Tobaccos Hermit Tobacco Works Co. - Captain Earle's - Diamond Head

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2012-05-11		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I am a bit miffed as to why this blend hasn't been reviewed prior to this one. Diamond Head is a well done kake by Hermit. It isn't the Latakia powerhouse that are some of the other Hermit blends, but a balanced English blend that's easy to rub out (my preferred method) and DH offers some complexity to boot. It took me about four months to finish the tin as it isn't an everyday smoke for me. DH should benefit from aging and it's worth a few tins for the cellar. Those that seek a solid English Krumble Kake or those that like Hermit Blends should enjoy this well made blend. Recommended.

13 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2017-03-12		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

The original Diamond Head by Hermit carried a great flavor to the palate of those who enjoy lighter English fare but still want to get slapped around a little by the Latakia. The Orientals were very airy and carried some spice into the mix, but it was the Virginia backbone that got my attention. It was super smooth and had a good deep bottom that made the Latakia come alive. I've been hunting for another old tin of this one for a long time with no success... but I'm gonna keep trying!

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DD Stolz (2)	2013-07-16		Medium	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

I like to review blends while I smoke the tobacco I'm reviewing. The medium size cutty I selected is working well! When I crumbled my cake it felt a little moist to the touch, no worries,I have learned with this blend it is common, it smokes dry and lights easy. To me, it reminds me of the englishes I smoked years ago like, Cooks #5, Penzants and Sullivan's Gentlemen's mixture. Its smoky and creamy.Full of earthy taste and pleasant.It is almost as creamy as the old Bengal Slices! I feel like this is going to be a Diamond Head day, all day! This is one blend you don't want or need to smoke fast. It is high in nicotine content and very satisfying.It burns to a bright gray ash. There is nothing about this weed that I don't like. Captain Earls blends are all fabulous. This one is my favorite followed closely by Ten Russians. There is no doubt it will cellar well.I can't imagine it improving, its that good!

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2075)	2018-09-28		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Hermit Tobacco' - Captain Earle's - Diamond Head.

A multi shaded kake which crumbles with ease. I find the moistness suits my smoking, it's a touch damp but not wet. The tin-note smells quite rich but doesn't imply 'Lat Bomb'.

The smoke has quite a rich flavour but doesn't give me a punch in the face of Latakia; the Lat' leads, but doesn't monopolize the smoke. The Orientals give a definite support to the Lat' whilst the red Virginia sweetens things up. The burn from it is exactly as I like: cool, slow, giving a bite-free smoke.

Nicotine: a spot above medium. Room-note: not the nicest.

Diamond Head? A pleasant smoke, but not good enough to highly recommend. Three stars:

Recommended.

Pipe Used: Altinok Lee Van Cleef: My Friday pipe

Age When Smoked: 05/31/17

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	guitar2mw (92)	2015-10-16		Mild	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

If you're looking for a good, cool-smoking English, you should try this. To me, this was a peculiar blend. When I opened the tin, the aroma of Latakia hits you right in the nose with a bit of dark sweetness like that of sorghum or molasses. It was very smokey though, and I thought at first that it reminded me of C&D Pirate Kake. The plug was very uniform in shape, and very dense. Others have described it as a crumble cake, but honestly I don't see where the "crumble" factor comes into play. I could peel layers off of it, but not really crumble it up. Therefore, I took my knife and sliced off a very thin slice and rubbed it out. It wasn't as moist as I thought it might be, which I found to be a good thing. It packed amazingly well with a three-step packing method after I rubbed it out good. I smoke this in smaller bowls since it burns very slowly (I like to smoke on my 25 mile drive to work, so smaller bowls work better for me a lot of the time). It takes a flame fine, and it produces a very hearty and flavorful smoke. You'll definitely taste dark Virginias and Latakia right off of the bat. I also found notes of oak, wood smoke, and leather in there as well. It wasn't very high in nicotine, but it satisfies. It wasn't as tasty as Pirate Kake or Gaslight, but it was perhaps the driest smoking tobacco I've ever had. It reminded me of drinking a very dry wine - not in flavor, but in mouth feel. I'll continue to smoke this throughout the cooler months as an early-morning wake up. If you like Latakia, you should try this fine blend.

