Anniversary Kake vs. Boswell Private Stock

[Dr. Van Loafer]

Lately I have been enjoying Hearth and Home Anniversary Kake as a new favorite. In perusing Boswell’s site I noticed they have a vaper. So I am curious about Boswell’s Private Stock and how it compares to Anniversary Kake? Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[SBC]

FWIW, I like Private Stock much better. In fact it's one of my favorites.
To me, AK has a sickly soured wine note which turns me off, whereas PS is more like unsweetened cocoa sprinkled on stewed figs.
YMMV.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

T

FWIW, I like Private Stock much better. In fact it's one of my favorites.
To me, AK has a sickly soured wine note which turns me off, whereas PS is more like unsweetened cocoa sprinkled on stewed figs.
YMMV.

Thanks for that analysis and while I dont pick up a soured wine note with AK, I could see how some may. I have noticed it smokes wet which I am guessing is the brandy topping.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I've been alternating between C&D's Folklore and H&H Anni Kake, and at times I can't tell the difference. It is about the closest to it that I have found.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

I've been alternating between C&D's Folklore and H&H Anni Kake, and at times I can't tell the difference. It is about the closest to it that I have found.

That is interesting as I thought Folklore had cigar leaf and orientals along with Kentucky, so one might think it would be a bit different. Folklore sounded interesting but I did not want to buy a whole pound of it. I am liking the Virginia’s in Anniversary, so maybe Folklore has a similar range of Virginia’s?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

That is interesting as I thought Folklore had cigar leaf and orientals along with Kentucky, so one might think it would be a bit different. Folklore sounded interesting but I did not want to buy a whole pound of it. I am liking the Virginia’s in Anniversary, so maybe Folklore has a similar range of Virginia’s?

Folklore uses those leaves at a very miniscule condimental level. Annie Kake also has some condimentals worked in, but they just don't tell you what they are. It definitely isn't very much perique.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

FWIW, I like Private Stock much better. In fact it's one of my favorites.
To me, AK has a sickly soured wine note which turns me off, whereas PS is more like unsweetened cocoa sprinkled on stewed figs.
YMMV.

Apologies for my ignorance, but do you by chance know if Boswell blends their own blends or if they use a blending house like Sutliff?

 

[SBC]

Apologies for my ignorance, but do you by chance know if Boswell blends their own blends or if they use a blending house like Sutliff?

Oh all blending is done in-house by JM and his son Dan.

Actually, I know that his daughter Rachel has gotten more involved in the business, too, but I'm not clear on whether she does any blending or only helps on the business end of things.

Anyway, it's an in-house, family operation.

Private Stock was made only a pound at a time for a long time. You might convince him to sell an ounce or two if you were in the shop at the right time.

He now makes larger batches -- but "large" only by family business standards, not by commercial standards.