SPC Plum Pudding SR vs. SPC Plum Pudding

[BarrelProof]

Can someone compare the two in words that a new pipe smoker can understand?

When I first tried the SR version, I didn’t really find anything special about it. It has since grown on me, and the stoved version is really good. I’d like to go deep on it, but I’m curious about the difference in this vs. the standard version so I can see about saving a little money.

Thanks!

 

[hauntedmyst]

I have to be honest, given my limited tobacco taste buds I don't taste that much difference between them other than the Virginia's are a little more noticeable and forward in the SR version. Given that I can get 8 oz of the regular for $25 on cigarbid, I buy that and get twice as much.

 

[sablebrush52]

Wee, for starters, neither of them actually have any plums in them.

 

[marlinspike]

Wee, for starters, neither of them actually have any plums in them.

And not a bit of actual pudding, either! My ombudsman will hear of this, let me tell you...

 

[kcghost]

And while they act like they invented the bourbon stave in the tobacco they didn't.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I find SR slightly richer, and the plug allows me to basically have a custom cut. Shag, cube, ribbon, flake, whatever I please.

 

[logs]

And while they act like they invented the bourbon stave in the tobacco they didn't.

not sure where you got this idea

 

[logs]

I find SR slightly richer, and the plug allows me to basically have a custom cut. Shag, cube, ribbon, flake, whatever I please.

You mean you're able to get it to burn? Even rubbed out it's damn near fireproof.

 

[BarrelProof]

Apparently some hatred towards the two mentioned blends. Not that it isn’t appreciated, but it’d be cool to get useful information. Just trying to figure out which one to spend money on. I like the SR, just wondering how much different it is from the regular version and if you guys think the increase in price is worth it.

No need to bring up barrel staves. It’s pretty obvious that they were invented in the US, otherwise how would the distilleries in Scotland base their aging processes around them!

 

[logs]

No need to bring up barrel staves. It’s pretty obvious that they were invented in the US, otherwise how would the distilleries in Scotland base their aging processes around them!

I think he's quibbling about SPC's bourbon version of Plum Pudding including a stave, a trick McClelland introduced a few years back (not that it matters)

I've only tried the SR version of Plum Pudding so can't offer a comparison against the original. AlaskanPiper's answer is probably as good an answer as any... the SR is richer than the original. You can always look at tobaccoreviews. There are several reviewers there comparing the two.

 

[BarrelProof]

I think he's quibbling about SPC's bourbon version of Plum Pudding including a stave, a trick McClelland introduced a few years back (not that it matters)

I've only tried the SR version of Plum Pudding so can't offer a comparison against the original. AlaskanPiper's answer is probably as good an answer as any... the SR is richer than the original. You can always look at tobaccoreviews. There are several reviewers there comparing the two.

That’s where I started but I have a hard time distilling all of the descriptors. Also, I see a lot of this vs. that in both directions. A lot of folks saying the regular version is the better buy, others saying they’ve never had as fine a blend as the SR version.

My two cents - I can’t make much sense (yet, I hope) of a lot of these reviews. In my opinion, the SR seems a little creamy, with a soft mouthfeel and somewhat of a nuttiness about it. That’s about all I’ve got. I don’t find raisins, plums, treacle, any of the stuff mentioned on tobaccoreviews.com.

I hope to one day get there, but right now I’m just wondering if there’s a “SR is a stronger version, flavor wise, of the regular version.” Or something like “The SR smooths out the strength of the regular version.”

Just something to put the two into perspective. I pay attention when a handful of folks on here share their opinion, simply because I have followed their advice in my short pipe career and have been subsequently rewarded by doing so - alaskanpiper is one of them. In fact, I have the SR version on his recommendation. After stoving it, I’m borderline in love with it and see myself going deep on it, just didn’t know if I could get more bang for my buck by buying the regular version in bulk, instead, is all.

