gav
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Post by gav on Dec 21, 2018 21:20:00 GMT -5
I'm not an experienced smoker by any means but I have yet to find a C&D blend I actually like. I find most of the blends to be rather heavy handed and they lack the properly aged taste I find with other blends. Even the GLP blends they manufacture I find lacking. I love the discontinued MCC blends. I regularly smoke Germain/esoterica blends which have that nice aged feel and sophistication.
IMHO,I think they just have a mindset that they want to produce as many different blends as they can and market it to full effect. It's like going to a restaurant with 100's of menu items (C&D has over 300) as opposed to a dozen really well made dishes.
Somehow I prefer a Capstan, Wessex, Orlik or Gawith approach where they perfect a blend and sell it for decades. This is coming from someone who also didn't really like the latest Dunhill offerings and was not sad to see them go. Maybe it's just the Virginias or how they process them that I do not like since I prefer that straight or as a vaper. It's possible that the virginias just are not as sweet as something like MCC or FVF. Or the casing.
Few Examples
Bayou Morning Flake- Way too heavy on the perique with a weak virginia. I find this one harsh to smoke and the nic hit is overwhelming.
Carolina flake limited edition- I did not get any mold issues in last years blend but I found the tobacco to be one dimensional and when put side by side the mcc 40th it was bland in comparison and harsh on the throat.
Gaslight- too much nicotine on this one. Tastes like tar.
The Beast- I felt sick after this one and not just because of the nicotine just a mess of everything
Union Square- basic virginia. Lack of flavor. Not bad per se but compared to MCC virginia's or even sutliff I find it rather bland.
Old Joe Krantz- not a burley lover but the nutty flavor is overwhelmed by a kerosene taste or cigarette flavor I don't like.
Star of the East- poor man's penzance?
Opening Night- same as Union Square?
I have tins of Briar Fox, Dreams of Kaddath and Bayou morning and Americana up next so maybe my mind will change.
Don't mean to insult any C&D lover's here but maybe they should just concentrate on a fewer blends and take more care on them or maybe I just don't get the flavor profile they are going for.
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priest2705
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First Name: Kenny
Favorite Pipe: Pre-Cadogan GBD Virgin 254
Favorite Tobacco: H&H White Knight, 2004 Christmas Cheer (still finding my way around tobaccos)
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Post by priest2705 on Dec 21, 2018 21:22:31 GMT -5
I'm new, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. With that being said, I'm puffing away on some Epiphany right now, and really enjoying it. It's snot overpowering flavor-wise, but it has some character. This is my first time trying it, and I will definitely be buying more
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Post by slowroll on Dec 21, 2018 21:27:38 GMT -5
Well, except for one from MacBaren, everything I like best comes from C&D.
Byantium, engine 99, star of the East flake, Ten Russians, GLP Odyssey. I think we should be glad a company is trying to satisfy so many tastes.
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 21, 2018 21:28:26 GMT -5
I like several of their blends. Not my every day smoke, but a pleasant diversion.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 21:31:55 GMT -5
I am not a fan either. I just checked and I have tried 20 C&D blends over the years. Out of those there are only two that I would consider buying again: Exhausted Rooster and Billy Bud Blonde. All the others were either blah or I actively disliked them.
A lot of people love C&D, though, so I think we are in the minority.
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orley
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Post by orley on Dec 21, 2018 21:35:00 GMT -5
Indeed C&D make a lot of blends. Some I could live without but some I love. If they made nothing else but Black Frigate I'd be happy. Fortunately they make quite a few that I love. What you like and what others like is quite subjective, so I recommend you read some reviews at "Tobacco Reviews" and try some that you might like. I'm sure you'll find some out of all of their blends that you'll like.
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Post by Dramatwist on Dec 21, 2018 21:52:13 GMT -5
C&D are a well respected tobacco blender. As far as I know, they manufacture the "GL Pease" tobaccos, the original "Two Friends" tobaccos and I have enjoyed many of their blends since the late 1990s.
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Post by LSUTigersFan on Dec 21, 2018 21:53:01 GMT -5
Dreams of Kaddath is pretty nice. It's probably the best of the Lovecraft series. So, I get to mix two of my favorite things - H.P. Lovecraft stories and pipe tobacco.
