jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 2:47:00 GMT -5
With the exception of Esoterica/Germain's (for obvious reasons), what blend(s) from 'across the pond' do you wish you had available all the time in your home country? Here in Ireland/UK, it's really hard to get U.S. blends, (but it can be done) and there are quite a few I wish I could get here more easily; Maltese Falcon, Mississipi Mud, Quiet Nights, Bayou Morning, and Byzantium are some of my personal favourites that I've tried.
Most of you guys are Stateside, what European /British blends do you wish you could get hold of on a regular basis?
Would love to hear your thoughts....
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Post by username on Mar 23, 2024 3:03:04 GMT -5
Condor I wish I could get it without having to import it from Ireland as it gets pricey. And j know it's not the same as it used to be since they moved manufactory to Poland several years back but the polish condor has grown on me. So my answer is condor.
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Post by turbocat on Mar 23, 2024 3:04:24 GMT -5
Difficulty in obtaining has never stopped me, but I would be really happy if HU tobaccos were readily available here in the US.
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 3:16:15 GMT -5
Difficulty in obtaining has never stopped me, but I would be really happy if HU tobaccos were readily available here in the US. have yet to try HU, but I hear only great things,, |
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 3:20:40 GMT -5
Condor I wish I could get it without having to import it from Ireland as it gets pricey. And j know it's not the same as it used to be since they moved manufactory to Poland several years back but the polish condor has grown on me. So my answer is condor. condor and clan are just about the only otc blends avaliable here now, and they are getting harder to find in regular shops... |
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Post by urbino on Mar 23, 2024 3:39:50 GMT -5
Aside from Esoterica Dunbar, I dunno. I have a lot of HU blends that I haven't opened yet, so I can't say on those. Don't recall ever trying any Germain's. Sure I haven't tried Condor.
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Post by turbocat on Mar 23, 2024 3:44:04 GMT -5
On the reverse side of things, my most smoked tobaccos of the past couple of decades have been Samuel Gawith and Gawith Hoggarth and those are available here, even though they sell out fast and one must be vigilant. I’m glad they are still hanging on, even if it is by their fingernails. The fact is I can order the hardest to get blends here from Germany and Switzerland fairly easily. I’m not personally mystified by Esoterica/Germains, but I have the ones of theirs I like and can get more with no great difficulty due to having friends in the UK. It’s easy to focus on what’s hard to get, but at the same time, I can’t help but appreciate that we have the largest access to all pipe tobaccos from around the world in the US.
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 3:47:09 GMT -5
Aside from Esoterica Dunbar, I dunno. I have a lot of HU blends that I haven't opened yet, so I can't say on those. Don't recall ever trying any Germain's. Sure I haven't tried Condor. Germains are pretty much unobtanium, even over here, a few stores do keep some of their blends in bulk, which I have a few of, but tins are expensive and hard to come by. Recently saw someone selling a 4 Yr old tin of rich dark flake for over £100. Rumours abound of a drop coming soon, need to get on the ball early,, 🤔 |
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Post by urbino on Mar 23, 2024 3:48:59 GMT -5
Aside from Esoterica Dunbar, I dunno. I have a lot of HU blends that I haven't opened yet, so I can't say on those. Don't recall ever trying any Germain's. Sure I haven't tried Condor. Germains are pretty much unobtanium, even over here, a few stores do keep some of their blends in bulk, which I have a few of, but tins are expensive and hard to come by. Recently saw someone selling a 4 Yr old tin of rich dark flake for over £100. Rumours abound of a drop coming soon, need to get on the ball early,, 🤔 I generally avoid unobtainium blends. I don't want to love a blend that isn't readily available to me. It's why I don't chase Dunbar, even though it's available on this side of the pond if you chase it the right way. |
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 3:51:05 GMT -5
On the reverse side of things, my most smoked tobaccos of the past couple of decades have been Samuel Gawith and Gawith Hoggarth and those are available here, even though they sell out fast and one must be vigilant. I’m glad they are still hanging on, even if it is by their fingernails. The fact is I can order the hardest to get blends here from Germany and Switzerland fairly easily. I’m not personally mystified by Esoterica/Germains, but I have the ones of theirs I like and can get more with no great difficulty due to having friends in the UK. It’s easy to focus on what’s hard to get, but at the same time, I can’t help but appreciate that we have the largest access to all pipe tobaccos from around the world in the US. you are indeed blessed over there; if 'they' had their way here, they would ban it all tomorrow, though I don't think they'd like the massive hole in tax revenues it would cause.. |
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Post by turbocat on Mar 23, 2024 4:05:20 GMT -5
I feel bad for people in the UK. For being the country that kicked off this whole tobacco thing in the 16th and 17th centuries, they seem to be the most deprived of choices. I have friends in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Denmark and they all have access to much, if not most of what we can get here. It seems you are in the same situation, if not worse than the UK. If you ever want me to try to send you anything, message me.
