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Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - Max Erik 1989 1.75oz
My New Go-To Summer Blend
Ever since Sutliff 507C disappeared, I searched far and wide for a in-production replacement to smoke this summer in the heat. I can gladly say that search has ended. 1989 fits the bill. Grassy, tangy, mild and sweet. An all day, not overly complicated, straightforward virginia flake. Slightly less tang than 507C and a fraction more strength. Easier on the wallet at this tin price point. Big aging potential too. This is worth a try, even to throw a tin in the cellar to pop a decade from now.

Royal Comfort - Royal Comfort 16oz
Old Blend, New Tricks
I purchased a 1oz sample from a different site as buying 16oz of a new blend is risky/expensive. I get the fruit notes on the bag note but not really in the smoke. The smoke is mostly vanilla and hints of whiskey. The perique makes itself known. Reminds me of a mellower Captain Black Original with the added perique spice. Mechanically smokes easily and has a pleasant aroma. I think this blend occupies a strange space in the pipe tobacco world. I’m unsure of the purpose for its resurrection. The tin pricing is too expensive. Worth trying but find a smaller, less expensive sample first.

Mac Baren - Mixture Scottish Blend 3.5oz
Don’t Be Scared
I didn’t smoke the pre-STG version of this blend so I can’t compare it. I read the forum reviews and watched the YouTube reviews for this STG version. I was scared to try it, thought it’s not worth trying anymore. It’s been ruined. Well, I finally bought a tin. First smoke in a cob and… it’s not so bad. In fact, I think it’s pretty good. Not incredible but not terrible either. I found the description accurate. Mellow, slightly aromatic, ready rubbed. The flavor of the tobacco is still there. Not too floral. No tongue bite at a slow/medium pace. This is a solid blend and a good reminder that online reviewers are not the final judge of a blend. You are.

Old German Clay - Pot
Everyone Should Own One
This is my first clay pipe. I wasn't expecting much, just curious to see how clay smoked compared to other materials. Finished my first bowl with C&D King Cake and was amazed. This clay pipe smokes better than a lot of my briar pipes. The draw is perfect in my opinion. Very happy with this purchase and excited to try other blends in this pipe.

Rivertown Tobacco Works - Oak & Ember
Free Food
Received this as a free 1oz sample during a promotion. This is a good, solid, basic virginia/burley blend. Smokes well, no bite. I thought the virginias were a little more tangy than other similar blends. Certainly worth trying as a go-to meat and potatoes blend.

Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Black Locust 2oz
Tequila Bear
Silver tequila and the distinct honey lead the way as some fruit notes linger in the background. The virginia and orientals are still there showing through the sweetness. Overall a good blend with great aging potential.

Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Navy Cask 2oz
Navy Bear
My favorite of the Sun Bear series so far. The virginia and orientals shine with a backing of vanilla rum and sweet honey. Very excited to revisit this blend with a few years of age on it.

Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop 2oz
One and Only
One of the more famous C&D blends. Nutty with hints of citrus sweetness and spice. Stout and savory are the best words to describe this blend. Smokes well and doesn’t bite but go slow or the nic hit will sneak up. A classic must-try for all pipe smokers.

Cornell & Diehl - King Cake 2oz
One Now, One Later
Plum, bready cake, subtle sweetness and spices. This aromatic smokes well and doesn’t bite. Easy to break the cake apart and no need to dry. I bought two tins, one to age and one to try now. My open tin has 6 months of age and I think it’s already good as is but the aging potential is absolutely there. Next update in 10-15 years.

Captain Black - Dark 1.5oz
BCA Competitor
Very light vanilla notes, not artificial. Can warm the tongue if pushed but does not bite. Perfect blend for black cavendish lovers. Similar to Lane BCA but not exactly the same, more of a competitor. Can be used to mix with other blends as well.

Cornell & Diehl - Briar Fox 2oz
Simple and Reliable
One of those modern-day classics. This blend to me resembles a simple, hearty meal or a reliable, basic hand tool. Does everything you need it to without fuss. This blend mixes and ages well too. A good staple blend to have in the cellar for multiple purposes.

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - Morning Blend
Sale Surprise
Purchased this on sale on a whim and am quite surprised. This is a very good aromatic, not just for morning either. Smokes well, no bite, vanilla bourbon notes. This has been my first foray into Erik Stokkebye blends and will not be my last.

Captain Black - Royal 1.5oz
Drugstore Royalty
Very much as described: Vanilla, caramel, and liqueur notes. Nothing too artificial tasting. Like most other Captain Black blends, it smokes well, holds it flavor to the bottom of the bowl but can bite if pushed. A solid codger blend that won't disappoint.

Half and Half - Half and Half 1.5oz
Wrong Half
A classic codger blend. Grassy with maize/corn notes. I think it's called Half and Half because they knew half of us would like it, half of us would hate it. Unfortunately, I'm in the latter group. I like the history behind the blend, just not the blend itself.

