An old friend ...

[didache]

A few days ago I was rooting around in a cupboard that needed clearing out. I came across an old tobacco jar I bought years ago. It was issued by Ogdens to celebrate 100 years of St Bruno. It reminded me that I hadn't smoked St Bruno for a long, long time - perhaps years! So I bought a pouch - it's one of those blends you can still buy in a UK supermarket or news agent.
It was a revelation! I had utterly forgotten how very good it was. I have smoked nothing else for the last four days.
This won't put me off all the other blends and mixtures I like. But it will teach me not to look down my nose at a blend that can be picked up anywhere.
Or maybe I'm just turning into an old codger? ::

 

[prairiedruid]

Join the club; I just tried some Carter Hall for the first time and really liked it. Now I wonder about my prejudice against Mixture 79....

 

[pagan]

Or maybe I'm just turning into an old codger

Welcome to the club, ain't nothing wrong with that :puffpipe:

 

[tinsel]

I got my first and only taste of St Bruno from the box pass. I absolutely loved it. Then I found out that you can't get it in the US and it was like a punch in the stomach.
Also was very fond of Mick McQuaid square cut and velven plug ... also apparently not available in the US. What a shame
EDIT: ok I just realized that st bruno is available at P&C and now I feel like an idiot. Why have I not bought this yet? Time to fix this problem...
Still no MM square cut or velven plug though

 

[aimlesswanderer]

I felt the same way when I tried Condor Long Cut for the first time. I have mainly stuck to GH and SG in my few years with the pipe, mainly because I know and love their range of snuffs. I tried Condor LC on a whim, and couldn't understand why the internet seemed to be against the supermarket brands. I haven't tried St Bruno yet, but that will be put right at some point this year

 

[didache]

If you go into most British supermarkets you will find five pipe tobaccos on sale:
St Bruno

Condor

Mellow Virginia

Gold Block

Clan
St Bruno and Condor are first class tobaccos and both have their fans. Personally I prefer St Bruno which is (to my mind) just a little smoother and less 'aggressive' in taste. It is also almost impossible to smoke too hot. That is just my taste though - and Condor will have its own defenders.
Mellow Virginia isn't quite so good imo, although I could happily smoke it if that was all I could get hold of.
As for Gold Block and Clan: the people who invented those should be taken out and shot!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I really like Mellow Virginia. If I had this at the corner store, I'd be very happy. Condor also, of course. But Clan... I tried that once and wasn't impressed at all.

 

[deathmetal]

I thought globalism was going to bring all those exciting English tobaccos to us. Now I want my taxes back.

 

[josephcross]

Didache, how much do pouches cost at your local store?

I heard my local grocery store carries some kind of maple flavoured pipe tobacco. It smells great, but Id rather be a partaker of the room note rather than smoking it, or that there was five to choose from.

 

[didache]

josephcross - a 50g pouch costs £13 and some pennies. You can buy it online for a little less. It doesn't seem to matter if it is an OTC blend or Dunhill: they all cost around the same. £13 = $16 or so. Where are you based?

 

[hawky454]

Great to hear you reunited with your old friend. I do love St. Bruno myself. Unfortunately I never had the chance to try the original blend but I am happy with the current product.

Have you tried Ogden's Mixture yet? It's Gold Block mixed with St. Bruno 50/50. Good stuff!
Edit* I actually like Gold Block a lot! I think it gets a bad rap but it's a nice smooth and sweet VA blend, I never understood the hatred for this one? I'd like to know why you dislike it so much? I understand that in the States it's way above the price range it should be in but it is very tasty nonetheless.

 

[aquadoc]

So no one imports St. Bruno to the States?

 

[hawky454]

Mac Baren makes it and yes, they import it to the States.

 

[deathmetal]

It's just $16 a tin and something extravagant for the pouch as well, so this great classic blend will likely not attract new users...

 

[didache]

hawky ... it always tasted to me like cigarette tobacco smoked in a pipe. Still, it wouldn't still sell unless it had its fans. Good thing our tastes are not the same.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"As for Gold Block and Clan: the people who invented those should be taken out and shot!"
You got that one 100% right Mike, abominable blends.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[condorlover1]

You can RYO out of Clan if you are desperate!