Pipe Used: LHS Purex, Grabows

Age When Smoked: Fresh from tin

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

Similar Blends: C&D Pirate Kake.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Kyrob (41)	2014-10-27		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Upon opening a year and a half old tin of Captain Earle’s Diamond Head I was greeted with a very dense crumble cake in brown and black shades married together giving an overall melted appearance. The smell of charcoal and smokiness greeted me along with an indescribable sweetness that had a bit of a tang. The moisture level was about right, moist but on the drier side.

An unlit sip brought the smoky Latakia to my mouth as did the initial light which also brought an underscore of a creamy sweetness. I found the overall smoke to be well balanced and not overwhelming in the least. It was a good slow smoker that did really well in shallow wide bowls. Rarely a sour note would come into play, but it was all to brief as I tend to enjoy those quite a bit. If I puffed it too hard it left me with a burnt, bitter taste. It had a rather short finish and the room note didn’t seem to bother the cat, then again she never complains about anything.

I enjoyed the experience of smoking this blend, though I don’t think I need to get another tin, it just didn’t seem robust enough. Maybe if I had smoked it younger it wouldn’t have been so mellow, but I have other strong English blends to fill that need already. I think anyone who enjoys a good slow burning light to medium English would enjoy this blend.

Age When Smoked: 1.5 Years

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	puro66 (73)	2014-06-22		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I like Diamond Head. It arrives as nice single brownie in the tin and was very easy to krumble off what I needed per bowl. It is not heavy on latakia but is complex while remaining a smooth smoke. Not too heavy in the nicotine department and it definitely ages well. Worth keeping a couple of tins on hand.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	King Weed (228)	2018-01-03		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Tolerable

I have been pushing a concept recently that we need more of a show of enthusiasm in our hobby/business, especially by we senior members, when talking to younger prospective pipe smokers. It was hard, however, to be enthusiastic about this blend. The tin presentation was attractive as a "brownie" of pressed tobacco in mottled browns and black that was reminiscent of G.L. Pease's Gaslight. The tin aroma, however, was much weaker with a strange sweetish component that I couldn't quite place. The smoking aroma and taste were of a weak and vague English mixture that could not quite be made to come to a definite conclusion. The bowls I smoked were weak and unexciting from rim to heel with a rare moment of taste in the bottom thirds that was, both, welcome and fleeting. When used in micro blending the same strange bottom third performance occurred consistently - pleasant but fleeting. I don't understand what niche this blend occupies in pipe smoking, but I still give it a somewhat recommended two star rating.

Pipe Used: Charatan Executive 1/4 bent Dublin

Age When Smoked: 2 yrs old

Purchased From: Ebay seller

Similar Blends: Nothing directly, but, kind of like a very watered down version of Pease Gaslight.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LiterarySmoker (143)	2020-12-30		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This is my first English I have had in a crumble cake. I'm not sure if Bow Legged Bear and Black Frigate count as one is highly Oriental forward and the other has rum. Either way, I have no problem admitting that I am struggling not finishing this off, but I purposely held back to sit down and write this review. When it comes to English mixtures I tend to like smooth, well melded, smokey and incense like mixtures. This is good.

When I opened my tin, I found a crumble cake that is very similar to C&D's crumble cakes. This one is easy to rub out, and I get a nice fine ribbon when it is rubbed out. There is a little Latakia dust. It smells smokey and campfire-ish. The Orientals smell slightly tangy, and the Virginias are nice, sweet, and slightly fruity. It is easy to light either straight out of the tin or after a little dry time, with crumble cakes I often leave them open in their tin for a week before jarring, because I've had several that have almost drowned my pipe in the past.

When I light up I get lots of white smoke from this. The first thing I notice is the Latakia, it is smooth, smokey, and woody but not overpowering. Next I start picking up Orientals, they give this blend a tang, they're sort of herbal, and definitely incense-like. The Virginias are fruity, sweet, and grassy. What I really like is that the flavor is really consistent from first light to the bottom of the bowl.

