Let’s Talk about Two Friends

[rmbittner]

I was recently reminded of Two Friends, the series of blends developed by Greg Pease and Craig Tarler. My search turned up a couple of posts in WAYS threads, along with this one from 2013: Two Friends Pipe Tobacco :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/two-friends-pipe-tobacco.19701/. But I’m wondering—as did that original post-er—why these blends really aren’t talked about much in general, especially when you consider how much we talk about Pease blends or C&D blends.

So: Any current fans of these blends? Any reviews you’d like to share of your favorites?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Redwoods and Heritage are my favorites. Why do we not talk much about them? We really don't talk much about Greg's work lately. It seems that unless it is something that has limited drops and is always out or unless people are just wanting to kick it in the knees, people don't discuss it.

I'm fine with not talking about them though, because I don't want it to become so popular that people start hoarding it to sell on the secondary market.

Popularity is a double edged sword. Yes, we want it to remain popular enough to not stop production, but I also don't want it to start artificially running out because of flippers. Also, when people start loving a blend, it brings out the contrarians who will take every opportunity to shit on what someone else loves.

 

[rmbittner]

It seems that unless it is something that has limited drops and is always out or unless people are just wanting to kick it in the knees, people don't discuss it.

Well, that just makes me sad.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Two friends, three friars, three nuns ..... some sort of a 70s party vibe - I don't they they are allowed to talk about it!

"Fidelio" gets you in.

Seriously, I'd never heard of them until now so happy to read any impressions.

 

[greysmoke]

I have some jarred Deacon's Downfall that has about 15 years of age on it. It's a blend of Black Cavendish, Latakia, Oriental, Perique, and Virginia. I'm a Latakia hound and think it's a great blend. It's really well balanced with a decided hit of Latakia that's held up very well over time. I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Two friends, three friars, three nuns ..... some sort of a 70s party vibe - I don't they they are allowed to talk about it!

"Fidelio" gets you in.

Seriously, I'd never heard of them until now so happy to read any impressions.

Don't forget 5 Brothers...

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Heritage, I believe to be a take on a quality OTC type of smoke. It has a light liquor type casing over a Virginia and burley blend. If you let it dry, most of that dissipates away.
Redwoods, is loaded with perique.

 

[rmbittner]

I have some jarred Deacon's Downfall that has about 15 years of age on it. It's a blend of Black Cavendish, Latakia, Oriental, Perique, and Virginia. I'm a Latakia hound and think it's a great blend. It's really well balanced with a decided hit of Latakia that's held up very well over time. I'm pretty happy with it.

I know this can be a hard question to answer if you enjoy perique, but: What’s the perique level like in this one? I’m extremely perique sensitive (I can only smoke it in very small amounts; otherwise it’s like needles piercing my tongue) but I’m open to trying perique-y blends if the percentage is very small.

BTW, I should share that I’ve just placed my first order for Two Friends blends: Heritage, Redwood (although @cosmicfolklore now has me thinking that might have been a mistake on the perique front), Celtic Mist, and Valle Crucis.

 

[greysmoke]

I know this can be a hard question to answer if you enjoy perique, but: What’s the perique level like in this one? I’m extremely perique sensitive (I can only smoke it in very small amounts; otherwise it’s like needles piercing my tongue) but I’m open to trying perique-y blends if the percentage is very small.

BTW, I should share that I’ve just placed my first order for Two Friends blends: Heritage, Redwood (although @cosmicfolklore now has me thinking that might have been a mistake on the perique front), Celtic Mist, and Valle Crucis.

I don't consider it especially strong, but I'm not Perique sensitive. In fact, my palate isn't all that sophisticated. What bothers me are tobaccos that are high in nicotine and this one is in my "tolerable" range. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

[canucklehead]

Don't forget 5 Brothers...

As well as 10 Russians, some Bankers, and Gordon Pym...

 

[LOREN]

I enjoy Deacon’s Downfall. I didn’t realize Redwoods was perique heavy, I’ll have to look into it.

 

[Briarberg]

Have only had Redwood but it's a regular go-to for me—excellent blend.

 

[fireground_piper]

English Chocolate is, possibly, my #1 aro. Possibly in my top 3 overall.

My perception has been people love it or hate it. Some people really hate it. I really love it.

 

[AroEnglish]

I've been meaning to try their English Chocolate and will now also check out Deacon's Downfall.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Have only had Redwood but it's a regular go-to for me—excellent blend.

It's on my list to try. Harris was a booster of the blend, even though red Virginias didn't agree with him.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It's on my list to try. Harris was a booster of the blend, even though red Virginias didn't agree with him.

There is nothing in their lineup that he could smoke. Are you sure? Ha ha

 

[ThermionicScott]

There is nothing in their lineup that he could smoke. Are you sure? Ha ha

Yeah, the incongruity was why it stuck in my mind!

 

[anotherbob]

there are so many great to good blends out there. Too many to talk about all the time.

 

[SBC]

I've never had any of them, but I've wanted to try English Chocolate for years.

 

[rmbittner]

Too many [great blends out there] to talk about all the time.

I’ll give you that. But still: I think it’s safe to say that many brands and blends get mentioned here repeatedly, while a number of brands/blends aren’t mentioned at all. I mean, it’s literally been 10 years since Two Friends has come up in a thread (other than WAYS). For a brand with multiple blends, produced by two leaders in the field, that seems baffling to me.