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Post by McWiggins on Dec 21, 2018 21:53:19 GMT -5
Everyone likes what they like and we're blessed with so many blends and blenders to choose from. With that said, some C&D blends I've found are not to my liking while others Im pretty fond of. When it comes to C&D, whatever they blend, most I find are best after a year in the cellar. And thanks to scrooge I know of a few blends I like with some good years on them.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 21:56:53 GMT -5
C&D in my opinion ( everyone’s taste is different ) manufactures some fine tobacco’s....just to name a few:
Black Frigate
Old Joe Krantz
Bayou Night
Billy Budd
Billy Budd Blonde
Blockade Runner
Engine99
Briar Fox
Gates of Light Sha'are Orah
Red Odessa
Pirate Kake
Always consistently good whether tinned or bulk. Once C&D got their mold issues resolved, I have NO complaints.
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Post by Dramatwist on Dec 21, 2018 21:57:39 GMT -5
Everyone likes what they like and we're blessed with so many blends and blenders to choose from. With that said, some C&D blends I've found are not to my liking while others Im pretty fond of. When it comes to C&D, whatever they blend, most I find are best after a year in the cellar. And thanks to scrooge I know of a few blends I like with some good years on them. ...true, McWiggins, and I don't care for all of the Dunhill, MacBaren, Peterson, etc. tobacco blends... but I like some of them... same with C&D... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 21:59:42 GMT -5
VERY ^^^^^^^^TRUE👍👍👍
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 22:08:06 GMT -5
I would say Ten Russians and Gas Light are on my list. I like the nic-hit every so often. Also add JKP and Triple Play. I have some more tins from Secret Santa to crack I have not opened yet over the years. Only good things happening in those tins as they are bulging
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Dec 21, 2018 22:14:20 GMT -5
I find C&D just doesn't have the best-quality VA inputs. Any VA-centric blend from C&D, whether branded C&D or G.L. Pease, just falls flat for me.
It's good to hear at least one other person concur.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Dec 21, 2018 22:28:53 GMT -5
I've had some trouble finding C&D blends that I like FRESH. A lot of them seem to be too young out of a new tin. I have some that have aged over 6 months now, that are starting to soften a little, and don't quite have that sharp edge. I've said before, in another thread that (coincidentally, I made a thread close to the same subject as this one) I had bought Sunday Picnic, and it was just harsh fresh from the tin. Wolfman sent me a sample from a 2012 tin, it was just light-years different. Far, far, far better. So, going forward, I plan to open tins, and jar them for 6 months before I make a decision on them. Bayou Morning is one that I would let sit for at least that long. It turns into stewed fruit. It's delicious. Blends that I like fresh are: Black Frigate Blockade Runner Pirate Kake Kajun Kake Bijou Pennington Gap Super Balkan (bulk) Red Odessa (bulk) Gentleman Caller (better aged, but good fresh) Engine 99 (grows hair on your chest) Telegraph Hill (GLP) Quiet Nights (GLP) There are more I like, but I've definitely had some hit or miss. With a blender making so many blends, it's hard not to have more misses than blenders that only make a handful of scarcely available handmade blends. |
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Post by trailboss on Dec 21, 2018 22:30:15 GMT -5
Old Joe Krantz and Briar Fox to my taste are a lot better with age on them, I like Exhausted Rooster fresh (probably better with age)... I have not tried a lot of their blends, but the small batch stuff is put aside for some age.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 22:31:43 GMT -5
Jason^^^^^^^ most definitely I too find the C&D blends I smoke need a minimum of one year of aging....that’s minimum.!
