Tinderbox Reserve 1928 - Is there anything even close to it?

[phreon]

When I first started pipe smoking and stumbled through tobaccos almost at random, I was lucky enough to come across and order a tin of Tinderbox Reserve 1928. I've been smoking more lately, trying to branch out, try new things, but I keep coming back to 1928.
It smells great in the tin with mild notes of vanilla and chocolate, almost like chocolate chip cookies. The room note is fantastic, the flavor, though mild, is delicious with just a bit of sweetness. It's a wonderfully aromatic, non-aromatic. Honestly, think I could smoke it for the rest of my life if I had to chose only one blend.
...but there's a problem. It's unbelievably expensive. Where I live, there isn't a Tinderbox within 100 miles and none of the brick 'n mortar stores near my relatives carry it. That leaves online sales as my only avenue. A 50 gram tin is 17.75. Plus, Tinderbox's shipping rates are high - 100 grams of this tobacco cost me $46.65! $11.15 to ship 2 tins. The cost was somewhat bearable when I was smoking the odd bowl here and there, but 100 grams goes quick even at my new (modest) rate of 3-4 bowls a week
I've read several reviews comparing it to W.O. Larson's "Old Fashioned" so I grabbed a tin. While W.O.L. O.F. is quite interesting, it's *nothing* like 1928. Respectfully, those reviewers must be out of their minds.
They used to be quite coy about the blend, but at least Tinderbox now lists the main constituents. Produced by McClelland, "The composition of this new tobacco is Red Virginia, Orange Virginia, Virginia Flake, and a touch of Burley".
Reviews of 1928 are far and few between so comparisons are even more rare. What is out there in the same league? Anything?
I'm not looking to find a perfect clone, but perhaps something in the same "spirit". Not a sticky aromatic, but lightly sweet. Good room note, excellent, mild flavor and easy on the Nicotine for this otherwise non-smoker.
I'd greatly appreciate suggestions of other blends to consider. Or perhaps the hard truth if this tobacco is utterly unique.
Thanks

 

[mso489]

I'd go for 1 oz. samples of aromatics coming close to this flavor profile. Of course, base tobaccos will vary widely so might or might not come close to the classic blend. However you might find several you like nearly or just as well in the process. Aromatics make up about 95% of the pipe tobacco market, so you have a vast array of choices. You just have to take the time to sort out the ones closest in flavor profile, and spend a little to order appropriate samples.

 

[phreon]

Ah, but that's my dilemma - the *vast* array of choices. I'm still essentially a neophyte trying to gain an understanding of the flavor profiles of what I have already tried. What flavors Burleys bring, what characteristics different varieties and curing methods inside the Virginia family have, etc. Even within a single type, there's far more variation then I had realized. I need an education and reading only goes so far. In my utterly blind phase, I grabbed a tin of Mac Baren Virginia No. 1. I've given it many chances, but it's all but unsmokeable to me. That 1928 is mostly Virginias is truly mind boggling.
I suppose I'm not really asking for a direct answer, so much as a good direction to take.
Thanks

 

[sablebrush52]

I suppose I'm not really asking for a direct answer, so much as a good direction to take.

You were given a good direction to take by MSO. The only way to learn about tobaccos is to try them. P&C (pipesandcigars.com) offer sample packs of various varieties. That's a good way to start. Visit your local tobacconist and sample what he has in bulks.

You can also look over the McClelland line in tobaccoreviews.com, since their Virginias have a signature scent, and see if they offer anything similar under another name.
One of the wonderful things about pipe tobaccos is the amazing range of flavors available, like no other method of smoking. Don't hug that float too tightly. Get out and swim!

 

[phreon]

Hmm... I've been approaching this using my Engineering brain. Trying to think along the lines of, "these characteristics are probably coming from tobacco type x and y". It's starting to sound like the "magic" in different blends is just too complicated to describe that way. Fair enough.
I've avoided going to my local tobacconist because I didn't want to be "that guy" who is utterly clueless. I suppose I at least have a basic vocabulary now and it's time. Straus here in Cincy is quite nearby.
Thanks

 

[sablebrush52]

Speaking as the son of an engineer, who inherited that gene but took it to a very different field, I'll tell you to forget that Engineering brain until you get around, down the road, to making your own home blends. There are simply too many variables to progress any way other than empirically.

 

[cosmicbobo]

A local tobacconist was able to give me comparable blends to TB even before the Wild West Days of the early Internet. I was looking at the 1928 blend recently, online, but opted for another. Take your nearest one a sample and see if he can help.

