C&D Winchester & Others

[BorealPiper]

Back on topic: I really liked Winchester but I'm curious if you guys dry it out at all? Out of the jar it's pretty moist for me but then again I like to dry to a light crisp.

Yes, i usually dry it out a bit. I tend to keep an ounce or so in a pouch on my desk which helps bring it to my preferred moisture level. "Light crisp' is a perfect description. @BenMN, thanks for the additional info!

 

[f4phantomdriver]

I suffer from this same affliction and through a lot of experimenting I've decided it's not actually the acidity, it's the opposite. Everybody's mouth chemistry is a little different and I think a lot of "tongue bite" and overall mouth discomfort is caused by tipping your mouths acidity too far in one direction.

When I tried smoking Virginia heavy blends by themselves, not a good time. Smoking it with something like tea, even worse. However if I drink something relatively acidic alongside it's fantastic and I have little to no discomfort. So my unscientific conclusion is that virginias will make your mouth more alkaline and by drinking something acidic, my choice is a soda, you can offset this effect. Worth a shot anyway.

Back on topic: I really liked Winchester but I'm curious if you guys dry it out at all? Out of the jar it's pretty moist for me but then again I like to dry to a light crisp.

Hey, I actually smoke Winchester right out of the jar. I don't have an issue with needing to dry it out. Could be too that I've gotten an older batch maybe. I usually dry out flakes and Lakelands. Winchester and Pegasus are my main smokes right now and they are pretty much ready to go from the jars. Peter Stokkebye stuff rips my tongue up too. I bought some PS English Luxury and loved it, but the bite was awful

 

[LeafErikson]

I suffer from this same affliction and through a lot of experimenting I've decided it's not actually the acidity, it's the opposite. Everybody's mouth chemistry is a little different and I think a lot of "tongue bite" and overall mouth discomfort is caused by tipping your mouths acidity too far in one direction.

When I tried smoking Virginia heavy blends by themselves, not a good time. Smoking it with something like tea, even worse. However if I drink something relatively acidic alongside it's fantastic and I have little to no discomfort. So my unscientific conclusion is that virginias will make your mouth more alkaline and by drinking something acidic, my choice is a soda, you can offset this effect. Worth a shot anyway.

Back on topic: I really liked Winchester but I'm curious if you guys dry it out at all? Out of the jar it's pretty moist for me but then again I like to dry to a light crisp.

I don't dry it out at all but I'm smoking it in a meerschaum which, as well all know, is the objectively superior pipe material.

 

[BenMN]

Upon receipt I thought it was a bit damp. But I jarred it up as it came, and it has been smoking beautifully for me.

 

[Bbailey324]

The bag of Winchester I got was fairly damp but no issues smoking it. I jarred it up as received, a bit of moisture should be good for ageing. At most I might let it sit in a pipe for 15 or 20 minutes after filling.

 

[Annaresti Red]

I've ordered C&D bulk from three stores now, and they are always bone dry - Pegasus, Shandygraf and OJK.

Still delicious, and only the Pegasus needed reviving (it was one hard rub from snuf).

Is that typical or have I been unlucky?

 

[filmguerilla]

I may have to try Winchester. So far, the only C&D that I really enjoy include Star of the East flake, Sunset Harbor flake, Bayou Morning flake, John Marr, and the HP Lovecraft tobaccos. I missed out on The Beast, but I have a feeling I'd like it, too.

 

[Swiss Army Knife]

I've ordered C&D bulk from three stores now, and they are always bone dry - Pegasus, Shandygraf and OJK.

Still delicious, and only the Pegasus needed reviving (it was one hard rub from snuf).

Is that typical or have I been unlucky?

Either unlucky or your definition of bone dry differs from most.

I'd say 1/3 of the bulk blends I buy, regardless of blender, show up at "light crisp" levels of dryness which is about perfect for me. I've only had one blend, 2oz of 507s from TPC, arrive bone dry. So it should be pretty rare.

 

[BenMN]

I've ordered C&D bulk from three stores now, and they are always bone dry - Pegasus, Shandygraf and OJK.

Still delicious, and only the Pegasus needed reviving (it was one hard rub from snuf).

Is that typical or have I been unlucky?

I have tried a few samples of bulk that I felt were dry or otherwise tired out. And then I think this is not what the blender/ house intended. And I think I may not be getting a fair impression of the blend.

The 1# and 5# bags C&D uses seem capable of at least months of stable storage.

So, if there's something I'm interested in, I'll give it a good think. Then, either buy a pound or nothing.

 

[LeafErikson]

I've ordered C&D bulk from three stores now, and they are always bone dry - Pegasus, Shandygraf and OJK.

Still delicious, and only the Pegasus needed reviving (it was one hard rub from snuf).

Is that typical or have I been unlucky?

That is not typical of my experience purchasing c&d bulk from SPC.

I am a massive fan of the Laudisi brand tree so I exclusively purchase my tobaccos from SPC. I can’t speak to purchasing c&d bulk from any other online retailers.

 

[Annaresti Red]

Either unlucky or your definition of bone dry differs from most.

I'd say 1/3 of the bulk blends I buy, regardless of blender, show up at "light crisp" levels of dryness which is about perfect for me. I've only had one blend, 2oz of 507s from TPC, arrive bone dry. So it should be pretty rare.

That is not typical of my experience purchasing c&d bulk from SPC.

I am a massive fan of the Laudisi brand tree so I exclusively purchase my tobaccos from SPC. I can’t speak to purchasing c&d bulk from any other online retailers.

The only one I've ever got that dry from SPC (out of 20 times) was that Pegasus, and after I bought it, it showed out of stock, it must have been the last bit. After reviving it was excellent.