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Post by johnlawitzke on Dec 21, 2018 22:35:46 GMT -5
I find C&D just doesn't have the best-quality VA inputs. Any VA-centric blend from C&D, whether branded C&D or G.L. Pease, just falls flat for me. It's good to hear at least one other person concur. You're smoking it too young. C&D is number 2 in my cellar behind McC; somewhere between 25 and 30 pounds. When I was first learning C&D blends, I quickly learned that they ship their tins too young. IMHO, most Va, VaPer, and English blends made by C&D need at least 1 year in the tin and in some cases up to 2 years before their flavor really blossoms. My favorite C&D blends in no particular order: Bijou Carolina Red Flake Crooked Lane Good Morning Interlude Opening Night Pegasus Professor Rajah's Court Yorktown For GLP: Embarcadero Stratford Union Square Two Friends Redwood is also quite good. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 22:36:06 GMT -5
I love C&D's burley blends: Billy Budd Blonde, Haunted Bookshop, Old Joe Krantz, and Pegasus.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 23:10:01 GMT -5
IMHO, most Va, VaPer, and English blends made by C&D need at least 1 year in the tin and in some cases up to 2 years before their flavor really blossoms. I agree with, John. The only exception, IMHO, are their burley blends and some aromatics I've tried (Autumn Evening, Golden Days of Yore, etc). |
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Post by Pistol Pete 1911 on Dec 21, 2018 23:14:44 GMT -5
C&D in my opinion ( everyone’s taste is different ) manufactures some fine tobacco’s....just to name a few: Black Frigate Old Joe Krantz Bayou Night Billy Budd Billy Budd Blonde Blockade Runner Engine99 Briar Fox Gates of Light Sha'are Orah Red Odessa Pirate Kake Always consistently good whether tinned or bulk. Once C&D got their mold issues resolved, I have NO complaints. What he said × 10 I'm a big fan of Pirate Kake |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 23:55:04 GMT -5
The C&D blends that I like I wouldn't bother smoking until they're decently aged. C&D markets its tobacco young. To bring out the taste and avoid harshness, I always age Morley's Best, Epiphany, Yale Mixture and Orion's Arrow. Those are the ones that I smoke with any frequency out of all the C&Ds, although there are others that I may also smoke, but very occasionally, such as Bayou Morning, Bob Bushman and Constellation. For me the difference is dramatic between aged and young C&D.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 23:57:49 GMT -5
They aren't my favorite blender and I only smoke a few of their blends semi-regularly. I have found them to be a quality product for the most part.
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Post by slowroll on Dec 22, 2018 0:31:49 GMT -5
Ted, you reminded me-- Red Odessa. Also a great tobacco. BTW, I like all their lat blends right out of the bag/tin. Some age is nice, but not essential.
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 22, 2018 1:17:13 GMT -5
Dreams of Kaddath is pretty nice. It's probably the best of the Lovecraft series. So, I get to mix two of my favorite things - H.P. Lovecraft stories and pipe tobacco. Do you get the "Miskstonic U" cartoon newsletter? |
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Post by Ronv69 on Dec 22, 2018 1:20:34 GMT -5
I like OJK and Bourbon Bleu. That BB oaky, cheesy vanilla really blows my mind. 😉😁🤠
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2018 1:24:44 GMT -5
I think I'd like C&D if I were a Burley smoker. But I'm not, so I don't.  |
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Dec 22, 2018 1:40:58 GMT -5
C&D is good tobacco set at a reasonable price that people can afford.
60% at least of my cellar is C&D tobacco.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Dec 22, 2018 2:15:47 GMT -5
I find C&D just doesn't have the best-quality VA inputs. Any VA-centric blend from C&D, whether branded C&D or G.L. Pease, just falls flat for me. It's good to hear at least one other person concur. You're smoking it too young. C&D is number 2 in my cellar behind McC; somewhere between 25 and 30 pounds. When I was first learning C&D blends, I quickly learned that they ship their tins too young. IMHO, most Va, VaPer, and English blends made by C&D need at least 1 year in the tin and in some cases up to 2 years before their flavor really blossoms. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I ain't big on "aging" blends. I expect things to be enjoyable to smoke within the ordinary shelf life. That is to say, six to twelve months after production date. When I buy a tin from a retailer, I have a reasonable expectation that it should smoke pretty darned good that very day. |
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Dec 22, 2018 2:16:51 GMT -5
The C&D blends I actually enjoy are G.L. Pease "English" series, which take the spotlight off of Virginia.
What I suppose are sub-par Virginias are not emphasized in Westminster or Quiet Nights. These are very fine tobacco mixtures that more than overcome my suspicions of deficits in the VA inputs.
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