I'm something of a tobacco snob, in many ways. My favorite blenders are GL Pease, C&D, G&H, etc. I've paid up to $100 for a single tin (Bohemian Scandal) and my cellar is positively bursting at the seams with "premium" tobaccos. I love Balkans, Va/Pers, English, etc. and spend way too much of my disposable income on them. I don't spend that much on pipes, per se, but as for what goes into them ... my philosophy is to spare no expense.
But ...
The other day I mentally took stock of what I actually smoke the most of, on a day-to-day basis, and do you know what? I smoke mostly Middleton blends.
Carter Hall is my favorite, and I smoke it every single day. It also forms the base of what I consider to be the ultimate American-English blend, which is one tub of CH mixed with a two-ounce tin of McClelland's blending latakia. But I also smoke a lot of Prince Albert, which hits the spot some days like nothing else will. Sugar Barrel has proven to be a pleasant surprise, Apple is a darn good aromatic, and Walnut is a pretty decent American English (I don't smoke much of it, but I appreciate it for what it is). And, while I wouldn't argue that any of these blends are on par qualitatively with similar but "premium" blends like Old Joe Krantz, Epiphany, or Aged Burley Flake, the bottom line is that I smoke the Middleton products more, even when money is not a concern. Why? Because they are easy to smoke, don't irritate the tongue, and can be enjoyed pretty much anytime, anywhere. They are pretty much ALWAYS enjoyable, in the way that a well-prepared burger or cup of iced tea can akways hit the spot if hungry or thirsty.
I guess I just find it interesting that, with this huge wealth of premium tinned and imported blends available to us that feature tobaccos of almost ridiculously high quality, so much satisfaction can be had with such simple, inexpensive components.
Anyway, has anyone else had the same experience with Middleton products?
But ...
The other day I mentally took stock of what I actually smoke the most of, on a day-to-day basis, and do you know what? I smoke mostly Middleton blends.
Carter Hall is my favorite, and I smoke it every single day. It also forms the base of what I consider to be the ultimate American-English blend, which is one tub of CH mixed with a two-ounce tin of McClelland's blending latakia. But I also smoke a lot of Prince Albert, which hits the spot some days like nothing else will. Sugar Barrel has proven to be a pleasant surprise, Apple is a darn good aromatic, and Walnut is a pretty decent American English (I don't smoke much of it, but I appreciate it for what it is). And, while I wouldn't argue that any of these blends are on par qualitatively with similar but "premium" blends like Old Joe Krantz, Epiphany, or Aged Burley Flake, the bottom line is that I smoke the Middleton products more, even when money is not a concern. Why? Because they are easy to smoke, don't irritate the tongue, and can be enjoyed pretty much anytime, anywhere. They are pretty much ALWAYS enjoyable, in the way that a well-prepared burger or cup of iced tea can akways hit the spot if hungry or thirsty.
I guess I just find it interesting that, with this huge wealth of premium tinned and imported blends available to us that feature tobaccos of almost ridiculously high quality, so much satisfaction can be had with such simple, inexpensive components.
Anyway, has anyone else had the same experience with Middleton products?
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