy, tea-like sweetness with a continuous hug of real maple. There was a slight tannin-like note that balanced things out very nicely. I think I found my maple fix.

I just finished my first taste of First Pipe of the Day, and it was also amazing.. too complex for me to describe well, but there was a subtle tangy quality that weaved around the earthy, sweet, smoky and spicy notes. This one is probably too expensive for me to smoke regularly, so it'll have to be for special occasions. As a side note, he had one-pound jar that's an early version of this blend that has been sealed since 1985.. I don't remember the price, but it was out of my league.

I'm looking forward to trying the other two I brought home, and very much looking forward to my next trip to HoC.. there are a few more I'll definitely bring home next time, along with a nice stash of Grandfather's Own (at least).

House of Calabash

Steven Books at tobaccoreviews.com

 

[Commander Quan]

I've never heard of Steven, but I don't think you're legally allowed to grow sideburns like those unless your a master blender.

 

[brother cavefish]

i dont care how good this man is , there is no tobacco worth was he is charging------- and sideburns should never go over 1" below the jaw, its simple sideburn etiquette

 

[jiminyshiznit]

There are only a couple that are real expensive, and I think it's because of the tobaccos he's blending with. $10.70 for 2 oz. of Grandfather's Own doesn't seem expensive to me. Considering the quality, it's actually a bargain. 50g tins (1.76 oz) of McClelland, Pease, Dinhill, etc. at local shops are around $16, or around the same as the HoC Select blends.

 

[jiminyshiznit]

Had a chance to try the other two blends, and they were both outstanding. The first was Sword of Avalon, which is the blend he put together for the 2012 John Cotton Throwdown. Full bodied, at least compared to what I've been smoking, but so smooth and complex, it didn't feel heavy. Very hard for me to describe, but I feel like I could really taste all the different layers at once.. smokey, tangy and spicy, with a soft round sweetness to bring it all together.. and a hint of something kind of musty, but I mean that in a good way.. looking forward to the next bowl of this one, and will almost certainly buy more.

The last one I brought home was For Meerschaums Only, which was another incredible smoke. I had it right on the heels of the Avalon, and only packed a small bowl, but wow.. this one didn't have the big round sweet note, and seemed lighter, brighter and drier, but still had lots of flavor... slightly sharper flavors with less sweet in the mix, but just enough to round off the sharpness a touch.

Only one taste each of these tobaccos so far, so I'm curious to see how my initial impressions hold up once I get to know these better.

 

[zatopus]

i dont care how good this man is , there is no tobacco worth was he is charging------- and sideburns should never go over 1" below the jaw, its simple sideburn etiquette

a pound of red rap is something like $65 online, so its close enough to be a wash for Grandfathers own and a few of the others.

 

[brother cavefish]

i have no issues with buying some of the blends, if they were good and some sound like great blends------ but i am not experimenting anymore,and wasting money unless i could get some sample bowls to try--------

 

[Hirsute]

i have no issues with buying some of the blends, if they were good and some sound like great blends------ but i am not experimenting anymore,and wasting money unless i could get some sample bowls to try--------

I've been told shops in Orgon can't sell or provide bowl samples like they used to. Another shop, Richs, sells as the smallest quantity 2 oz--they've told me that by regulation they can't sell smaller quantities, but I haven't confirmed that and HoC seems to sell 1 oz quantities, so it may be a Portland or Multnomah Co reg.

 

[jiminyshiznit]

82nd Avenue Pipe and Tobacco sells by the 1/2 oz.. they have a decent selection, and it's a super low-key place. They sell glass pipes, too, so it is a full-spectrum crowd. Nice folks, and the 1/2 oz samples are the reason I've been able to try so many things.

 

[Hirsute]

Good to know! Thanks for the tip!

 

[brother cavefish]

it would be a sweet thing if one could just try a bowl of each, , maybe 2,

 

[allawd]

i have no issues with buying some of the blends, if they were good and some sound like great blends------ but i am not experimenting anymore,and wasting money unless i could get some sample bowls to try--------

I can certainly sympathize with that. Just buying the things that I have tried and enjoy adds up fast. My local tobacconist always has a half-dozen or more tins open for sampling in addition to the dozen house blends.

 

[Hangten]

Most of the blends at Rich's are by Steven Brooks before he left to open his own shop. The quality of Mr Brook's tobacco is far better than anything I have ever smoked and is worth the price. It is a tad expensive for me but I have no trouble saving up for those glorious smokes. You have to give it a try! I have heard stories that if you have your pipe with you when you visit Mr Brooks and strike up a conversation with him he will fill your bowl. I have purchased 1/2 oz from timber valley but their blends are the standard you find everywhere else.

 

[jiminyshiznit]

Hello, Hangten.. I actually witnessed that happen in the store. One of his regulars stopped in and Steven filled his pipe from a jar of tobacco he'd just opened, referring to it as 45yo Virginia. The gentleman went outside with it while I was making my decision on my second pipe from Steven's collection (a Charatan Lovat, which I ended up with for a very good price). I'm glad it's a bit too far for me to become a regular.. I envision a monthly Saturday visit to stock up and say hello. Also, last time I was in, he was giving me instruction on stoving tobacco and recommended I try it with some of his. Basically canning the tobacco to create a vacuum seal.. and the release of sugars, etc.. I'm still a bit fuzzy on it, but do plan on giving it a go. Neat place, great tobacco, great guy.

 

[Hangten]

Yeah he really is a talented and great guy. If you haven't tried the red rum, it is a light blend that goes well with a tropical drink or hot weather.