HU Tobacco Coming to the States

[Sigmund]

@PipeIT Most of the HU blends really benefit from the old 3-5 day rule. They never taste right straight from the tin. When I run low on one of the blends I open a new one and put it under my current open stash in a jar. It doesnt taste bad but its just not right for a few days. It may not be all your pipe if it was freshly opened.

I also found the same to be true of Peterson DNR. I would have swore soemone shoved DFK into the blend in place of perique for the first two days. Shortly after it opened up nicely and tasted great.

 

[JoeW]

Indaba has been pretty enjoyable. ... It's not quite what I was looking for in a blend that sports both dark fired Virginia and Kentucky, but it should do the job. It's just not quite as bold as I anticipated for a dark fired blend.

I read the same thing in one of the reviews on tobaccoreviews.com, and the reviewer suggested others which are stronger (e.g. 1792).

The description appealed to me, so I ordered a tin to hit the free shipping threshold. Thanks for your comments: I'm looking forward to trying it.

 

[fireground_piper]

I read the same thing in one of the reviews on tobaccoreviews.com, and the reviewer suggested others which are stronger (e.g. 1792).

The description appealed to me, so I ordered a tin to hit the free shipping threshold. Thanks for your comments: I'm looking forward to trying it.

it's good, and it is very smooth. Not sure if it's the topping that knocks that expected dark fired boldness down a notch or something else. Before I pack it, I'll leave under a lamp for a few minutes to dry it down to my preference since it is a little sticky to me. Hope you enjoy!

 

[JoeW]

it's good, and it is very smooth. Not sure if it's the topping that knocks that expected dark fired boldness down a notch or something else. Before I pack it, I'll leave under a lamp for a few minutes to dry it down to my preference since it is a little sticky to me. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for the tip: I usually don't dry tobacco in advance, but I'll give it a try with this one. I haven't smoked any dark fired yet, so it will be interesting to see what this is like!

 

[PipeIT]

@PipeIT Most of the HU blends really benefit from the old 3-5 day rule. They never taste right straight from the tin. When I run low on one of the blends I open a new one and put it under my current open stash in a jar. It doesnt taste bad but its just not right for a few days. It may not be all your pipe if it was freshly opened.

I also found the same to be true of Peterson DNR. I would have swore soemone shoved DFK into the blend in place of perique for the first two days. Shortly after it opened up nicely and tasted great.

My Savinelli 320 is still quite new and occasionally has a chemical plastic taste, but it’s slowly dissipating. This I am 99.9% sure why the tobacco felt off.

I personally don’t buy pipes or like them with coated chambers. I just wanted something this time around with a filter and went for it.

It’s not a bad pipe, the specs from SmokingPipes listed the Outside Diameter at 50mm with a Chamber Diameter of 24mm. So this smokes ultra cool, and it really lets the blends breathe.

 

[PiperdownCan]

I had an opportunity to get two German tins here in Canada from a visiting friend and I went with Directors Cut and Zulu.

So far I’m loving them both but Zulu is really something special. I was expecting that DC would be a no brainer for a VaPer fan, and it doesnt disappoint at all but Zulu really surprised me with how much I’m enjoying it.

Really looking forward to trying more of the lineup.

 

[filmguerilla]

I had an opportunity to get two German tins here in Canada from a visiting friend and I went with Directors Cut and Zulu.

So far I’m loving them both but Zulu is really something special. I was expecting that DC would be a no brainer for a VaPer fan, and it doesnt disappoint at all but Zulu really surprised me with how much I’m enjoying it.

Really looking forward to trying more of the lineup.

Yeah, Zulu is my favorite from HU for sure. You'd probably also like Indaba and Khoisaan, too. The African line stuff is my favorite by them. Director's Cut is quality stuff, but didn't taste that interesting or new to me.

 

[Mike N]

I purchased 12 different HU blends since they became available in the USin late October.(Brilliant timing by HU to start selling in the US just as Sutliff/Mac Baren appears to be closing in Richmond Va with a transfer of the blending to Europe.)

HU breaks its 100g tins into 4 categories: Original Warehouse Series; African Series; Pipe Enthusiasts series; and X Community series.

The six of the 12 HU tins I’ve smoked are very good, but each needs a bit of aging, say one year

 

[PipeIT]

Director’s Cut that I purchased, is lighter than any blend I’ve smoked. It’s so light I can barely taste anything. It’s not at all rich, it’s very singular to the point the flavor barely changes. Just the slightest hint of being a VA and the tiniest wisps, occasionally of some Kentucky, and that’s it.

I took small sips, then bigger puffs, trying many different ways to find flavor, but it never changed.

I had a bowl of Germain’s Royal Jersey Perique Mixture yesterday, which is an extremely subtle light blend, but it had a lot more flavor.

I don’t know if I just received a bad batch, but it also makes me wonder, the thinking of American’s overseas, is one of light beers like Budweiser, and a society of people that have no taste and class like Europeans.

So did KOPP sell us a lighter watered down version.