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 5:33:44 GMT -5
I feel bad for people in the UK. For being the country that kicked off this whole tobacco thing in the 16th and 17th centuries, they seem to be the most deprived of choices. I have friends in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Denmark and they all have access to much, if not most of what we can get here. It seems you are in the same situation, if not worse than the UK. If you ever want me to try to send you anything, message me. thanks turbocat, the same offer stands for you,, |
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NJDan
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Posts: 319
First Name: Dan
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Post by NJDan on Mar 23, 2024 9:27:29 GMT -5
This question sent my mind off on a Dickensian tangent:
‘It was the best of times…”
It’s truly mind boggling to consider the online availability of tobaccos, pipes and pipe lore. I love Gawith blends for instance, but they’re readily available. If I compare to my dad’s world, my access to blends created across the globe is a treat, but….
“It was the worst of times…”
There are *no* pipe/tobacco shops worth a darn around here. Cigar shops, sure. But pipes? None worth visiting. I wish I had a local tobacconist. I feel like I’m lucky to have access to such variety online, but feel a bit sad that it is pretty much an online hobby for me. I have an old friend that smokes a pipe and we do indulge together now and then. But I’d really love to have more brick and mortar places around.
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Post by rectifythis on Mar 23, 2024 9:41:30 GMT -5
I love Gawith Hoggarth and Sam Gawith. While they are somewhat available here, it can be years in between. For example, GH Louisiana Flake. I have had more luck finding Esoterica than that blend. I haven't seen Cabbies or St James in quite a while, and unless you have fast fingers, they're gone when they do arrive. Those blends have become my unobtaniums.
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NJDan
Junior Member
Posts: 319
First Name: Dan
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Post by NJDan on Mar 23, 2024 9:57:51 GMT -5
I love Gawith Hoggarth and Sam Gawith. While they are somewhat available here, it can be years in between. For example, GH Louisiana Flake. I have had more luck finding Esoterica than that blend. I haven't seen Cabbies or St James in quite a while, and unless you have fast fingers, they're gone when they do arrive. Those blends have become my unobtaniums. I have a pretty good stash of Sam Gawith/GH blends, but Cabbies is an exception. I bought 3 tins a few years back to try, and finally cracked one last fall. I couldn’t stop smoking it, and now am afraid to open another because I can’t find any more either. Great call out on that one. |
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 10:01:06 GMT -5
This question sent my mind off on a Dickensian tangent: ‘It was the best of times…” It’s truly mind boggling to consider the online availability of tobaccos, pipes and pipe lore. I love Gawith blends for instance, but they’re readily available. If I compare to my dad’s world, my access to blends created across the globe is a treat, but…. “It was the worst of times…” There are *no* pipe/tobacco shops worth a darn around here. Cigar shops, sure. But pipes? None worth visiting. I wish I had a local tobacconist. I feel like I’m lucky to have access to such variety online, but feel a bit sad that it is pretty much an online hobby for me. I have an old friend that smokes a pipe and we do indulge together now and then. But I’d really love to have more brick and mortar places around. hey Dan,how are you buddy? You make a great point, the B&M stores are quickly disappearing everywhere. We only have one left in N. Ireland, Miss Dorans in Belfast, I haven't been, but I've heard it wasn't great, selection wise, apparently none too friendly either,, we used to have an amazing one in Derry called Maddens, real old school, 19th century feel and smell to it, pipes, tobacco, cigars, everything you could want, the staff were knowledgeable old fellows also. I went through a period were I smoked camels, it w the only place around that stocked them! 😂 It closed about 10-12 years ago, alas I wasn't a pipe smoker then; I mourn it's passing now I can tell you.... |
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NJDan
Junior Member
Posts: 319
First Name: Dan
Location:
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Post by NJDan on Mar 23, 2024 10:11:21 GMT -5
This question sent my mind off on a Dickensian tangent: ‘It was the best of times…” It’s truly mind boggling to consider the online availability of tobaccos, pipes and pipe lore. I love Gawith blends for instance, but they’re readily available. If I compare to my dad’s world, my access to blends created across the globe is a treat, but…. “It was the worst of times…” There are *no* pipe/tobacco shops worth a darn around here. Cigar shops, sure. But pipes? None worth visiting. I wish I had a local tobacconist. I feel like I’m lucky to have access to such variety online, but feel a bit sad that it is pretty much an online hobby for me. I have an old friend that smokes a pipe and we do indulge together now and then. But I’d really love to have more brick and mortar places around. hey Dan,how are you buddy? You make a great point, the B&M stores are quickly disappearing everywhere. We only have one left in N. Ireland, Miss Dorans in Belfast, I haven't been, but I've heard it wasn't great, selection wise, apparently none too friendly either,, we used to have an amazing one in Derry called Maddens, real old school, 19th century feel and smell to it, pipes, tobacco, cigars, everything you could want, the staff were knowledgeable old fellows also. I went through a period were I smoked camels, it w the only place around that stocked them! 😂 It closed about 10-12 years ago, alas I wasn't a pipe smoker then; I mourn it's passing now I can tell you.... I visited the shop in Belfast when I was staying with my friend in 2019. I picked up a few tins of Full Virginia Flake, but you’re right, it was an underwhelming experience. My wife’s family lives near a great pipe maker and tobacconist in central Pennsylvania, Boswells. His shop is what I have in mind. A great tobacconist, like a great chef. Interesting unique blends and good company. I have far more head shops and dispensaries around here, but nary a good tobacconist. I mourn the passing of places like Maddens too. Cheers Jon! |
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jonmc75
Junior Member
Posts: 262
First Name: Jon.
