American Blend

[lordofthepiperings]

That's very weird and I hope Brian tackles this on the radio show sometime. I'd lie to hear his views on this whole "American Blend" thing.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Just thumbing through that list on tobaccoreviews there isn't much consistency to the blending components. Some have just Burley and Virginia, some have Burley Virginia and Perique, some have Burley and Virginia with a top dressing, some have Burley Virginia and Latakia, some have Burley Virginia Latakia and Periqe. It's not like an English blend where it's typically Virginia and Latakia with some versions occasionally having Burley or Oriental added.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Gotta love Brian aka The Doctor of Pipes. He noted on tonight's radio show that that's probably a statement made by someone who is an expert on their own opinion. He also said it's probably referring more so to cigarettes than pipe tobacco.

 

[haroldt]

Lord of the Pipe -
I agree with your observation. As I've been studying up on all the products people suggested between this post and another post I made, http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/virginia-burley-oriental-balkan-what-would-you-suggest I noticed inconsistencies too.
I contacted Chuck at Tobacco Reviews regard the "Blend Type," below is his reply:

The brand type is entered by users, and can be edited by users as well. It’s not a perfect science, and sometimes the manufacturers themselves have trouble with that particular designation.

 

[blendtobac]

may be mistaken, but I believe Old Companion was supposed to be a "Similar Blend" to Barking Dog. A good blend in its own right, but not "Barking Dog"...

Old Companion wasn't an attempt to recreate Barking Dog, since there's no Latakia in Old Companion. What it is, is a simple Virginia/Burley blend for anyone who doesn't like top dressings.
Russ

 

[lordofthepiperings]

may be mistaken, but I believe Old Companion was supposed to be a "Similar Blend" to Barking Dog. A good blend in its own right, but not "Barking Dog"...

I think Sutliff's Man's Best Friend is supposed to be a match for Barking Dog.

 

[bonehed]

C&D's Junkyard Dawg too.

 

[haroldt]

Blendtobac - Thanks for adding to the post Russ, a real honor. Just this past Tuesday, you lured me into your website www.pipesandcigars.com with your offer of 1# of Dunhill for $40.00. since I so enjoy Early Morning Pipe, I ordered a pound. AND THEN.... my damn mouse kept clicking and adding to the order. Next thing I know I'm up to $100.00! Got several H&H blends to try and a little more Old Companion.

 

[Sjmiller CPG]

I would suggest looking at pipesandcigars.com's Match Pipe Tobacco section. They have blends that were made to smoke like older blends that are no longer available. A lot of old American blends are represented there such as Briggs, Brindley's, Four Seasons, Model, and so on.

 

[mso489]

Another old classic American blend that hasn't been mentioned, so I'll mention it, is Granger. Kentucky rough cut burley done with the Wellman's Process, which is a deep mystery. A Forums member and I joked that it is probably leaving the tobacco barn door open an eighth of an inch during curing. I have a sentimental attachment because it was my dad's forever blend for decades.

 

[haroldt]

Thank you Mr Miller and MSO. I will add your suggestions to my ever growing list.

 

[cobguy]

I'm going to reiterate an already suggested blend ... OJK.
Old Joe Krantz, to me, is the epitome of an American blend.
Burley, Perique and Red Virginia in a rough cut with a good dose of Nic that really satisfies that itch. ::
You can sip it to tease out the sweetness or puff it for a full-on pepper / spice blast.

 

[haroldt]

With some many suggestions, I've made a list and have placed my 1st order for a few. You guys are going to break my bank!!
Anyway - I got my first order in from pipes and cigars. The order contained:
C&D: Old Joe Krantz - tried it - LOVE IT!! This is a keeper. I wrote a review of it at http://www.tobaccoreviews.com.
Match: Edgeworth Rready Rub - have not yet tried
H&H Capitol Stairs - have not yet tried
(3) H&H Mid-town Series: Derby Club (not tried) - Prince Andrew (Nice) - Sweet Cask (do not care for this)

 

[cobguy]

C&D: Old Joe Krantz - tried it - LOVE IT!!

Some good stuff ... really glad you liked it! ::

 

[haroldt]

Cobguy - I shared some Old Joe with a friend he flipped! He told me that in comparisons all his other tobaccos rate 3 -4 on a 10 scale. OJK rates 8.5. I give him what was left of the oz I bought (about 1/2 oz.) He finished it one day.
Guess I'll be buying more of this soon.

 

[aristokles]

Count me in the Old Joe Krantz camp. I love the stuff. Burley, perique, and red Virgina seems about as American as one can get.

 

[haroldt]

I notice I had posted an update to some of the blends that had been suggested on http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/virginia-burley-oriental-balkan-what-would-you-suggest#post-852338 So rather then posting the same twice....

 

[haroldt]

mso489 - since creating this post and with all the suggestions heading me to C&D blends, I must say I'm find new appreciation for them.
C&D was the first baccy I tried when I came back to pipes in 2013. I was given several and while I tried to like them... I came away thinking "what is it that every one raves about?" I guess at the time Burley wasn't my thing. Now expanding my horizons... I'm finding them as the blender that folks rave about.
After trying a little Old Joe; I've just bought a pound. I gotten some Habana Daydream and have gone through about an ounce in the last 10 days. (I have other blends out in my open rotation at the time too.)
Funny how things and opinions change.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Give Pegasus a try too. One of my favorite C&D burley blends.

 

[deathmetal]

A traditional American mixture of Pressed Burley and steam-toasted Red Virginia which has a nutty/toasty flavor and a nice cool burn.

That sounds delicious...
Another vote for OJK here. Just a great all-day smoke.