Thread: Pipe of the Day

Originally Posted by hicksdm

So how does this compare with Carter Hall? I have been looking for another blend to try and add a bit of variety. I have been away on work so smoking has been little to none in the past week. This morning however the clouds are back over NW Florida so it back porch time. My homemade mixture in a Dr Grabow tomato shape, coffee on the side.

Lest I be misunderstood, let me start out by saying Carter Hall is a great codger burley. It's been around forever and with real good reason, it's quite good. However, to my tastes, Carter Hall is a bit too mild. In fact I've often heard it referred to as Prince Albert Light and my experience with Carter Hall seems to validate this description. It is, in fact, Prince Albert light. As a side note, a 50/50 mix of Carter Hall and Prince Albert (The National Joy Smoke) is a wonderful thing to behold. However taken separately, if I had a choice between Carter Hall or Prince Albert, I'd take Prince Albert any day. I am and have been an avid supporter of Prince Albert for many years. However, I would have to say that Granger is far superior to both Carter Hall and Prince Albert. If you've ever smoked Edgeworth Ready Rubbed (no longer made) Granger is very close in body and taste to Edgeworth with just a hint more of the subtle chocolate/dough kind of note common to straight old school American burlies. Nothing over the top goopy or overly sweet but just a fantastic, reliable codger burley. True to the genre it's a fairly straight forward blend that many will consider monotonous but if you're an afficianado of old school American burlies, I would say Granger is a must see. It really does pain me to admit this but Granger has officially de-throned the venerable Prince Albert as my go-to codger burley. I'm about half way through a 14 ounce tub and have not had a less than stellar smoke yet. In fact, try as I might, I doubt I could come up with a bad thing to say about the old bird dog. Granger (if you'll pardon the pun) is just the dogs bollocks. Definitely one worth keeping on hand at all times. Other remarks and observations aobut Granger:
1. Absolutely wonderful with a cup of coffee in the morning
2. Magic in a cob
3. Better in the tub than the pouch (true of all codger burlies in general.)

Originally Posted by Devilpup

I've noticed that it's much better, IMHO, on the drier side. Before I let it dry out a bit I kept getting a hint of sour on the finish. Have you noticed the same?

I didn't notice the sour finish but yeah now that you mention it, it was a bit damper than I normally prefer at first. The dampness does seem to have taken care of itself over time, not that it's become crispy, crunchy dry but the excess dampness that was there when I first opened the tub seems to have toned down a bit; again entirely on it's own. When I have a blend that is really, really damp I often just leave the tub open to dry out for a few hours, this wasn't necessary with Granger and it's never been so damp as to cause bite or trouble with consistent burn or keeping the pipe lit, just a bit damper than I normally prefer. Have you had a chance to sample any of the Cornell and Diehl burlies yet? I'd be willing to bet that being a dabbler in cigars, you'd probably really dig something like Old Joe Krantz, Billy Budd or Big and Burley. They're all very different animals than Granger (much fuller and more cigary) but great work in the burley medium just the same. My old friend Bob Runowski was indeed a codger burley master. I know I tend to beat the C&D drum pretty regularly. Honestly, I don't work for them and they don't pay me a thing. I've smoked lots of pipe tobacco and must say that Old Joe Krantz far and away takes the prize. If it were suddenly the only thing on the market, I doubt I would mind at all. OJK and Billy Budd are both similar to smoking a $15 cigar but at much more affordable prices.

But alas, I digress (just a bit). Sorry but I can talk politics, pipe tobacco or music all night without much provocation.
Another good aromatic that has a great room note without the horrible smoking manners of a conventional aromatic is a home grown hybrid of two old codger burlies, Middleton Cherry and Middleton Apple. Get a pouch each mix it together and put it in a mason jar for a week or so. It's sweet but not bitey, not too damp or goopy and best of all won't ghost a pipe. The room note is something similar to a Candy Apple but the sweetness is pretty subtle when your smoking it.

GH&Co. Coniston Cut Plug after a big Friday dinner.
I really need to be sitting down for this...and perhaps a wee dram of whisky as well.

Man...it's too cold and windy to go outside for a pipe tonight. Right when I want to try my newly-restored Brigham and my MacB Navy Flake.

Originally Posted by jdto

Man...it's too cold and windy to go outside for a pipe tonight. Right when I want to try my newly-restored Brigham and my MacB Navy Flake.

...Make the trip on over to Mississauga and You're welcome to join me - indoors with a smoke and a whisky. Can't be beat!

Very kind of you! I'm going to make do with a nice Collingwood Canadian Whisky and hope the wind dies down a bit later on.

Sounds like a perfect evening, enjoy the dram.

First run out for this pipe: http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...sportsman.html

I noticed some fine spider-webs on the inside that will have to be caked over. I'll have to break this one in again in a judicious manner. Despite that, the smoke was wonderful, my first time with Navy Flake. I think I'll do some 1/3 bowls in this pipe to get things under control.

Originally Posted by jdto

First run out for this pipe: http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...sportsman.html

I noticed some fine spider-webs on the inside that will have to be caked over. I'll have to break this one in again in a judicious manner. Despite that, the smoke was wonderful, my first time with Navy Flake. I think I'll do some 1/3 bowls in this pipe to get things under control.

First of all, really nice job bringing that pipe back to life. It looks like a nice piece of briar and you did an outstanding job. I would not have believed it had I not seen those pics. Remarkable. Well done!

I wanted to ask if you like the Navy Flake? I've been thinking of getting some myself. I like the MacBaren tobaccos in general. Tell me, does it have any rum flavoring? In the descriptions I've seen online, it doesn't say if it does or not, but traditional navy flakes/cuts often are infused with rum. I enjoy tobaccos with rum quite a bit. Just wondering your take on it. Thanks