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Post by sparks on Feb 29, 2016 21:28:33 GMT -5
| I have always been a fan of the old OTC tobaccos. I cut my teeth on Prince Albert, Carter Hall and the like. There was something simple and classic about them that made it a no brainer to try. The problem I always found with PA and CH were that they were maybe too simple. They lacked depth and complexity, which many would argue was the point. Simple, no thought tobacco that you could puff on all day without tiring out your taste buds. Though I kept a tub around, this is what kept them from being a go-to tobacco.
Now, since this isn't a review of PA or CH, let's get to the point. Granger was one that I had tried years ago, and it never really stuck. I just couldn't or didn't get the flavor. Maybe it wasn't mainstream enough, but whatever the reason I passed it by. I remember re-visiting it about a year ago and found that it was very very moist out of the tin, and I just didn't enjoy the flavor. Keep in mind, this is when I was on my ODF odyssey, so there wasn't much that could live up to that at the time. Fast forward to the present. I have re-discovered my true Burley roots and have been favoring solid Burley based blends, or mixtures I have made up myself. I decided to place a little sample order with 4 Noggins and among the tobacco was a 2 oz. sample of Granger. I figured I owed it to the venerable old blend to give it the old college try.
There is a lot to say about this tobacco. First, Rich sells it in bulk, which I assume just means that he busts open a few tubs and dumps them into a big container so he can offer it for sale by the oz. This seems to have done some good for the moisture content and out of the bag it is pretty much perfect. It is a rough cut tobacco, mostly medium to dark brown in color. There is a fermented smell to the bag, with what I think is a hint of the standard old school licorice casing. Granger was known for the "Wellman Process". There seems to be a great deal of debate on exactly what that was, but the best description I have heard is a sort of fermentation in its own juices. I'll be damned if I know for sure that's what it is, but whatever the process, I suspect it is responsible for the unique flavor.
What is special about Granger is that it is deeper than it's OTC brothers. The only other tobacco that I recall having this depth of flavor was ERR'd in its original form. It has some hints of the typical nuttiness associated with Burley, but to me it smokes on the darker side of the Burley realm yet not harsh. If Granger was a cup of coffee it would be a rich dark roast where PA would be the crap you find in the gas station. It has almost a chewy mouth feel to it and rich thick clouds of smoke. It burns well for me, and I get down to just a little dottle and not a whole lot of moisture. I don't know that I can tell if it's got a lot of nic, but I don't find myself craving a stronger blend after I smoke it so it's got enough.
I very much like the flavor of this. It's got enough depth and character to not become boring but it can easily be an all day smoke. I have been puffing on this non-stop for the last several days and will surely order more. I suspect the air in bulk form has done this tobacco a favor and would recommend buying it that way if you can. If you want a classic Burley blend with some chops, Granger is the way to go. If you don't like Burley... don't bother.
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Post by Darin on Feb 29, 2016 22:00:56 GMT -5
Really nice write-up on this classic OTC, Justin! Next time I'm ordering, I'll definitely toss in a couple ounces to revisit this old timer.  |
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puffadder
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Post by puffadder on Mar 1, 2016 9:49:42 GMT -5
I've never tried it but with your review I'll put it on my list. I think you hit the nail on the head regarding CH & PA, pretty plain smokes but when I'm tinkering or fishing they work.
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Post by crapgame on Mar 1, 2016 11:18:45 GMT -5
I think I may give it a try as well..a number of years ago i wanted to try some and the old fart that owned a quicemart near me sold it and also smoked it..i aske to try a bowl of it if he had any to spare from his open barrel or even buy a bit..he said he sellx it by the can only so I never thought about the tobacco again until now
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Post by fadingdaylight on Mar 1, 2016 12:06:12 GMT -5
Great review. I have never tried it either, but it sounds like something I might enjoy. I will give it a shot next time I order.
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Post by sparks on Mar 1, 2016 12:31:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback, guys. Like I said, hit up Rich from 4 Noggins. You can order a 2 oz. sample without having to spring for a whole tub. |
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tastail
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Post by tastail on Mar 2, 2016 8:13:48 GMT -5
Nice write up chief. Dug my tin out and I'm enjoying some this morning. Forgot how good it was.
FYI - Your Granger picture is doing some funny shite in Chrome. Looks like the table is not rendering correctly.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2016 12:46:14 GMT -5
Justin you are right, PA and CH they are light in taste I think of them a a mild blend with little or no bite. Much like Lanes Burley with out a bite. Now SWR I take as a mild to medium with a fuller flavor with some bite. Grainger is a medium to full flavor with a little bite Grainger is for the more experienced Burley smoker. When I want a fuller flavor I will find some PS cube cut if not satisfied then start looking at the C&D offerings.