Favorite Pipe: Savinelli /Peterson /Cobs
Location:
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Post by jonmc75 on Mar 23, 2024 10:17:03 GMT -5
hey Dan,how are you buddy? You make a great point, the B&M stores are quickly disappearing everywhere. We only have one left in N. Ireland, Miss Dorans in Belfast, I haven't been, but I've heard it wasn't great, selection wise, apparently none too friendly either,, we used to have an amazing one in Derry called Maddens, real old school, 19th century feel and smell to it, pipes, tobacco, cigars, everything you could want, the staff were knowledgeable old fellows also. I went through a period were I smoked camels, it w the only place around that stocked them! 😂 It closed about 10-12 years ago, alas I wasn't a pipe smoker then; I mourn it's passing now I can tell you.... I visited the shop in Belfast when I was staying with my friend in 2019. I picked up a few tins of Full Virginia Flake, but you’re right, it was an underwhelming experience. My wife’s family lives near a great pipe maker and tobacconist in central Pennsylvania, Boswells. His shop is what I have in mind. A great tobacconist, like a great chef. Interesting unique blends and good company. I have far more head shops and dispensaries around here, but nary a good tobacconist. I mourn the passing of places like Maddens too. Cheers Jon! Indeed, Madden's is now a vape shop. 😕 |
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Post by trailboss on Mar 23, 2024 11:16:07 GMT -5
I visited the shop in Belfast when I was staying with my friend in 2019. I picked up a few tins of Full Virginia Flake, but you’re right, it was an underwhelming experience. My wife’s family lives near a great pipe maker and tobacconist in central Pennsylvania, Boswells. His shop is what I have in mind. A great tobacconist, like a great chef. Interesting unique blends and good company. I have far more head shops and dispensaries around here, but nary a good tobacconist. I mourn the passing of places like Maddens too. Cheers Jon! Indeed, Madden's is now a vape shop. 😕 Akin to Devil Worshipping taking over St. Patrick’s cathedral, I tell ya! |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 23, 2024 16:34:07 GMT -5
I feel bad for people in the UK. For being the country that kicked off this whole tobacco thing in the 16th and 17th centuries, they seem to be the most deprived of choices. I have friends in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Denmark and they all have access to much, if not most of what we can get here. It seems you are in the same situation, if not worse than the UK. If you ever want me to try to send you anything, message me. NI is part of the UK, just saying. Like Texas is part of the USA. |
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Post by turbocat on Mar 23, 2024 17:46:56 GMT -5
I feel bad for people in the UK. For being the country that kicked off this whole tobacco thing in the 16th and 17th centuries, they seem to be the most deprived of choices. I have friends in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Denmark and they all have access to much, if not most of what we can get here. It seems you are in the same situation, if not worse than the UK. If you ever want me to try to send you anything, message me. NI is part of the UK, just saying. Like Texas is part of the USA. It is quite common to see “Great Britain and Northern Ireland” as the UK written formally. I was attempting to be considerate in my description, since the countries make up the UK, but are unique. Also, it’s not quite the same as Texas is part of the USA, actually nothing like it. You could easily read my comment as the rest of the UK, when I identify NI separately. I probably should have said GB. |
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Post by lizardonarock on Mar 23, 2024 18:02:46 GMT -5
Until you can build up cellar you have to grab stuff when it shows its head. At some point you can just give up and pick something you like and stockpile it. At the moment I smoke GLP Piccadilly but may revert back to Rattray's and enjoy the age on the tins. Smoke what you like and don't worry about the latest unicorn farts while not forgetting to buy a unicorn fart every now and then. Last purchase of pipe tobacco about three years ago.
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