The few other times things were dry, they weren't terribly so.

 

[f4phantomdriver]

I've ordered C&D bulk from three stores now, and they are always bone dry - Pegasus, Shandygraf and OJK.

Still delicious, and only the Pegasus needed reviving (it was one hard rub from snuf).

Is that typical or have I been unlucky?

I order all my C&D bulk blends from SP. Because the C&D manufacturing is done there and the freshest. To be honest most of my tobacco comes from SP because I smoke a lot of Gawith Hoggarth blends too. Now, when P&C has a sale on tins like University Flake, Royal Yacht, Irish Flake etc. I'll buy from them. Plus I live like an hour away from their warehouse so if I order something early in the morning 9 times out of 10 I get my package the next day through UPS. I've been smoking two County Square tobaccos lately so I've been cheating on Pegasus and Winchester lol.

 

[f4phantomdriver]

OK, I'm in for a pound.

If it's anything short of extraordinary I'll be back here to bitch.

How did you like Winchester Ben? It's been a awhile. I've been smoking Country Squire's Cowboy Coffee too.

 

[BenMN]

How did you like Winchester Ben? It's been a awhile. I've been smoking Country Squire's Cowboy Coffee too.

Ah, I like it quite a bit but don't smoke it much (!?). Still have most of that pound, zero regrets. Sometimes I just feel like Winchester, and smoke a few. Recently opened a jar with about a year on it, very nice. I could see Winchester slow-creeping its way into my regular rotation, but it's not there yet...

I'm not aware of anything else quite like it. Has a nice fullness

*I've been smoking quite a few cigars lately. I'll bet if I stopped that I'd be hitting the Winchester a lot harder

 

[dottlejockey]

Perfect...more TAD prodding! I was checking all my sources today to see if anyone had Firebird, to no avail, and hence picked up a few items from my short "to try" list. Winchester was also on that list and i did find it at one source, BUT didn't add it because they only had it by the pound. I like a 2-4oz sample before i go in with guns blazing. Alas, it will have to wait! But this thread certainly is no help. :P

 

[Sobrbiker]

Ah, I like it quite a bit but don't smoke it much (!?). Still have most of that pound, zero regrets. Sometimes I just feel like Winchester, and smoke a few. Recently opened a jar with about a year on it, very nice. I could see Winchester slow-creeping its way into my regular rotation, but it's not there yet...

I'm not aware of anything else quite like it. Has a nice fullness

*I've been smoking quite a few cigars lately. I'll bet if I stopped that I'd be hitting the Winchester a lot harder

It’s definitely good stuff, but I feel the same-it’s great when I’ve got a hankering for it, but that comes and goes.
Probably due to the cavendish (albeit unsweetened) content.

 

[LeafErikson]

It’s definitely good stuff, but I feel the same-it’s great when I’ve got a hankering for it, but that comes and goes.
Probably due to the cavendish (albeit unsweetened) content.

Winchester is an all day smoke dammit! I’ll die on this hill!

 

[f4phantomdriver]

Ah, I like it quite a bit but don't smoke it much (!?). Still have most of that pound, zero regrets. Sometimes I just feel like Winchester, and smoke a few. Recently opened a jar with about a year on it, very nice. I could see Winchester slow-creeping its way into my regular rotation, but it's not there yet...

I'm not aware of anything else quite like it. Has a nice fullness

*I've been smoking quite a few cigars lately. I'll bet if I stopped that I'd be hitting the Winchester a lot harder

I'm so glad you like it! It ages beautifully so don't stress about it sitting in the jar for a few years. I bought a few pounds of Winchester, Pegasus and CS Cowboy Coffee. I just smoked a bowl of last years Winchester and it has become a wonderful classic tasting and smelling pipe tobacco. It stews in the jars like a fine wine. You should try Cowboy Coffee from the Squire. Its not a coffee flavored tobacco by any means. It is red Virginia, cavendished Virginia and dark fired Kentucky. This blend was created by a tobacconist genius! To me, it tastes and smells like an untopped Gawith Hoggarth blend. It also has a pretty good nicotine.

 

[BenMN]

I'm so glad you like it! It ages beautifully so don't stress about it sitting in the jar for a few years. I bought a few pounds of Winchester, Pegasus and CS Cowboy Coffee. I just smoked a bowl of last years Winchester and it has become a wonderful classic tasting and smelling pipe tobacco. It stews in the jars like a fine wine. You should try Cowboy Coffee from the Squire. Its not a coffee flavored tobacco by any means. It is red Virginia, cavendished Virginia and dark fired Kentucky. This blend was created by a tobacconist genius! To me, it tastes and smells like an untopped Gawith Hoggarth blend. It also has a pretty good nicotine.

Thanks!

Yeah, no stress about it sitting. And it'll be gone in a few years for sure. I'll probably buy another pound once I pass the halfway mark with this one

Thanks too for the Cowboy Coffee recommendation, that sounds good. Another one that has my interest is Exhausted Rooster, recently recommended by @VDL_Piper. I wonder how they compare, and for that matter how both compare to good ole Hal.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I wonder how they compare, and for that matter how both compare to good ole Hal.

I’ve got no experience with Cowboy Coffee (I’d like to change that, but always forget about CS).
Exhausted Rooster though, I can say it’s far from Hal. Hal’s DFK and perique I find barely condimental, whereas Exhausted Rooster’s much more liberal with the dosage and is more akin to a GLP style VaPerBurKy, with a little less depth than Greg gets on his blends.
But I’ve got a goat palate, definitely worth trying yourself.