edit,
just noticed this bit
Ironically and surprisingly, in Canada we are not subjected to these policies. That is definitively a first as usually, when something is available in the US, it is not automatically available in Canada, especially pipe tobacco.
so I think you're correct, should be no problem ordering from any tobacconist in the UK it would seem, let us know if this is the case, you may be able to make a small fortune by distributing Germain's Rich Dark Flake over here!
But, for US residents, it's all unobtainium.
:crying:
junkyarddawg -
I've used Mr. Snuff with much success, at first to get my beloved Warrior Plug and sometimes St. Bruno, and recently to get Condor, my last order was wonderful because for some reason they had Condor Long Cut 50g pouches listed for $10.15, they had 5 left, I bought all 5. They ain't restocked it yet so I dunno if that was a closeout deal or what, it ain't been restocked yet in the 50g size, I hope they do because I'd be stoked to have it at that price!
https://mrsnuff.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=67
The only other legit and confirmed retail source I know of is James J. Fox of Dublin,
http://www.pipedivan.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_8
...it's where to get the Plug because it's only sold in Ireland, they also stock Maltan Flake, something I'd like to try,
and maybe Velvan Plug too!
But I ain't done a successful order yet, my Visa card keeps getting hung up because they use the "verified by visa" security thing and I can't figure it out, I tried 3 times and failed, they sent me an email asking me why I didn't complete my order and I told them but no return email, the lady at my credit union explained that when I place the order I'll get a phone call or something with a secret code, yowza, it was a hassle for me, maybe for the best though as I was gonna spend too much money anyway LOL I have read about people from USA making orders and coming through good.
...other than that, it's trading with friends.
Also, be sure to have a look in some of your local antique shops, some great dusty stuff might be sitting on the shelf, like Steve Laug who found an old cutter top of Condor, these beautiful (and smokeable!) artifacts are still out there!
http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/tobacciana-dating-an-old-cutter-top-tin-of-condor-sliced/
And,
this tin is currently up for grabs on ebay, but it ain't worth the asking price imho...
Here's a quote I found from 1996, I agree about becoming an Anglophile part because of the very same reason,
Due to the lack of Condor
in the United States, many of us have searched long and hard to find a pipe tobacco as
distinctive, rich, strong, and cool smoking as this excellent blend. However, the search has
been in vain. There's nothing quite like Condor, even though St. Bruno and Walnut Flake are
both quite good.
Perhaps it's the strength of Condor that so many folks have a problem with. I smoke very little
(1-2 bowls a day), so I tend to like a nice, full, memorable bowl whenever I light up. Many of
tobaccos here in the States have a nice flavor and aroma, but don't deliver much punch. I think
that's why I've become an Anglophile when it comes to pipe tobacco: many of the British blends
are very satisfying, and don't shy away from imparting a good measure of strength.
A lot of folks here in the States complain about Condor's aroma, both in the pouch and when it's
burning. They say it leaves a persistent and unpleasant residue of flavor in their pipes.
Well, I pride myself on having a pipe that is reserved entirely for Condor. The cake of this
pipe delivers such a rich flavor and aroma that it makes me salivate just thinking about it.
Perhaps Condor is an "acquired" taste, appealing more to the experienced smoker. Few people
start out liking the rich taste of Scotch, Guiness Stout, or Condor for that matter. After
their taste buds gain some experience, however, they often change their tune.
Mark Shelor
...more quotes from the same conversation:
It's among the most heavily cased (perfumed) tobaccos on the market.
Gums up the machines used to slice the flakes. Has a unique flavor that
will hang in your pipe, so use care which wood you put it in. Wouldn't
dream of putting it in my favorite pipes, but it's a nice change of
pace.
The worst tobacco I have ever tried. I could not get the taste out of the pipe after only one smoke.
It was very strong! Too much for my taste.
I could distinctly taste Condor in a pipe that hadn't been smoked for about 15 years. It is awful stuff imho, but it is probably the best selling tobacco in the U.K.?
This doesn't surprise me at all - Condor is the most, err.... - well now.. unique, that's it, unique pipe tobaco that I've ever had the misfortune to experience.
In the UK, I found a fair number of veteran pipe smokers who would smoke nothing but Condor Original. I found it a good tobacco, but I prefer the taste of Gawith & Hoggarth flake tobaccos.
