Player's Digger Mixture

[jaingorenard]

Has anyone ever come across this blend before? It's obviously completely dried out (although feels just short of being dust). Seems like a VaBur according to Tobacco Reviews - that review is for the flake, but I assume there's no difference other than cut.

 

[kcghost]

I've never came across it before but if you are planning on rehydrating I recommend sticking a Boveda pack inside the pouch and putting the pouch in a good jar.

 

[jaingorenard]

That's a good idea. I was going to just use the distilled water on a paper towel method, but I was a bit worried that it would disintergrate when I tried to get it out of the packet!

 

[simong]

I've smoked the flake & shag before. Digger Flake was a real belter & one of my top 5 smokes. Unfortunately the Shag was in the same foil wrapper as your mixture & was totally shot due to age & it not being sealed.

 

[greeneyes]

I've got some Digger flake in foil. Its dingy odor had never inspired me to rehydrate it. Same for a tin of Bulwark I've got. After enough experimentation you know a lost cause when you see it.

 

[condorlover1]

I remember Digger when it was available at your local News Agent - it had a yellow tinged packet and then later came in a plastic tray type of set up. Thirteen Shillings for 1/2 oz (65p) and last seen in a corner shop in Ilford High Road, Essex circa 1982 by yours truly. @simong is right in that it was a belter of a flake and the shag was on par with Nut Brown or Golden Virginia or Hogs Head and resulted in a lethal RYO gasper!

 

[simong]

Like @condorlover1 i remember the 1oz packets at my local corner shop too. The plastic & foil tray hold up well over time. One of my last eBay bargains was a packet of digger from the early 80's. Despite being 'bone dry' the seal had held & after rehydration it tasted as fresh as a daisy. Remarkable smoke!

 

[condorlover1]

@simong: That is exactly how I remember Digger. It was a belter of a smoke, the shag stuff reminded me of Hogs Head and was level of 'lung punch' that really never appealed to me!

 

[jaingorenard]

Like @condorlover1 i remember the 1oz packets at my local corner shop too. The plastic & foil tray hold up well over time. One of my last eBay bargains was a packet of digger from the early 80's. Despite being 'bone dry' the seal had held & after rehydration it tasted as fresh as a daisy. Remarkable smoke!
View attachment 140695

Definitely seems like a tobacco I would like! I wish I could have found a sealed pack. The consensus seems to be that it wouldn't be worth rehydrating this, but I may still give it a go. I slightly opened one end to have a look and it hasn't turned to dust. It certainly doesn't smell musty, but also doesn't smell like any VaBur I've ever had before. It actually smells cigar-like, but also quite sweet.

If I do try to rehydrate it I will report back!