Cornell & Diehl Haunted Bookshop

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K.E. Powell

Can't Leave
Aug 20, 2022
493
1,781
37
West Virginia
Novice smoker with no palette yet, but I enjoyed a bowl of HB today. Have to agree with 8ball that it was very easy to keep lit. Relaxing and enjoyable, easy smoke. So far I've tried Early Morning Pipe, PS23 B&B, Sutliff Black Cordial and Pirate Kake. This and Early Morning Pipe have been my favorites so far. Just trying to get a taste for the different blends at this point but prefer the English blends and the Burleys over the aromatics so far. Have some Sun Bear Mountain Flower I am looking forward to trying next.
If you enjoyed Early Morning Pipe, try GL Pease's Chelsea Morning. It's like EMP, but with a dash of perique and a bit more flavor.
 

K.E. Powell

Can't Leave
Aug 20, 2022
493
1,781
37
West Virginia
Haunted Bookshop seems to be a real love it or hate it blend. Personally, I love it. I hesitate to use this analogy, because I'm not a coffee guy, but to me, HB is like a cup of strong black coffee. It isn't complex or daring, but that is to its strength and not its detriment. Like the coffee, HB is about providing a burley bomb of smooth buttery and earthy goodness with a nice nicotine jolt (like a caffeine jolt), with a nice portion of perique to set it off. It's not necessarily my favorite burley blend, but it's a top 5 and fills a niche others can't.

It's kind of weird to admit that HB is a blend I smoke when I need a pick-me-up. 95% of the time I'm smoking, I am relaxing. But I find if my spirits sag and I'm tired but feel like smoking? HB sees me through.
 
I have t admit to purchasing a tin a few weeks ago. Loaded up a big old Peterson XL315 last Sunday. Beautiful afternoon with a bit much wind. Anyway, the flavors were excellent; rich burley, touch of sweet VA and the fruitiness of the perique. The pipe proved too big for the smoker - nic hit was a bit more like a nic kick. Strangely, it keeps beckoning me back, with a slightly smaller pipe and a lazier day...

From SE Nebraska,
 

KruegerFlap

Might Stick Around
Dec 3, 2021
88
190
Ohio
Haunted Bookshop is my surprise desert island blend. I first tried it a few years back because of all the recommendations it gets and at first wasn't blown away by it. But over time I found myself coming back to it time and again. It has everything I want in a smoking experience, ease of smoking, great flavors, enough vitamin N, and it's available in bulk everywhere almost all the time. It's a simple blend that doesn't over promise or under deliver in my book 👍
 

TheDesertPiper

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 5, 2021
137
538
Arizona
I bought a single tin of this and smoked one bowl right away and I didn't care for it. Its been in a jar aging up for a while now. Maybe ill give it another shot after it gets some more age on it.
 
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Kobold

Lifer
Feb 2, 2022
1,235
3,870
Maryland
Haunted Bookshop seems to be a real love it or hate it blend. Personally, I love it. I hesitate to use this analogy, because I'm not a coffee guy, but to me, HB is like a cup of strong black coffee. It isn't complex or daring, but that is to its strength and not its detriment. Like the coffee, HB is about providing a burley bomb of smooth buttery and earthy goodness with a nice nicotine jolt (like a caffeine jolt), with a nice portion of perique to set it off. It's not necessarily my favorite burley blend, but it's a top 5 and fills a niche others can't.

It's kind of weird to admit that HB is a blend I smoke when I need a pick-me-up. 95% of the time I'm smoking, I am relaxing. But I find if my spirits sag and I'm tired but feel like smoking? HB sees me through.
This sold me on it. I picked up a tin of HB on my order at smoking pipes today based on what you wrote.
 
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deadidunn

Starting to Get Obsessed
May 30, 2020
116
582
41
Hineston, LA
I have a couple oz that I bought from bulk at a local shop. I just can't seem to like it much. I get very little flavor and it seems flat from 3/4 bowl and down. I've tried wider bowls, as suggested here, but still a no-go. I have a few tins also; I think I may crack one open and see if perhaps it is the bulk tobacco I purchased from that is the issue.
So..... i tossed the 1.5 oz of bulk HB i had and cracked open a new tin. That made the difference, i get the nutty spiciness of it and it lasts the whole bowl, no flatness. Idk what was up with bulk purchase from a local shop, but it was no good.
 
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NomadOrb

(Nomadorb)
Feb 20, 2020
1,673
13,650
SoCal
I admittedly hated HB when I first tried it. After some time to mellow out, it's become a go to when I want a VaPer like smoke with an extra kick of burley. To me the Virginias are up front and center.
 

shanez

Lifer
Jul 10, 2018
5,188
24,080
49
Las Vegas
I love the stuff but will admit it looses something and picks up an acrid cigarette taste if you get it really hot. A slow cool smoke is beautiful though.
 
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wyfbane

Lifer
Apr 26, 2013
5,117
3,517
Tennessee
Not every blend has to be a mega-hit. I find HB to be a mild Burley and tasty when the mood stikes. I am not really a Burley guy, though, so that may factor into my opinion.
 
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Ora Pro Nobis

Might Stick Around
Mar 25, 2020
73
210
Someone said that nobody likes HB the first time around. That was my experience too. But I came back to it and came to love it. I also love OJK, but really really dislike OJK Blue
So far this is me. I've only had a couple of bowls, but it has thus far been underwhelming. I will keep smoking it. I am curious about it.