rastewart
Junior Member
Posts: 282
First Name: Rich
Favorite Pipe: Freehands, bent bulldogs, and the incomparable Peterson 303
Favorite Tobacco: Mac Baren's Scottish Blend (Mixture), C&D Mountain Camp, C&D Bayou Morning
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Post by rastewart on Oct 19, 2021 16:27:30 GMT -5
I tip my fedora to whoever coined "necrothread," but I don't really think there is a problem with reviving old conversations on forums such as this one. Whatever might be said of pipe folk, we're not faddists for the most part, and often what we've talked about in the past can be of value later. And certainly that's true of Bob Runowski's musings and observations.
My own "Arcadia" would be Mac Baren's Mixture (Scottish Blend). It is by no means the only blend I smoke; in that, as others on this thread have noted, I differ like most these days from the one-blend smokers of bygone days. But it is my favorite, has been since I discovered it in 1976, and it is unquestionably the blend I would select if I could have only one for the rest of my life.
A digression regarding Blue Boar: this is the first time I've encountered Bob's description of the room note as "intense and acrid, like an outdoor smoke, and distinct. Once you smelled it, there was nothing else like it on the market." During my first months at college, in 1968, someone in one of my music classes smoked a pipe from which an "intense and acrid" odor pervaded the room. (Yes, there was a time when students and professors alike might smoke in a college classroom, and no one thought twice about it.) I have fancied since that that student's blend might have been the fabled old Balkan Sobranie; but maybe it was Blue Boar. I suppose I will never know now.
I may as well note in passing, not without embarrassment, that while I have heard of My Lady Nicotine I have never read it. I suppose I should make the attempt, and probably will at some point, if I can find a printed copy. I have a certain interest in Barrie and his particular mix of whimsy and melancholy; in fact I've been working, off and on, for some fifteen years on a poem based on Peter Pan. So far it is more elusive than Arcadia.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Oct 19, 2021 17:00:29 GMT -5
I've tried just about everything on the market...about 85 small jars sitting on my 2 bookshelves...all of it somewhat wonderful, but still nothing that I want to smoke continuously....with the exception of 2. Butternut burley for me is an all day smoke. It is considered an aro, but not overwhelming in flavor or smell. It is something that once I recognized that it was the one, I ordered poundage so as to not run out. The second of my "Holy Grails" is was Irish Condor. I was fortunate enough to have my brother bring me back 6 pouches of the long cut version...I gave some to a friend and kept the rest, and, of course, smoked it as a treat that it was. But I am no longer in possession of any...the Polish version just plain sucks for me. So I guess my now "Holy Grail" is Butternut burley, I've got enough to last me quite a while...the others I'll smoke on occasion, but it just doesn't do that much for me. It will be good for trades down the road when tobacco gets hard to get...the McClellands have already gotten to be hard to get and at prices that amaze me...glad I have enough of that to last a lifetime, selling or trading it for BB.  |
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Post by darktater on Oct 19, 2021 20:08:22 GMT -5
oddly enough, currently it would be GL Pease's Blackpoint. I have other's I enjoy but I'm always a bit sad to reach the bottom of a bowl of Blackpoint. I'm in an interesting place in this iteration of my pipe life. I'm suddenly hurtling back into the land of English's and Balkan's, after a relatively peaceful period of burley happiness. Not sure what my 'Arcadia' will be in 3 months (or 6), but it should be fun to find out.
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Post by Gypo on Oct 19, 2021 20:45:54 GMT -5
I've tried just about everything on the market...about 85 small jars sitting on my 2 bookshelves...all of it somewhat wonderful, but still nothing that I want to smoke continuously....with the exception of 2. Butternut burley for me is an all day smoke. It is considered an aro, but not overwhelming in flavor or smell. It is something that once I recognized that it was the one, I ordered poundage so as to not run out. The second of my "Holy Grails" is was Irish Condor. I was fortunate enough to have my brother bring me back 6 pouches of the long cut version...I gave some to a friend and kept the rest, and, of course, smoked it as a treat that it was. But I am no longer in possession of any...the Polish version just plain sucks for me. So I guess my now "Holy Grail" is Butternut burley, I've got enough to last me quite a while...the others I'll smoke on occasion, but it just doesn't do that much for me. It will be good for trades down the road when tobacco gets hard to get...the McClellands have already gotten to be hard to get and at prices that amaze me...glad I have enough of that to last a lifetime, selling or trading it for BB. Nice photo I like your set up. |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Oct 19, 2021 20:49:48 GMT -5
Thanks, bro...got everything within reach...only problem is deciding which to smoke.