 

[pitchfork]

It sounds pretty unique, and if it's made by McClelland it probably is. In other words, I'd give up on finding a substitute.
So it's expensive relative to other pipe tobaccos, but pipe tobacco is really inexpensive compared to cigars. And God help you if your preferred vice happens to be fine wines!
If you really like it, maybe just bite the bullet and order a bunch.

 

[markus]

MSO's suggestion will serve you best, I think.

If you sample enough blends you may be surprised in what you will find to suit your tastes, and think of the fun you will have in sampling all of those delicious blends and tobaccos.

Good luck!

 

[mayfair70]

I was just at my Tinderbox and they had an open tin of 1928. It had the usual "ketchup" smell of McClelland virginias and seemed like a wonderful concoction. If I hadn't been so poor I would have bought one.
In addition to the impeccable advice you have already received, I can only add to stock up on McClelland virginias and burleys (and a couple of Orientals and Syrians as well) and attempt to mix the blend yourself. It definitely smells worth the try. Besides. you can always find a home for your "failed" experiments.
Or, start a 1928 fund and buy as many tins as possible.
Good Luck!

 

[phreon]

CosmicBobo:
Your comment gave me an idea. Most of the Tinderbox bulk tobaccos are rebranded Lane offerings (Wilshire = 1Q). Going with that general idea, what did I find on tobaccoreviews when I searched for a McClelland, bulk, Virginia/Burley?
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/725/mcclelland-no-110-just-plain-nut It looks identical to my jar of 1928 and the reviews have a lot of overlap.
Everyone:
I hear you all loud and clear about trying different samples. That has always been my goal. Given McClelland's general reputation, I *have* to try a sample of that No. 110 though. Even if it's nowhere close to 1928, it could turn out to be another happy accident like W.O.L. O.F did.

 

[mikestanley]

I understand that many of those "special" TB blends are equal parts of two aromatic blends mixed together.
Mike S.

 

[phreon]

I thought I'd add that I have a bunch of 1 oz. samples of various Va-Burley and Va-Cavs, mostly from McClelland but some others as well on the way. Some that sound like they might overlap, some utterly different but sound interesting.
Trying to discard the idea of finding a (nearly) direct 1928 replacement and instead understand what it is I like about it and branch out from there. For example, I have (too much) Lane 1-Q and RLP-6. They're alright, but kind of...boring to me (seems like I enjoy RLp-6 a it more). But there's something to be learned from that as well.
Thanks

 

[phreon]

Lest I sound like an ungrateful cad, thank you for the suggestions!

 

[pitchfork]

Good luck! There are worse things than having to try a bunch of different tobaccos.
Don't know your family situation, but you could ask for 1928 for Christmas and/or birthday, Father's Day, etc. One of my favorites is Condor, but it's about as expensive as the 1928 Reserve when you figure in overseas shipping. So I smoke it, but only once in a while.

 

[phreon]

Sadly, there are no Tinderbox stores nearby. My son who lives in another state has 3 Tinderboxes near to him, but none carry Reserve 1928. That's part of what is causing me to branch out. Not only the expense, but the difficulty of getting it. I don't have much faith that they'll continue carrying it long term either.

 

[cosmicbobo]

I still have some ten year old TB blends and agree they are most likely mixes of two other kinds. That being the case you should identify, as you said, what you like. I am still doing the same thing here, knowing my ten year olds will run out eventually.

I noted over time that I could move down to Captain Black OTC when I was out of Captain Spice. CB was not as tasty, but similar.

Master says when I can snatch the pebble from his hand it will all be known to me.
CosHopper

 

[phreon]

If nothing else, the 1928 keeps me humble. A few bowls of 1-Q and RLP-6 apparently made me lazy and / or greedy. Going back to the 1928, I torched the holy hell out of my tongue. Sip it!
...there should be a box full of new tobaccos on my porch when I get home...

 

[phreon]

Trying my 1st bowl of McClelland No 110, "Just Plain Nut" in one of my Falcons. Is it 1928? Nope. But it clearly shares DNA. Similar note, similar flavor. A tinge of sweetness. But light(er) flavor and room note. I'm guessing I'm getting more Va, less Cav / Burley. Not much in the way of a vanilla note and *very* subtle cocoa and hazelnut in there I think. I'm guessing this is the famous McClelland Virginia I'm tasting? Very fine ribbon cut (shag?)
Burns well, very enjoyable. Very laid back, not powerful or in your face. Reasonably easy on the tongue. I wouldn't call this an aromatic. Interesting.
Do I have any business placing this in the review section?