Which Codger Blend to Stock up on in 2025?

[greatdane]

Just realized I have gone through my entire stash of Codger blends.

Looking to restock again, but reading now that there have been lots of changes since last time I restocked:

- Prince Albert and CH moved their production to Dominican Republic, flavor profile changed?

-SWR has been ruined by a new vinegar topping, possible other STG-owned offerings affected as well?

-The Hearth & Home Chatham Manor and Prince Andrew blends have changed or will be discontinued shortly?

Not sure if all this is true or not, just read it in various posts here on the forums.

So which codger blend would you still recommend buying in April 2025? Looking for something that can be bought in larger sealed tubs, not loose bulk or pouches.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[KingPiper]

I don’t have too much experience with many codger blends but I can tell you CH is still good. SWR is absolutely terrible now and I don’t think thats a subjective opinion. I am pretty sure we can all agree if we have tried the vinegary formula. If you like Amphora you can still find it for now and its quality tobacco although a little sweet for me (Burley Blend).

Also it has been said recently that half and half has changed a lot. I am smoking a pouch from 2023 (first time trying it) and its great so I can’t speak on that from personal experience.

 

[Servant King]

To my knowledge, Granger and SWRA have not been tampered with.

 

[Briarcutter]

CH and PA aren't what they use to be but they are acceptable to me. A pinch of Perique added works wonders. I just seen a review, he mentioned SWR and called it "Sour Walter Raleigh"

 

[LeafErikson]

Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic and Carter Hall would be my choices. I haven’t had Carter hall since they quit selling it in the pouches, but from everything I read here it’s still great.

 

[KingPiper]

CH and PA aren't what they use to be but they are acceptable to me. A pinch of Perique added works wonders. I just seen a review, he mentioned SWR and called it "Sour Walter Raleigh"

CH with dfk is a recent favorite for me. I need to buy some straight perique to try this out. I love perique almost as much as burley.

 

[Snook]

I don't have much to contribute beyond what has already been said. However, I'm curious about Velvet and Paladin. I don't know if I've ever seen them mentioned here on the forum.

You could always order the smallest amount possible of each codger blend to test them in their current form and determine which one you think is worth stocking up on. But don't bother with SWR; it is objectively garbage now.

 

[68748Joe]

I’d be way sad if they monkey with captain black dark.

 

[Auxsender]

I’ve been enjoying the slightly more boutique take on the codger blend.
Watch City Cigar makes and sells their American Cut Plug which is exactly what it sounds like; a tastefully topped burley blend. It’s excellent.

I love Sutliff 600 as well which is new to me.

Of course Sutliff ready rubbed was amazing but it’s real hard to find outside of a B&M.

Milan Tobacconist has a great selection of codger matches. I highly recommend checking them out.
Their “Our” Carter Hall is excellent. They also do a Prince Albert and a few others I don’t remember.

 

[Briarcutter]

I love perique almost as much as burley.

Perique seems to go well with burey!

 

[LeafErikson]

. But don't bother with SWR; it is objectively garbage now.

It was the only tobacco I smoked for a year or so. I used to love it. Such a freakin’ shame.

 

[Skippy Piper]

Carter Hall and Prince Albert are both still good, as is Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic. All the Captain Black varieties are still the same as ever (I'm a big fan of Original and Cherry myself) and Five Brothers is still the same delightfully toasty, nutty, and smooth shag cut bone dry Burley that'll put you on your keister faster than just about anything outside of Gawith's dark range. I dig it!

 

[damacene]

My personal favorite is Sutliff Rum and Maple. It was one of the few survivors of the viking raid, but I'm not sure how the STG production is going to be.

 

[PaulRVA]

MM 79, SWRA, St Bruno and Amphora.

 

[Sig]

Our local shop has a bunch of codger blends, but they aren't cheap anymore. Even on the tax free reservation it's pricey.

 

[Sobrbiker]

So which codger blend would you still recommend buying in April 2025?

Anecdotal opinions on flavor, which may or may not be biased by comparisons to “what they used to be” may or may not be helpful.

Try smaller pouches of current version of ones you’ve liked, and go deep on whatever you like.

Probably not too much help, but I doubt if I’m wrong.

Most true codgers don’t hang on forums discerning nuances of blends and burn out the one pipe they have smoking whatever they like they can readily and affordably get.

 

[Hutch Piper]

I’ve been enjoying the slightly more boutique take on the codger blend.
Watch City Cigar makes and sells their American Cut Plug which is exactly what it sounds like; a tastefully topped burley blend. It’s excellent.

I love Sutliff 600 as well which is new to me.

Of course Sutliff ready rubbed was amazing but it’s real hard to find outside of a B&M.

Milan Tobacconist has a great selection of codger matches. I highly recommend checking them out.
Their “Our” Carter Hall is excellent. They also do a Prince Albert and a few others I don’t remember.

Completely agree. I love the Milan Match blends.

 

[KingPiper]

they aren't cheap anymore.

This is the problem with codger blends. Its hard to justify buying them when they cost the same as bulk prices of what I consider better blends.

I know some people love these blends and more power to them if that is the case but every time I buy some to try I never feel like it was money well spent.

Except five brothers. I forget that is considered a codger blend.

As always, personal opinion and YMMV

 

[Sig]

This is the problem with codger blends. Its hard to justify buying them when they cost the same as bulk prices of what I consider better blends.

I know some people love these blends and more power to them if that is the case but every time I buy some to try I never feel like it was money well spent.

Except five brothers. I forget that is considered a codger blend.

As always, personal opinion and YMMV

I'm not going to pay $40 for 7 ounces of Borkem Riff when I can get any 8 ounce bulk I want. Even the 1.5 ounce packs of H&H is $10. That's 2x the price of a quality bulk.

 

[Briarcutter]

If I could find a bulk I liked as much as the codger blends I smoke I'd gladly buy them. The only ones I smoke are CH, a bit of PA and older, non vinegar SRW.