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Post by darktater on Oct 19, 2021 20:50:05 GMT -5
I've tried just about everything on the market...about 85 small jars sitting on my 2 bookshelves...all of it somewhat wonderful, but still nothing that I want to smoke continuously....with the exception of 2. Butternut burley for me is an all day smoke. It is considered an aro, but not overwhelming in flavor or smell. It is something that once I recognized that it was the one, I ordered poundage so as to not run out. The second of my "Holy Grails" is was Irish Condor. I was fortunate enough to have my brother bring me back 6 pouches of the long cut version...I gave some to a friend and kept the rest, and, of course, smoked it as a treat that it was. But I am no longer in possession of any...the Polish version just plain sucks for me. So I guess my now "Holy Grail" is Butternut burley, I've got enough to last me quite a while...the others I'll smoke on occasion, but it just doesn't do that much for me. It will be good for trades down the road when tobacco gets hard to get...the McClellands have already gotten to be hard to get and at prices that amaze me...glad I have enough of that to last a lifetime, selling or trading it for BB. Nice photo I like your set up. +1 |
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rocket
New Member
Posts: 54
Location:
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Post by rocket on Oct 20, 2021 18:25:37 GMT -5
A good Burley forward blend. But there is those times when a good Va/Burley tastes mighty good. Then there are those days when it is a Va/Bur/Per day.
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Post by qmechanics on Oct 20, 2021 20:31:38 GMT -5
McClelland - Blue Mountain/Balkan Blue .. I had a very small sample of this blend during the last meeting of the KC Pipe Show and really loved it. However, I cannot afford to pay 50.00+ dollars when it comes up for sale, here and there, in the vintage sales market. It is a shame, though one blend among many when it comes to MClelland's storied blends.
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cubishpatriot
New Member
Life's to short, smoke all the tobacco
Posts: 7
First Name: Eric and Hannah Sanchez
Favorite Pipe: Moretti Bulldog
Favorite Tobacco: Anything not Balkan
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Post by cubishpatriot on Sept 11, 2022 3:58:55 GMT -5
When I was quite young. The first pipe store I would visit was called Harriels Pipe shop in Dadeland Mall. It was north of Homestead Florida where I went to High school. They had a house blend called Cocoa Plum. It was a dark tobacco. The cocoa was actually from a very nutty and chocolatey base much like original. Mac Baren London Blend. But the Cavendish they used has a deep, rich plum flavor. I guess because it was the first tobacco that gave me a true tobacco flavor and richness, it always stuck with me. Sadly Harriels closed after hurricane Andrew decimated my hometown and ripped the roof off Dadeland Mall. But 30 something years later, I can still smell that store in my memories. I first tried it in a Saseini 4 dot prince. And a Brebbia bulldog. I have grown to love pretty much all tobacco except Balkans which only seem to make me happy when it's Smokers Haven Exotique or Congac. But to me, that tobacco always reminded me of what a pipe shop smells like from way back then. And if it were available today would surely be a fall and winter smoke for me. Just my contribution to this thread.
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 3,782
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
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Post by Zach on Sept 11, 2022 9:39:31 GMT -5
I'd thought I replied to this thread a year or two back. This is such a tough choice for several reasons. Over the years, many blends I absolutely loved either vanished from the market, or my tastes changed enough that I got tired of smoking tobaccos I initially loved to smoke for a few tins, or 10-20 tins of it. It's almost become a fear in the back recesses of my mind that once I smoke a couple pounds of a tobacco that I currently love, I'll just burn out on it and never want to really smoke it again. It's largely unfounded, as some of those blends I burned out on I left for years and came to enjoy once more. One was McClelland Frog Morton Cellar. After smoking several tins of it after release I fell in love with it right away. A few tins later, and it suddenly changed on me and became extremely cloying and just downright annoying to smoke any of it. I smoked the remainder of my stash of that just a few short months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it until it was all gone. Mac Baren's Old Dark Fired I quite enjoyed for the first tin or two of a large tin, but now even something like eight years later and I don't even have any and don't have any will to smoke the stuff. That one was never a favorite by any means, but I did like it a lot after it's release.
