All Day Blend, Finally

[Alex.Jr]

All about variety here. As much as I enjoy a blend, I always wake up some days searching for different flavors.

And my rotation includes all types of blends and tobacco categories.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I'm happy to have numerous choices.

 

[gamzultovah]

As of right now, there are only 4 blends that meet these requirements for me - Erinmore, Royal Yacht, Nightcap, and St Bruno. I am confident I could only smoke these 4 and be quite happy.

I consider this a good thing, and it only took you 1.5 years to figure out. Less is more in my book, and being sated in your pursuits - a blessing. Because I’m in the same boat as you (more blends in my cellar than I care to smoke), I’ve actively become a social smoker and a habitual gifter. Having blends around that others like and seek is part of the pleasure of this hobby for me.

 

[danimalia]

Since I've started smoking a pipe I've bought more tobacco than I'll likely ever smoke in my lifetime. Not because it's too much but because I've bought a lot I thought I liked, but then ended up not liking. OGS and Dreams of Kaddath being two that come to mind on that list. It took about 1.5 years to realize how I determine what I actually like. Its not a mental choice for me I don't think...it's a desire or a craving. I love the flavor of Newminster 400, bought a pound, never went back to it. Mentally I like the flavor but I can do without it and so I rarely ever grab it. My desire seems to be related to a variety of factors most of which are not really conscious. Nic hit, desirable flavor, enjoyable when sipped, enjoyable when pushed, quick to prepare, all seem to be factors that keep me coming back time and time again naturally. As of right now, there are only 4 blends that meet these requirements for me - Erinmore, Royal Yacht, Nightcap, and St Bruno. I am confident I could only smoke these 4 and be quite happy. Right now I could smoke St Bruno all day everyday, easy. I'll still explore a bit I think, but not much. And my standard for cellaring will be much more strict.

That's a really interesting point about how a blend can meet every criteria possible for it to be considered a good, or even great blend, but not be something you find yourself wanting to smoke for whatever reason. I have had that same experience many times. As an example, I had a tin of Solani 633 that I thought was objectively very good. It took me forever to finish the tin. For as "good" as it was, it just never satisfied me in a way that caused me to crave it. On the flip side, I find myself craving St. Bruno so intensely that nothing else will do. I would be hard pressed to explain how St. Bruno is better than 633, but for whatever reason it just clicks with the old lizard brain a lot more than 633 does.

I like variety too much to have a single all-day blend, or even 4 that I rotate. If I did, St. Bruno might be the choice, though the added flavoring might be a bit much for me bowl after bowl. Pease's Kensington and Embarcadero would be up there. HH Burley Flake would be another possibility. Irish Flake and Gawith Hogarth Dark Flake Unscented would be perfect in terms of flavor, but I wouldn't want something that strong as an all-day blend.

 

[edger]

I was dedicated to Cosmic mixture( 1/2 and 1/2 Stokkebye LTF and LNF) for about 20 years until I found this dammed forum! Now, all bets are off. I’m now plagued with choices from C&D and Sutliff that have blown my budget to hell. I’m not even going to bring up my lingering PAD infection. Thanks a heap you bastards. Hrmmph!

 

[mso489]

Maybe you just require variety, in which case, in addition to buying small quantities of various blends, get some condiment tobaccos to mix at will, and mix blends you feel might complement each other. You sound pretty restless, and maybe you just don't need one or two habitual blends.

 

[Grangerous]

Thanks to the generosity of this forum, particularly, of Shermnatman, I have over thirty 1/2 ounce samples and various tins yet to open.

I’ve found through numerous “granger parfaits” or of late, side by side smoke-offs - always against Granger- that there are many tasty blends. Most of which overpower my ability to taste Granger, which as you know is a light and mild blend.

But Granger’s flavor I never tire of and it checks all of my boxes. It’s cut, moisture, burn, tin note, flavor, room note and my overall satisfaction.

I would love for and Angel to tap me on the shoulder and say, “these 3 blends are all that exist that check all of your boxes - you’re welcome.”

Until then, always seeking that next “perfect for me” blend to stock the cellar with.

I’m feel damned lucky that I have found ONE!

 

[Jaylotw]

I like variety, and have plenty of jars to choose from...but I’ve noticed that I’m almost all the way through a pound of Ryback that I bought in November, and my Yorktown stash is dwindling...so I suppose that I unconsciously DO have all day blends. I don’t think I could ever commit to just one blend and be happy, as the whole appeal of this pipe thing for me is trying new blends, or at least having access to a different smoking experience each time I smoke.

Funny, though, when I was a cigarette fiend I definitely had my brand, to which all others were subordinate and undesirable and I’d happily smoke Pall Mall 100s all day, every day.

 

[kcghost]

I'm content with Pease's Six Pence and Stonehenge and C&D's Mad Fiddler Flake.

 

[ofafeather]

Funny, though, when I was a cigarette fiend I definitely had my brand, to which all others were subordinate and undesirable and I’d happily smoke Pall Mall 100s all day, every day.

I was like that too with Camels except when I found Nat Sherman’s. Think I tried almost every cigarette/cigarillo they had. Those were some good stuff.

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

I'm content with Pease's Six Pence and Stonehenge and C&D's Mad Fiddler Flake.

Mad Fiddler Flake is an odd one, smells like Quaker Apple and Cinnamon instant oats, tastes like cigar

 

[Jaylotw]

I was like that too with Camels except when I found Nat Sherman’s. Think I tried almost every cigarette/cigarillo they had. Those were some good stuff.

I did make an exception for unfiltered Camels. It’s funny how loyal cig smokers are, compared to pipe smokers! My friend’s mom smoked Nats. We used to “borrow” a few from her when we were in high school.