Condor has a very strong, long lasting flavour, that once you get used to you tend to keep on liking. Of course I smoke other tobacco's but I still keep a couple of ounces of Condor on the go.
Umm! I don't know about several variations. I know only one 'Condor'. I've tried it and I didn't like it. Too heavily perfumed.
What they say is: Derby people are strong int th'arm an' wick int th'ead. Now we Nottingham folk are renowned or our good taste. I like an even mix of Grand Cut (Loose from Josiah Brown) and Ogden's Gold Block. Unlike Condor, totally natural and no nasty flavours.
Hmmm! back to me hammock
The taste is Unique, but then so is the taste of many Scotch Whiskies, and if asked to describe it I would be hard put to come up with an adequate description, but I don't smoke rubber - or other strange substances either.
I certainly would not recommend it to anyone used to smoking the milder kind of tobacco that I have received from freinds in the states, it just is so different, but if you like a strong- and I do mean strong -tobacco, then this may be to your taste.
I would also agree that it's taste is singular but what do you want? A single Malt with a distinctive and unique taste, or a cocktail? You pays yer money and you makes yer choice.
well, your review of Condor isn't very ambiguous. It is definitely a high nicotine tobacco and I can understand how its aroma is an either love it or hate it situation.... I remmeber you despise Erinmore as well,
so how could you possibly enjoy Condor? It's interesting to me though when someone doesn't like a tobacco, the y say it tastes/smells like burning rubber. I"ve tried many blends I don't like, but have yet to find one that tastes like burning rubber myself.
For me the most ironic thing is that I always find I have a somewhat sensitive tongue, but I don't find Condor to be a harsh smoke. What I find harsher are the McClelland blends that get so many rave reviews. I enjoy their tastes but just don't find tongue bite to be pleasant... obviously you don't either, since that was something that got to you about Condor.
Different strokes for different folks.
...and this is a priceless exchange:
Back in 1992, on vacation in London, I bought a nice little pipe from
Astley's. I was young and foolish and everybody in England was smoking
Condor, so I bought some and broke-in in the new pipe with it. At first, I
thought I liked it, so I bought a bunch and kept smoking it after returning
home. After a few months (yes, I'm a little slow sometimes) I decided that
I did NOT actually enjoy smoking Condor.
Here we are, 10.5 years later. I've cleaned this damned pipe so many damned
times with so many different damned sweeteners...I reamed it, I smoked
Latakia blends in it for a while, and I thought I had exorcised the Condor
demons from this pipe.
But no. Here I sit, smoking a lovely bowl of Astley's No.2 (Virginia with a
small dose of Perique). All was well until about two-thirds down into the
bowl. And that *#^!$%*! Condor is back again...haunting me.
I don't want to do the salt treatment. The salt treatment frightens me.
And I don't want to bake my pipe in an oven. Baking my pipe in an oven
frightens me. And I don't want to smoke Condor.
Suggestions?
-Sean
Here are a few:
1. Learn to like and smoke Condor
2. Learn to like Condor flavoured tobacco of other genres
3. Put the pipe on display, and use it as a memento of your misguided
youth
4. Burn the pipes for warmth on a cold, Canadian winter's even, while
smoking something you like...
-glp
Hi Sean that s an easy one! My friend and great Condor devotee Chet
Gotfried ( a former ASP er) asked me to try some while visiting my
shop one day. I used a pipe I try blends out on. I filled the bowl
took a couple puffs, almost threw up, and then dumped the bowl. I
reamed it out, cleaned it, soaked it in alcohol and eventuall put it
in the dishwasher! So if you want to save yourself some trouble,
JUST THROW THE PIPE OUT. It s the final solution to the problem. I
eventually did this and it cured the problem.( no TIC)
- Mark Tinksy
There are two morals to be drawn from this:
1. Don't be in the same room when Mark tries a new tobacco. (I never did
manage to clean those stains off my shirt.)
2. If you want a free Tinsky pipe, quietly go about his place and put
some Condor in those pipes you want.
Happy New Year!
--Chet
lol......i am laughing myself to death by imagining sean's face while
reading mork's and greg's comments.
personally i smoke condor now and then and yes i have a few pipes devoted to
the same. condor is not for everyone, but i am a nut.
the only person who can kill a condor was orsen wells, and he did it with a
fart. believe me sean, he could fart in chicago and kill a condor in the
andes.
but......that's too late.
...and don't blame me for the information. it was buddy hackett who told me that
cheers
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