I might not be Jim, but I’ve smoke enough tobacco to make a valid judgement, and this is not my personal preference/opinions I’m sharing. What I received was extremely tasteless…

To date, this is one of the worst blends I’ve smoked. And if it ends up being, more people actually get an extremely light, almost tasteless blend like me, Kopp seriously needs to step it up.

I am seriously shocked at how poor this blend is I received.

I’m not sure aging a blend that is already bland from the start is going to turn out much of anything.

I’ve smoked a little, and still have a small amount left of 2018 Director‘s Cut, it’s a totally different beast, and this is no where near it in quality.

 

[filmguerilla]

Director’s Cut that I purchased, is lighter than any blend I’ve smoked. It’s so light I can barely taste anything. It’s not at all rich, it’s very singular to the point the flavor barely changes. Just the slightest hint of being a VA and the tiniest wisps, occasionally of some Kentucky, and that’s it.

I took small sips, then bigger puffs, trying many different ways to find flavor, but it never changed.

I had a bowl of Germain’s Royal Jersey Perique Mixture yesterday, which is an extremely subtle light blend, but it had a lot more flavor.

I don’t know if I just received a bad batch, but it also makes me wonder, the thinking of American’s overseas, is one of light beers like Budweiser, and a society of people that have no taste and class like Europeans.

So did KOPP sell us a lighter watered down version.

I might not be Jim, but I’ve smoke enough tobacco to make a valid judgement, and this is not my personal preference/opinions I’m sharing. What I received was extremely tasteless…

To date, this is one of the worst blends I’ve smoked. And if it ends up being, more people actually get an extremely light, almost tasteless blend like me, Kopp seriously needs to step it up.

I am seriously shocked at how poor this blend is I received.

I’m not sure aging a blend that is already bland from the start is going to turn out much of anything.

I’ve smoked a little, and still have a small amount left of 2018 Director‘s Cut, it’s a totally different beast, and this is no where near it in quality.

I can't speak for Director's Cut, but I have a long history with HU Zulu. Smoked it while stationed in Germany for four straight years, took it on every deployment, and was thrilled when it came to the States. I'm already on my third large tin since its arrival and can say that, without a doubt, it is the exact same blend that's sold in Germany/Europe. Sounds like you just over hyped DC as a blend and it didn't meet the expectations you set up for it. I know folks who love the flavor of DC for what it is.

 

[Sigmund]

I sure hope they didnt wreck the EU version. It is definitely not a blend without taste.

I read on one of the threads that someone else is actually blending it?
Is Kopp doing the actual blending still?

@PipeIT Perhaps post a picture of youractual tobacco and lets see if it looks different. Its certainly not a full proof test but if it tastes that radically different it may be different visually

 

[hoipolloiglasgow]

Director’s Cut that I purchased, is lighter than any blend I’ve smoked. It’s so light I can barely taste anything. It’s not at all rich, it’s very singular to the point the flavor barely changes. Just the slightest hint of being a VA and the tiniest wisps, occasionally of some Kentucky, and that’s it.

I took small sips, then bigger puffs, trying many different ways to find flavor, but it never changed.

I had a bowl of Germain’s Royal Jersey Perique Mixture yesterday, which is an extremely subtle light blend, but it had a lot more flavor.

I don’t know if I just received a bad batch, but it also makes me wonder, the thinking of American’s overseas, is one of light beers like Budweiser, and a society of people that have no taste and class like Europeans.

So did KOPP sell us a lighter watered down version.

I might not be Jim, but I’ve smoke enough tobacco to make a valid judgement, and this is not my personal preference/opinions I’m sharing. What I received was extremely tasteless…

To date, this is one of the worst blends I’ve smoked. And if it ends up being, more people actually get an extremely light, almost tasteless blend like me, Kopp seriously needs to step it up.

I am seriously shocked at how poor this blend is I received.

I’m not sure aging a blend that is already bland from the start is going to turn out much of anything.

I’ve smoked a little, and still have a small amount left of 2018 Director‘s Cut, it’s a totally different beast, and this is no where near it in quality.

It’s gone through changes before such as less red Virginia and less Perique and more Kentucky. I haven’t had the new stuff, but my 2019 is a fairly rich blend and even Jim notes that it has less reds and Perique in that iteration than prior. Other people really like the new stuff so…try it again?

 

[Hutch Piper]

I don’t find DC tasteless at all. It is an excellent blend. We all have different tastes.

 

[Sigmund]

Ive not found DC to be especially light. I sure hope they did t wreck it. I can say it needs to come out of the tin for a few days before it tastes right. Otherwise I dont know.

 

[AirOne]

Director’s Cut that I purchased, is lighter than any blend I’ve smoked. It’s so light I can barely taste anything. It’s not at all rich, it’s very singular to the point the flavor barely changes. Just the slightest hint of being a VA and the tiniest wisps, occasionally of some Kentucky, and that’s it.

I took small sips, then bigger puffs, trying many different ways to find flavor, but it never changed.

I had a bowl of Germain’s Royal Jersey Perique Mixture yesterday, which is an extremely subtle light blend, but it had a lot more flavor.

