Your Most Versatile Blend

[haparnold]

I know, I know, we get these kinds of posts all the time. "If you were on a desert island and could only take one blend, which one would it be??" This is sort of like that, but not exactly.
Over time, I've come to realize that some of my favorite blends are really only right for certain moods/tastes/weathers/etc, while other blends just seem to always fit whatever situation I smoke them in. What are your most versatile blends? The unsung heroes of your cellar that always seem to hit the spot, no matter where the planets are aligned.
Obviously I would never choose to only have one blend, but among the 'old reliables' which always satisfy are:
-Presbyterian

-Three Friars

-HH Burley Flake

-Sir Walter Raleigh
It's a short list for me, but that's because most tobaccos don't clear the bar. And it's not about which blend I consider the best or my favorite. It's about blends that always satisfy. In any pipe, in any weather, in any mood, these blends hit the spot for me.

 

[kylef]

MacBaren 7 Seas Regular is one that I can enjoy any time, in any place.

 

[sasquatch]

Presbyterian and MB Navy Flake come to mind.

 

[jaytex1969]

C&D Pegasus or, if time is not an issue, MacBaren HH Old Dark Fired.

 

[haparnold]

Jay, Pegasus and ODF both made my short list before I narrowed it down a little further. Good taste 8)

 

[hugodrax]

Best Brown Flake. Other tobacco is frankly superfluous. I dally with perky young vapers from time to time, and consider leaving for good, but I always come home. I don't know why I roam.

 

[workman]

I can't think of a situation where a bowl of St Bruno Flake would be inappropriate.

 

[pianopuffer]

+1 workman. Either St Bruno for me or Granger.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

F&T CVP, SG FVf and BBF.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Now that I have 20 lbs (98 jars) of it set aside, I can disclose that C&D Virginia Flake in bulk is my absolute favorite these days. It comes a little dry, but it is a cool mellow Virginia that suits my needs. However, I always have a couple of jars or tins of another Virginia open, just to keep life interesting.

 

[craiginthecorn]

Mac Baren Navy Flake. Always satisfies, but rarely dazzles.

 

[tradition]

Carter Hall

Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation 1882 Founders Blend

Dunhill Standard Mixture

 

[mso489]

I often start out picking out a pipe from the rack with Tabac-Manil Semois under consideration, though I have many blends in rotation or available as a change of pace. Others that come around easily are Old Joe Krantz original, PC HH Chestnut, and currently Haddo's Delight. The list is longer, but I'll focus on those.

 

[3rdguy]

Old Joe Krantz always starts my day.

 

[mityahicks]

Pegasus is always great for me.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Never a bad time for Esoterica Dunbar. But while the blend may be reliable, the supply is not

 

[hawky454]

Mine are the usual suspects that I would normally put here because to reach my favorite status one must have the criteria you pointed out above.
Condor

St. Bruno

1792 Flake

Skiff Mix


Could throw in Erinmore Flake & Kendal Cream as well but I’m trying to make it a short list.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Amphora Brown original & Burley blend and St Bruno

 

[shanez]

Most versatile? Probably something like Sutliff Sweet Virginia or Spiced Rum.
As much as I love blends like SPC Plum Pudding SR and GH&C Dark Flake Unscented (damn they're good) they really are "in the mood for it" blends. The Sutliffs mentioned, on the other hand, taste great and require no special attention to enjoy. They may not be the most complex things on the planet but they're good anytime and never disappoint.
Read the reviews on the Sweet Virginia. You'll notice it's hard to find negative comments other than lack of complexity (sometimes it's what is left out of a review that provides more information about a blend rather than what's included). I think it's this lack of complexity that makes it versatile. It'll never win any awards but it'll also never let you down.

 

[szconrad]

No matter my current tastes or mood, if I just want something that I know I'm going to enjoy, that'll have to be my GL Pease Quiet Nights. That stuff is dynamo. A great taste that changes and evolves in the course of the bowl. Great stuff.