Like the smoke, the taste really fills your mouth, and it has a great mouth-feel. I give this one a medium-full on taste. The strength is a medium, Lady N has stopped in for a pizza and movie date, a regular good time. I'm giving it a medium. I love the slow burning nature of this coupled with its consistency. The room note I think will be whatever a typical English gets, I get mixed reviews on that. Some people love the smell and are amazed you are smoking tobacco, and others put you on the porch. I really do love this one, and I will be buying more. I know I rate using a four star system but this could earn a fifth. Solid Four Stars from me.

Pipe Used: Peterson Standard System XL315

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BrokenRecord (124)	2020-11-20		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

A decent medium-bodied English

The Turkish tobaccos hold the main portion of the flavor profile—being sour, floral, and slightly spicy. The Cyprian Latakia comes in next with its cedar-smokiness. The red Virginias are earthy and tangy. Overall, Diamond is nice, but the sourness and tanginess can be a bit much all together.

*This review is based on a small sample and limited life experience.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Smoking_Strider (21)	2020-04-12		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Lovely crumble kake, very creamy full taste. Orientals provide a nice hint of spice and the Virginias add a touch of sweetness, but otherwise it's a great full bodied English. Perfect moisture level out of the tin, burns nice and cool and doesn't bite at all, though it will taste rather sour if you let it get too hot. I've had 3 bowls consecutively, but I'd say it's just past being an all day smoke. My only gripe is I had to pick out a lot of stems, other than that this will make a fine addition to the cellar.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	cbrown3001 (2)	2016-09-21		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I found this do be a good all day smoke for me. It was very rich but not overpowering. I am sorry I am not the best reviewer. I just could not believe this had not been reviewed yet and want to put in a good word. It is a good smoke.

Pipe Used: Dagner P-4 poker

Age When Smoked: a few weeks

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	brashboy (84)	2016-04-08		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

This is just excellent, one of the best English tin notes ever. As other reviewers have noted, earthy and creamy. And the room note drew wifely praise for the distinct chocolate-y note, though none was added. That is RARE for an English blend. Not a Lat powerhouse, but the Lat is definite and sublime.

Crumble cake? Not really, because it doesn't readily crumble. I just shave off what I want and crumble it. Seems a bit on the moist side, but doesn't smoke wet. Plenty of rich, tasty smoke. Sweetness from the VA, just a hint of sweet sourness from the Turkish and a very creamy, smoky Cyprian Lat.

This has been aging for over 4 years and is simply delicious. Can't comment, then on a fresh tin, though I intend to try one. If you are looking for a mediuim-bodied English with a very rich taste, Diamond Head is it.

Age When Smoked: 4 years

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (431)	2023-02-09		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tin note of sour fruit wine and smoke. Tobacco is a marbled dark brown, black and tan Krumble Kake. Moisture content is a little high, some may want to dry it a bit. Rubs out easily and burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and consistent, with notes of smoky, musty fermented sour vegetation, toast, herbal spices, wood, leather, floral, mildly spicy, zest citrus, acidic, earthy, orange peel, incense, a lemon grass background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Oriental/Turkish supporting and Virginia supporting from the rear. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

Pipe Used: James Upshall Smooth Acorn (4) (P) (FH)

Age When Smoked: 4 years

Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Indianapolis (49)	2021-01-15		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

I love this blend. Orientals are spicy and a lead player in this busty mid+ English masterpiece.

I'm often asked by cigar smokers what pipe tobacco would be a nice transition. I've struggled to find the right blend to recommend -- until I popped another tin of this. Its got just the right amount of spiciness to be reminiscent of a ligero spiciness. The mouthfeel is big a buttery for a pipe.

I'm not saying this is a perfect alternative to a cigar, or even that its cigar like. But, I think something about this blend would be a happy transition point for a cigar smoker. I can't wait to test that recommendation on the next friend who asks.

Anyway, its an amazing mixture. Must try.

Age When Smoked: 18 months

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Fawzi (5)	2020-09-10		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Well balanced blend. For Latakia’s folks, this perfect one. It’s nice blend. I think it’s underrated one. It was my first kake blend, and I had delicious experience with it.. I tried a few other English blends, they are very good, but this Captain Earle’s: Diamond Head? It’s the one. It just hit the spot!

Pipe Used: Radice, Kyriazanos, Asteriou, Dunhill

Age When Smoked: Non

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.