Where To Start: Classic (Codger) Blends

[mikethompson]

Smokingpipes.com comes through again, and these pouches were delivered to my hotel in Florida with no problems, no drama.

Where to start?

I'm going right back to the basics as I have to relearn everything. Where would you recommend a total newbie to start?

 

[FurCoat]

Start slow, go with the Half and Half.

 

[DesertDan]

Yep, Half & Half

 

[Green Hill Hermit]

Half and half for sure, nothing beats prince Albert though

 

[huntertrw]

Allow me to recommend Carter Hall. It's simple and tasty. Further, I believe that it solidly qualifies as a "codger" blend, given the fact that it has been around for a long time (purportedly introduced by The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in 1895).

 

[Kobold]

I love Half and Half. Go with that one for sure.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

Run it as pictured, like a wine tasting in a way (light to heavy).

Half and Half is my favorite codger blend, so I'd start there for the comfort of an old friend. Five Brothers is a stout codger blend that is also a favorite, so I'd work my way up to it.

With Mixture No. 79 being more flavored (from what I hear, it's on my list to get), it goes just prior to the Brothers.

 

[dsturg369]

Try a little of all you can and then see where your tastes are at. Make notes.

 

[captainsousie]

I'd say dive into the deep end and go Five Brothers. It's a tobacco, it's a condiment, it's a ride. Don't do things by half measures.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Mix them all together.

 

[AJL67]

You should have met up with Adam and he could have brought you some tins or lots of nice things to smoke while your on vacation but you didn't so i'd go with Half n Half. Enjoy the state!

 

[augiebd]

I’d get some PA and Carter Hall and do those two first in that order and then the order you have them in.

 

[anotherbob]

Smokingpipes.com comes through again, and these pouches were delivered to my hotel in Florida with no problems, no drama.

Where to start?

I'm going right back to the basics as I have to relearn everything. Where would you recommend a total newbie to start?

View attachment 241559

three of those are great. Sail is great, Mixture 79 is a joy, and Five Brothers is such a great full bodied straight tobacco with a hint of molasses. With mixture 79 and five bros I suggest quite opposite approaches. Mixture 79 pack light super light and focus on a good initial light and up the cadence a bit more then you're used to. Five brothers jam it in pack the pipe more a tighter then you do with anything else just make sure you can draw through the pipe. Don't worry about lighting it perfectly and take your time and draw gently with it. The other three treat normally.

 

[RookieGuy80]

I never could smoke Half and Half. I always got the worst tongue bite from that blend. That aside, it did have a nice light flavor and I can see who so many love it. Captain Black Gold is very tasty  if you can smoke it slow enough. Either way, open it first even if you smoke the pouch of something else first. I haven't tried Sail, but I've had blends that TR says compare to it. It tastes like a sweet tobacco, very natural tobacco flavor but sweeter. And Five Bros is a great after dinner smoke. Cram it in and light. I've never tried M79 so I can't say anything about that.

Are you planning on smoking a pouch of one then moving onto the pouch of the next? Because I would probably smoke different ones throughout the day. H&H with coffee, CB/Sail throughout the day, Five Bros after dinner to settle the stomach. Or something along those lines.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I'll be waiting!

 

[Snook]

Another vote for good ol' Half and Half.

 

[kcghost]

Start with one of them and progress through them one after the other them go out and get some Carter Hall.

 

[PennyStonks]

I’m still not convinced anyone actually enjoys five brothers. They all just say they do to get another unsuspecting piper to try it. Some kind of twisted right of passage.

 

[mikethompson]

I'm going to start with the Half and Half I think, and definitely start a tasting log / journal. I've never done one before, but I know it helps some guys train their palates.

 

[BCF]

I’m still not convinced anyone actually enjoys five brothers. They all just say they do to get another unsuspecting piper to try it. Some kind of twisted right of passage.