Captain Black - Original 1.5oz
Sailing with the Captain
My first true codger blend and one of the few that doesn't tend to bite me. The vanilla flavoring toes the line with artificial but doesn't cross it. Can almost become marshmellow-esque further into the bowl. Available everywhere, I think this is a good blend for all experience levels.

Captain Black - Cherry 1.5oz
Candy Cherry
Right on the border of being too medicinal/artificial tasting. Old-timey candy cherry notes and nothing else. Will bite if pushed. The cherry smell will permeate from the bag so be careful storing.

Granger - Granger 7oz
Pointing the Way
Another codger blend that does its one-dimensional job well. Nutty with very light brown sugar notes. Nothing fancy but not trying to be. This blend can bite but only if really pushed. I've found this blend to go best with coffee on a cool morning.

Prince Albert - Prince Albert 14oz
Nutella
A historic blend. Nutella is all I get. Smokes well but go slow or risk a cigarette taste creeping in. As much as I hate that, I have to remember it was also RYO tobacco in the past. So at least they're still keeping the past alive in that manner. A classic worth trying, even just for the popular joke.

Peter Stokkebye - PS24 Nougat
Overhyped
I hate that title because there's some truth to it. It has a good story and plenty of good marketing on YouTube. But in reality, I found this blend to just be lacking in flavor. It smells great in the bag but I never got that translation to the actual smoke. I think this blend is certainly worth trying, but first detach from any outside influence.

Lane Limited - 1-Q
Sweet Air
A good beginner blend. It doesn't try to impress anyone and does its one-dimensional job well of providing a light, airy, sweet smoke with almost sugar cookie-esque notes. A staple blend in every B&M's bulk jar section.

Velvet - Velvet 1.5oz
Light Red Wine
A venerable classic, this felt like smoking a blend cased with a light red wine. Will bite if pushed. Not bad, but not amazing either. Worth a try, especially for the price.

Smoker's Pride - Rum Cured 12oz
Play-Doh
Purchased a 2oz sample bag from a local B&M on a whim. Very quickly dumped my bowl, and my sample bag, in the trash. Absolutely not for me. Tastes like the smell of Play-Doh.

Paladin - Black Cherry 1.5oz
Slow but Steady
An excellent black cherry blend but very temperamental. Must smoke slow or risk some serious tongue bite. At the right pace though, this blend shines. The cherry flavor slowly dissipates deeper in the bowl and the nutty burley prominently appears. A must try for those looking to experience all variations of the cherry flavor.

Cornell & Diehl - Autumn Evening 2oz
Syrup Sprint
With a little background vanilla included, this almost shag cut blend will make you think you're chugging maple syrup from the bottle like Super Troopers. Probably the most recommended bulk blend for new pipe smokers from B&Ms next to 1Q. Very easy to light, tastes good, burns fast. A modern classic for all weather.

Peter Stokkebye - PS402 Luxury Twist Flake
Zimbabwe Coconut Cake
Your classic Virginia twist flake but I get sweet, buttery, coconut cake notes. Unique, I find it best smoked on a cooler morning with coffee. Not a Virginia blend for a hot summer day. Not a bad blend, certainly worth a purchase.

Cult - Blood Red Moon 50g
Spellbook
This was my first cherry blend and the only cherry blend I've repeatedly purchased. Chocolate covered cherries, nothing much else. Doesn't taste artificial, medicinal or candy to me. A safe choice for a new pipe smoker's first cherry blend. For experienced pipe smokers, combine this and Haunted Bookshop 50/50 for a fun mix I call Spellbook.

Orlik - Golden Sliced 50g
An Old Classic
Blends like this will never go away, and for good reason. Grassy hay with a slightly spicy citrus in the background. A faithful companion for hot summer days. This is one of those must-try blends for every new pipe smoker.

Carter Hall - Carter Hall 14oz
Jack of all Blends
Cheerios, cardboard, chocolate milk (in the carton)… However you describe this blend, I truly believe it should be in everyone’s cellar for utility purposes. It can do everything. Break-in a pipe, de-ghost a pipe, reset your palate, etc. Pack it however you want in whatever weather, it lights and goes. Truly the jack of all blends, a tool in the belt of every pipe smoker’s cellar.

Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
Spiced Bread
Freshly baked spiced bread. This is the tasting note I get from this blend. Perfect for cooler evenings and around the holidays. A staple of my cellar.

Cornell & Diehl - Nutty Irishman 2oz
My First Love
This was my first ever pipe tobacco. Purchased in bulk for my birthday from the Briar Shoppe (RIP) in Houston, TX, I immediately fell in love with it. Even after 8 years of smoking a variety of blends, it still remains a favorite in my cellar and my go-to morning smoke. The topping is wonderful, exactly as described. Do not hesitate to try this blend.

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