Morley's Best while it is a great blend and I enjoy it, has too much Latakia in it for it to be a regular and daily driver for me personally. However, ALL of Bob Runowski's blends I consider to be my favorite tobaccos in general and exactly my style of preferred tobacco mixtures. Haunted Bookshop today is my favorite daily driver smoke that I feel like I can smoke in any situation. Working, reading, relaxing, Haunted Bookshop has me covered. To an extent, everything Runowski blended in the genre runs this way for me. Old Joe Krantz, Riverboat Gambler, Pegasus, Epiphany, etc. (I've been saving Purple Cow for a special rainy day and have tins but haven't tried the blend yet in all these years)
Haunted Bookshop is one of the first blends that I can truly smoke daily without tiring of it and don't have a fear I'll tire of smoking it. I also do not smoke it daily and all day, and then other days I'll smoke three or four bowls of it in a row or all day it.
My Arcadia blend is unfortunately discontinued. McClelland's Tudor Castle. The perfect balance of high grade yellow and red Virginia's, perfectly fermented and balanced sugary-sweet with the sour tang of the Yenidje Orientals and plenty of Perique. It had dark stoved red and unstoved. A really special sugary bright VA, and it just perfectly balanced the hardly seen Yenidje with the amount of perique. I've got just a couple tins remaining in the cellar.
Lastly though, I want to touch on just being spoiled for choice again. There are just far too many blends on the market that can perpetually keep us chasing for that "Arcadia mixture." Why is that, I can have hundreds of pounds of varying blends of the same component tobaccos sitting around me in my office and yet, I'm hardly able these days to even decide what I want to smoke next? At times it's nearly daunting. I have unopened unicorn tobaccos here. Tins that would readily sell for $100 a piece. Many tins that will readily sell for $50-150 a piece. They sit unopened, while I still can't decide to smoke the 100 blends that are opened in tins, or opened in hundred of mason jars. I mean, it's nearly a problem. I have to step back at times and appreciate that I've finally built up what I'd wanted to achieve for ten years, a decade of pipe smoking. The season changing to fall/winter typically brings me out of it as I change into some more seasonal aromatics and play around a bit. Still I can't help but wonder what it would be like to avoid all the choice fatigue and what it would be to only smoke tubs of the same one dimensional tobaccos and believe that's it. Pick up a pipe, stuff it full and smoke the same thing every single day. I don't like that thought, quite frankly. I do know for sure though after giving so many blends a try, I could readily cut out a large amount of blends and entire brands from my cellar and "trim the fat" towards brands and blending styles I truly love day in and day out and likely be far more satisfied with this pipe smoking life.
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Post by urbino on Sept 11, 2022 19:03:16 GMT -5
Well, that's the way it works, though, right? You don't know what you don't like till you try it and don't like it. Then it's either gift it, trade it, sell it, or push it to the back of the shelf and hope it ages well.
I hear you about building up what you'd wanted. For me, it was basically having my own private tobacco shop. One where all the blends appeal to me in some way (at least in prospect), and I can go to the shelves, grab a tin of whatever strikes my fancy, and not have to check out.
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 3,782
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
Location:
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Post by Zach on Sept 12, 2022 7:48:24 GMT -5
Exactly. It's like becoming your own self-sustained tobacco shop, right in your own home.
