After Steve Brooks passing and since moving from Rich's Cigar Store in Portland OR to his own shop in Salem called the House Of Calabash I've been looking for the most similar tobacco to his blend called Grandpa. Grandpa was one of my favorite blends of all time and the closest ive been able to come to finding something similar was Classic Burley Cake. Just want to hear people opinions on similar tasting smoke.
Steve Brooks and Grandpa Blend
- Thread starter Speciosa
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Rich's currently sells Grandpa II. Have you tried it? Steve said he sold some of his recipes to them after he left, but I don't know if Grandpa II was one of them or how close it is to the original.
By the way, for what it's worth, Steve Books' shop, House of Calabash, was in Oregon City, not Salem.
Wish I had tried some of Steve’s blends at some point. From what I’ve read, they were really something special.
I have about an ounce and a half of Grandfathers Own. I just smoked a bowl yesterday. I hadn't touched it in years. I dont know of something similar. Peretti's no name and Grandfather from the Tobacco Barn are sort of in the neighborhood but not the same thing or a replacement.
I was just looking at the house of calabash website and it looks like you can still place online orders? It sounds like his daughter was going to try to carry the mantle after he passed but IDK. It's a little hard to tell if they're still active at all as the website doesn't seem very well constructed and there isn't much content from the last couple years. I'm curious if anyone knows more definitively. He was at riche's when I bought my first pipe and tobacco, but regrettably I've never smoked one of his blends.
I was a fan of his expensive, yet in my opinion, worth it, blends. I smoked most all of his offerings, but “For Meerschaums Only” was my favorite. There were two versions, each top drawer. Grandfathers Own was also greatly enjoyed. R.I.P. Mr. Books.
@Speciosa is this it?
stevenbookshouseofcalabash.square.site
I wish they sold 1 ounce sizes, only 4 ounce sizes.
It’s hard to justify these prices when you don’t know if you’ll like the tabac. ?
Grandfather's own | Steven Books House of Calabash
A mild and smooth aromatic blend of Virginia and burlys with a hint of chocolate.
I wish they sold 1 ounce sizes, only 4 ounce sizes.
It’s hard to justify these prices when you don’t know if you’ll like the tabac. ?
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Mingc referred to Grandpa ll which i've bought at Rich's a few years ago. I was actually just up in the Portland area 6 months back on a vacation and didnt stop by the smoke shop. Should had grabbed a few things and see if they still blend Grandpa ll as it is somewhat similar to the original. I ended up putting in a order of 10 ounces of Grandpas Own a few days after posting this original message on the and here we are going on 2 months and i still have not received my order. Left multiple emails and haven't been responded back, gonna have to take it up with my debit card. For a reference i ordered on the site posted by PipeIT and now im also seeing this one..... Grandfather's own | Steven Books House of Calabash (square.site).... when i clicked on it off google it had a few different options then the site posted by PipeIT by now since i've referenced it and reclicked on it, seems to be exactly the same. I just remember seeing a smoke called Legion something which is now not showing up.
Did you ever receive your order? I’d kill for some GO. Had it 10 years ago or more and loved it.
I’m not sure I remember correctly, but I think his last name is Books. I called him years ago to ask how to add extra perique to a blend and he was very pleasant and helpful.
What was Grandpa's Blend? I mean, what was the base leaf and what were the condiment tobaccos? And flavorings if any? Any guesses on proportions? That would suggest what might be similar, among the thousands of blends out there.
Ah, here it is:
Description
A mild and smooth aromatic blend of Virginia and burlys with a hint of chocolate.
Ah, here it is:
Description
A mild and smooth aromatic blend of Virginia and burlys with a hint of chocolate.
Yes, it was Books, not Brooks. He was quite influential in the pipe smoking community here in Portland, OR, when he was alive.
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