What Blend Have You Discovered This Year?

[prairiedruid]

With 2017 coming to an end; time for some reflection and sharing. What blend have you "discovered" that really sings to you. This could be a blend that is a new production or an old time blend that you first sampled this year. For me Hearth and Home El Nino is my winner. It's a tasty mix of virginias, perique, dark fired, and a bit of cavendish that I have a dedicated cob for that I keep reaching for every day.

 

[Chasing Embers]

C&D's Speakeasy Navy blend has become a new favorite here.

 

[mso489]

Erin Go Braugh, whiskey aro; John Bull English; and Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic; all bought in pouches from PC. Surprisingly good. SWRA is burley based, with Virginia as a condiment, and lightly flavored with three liqueurs. All three surprised me, as pouch tobaccos, with their good flavor and subtlety.

 

[jaytex1969]

Although my piping career began this year, I've studiously applied myself.
I quickly decided to pursue more natural tobacco products and have been pleased and impressed most every step of the way.
From my first taste of John Cotton's #1 and Viprati, I had set a reasonably high bar for myself.
After suffering through McClelland's Red & Black, I had been steering myself away from Virginias and flakes.
The acquisition of some of foggymountain's aged ODF was a definite turning point for me. I've just gotten another pound of it for cellaring.
At risk of sounding mutinous, the ODF rides on the heels of the Black Frigate in the #1 spot.
It's been a good first year!

 

[cortezattic]

C&D's Chenet's Cake and D&R's Rimboché A.P. were two of the stand-outs that I discovered.

 

[agnosticpipe]

On the milder side, Rattray's Exotic Orange, and on the stronger side, GH Dark Plug. I keep coming back to these quite often.

 

[mackeson]

GLP Stonehenge Flake. I've really been enjoying this one a lot lately

 

[woodsroad]

Mark Ryan's Acadian Bright, Greg Pease's Navigator, a five year old blend of Esoterica Kingsbridge and Blackpool.

 

[drbenway]

To echo a bit of what jaytex said:

This has been my 1st full year of pipe smoking and I have been trying to learn and smoke as many tobaccos as I can. So this a been a year of a lot of 1st smokes. Some have been good and some not so good. I have been surprised at how much my tastes have evolved.
So..#1-Escudo-This really opened the door for me to appreciate a more natural and stronger flavored tobacco. The creaminess of the VA and that zing of the perique completely broadened my horizons on just how different and amazing tobacco could be.
#2-Esoterica Stonehaven-I have tried about 5 Esoterica blends at this point and Stonehaven lives up to the hype(if not the price gouging). Just a creamy, rich and satisfying smoke. It is my morning smoke with coffee.
#3-Peterson Irish Flake-I got into burleys in a big way this year and this has risen to the top of the pack for me. I love the mellow tea like flavor and strength of this. It lends itself perfectly to a nice and slow after dinner smoke. Completely satisfies.
So a good year I think. I have been recently stocking up and smoking and learning about straight VAs(enjoying Dark Star now). So I am sure my list will have all new favorites next year.
Thanks for listening.

 

[woodsroad]

Was that aged Stonehaven, perchance? :lol:

 

[drbenway]

Why yes it was, completely random internet person. I smoked that right up. How aged was that? I have gotten some bags and one was fairly new(a year) and it didn't quite have the depth of and older one I also smoked.

 

[mayfair70]

I've been enjoying the stinky goodness of St. Bruno ever since I sampled it in the Box Pass. All the stress and tedium just melts away when I taste that stuff. Oh, and the scented Gawiths have me by the short hairs now.

 

[woodsroad]

If I hadn't written it on the bag, it was probably from 2013.

 

[josephcross]

This year has been an awesome year of tasting and trying new things. I never thought that Id fall so hard for any kind of Aromatic but I absolutely love Exotic Orange and Condor(Thank you Simon!!!! You have turned me into a Condorbeast!).

 

[woodsroad]

If you liked Exotic Orange, then you should also try Peter Heinrichs: Reserve Crue No. 2

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Wow, as I set here and think about what I've tasted over the year, it becomes confusing as to what was when. GH&co pigtail twist and C&D Virginia Flake both gave me the most pleasant surprises.

 

[tschiraldi]

McClelland Arcadia and Luxury Twist Flake! Both highly enjoyable blends!

 

[bluesmoke]

Three for me--Stonehaven, Old Dark Fired, and Bold Kentucky. I'm a new fan of these three, especially the Old Dark Fired. Guess I discovered Kentucky blends this year. Also , most recently, discovered McClellan 40th Anniv. Looks like it's been a good 2017!

 

[agnosticpipe]

I agree with Woodsroad with the Heinrichs Reserve Cru No.2. It's like Exotic Orange but it gives you a little more Virginia flavor.

 

[jvnshr]

Nobody discovered Mixture 79?