 

[Sonorisis]

I've sort of gone through the same progression with each of the SPC tobaccos I've acquired. At first, they are really complex and different, next I get very involved with them and think they are spectacular, ultimately I get tired of them and long for something that has a more authentic, pure tobacco flavor. So, I'm sorry I cellared some of their blends.

Glad to have had them, enjoyed them a lot, until I didn't.

So, unless you're on your third tin of Plum Pudding and still madly in love with it, cellar with caution!

 

[alaskanpiper]

I have cellared all three versions, and enjoy smoking them all at various times. As with any tobaccos, you are going to get a number of differing opinions here from the original being the best to the SR being 100x better to SPC sucks buy the one I like instead.

I would say buy a tin of both (or all three if the bba is still out there). In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with any of them, and that would allow you to find out for yourself which one you’d like to “go deep” on.

Of course after doing just that, I still couldn’t choose, so I went deep on all three

 

[marlinspike]

Ultimately, even with people whose opinions you respect, often it’s a “buy it and try it” situation with tobacco blends. A guy I’ve known for years, and whose judgement on tobaccos I value, can’t stand Walter Raleigh aromatic, which I’ve found I enjoy more often than not. Try one blend at a time, sit with it for a while, and see if it resonates with you. I don’t know of any other way to get an educated set of personal preferences than to to give things a shot.

 

[BarrelProof]

Ultimately, even with people whose opinions you respect, often it’s a “buy it and try it” situation with tobacco blends. A guy I’ve known for years, and whose judgement on tobaccos I value, can’t stand Walter Raleigh aromatic, which I’ve found I enjoy more often than not. Try one blend at a time, sit with it for a while, and see if it resonates with you. I don’t know of any other way to get an educated set of personal preferences than to to give things a shot.

I agree with this 100%. Just figured since I knew I liked one version of it, and they’re based on the same blend, perhaps I could trust information on the differences between the two.

Regardless, I’ve got a tin of the regular version inbound to do just that.

 

[Kozeman]

I like the original. Was kind of dissapointed with the bourbon one. Maybe just had my hopes set too high for that one.

 

[mso489]

I can't compare since I haven't smoked either, but I have a tin of the regular unopened. I will say this, that in the SPC series, it seems to me that the least celebrated of their longer standing blends is Potlatch. I happened to try it, on sale, and was much impressed. I think it has about six tobaccos, which could make it harsh or muddy if it wasn't done right, but it is nuanced and complex in a good way. Try the regular and see how you like it. Sometimes the upgrade isn't necessarily an improvement with any individual smoker.

 

[BROBS]

Ultimately, even with people whose opinions you respect, often it’s a “buy it and try it” situation with tobacco blends. A guy I’ve known for years, and whose judgement on tobaccos I value, can’t stand Walter Raleigh aromatic, which I’ve found I enjoy more often than not. Try one blend at a time, sit with it for a while, and see if it resonates with you. I don’t know of any other way to get an educated set of personal preferences than to to give things a shot.

Great advice because even someone who likes almost all the same things as you will like something you don’t and vice versa.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I can't compare since I haven't smoked either, but I have a tin of the regular unopened. I will say this, that in the SPC series, it seems to me that the least celebrated of their longer standing blends is Potlatch. I happened to try it, on sale, and was much impressed. I think it has about six tobaccos, which could make it harsh or muddy if it wasn't done right, but it is nuanced and complex in a good way. Try the regular and see how you like it. Sometimes the upgrade isn't necessarily an improvement with any individual smoker.

Pimpin’ the Potlatch again! I’m inclined to try it although the name alone is unappealing. Have you tried LJ Peretti’s Cuban Mixture? I wonder if any comparison is to be had there as both seem to have a lot of different tobaccos in the mix.

 

[skydog]

For both Plum Pudding and Mississippi River I found the SR versions better. The regular versions are good but the SR was slightly richer and creamier of a smoke. Not night and day difference but definitely noticable to me and worth the extra cost. I haven't tried the rum or bourbon barrel aged versions so can't comment on those.