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Post by Professor S. on Sept 13, 2022 9:53:07 GMT -5
Well, that's the way it works, though, right? You don't know what you don't like till you try it and don't like it. Then it's either gift it, trade it, sell it, or push it to the back of the shelf and hope it ages well. I hear you about building up what you'd wanted. For me, it was basically having my own private tobacco shop. One where all the blends appeal to me in some way (at least in prospect), and I can go to the shelves, grab a tin of whatever strikes my fancy, and not have to check out. True story, Urb. I developed a love for Latakia blends after not liking it at all. Like you, I'm trying to stock up on the blends I like so that I always have them at hand. My "Arcadia" depends on the pipe I'm smoking it out of. In the meerschaum, Balkan Sobranie 759 match reigns supreme. In the Icarus or any of my other briars, it's either Sutliff 526 (Old Professor) or Balkan Supreme. I'm actually trying to figure out what to do with all the Proper English, Yale Mixture, and C&D Byzantium that is now just taking up shelf space. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Sept 13, 2022 10:58:02 GMT -5
Well, that's the way it works, though, right? You don't know what you don't like till you try it and don't like it. Then it's either gift it, trade it, sell it, or push it to the back of the shelf and hope it ages well. I hear you about building up what you'd wanted. For me, it was basically having my own private tobacco shop. One where all the blends appeal to me in some way (at least in prospect), and I can go to the shelves, grab a tin of whatever strikes my fancy, and not have to check out. That's my goal too...I'd hazard a guess it's the goal of a lot of us here. |
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Post by billinrio on Oct 20, 2022 15:27:53 GMT -5
This is interesting, but I'm not sure that I agree with the premise that all pipe smokers dream of an "ideal", "perfect" blend.
Among the many pleasures of pipe smoking is that of having access to a large variety of well-made blends that are more or less tempting depending
upon one's mood and surroundings. I don't think I would be satisfied with any single blend, regardless of what components it might contain.
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Post by billinrio on Oct 20, 2022 15:37:09 GMT -5
I have been sober for roughly four years now. I don't regret my choice in walking away from alcohol, as I am just not suited for its effects and call. However, there is a scotch whisky that I enjoyed more than any beverage I've ever drank, and would consume it weekly, if not daily when available. That scotch whiskey is Laphroaig. Laphroaig hits the palate in the same way that a Hemingway novel hits the imagination. A sharp smokiness with a lot of leather notes, the flavor stays with you and has a hint of sweetness at the end almost a cedar finish. I am always looking for a tobacco that inspires the senses in this way. But I wish for a bit of florals in this flavor. My favorite tobacco as of yet is Black House, which is the closest i've had in terms of the feeling that Laphroaig inspired within me. While it does have some slight floral taste to it, I feel that it is missing something that I can quite put my finger on. Something that the peat smoke drove in the scotch that just isn't apparent in the tobacco. I am still looking for that perfect blend, one that inspires thoughts of quiet, calmness, and feels as if you are in the most inner depths of a library filled with only your most cherished novels, and the books you have yet to realize you cherish. Laphroaig is very similar to many other peat-forward Islay blends. Its peculiarity is an iodine/seaweed note that reminds some people of hospital gauze. Reportedly, this is because its warehouse is very close to the ocean. Personally, among the Islays I prefer Ardbeg Corryvreckan. |
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 3,782
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
Location:
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Post by Zach on Oct 20, 2022 17:52:39 GMT -5
oddly enough, currently it would be GL Pease's Blackpoint. I have other's I enjoy but I'm always a bit sad to reach the bottom of a bowl of Blackpoint. I'm in an interesting place in this iteration of my pipe life. I'm suddenly hurtling back into the land of English's and Balkan's, after a relatively peaceful period of burley happiness. Not sure what my 'Arcadia' will be in 3 months (or 6), but it should be fun to find out. Just out of curiosity as I noticed today it's exactly one year later, is Pease Blackpoint still your favorite? I know you've been smoking Embarcadero a lot lately and quite like the Charing Cross as well. |
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 3,782
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
Location:
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Post by Zach on Oct 20, 2022 17:53:57 GMT -5
This is interesting, but I'm not sure that I agree with the premise that all pipe smokers dream of an "ideal", "perfect" blend. Among the many pleasures of pipe smoking is that of having access to a large variety of well-made blends that are more or less tempting depending upon one's mood and surroundings. I don't think I would be satisfied with any single blend, regardless of what components it might contain. This is a great, hot take. I tend to agree. We have so much choice and at the same time, so many blends constantly going out of production. Great input! Welcome to The BriarPatch! |
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Post by darktater on Oct 20, 2022 18:45:13 GMT -5
oddly enough, currently it would be GL Pease's Blackpoint. I have other's I enjoy but I'm always a bit sad to reach the bottom of a bowl of Blackpoint. I'm in an interesting place in this iteration of my pipe life. I'm suddenly hurtling back into the land of English's and Balkan's, after a relatively peaceful period of burley happiness. Not sure what my 'Arcadia' will be in 3 months (or 6), but it should be fun to find out. Just out of curiosity as I noticed today it's exactly one year later, is Pease Blackpoint still your favorite? I know you've been smoking Embarcadero a lot lately and quite like the Charing Cross as well. hehe wow that year flew by. I've been a bit all over the place lately. I have been smoking a lot of Virginia's lately, but fall seems to be here so I think it's time to move off the Virginias (at least somewhat). I really enjoy Charing Cross, but now I think I'll have to open a tin of Blackpoint and find out. Just filling a bowl with ODF now, so Blackpoint might wait until tomorrow... |
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Post by darktater on Oct 20, 2022 19:22:33 GMT -5
ok, I had forgotten how wonderful ODF is... Perhaps I'm becoming a bit more wise in my pipe smoking, but I'm very glad I'm not stuck on a desert island and can have only 1...
