Blends on which You Changed Mind

[Cadfael]

Probably all of us have some blends on which we've changed our minds. For me, Waccamaw is a big one. I hated it when I first tried it - strong and bitter. But now, after a year in the tin, I really like it - complex and the VA twang comes through nicely.

Any of you flipped on a baccy one way or the other?

 

[tiltjlp]

After enjoying Carter Hall for 55 years as one of my favorites, lately CH hasn't quite tasted the same.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

Most recent for me, Embarcadero went from good to righteously-sublime in a matter of four months. It took trying a few different pipes and experimenting with a couple different packing methods to get there, but man oh man is it fantastic. The tobacco from the tin I opened might have benefitted from sitting a few months in a mason jar as well. Who knows.

Also Blackwoods Flake. First time I tried it - Meh. However, as soon as I started thoroughly breaking it up and letting it dry for a good 30 minutes before putting a match to it, it just kept getting better and better with each smoke. Very warm and bready VA, with some fantastic subtleties.

And Haddo's Delight. Fresh = Yikes :evil: Put Five years on it and Holy Moses I am in love. :twisted: 

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

Biggest for me is Hal o the Wynd. When I first tried it I tasted nothing but boring. About a year later I revisited it and it has become one of my favorites. In these past few months it has probably become my most smoked blend.

Not to the same extreme, but I had a similar experience with FVF. I had not tried it until it became hard to come by - then I felt the need to see what all the hype was about. When I did finally try it, I wasn't all that impressed. But it sure did grow on me.

Ironically these two are two of my three most smoked blends (Blackwoods Flake being the third).

 

[cigrmaster]

When I first tried Mac Baren Old Dark Fired, I did not care for it. I put it away for a few months, let it dry some and when I revisited it I loved it. It is now a regular in my rotation and it has a large space in my cellar.

I am hoping my tin of Wessex Burley Slice will be the same way, it has been resting for about 4 months now and I will be checking it out again soon.

 

[Brewdude]

FVF

Yes, believe it or not. It was not love at first sight (or light/bowl/whatever)!

Tried to like it initially but sold off what I had just purchased, just after coming off my 8 yr pipe hiatus. This was all new production, and I don't think I took into account the excess moisture factor. Anyway, I got rid of it....

:no: 


After a few yrs came back around and tried some aged stock, and took the moisture level down a few notches. That made all the difference! Certainly an "A-HA" moment.........

So FVF is back on my rotation. Don't think it's a desert island blend for me at this point, but it sure does fill the bill sometimes.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

:rabbit: 


Cheers,

RR

 

[Anonymous]

After enjoying Carter Hall for 55 years as one of my favorites, lately CH hasn't quite tasted the same.

I think has something to do with the recent shortage. I wonder if it's an aging thing or different sources for the ingredients.

 

[Anonymous]

Wessex brigade Campaign Dark Flake.

Years ago, it was utopia in a pipe.

Then they turned it into a mug of hot cocoa.

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: 

:face: 

 

[MisterE]

Royal Yacht. Hated it at first, then after a couple more tries I finally got it. Time elapsed: almost 20 years!! :lol: 

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I think has something to do with the recent shortage. I wonder if it's an aging thing or different sources for the ingredients.

You mean it's no longer sitting on a shelf for 50 years before they actually ship it out to someone.  

I find Carter Hall to be a fairly pleasant OTC. It beats smoking Sir Walter Raleigh. When I feel like some burley which is pretty rare, I go Storm Front or Solani ABF.

 

[Slow Puffs]

Latakia blends in general. I used to love a good latakia hit. Now I wonder why there are so many in my cellar? :shock: 

 

[Briar Spirit]

Lat blends in general, went through a phase of loving them, I got so hooked on Lat I started adding blending Latakia into Lat blends to get more of a Lat kick, can't stand the stuff any more, I have tried getting back into it, no chance, I've come to realise that what I was hooked on in Lat blends was the Perique, now I'm a very happy Va/Per Junkie.

 

[Blackhorse]

Latakia for me as well. Used to love it, now it's a very rare one I can tolerate. One big exception is GLP's Samarra.

The other is Lunchtime Blues, a newer one from C&D. First tin I bought smelled like a dead skunk upon opening...and not in a good way. lol It had improved within a week, and by a month was smoking like a true champ.

 

[Anonymous]

You mean it's no longer sitting on a shelf for 50 years before they actually ship it out to someone.  

I find Carter Hall to be a fairly pleasant OTC. It beats smoking Sir Walter Raleigh. When I feel like some burley which is pretty rare, I go Storm Front or Solani ABF.

Yeah, it's been bitter lately. I'm betting on some aging to mellow it out. I have a pound of it in jars. :| 

 

[somedumbjerk]

Latakia for me as well. Used to love it, now it's a very rare one I can tolerate. One big exception is GLP's Samarra.

The other is Lunchtime Blues, a newer one from C&D. First tin I bought smelled like a dead skunk upon opening...and not in a good way. lol It had improved within a week, and by a month was smoking like a true champ.

ditto. except i've never had lunchtime. magnum opus by H&H is my other exception. but man samarra with a few years on it is really nice.

 

[idbowman]

GLP Fillmore. Hated it once upon a time, now I smoke it regularly.

I couldn't stand the stuff when I first tried. It was very early on in my smoking "career" when I bought a tin...I was stubborn enough to finish the tin, but couldn't wait to be done with it. I revisited it a few years ago just for kicks and it was a total 180. There are plenty of things I do "better" now that I did when I started (cooler smoke, cleaner pipes, more experience palate), but I think it's the little bit of Latakia. Early on, I couldn't stand the stuff so even the slightest bit could have been a huge turn off...nowadays, I can't get enough lat, so when I want a Va or VaPer, Fillmore give me that plus a little bit of a lat teaser.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Every season, for me, tobacco changes drastically. Usually my mind is made up and something else changes. Could be the leaf or batch. Could be the over-spiced chili for dinner. Could be the weather. Could be the pipe. Could be stress. Could be years, could be weeks. :shrug:

I just keep going back for what tastes/performs to expectation until it doesn't. I know what I like, it's when I like it that tells the tale.