I don’t know if I just received a bad batch, but it also makes me wonder, the thinking of American’s overseas, is one of light beers like Budweiser, and a society of people that have no taste and class like Europeans.

So did KOPP sell us a lighter watered down version.

I might not be Jim, but I’ve smoke enough tobacco to make a valid judgement, and this is not my personal preference/opinions I’m sharing. What I received was extremely tasteless…

To date, this is one of the worst blends I’ve smoked. And if it ends up being, more people actually get an extremely light, almost tasteless blend like me, Kopp seriously needs to step it up.

I am seriously shocked at how poor this blend is I received.

I’m not sure aging a blend that is already bland from the start is going to turn out much of anything.

I’ve smoked a little, and still have a small amount left of 2018 Director‘s Cut, it’s a totally different beast, and this is no where near it in quality.

Definitely not the DC I know from Germany. Full of flavors, pretty strong smell as well. One of my favorite tobacco. Mine is not particularly aged (1 year old box), and as said before is getting better (that is slightly smoother to my palate) after a few days in a jar.
But pictures of Makhuwa recently posted here make me wonder if they ship overseas the same blends that we have here in EU.

 

[PipeIT]

I don’t find DC tasteless at all. It is an excellent blend. We all have different tastes.

I was not sharing my personal opinions, because that would not serve my reply, so I’m assuming that’s what you meant about different tastes.

I was sharing observations and comparisons to other blends is all.

I’m not sure if you were aware, but it was sent bulk from Germany, so you might of also received it from a different load/batch, blends can vary from tin to tin at times.

Unfortunately the tin I opened barely had any flavor. I also mentioned before, I smoked some from 2018, so I was also comparing against an older release.

Let me put it this, unfortunately SWR has more robust and flavor than this, and that’s pretty sad.

 

[rakovsky]

HU Moroccan Bazaar looks great with artwork and it has frankincense. It sounds great.

 

[PipeIT]

Here’s another thing, SPC mentioned that HU Director‘s Cut is Rich, Deep, and the Tin Note is Dynamic.

Consider those words, do they actually convey the blend?

The tin note also being described as a pretty good indication of what you can expect actually smoking the blend is mentioned.

Director's Cut from HU Tobacco

Join Shane Ireland in our latest Tasting Notes video on our Daily Reader as he reviews one of the blends from HU Tobaccos

www.smokingpipes.com

Let's talk about the blend itself. The tin note is dynamic. It's also a pretty good indication of what you can expect when you actually smoke the blend. It's rich, deep, earthy, spicy, tangy, and sweet. It's maybe a little bit fruity and there's a little bit of some fermented hay grassiness, baked goods, and brown sugar. It has nearly something for everyone.

When I considered the word Rich, Cheesecake was the first thing that came to mind. In the USA Cheesecake is typically rich.

Rich for food typically means a concentrated, intense, heavy flavor, to the point of being decadent. So much so, sometimes you can’t even finish it, because it’s so rich and heavy.

And for a Dynamic smell, what should that represent, pungent, intense smelling, or a nice melange of smells? The tin note did have a much stronger smell/profile to it, but it didn’t represent at all anything dynamic in a rich or deep flavor, it was pretty flavorless.

I want to make it clear, I am not talking about my personal likes. I am only sharing what I received is all.

I received a very light smelling blend, and a blend, pretty much tasteless, that’s all. So how do I convey that, as to what I actually experienced.

I made my comparison against around 100 different blends I’ve smoked over the years that are described as light all day blends.

Here’s some pics @Sigmund Hopefully they look good enough…

 

[fireground_piper]

@PipeIT didn't you also get Esoterica tobacco that smelled and tasted of moldy cheese? Whatever is going on in Hawaii, it always makes me scratch my head.

 

[PipeIT]

@PipeIT didn't you also get Esoterica tobacco that smelled and tasted of moldy cheese? Whatever is going on in Hawaii, it always makes me scratch my head.

I mentioned ‘Fermented Apricot’ before, which is the typical Esoterica signature smell taste in several of their blends.

Nothing is going on in Hawaii, you misunderstood something I mentioned in the past is all.

I started smoking a pipe around 1980, upwards till 1990s, around 10 years. Then I got back into pipes 4 years ago.

I’m not Jim, but I’ve smoked a lot of pipes and blends in all these years, so I do consider myself quite able to make a judgement call, and I do consider myself something of an aficionado on the subject.

When you’ve said what you just did, you are painting me in some sort of light as incompetent, especially when you say ’Always’, which begs the question of what always seems to be going on with your thoughts towards me. That’s always making me look like I’ve always got some sort of problem.

Anyhow, I mean you no offense, but you’re making me feel akward and bad, so let’s please drop whatever your Always Thoughts are.

Thanks, Aloha, and have a great Holiday and Happy New Year!

P.S. I’m sure you didn’t mean anything. But online, when someone is saying so and so is ‘Always‘ about something, then before long, everyone is saying, so and so is ’Always’ too, and then someone gets branded badly online, as always having issues, etc...