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 20, 2022 19:56:00 GMT -5
Last post by Hand of Glory was that he was sick. He hasn't been back since. He was pretty nice for a guy from LA.
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Post by adui on Oct 20, 2022 22:27:26 GMT -5
What I'd really like in my pipe... Well, anything sweet and smoky. But mostly something that will clear this cold so I can enjoy a pipe. Kentucky dark-fired mixes sound good but I can't say I've partaken. I do so enjoy a good Latakia blend, however...
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Post by darktater on Oct 21, 2022 17:57:04 GMT -5
What I'd really like in my pipe... Well, anything sweet and smoky. But mostly something that will clear this cold so I can enjoy a pipe. Kentucky dark-fired mixes sound good but I can't say I've partaken. I do so enjoy a good Latakia blend, however... ODF is a good one, and easy to come by |
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Post by darktater on Oct 21, 2022 18:25:21 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity as I noticed today it's exactly one year later, is Pease Blackpoint still your favorite? I know you've been smoking Embarcadero a lot lately and quite like the Charing Cross as well. turns out it is still my favorite English ;-) Still a great smoke, and will likely play a major role in the rotation.
I think I have realized that I don't have 'a' favorite, though there are some I'll go to lengths to insure I always have some on hand.
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 28, 2022 11:42:15 GMT -5
I have been sober for roughly four years now. I don't regret my choice in walking away from alcohol, as I am just not suited for its effects and call. However, there is a scotch whisky that I enjoyed more than any beverage I've ever drank, and would consume it weekly, if not daily when available. That scotch whiskey is Laphroaig. Laphroaig hits the palate in the same way that a Hemingway novel hits the imagination. A sharp smokiness with a lot of leather notes, the flavor stays with you and has a hint of sweetness at the end almost a cedar finish. I am always looking for a tobacco that inspires the senses in this way. But I wish for a bit of florals in this flavor. My favorite tobacco as of yet is Black House, which is the closest i've had in terms of the feeling that Laphroaig inspired within me. While it does have some slight floral taste to it, I feel that it is missing something that I can quite put my finger on. Something that the peat smoke drove in the scotch that just isn't apparent in the tobacco. I am still looking for that perfect blend, one that inspires thoughts of quiet, calmness, and feels as if you are in the most inner depths of a library filled with only your most cherished novels, and the books you have yet to realize you cherish. Laphroaig is very similar to many other peat-forward Islay blends. Its peculiarity is an iodine/seaweed note that reminds some people of hospital gauze. Reportedly, this is because its warehouse is very close to the ocean. Personally, among the Islays I prefer Ardbeg Corryvreckan. Laphroaig is not for everyone. Men with hair buns should stay away. 😉 |
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Post by adui on Oct 28, 2022 16:09:56 GMT -5
This is interesting, but I'm not sure that I agree with the premise that all pipe smokers dream of an "ideal", "perfect" blend. Among the many pleasures of pipe smoking is that of having access to a large variety of well-made blends that are more or less tempting depending upon one's mood and surroundings. I don't think I would be satisfied with any single blend, regardless of what components it might contain. I tend to agree. While I do have a few go to blends, I find much of my enjoyment from this hobby is the tasting of something new and different. Would I be happy with just a couple of blends? perhaps, depending on what they are, but happily for now at least I have more choices than I have years left to try them. |
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