Now with Half and Half and Velvet I think they fit in with PA and CH.
John
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redman
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Post by redman on Mar 8, 2016 8:17:42 GMT -5
You got it Sparky!!! I wax and wane with this blend. I keep two tubs on hand to enjoy. Along with two LLRR. There is time when Granger just hit the spot. Other times I like the lighter CH PA smoke. Velvet is one that at the bottom of my OTC blends. Burley is all good and the nutty taste is one that might be acquired.
Nice review keep them coming. Good to know that I am on the right track.
Redman
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2016 14:32:05 GMT -5
Sounds very tasty. I'm rather fond of Prince Albert mixed with a little Five Brothers. I'm told that might be a codger recipe, but it brings out the best in both. Use Carter Hall instead if that is your preference and it works out quite well too.
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Post by Yohanan on Mar 21, 2016 16:25:05 GMT -5
Good write up on the review, I like Granger, it's very satisfying for me.
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Post by herbinedave on Mar 21, 2016 21:37:37 GMT -5
It is darn near 30 years since i have smoked any of the codger blends. Might be time to revisit!
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colorduke
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Post by colorduke on Nov 12, 2017 8:42:31 GMT -5
Nice review,I have a tub opened and 2 for backup.
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Post by danno44 on Nov 12, 2017 8:47:32 GMT -5
I need to try this blend being a fan of old school OTC, I owe it to myself to give it a look see.
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custodian613
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Post by custodian613 on Feb 24, 2018 14:58:38 GMT -5
I remember as a child in the 40s & 50s seeing older men with their pipes and loading them with PA or CH and the like. I guess back then there generally was not much in the way of OTC pipe tobacco. I was tho amazed at the different kinds of pipes some of these older men had. It was a real treat!
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Post by haebar on Jun 23, 2018 12:27:35 GMT -5
Great review! When I was growing up, a friend of my brother always smoked a pipe and he always had a pouch of Granger. I have smoked some pouches of it over the years and enjoyed it. I understand it has changed hands a few years back (Pinkerton - STG) with some slight changes in the blend.
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Jun 23, 2018 13:20:25 GMT -5
...first class review Justin...I always keep a few tubs around...a few from Pinkerton and several from STG...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2018 13:43:24 GMT -5
Excellent review 👍 I’ve been smoking some Granger lately that’s over 35 years old. I really enjoy this old codger!!!
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mel64us
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Post by mel64us on Jan 16, 2019 11:12:08 GMT -5
I tried Granger back in about 1975, but wasn't ready for it. It bit me like a rabid badger. I recently tried it again and do enjoy it. It is a simple, basic tobacco that could be an all day smoke if need be.
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atison
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Post by atison on Jan 16, 2019 16:23:53 GMT -5
Hmmm, my inclination would be to stay away from an OTC that was trying to be bold but your review makes me think this one pulls it off. Nice review and if I happen to place in order at 4noggins I will have to throw 2oz of this in.
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Post by monbla256 on Jan 16, 2019 17:46:26 GMT -5
Back in '69 when I started pipe smoking at the Univ. of S. Vietnam, my first tobacco I smoked was Granger which my unit sargent introduced to me . He smoked it and he got me to smoke a pipe. I went from Granger to 965 and then to 759 when I got back home. Burley and I don't agree anymore so I only smoke Va's today but I have a fond memory of Granger. 
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Post by aromaticed on Jan 18, 2019 16:20:14 GMT -5
Granger was the very first toba I smoked. That was 55 years ago, I remember I taped to the back side of my dresser drawers so my Dad wouldnt find it.
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Post by qmechanics on Jan 19, 2019 2:08:17 GMT -5
The moisture level, of the Granger can I just opened, was just fine. For an OTC Burley blend, Granger is a nice change of pace.
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mel64us
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Post by mel64us on Feb 7, 2019 19:37:35 GMT -5
I just finished a bowl of Granger in a GBD Prehistoric poker. This is a good OTC.
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Post by Legend Lover on Feb 8, 2019 3:23:53 GMT -5
Granger was the very first toba I smoked. That was 55 years ago, I remember I taped to the back side of my dresser drawers so my Dad wouldnt find it. I never noticed this post. Welcome to the patch. |
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