Sidelined by Carter Hall

[Talon]

So let me preface this by a small anecdote;

I'm still new to the world of pipe smoking. I've only been smoking for about 2 or 3 years. In that time I've amassed quite a bit of tobacco. The frog series by McClelland, a healthy dose of Capstan Blue (Which I absolutely love), Lane 1Q, Some Penzance, various samples of things such as Squadron leader, St james flake, 40th anniversary and fusiliers ration (thanks @SBC for being so generous) with quite a few more.. Some simpler and some more complex.

Well recently a friend was headed to the States from Canada and I ordered some tobacco to the address he was staying at and within that order was a 14 oz tub of Carter Hall. I just cracked that tub tonight because I couldn't really decide what I wanted to smoke and I was completely caught by surprise. ITS SO GREAT! It could just be the moment or the exact craving for something without too much identity but I've been completely caught by surprise. It's not as simple as I thought it would be but it's definitely not that complex.. it sits somewhere in the middle of it all and it's almost like eating a small bag of chips or something like that. It's a comforting and very satisfying smoke. Anyway my wife didn't care that much about my experience so I thought I'd throw it up on here for you guys to read.


Cheers !

 

[wolflarsen]

I've experienced this same epiphany. Carter Hall is good stuff indeed.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Most people find CH late into their journey, they’re almost always disappointed it took them that
long to try it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Makes me glad that the internet wasn't a thing when I started smoking. CH was a staple early on for me.

 

[verporchting]

Yup, it’s always pleasant to me when people discover how good CH and PA really are. They’ve been around forever for a reason. These are the blends I usually recommend for new pipe smokers because not only are they easily obtained and pleasant to smoke, but they’re also very easy to keep lit without frying your mouth. Hmmm, I think I’m going to smoke some right now actually.

 

[bullet08]

Now try some Capt. Black. And SWR/A.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

Don't underestimate Half and Half and other codger blends. They are classics for a reason and my "go to" smoke.

Simple, yet satisfying. Cheap, yet readily accessible. Rich, yet not over or underwhelming. Like a good friend, it rarely disappoints.

 

[Lumbridge]

CH is my #1 most smoked blend. Prince Albert and Carter hall are the meatloaf and mashed potatoes of pipe tobacco - just good, simple, satisfying comfort food. I'm not always in the mood for something complex and interesting.

 

[JimPM]

Carter Hall is a classic of old as is Prince Albert. There are some subtle changes in the nuancing of flavors/accenting with the new manufacturer but still a standard IMO. Good time codgers that grandpa smoked and eventually stirred my piping soul as well.

 

[Scriptonic]

Man, I tried to like carter hall. I really did. I just can't with it. I've tried it in so many different pipe, I've tried it at different moisture levels. All tasted terrible to me.

 

[Searock Fan]

Man, I tried to like carter hall. I really did. I just can't with it. I've tried it in so many different pipe, I've tried it at different moisture levels. All tasted terrible to me.

Different strokes.....

 

[judcole]

There is much to be said for all-day smokes, be they the American Classics like Carter Hall or Prince Albert or equivalents from across the pond - Amphora Original, MacBaren Mixture,and so on. There is a reason that these blends have lasted for decades.

 

[sham]

Do any retailers sale the 2oz pouches of CH and PA? Would really like to sample before buying tubs

 

[FLDRD]

Carter Hall was the leaf that helped me realize that there was something out there that was better for me than those wonderful smelling goopy hot burning tobaccos in the big glass jars of my local B&M...

I moved onward & upward from there but still keep a tub of it around. I have a little now and then...

Without that important transition, I may never have endured.

 

[kcghost]

Carter Hall has stood the test of time.

 

[Pooh-Bah]

Do any retailers sale the 2oz pouches of CH and PA? Would really like to sample before buying tubs

Not that I know of, but I think Sutliff has copycat blends in bulk. Probably as close as you can get at retail.

 

[anotherbob]

So let me preface this by a small anecdote;

I'm still new to the world of pipe smoking. I've only been smoking for about 2 or 3 years. In that time I've amassed quite a bit of tobacco. The frog series by McClelland, a healthy dose of Capstan Blue (Which I absolutely love), Lane 1Q, Some Penzance, various samples of things such as Squadron leader, St james flake, 40th anniversary and fusiliers ration (thanks @SBC for being so generous) with quite a few more.. Some simpler and some more complex.

Well recently a friend was headed to the States from Canada and I ordered some tobacco to the address he was staying at and within that order was a 14 oz tub of Carter Hall. I just cracked that tub tonight because I couldn't really decide what I wanted to smoke and I was completely caught by surprise. ITS SO GREAT! It could just be the moment or the exact craving for something without too much identity but I've been completely caught by surprise. It's not as simple as I thought it would be but it's definitely not that complex.. it sits somewhere in the middle of it all and it's almost like eating a small bag of chips or something like that. It's a comforting and very satisfying smoke. Anyway my wife didn't care that much about my experience so I thought I'd throw it up on here for you guys to read.


Cheers !

it's best to consider the codger blends to be a particular style of pipe tobacco, like VaOr or VaPer. I don't really dig that style too much but two of my favorites fall into that category. Five Brothers which in one of my three I don't go without that blends. And Sail Yellow. One way to look at them is that their minimalist. They're the least something can be and still considered good pipe tobacco. They're intended as something that you can smoke all day and enjoy and even ruminate over but won't knock your socks off and be too much of a sensory overload on the third or tenth bowl of the day.

 

[JimPM]

Do any retailers sale the 2oz pouches of CH and PA? Would really like to sample before buying tubs

Not any more

 

[Grangerous]

Carter Hall was a favorite early on for me too. It’s fallen out of favor for me but I’m not knocking it. Like someone said, it is the gateway for many to discover tobacco not overdone with toppings. — although, that’s the reason I don’t reach for it any longer, I now taste the artifice in it.

 

[Nevaditude]

I bought a tub a year ago with a ridiculous good sale. Been smoking other things, but gonna need to crack that open. I find I like Half & Half plenty well. I brought a pouch of SWR.
Maybe I'll go 'codger' for a part of the summer