Drugstore Tobacco

**delamain** · 08-06-2012, 01:04 PM

What are your thoughts on the drugstore tobaccos?

You know the ones I'm talking about, bought by the plastic pouch or tub at your local store; the ones that have been around forever.

Also known as "over the counter" or "codger" blends...

Prince Albert, Half & Half, Carter Hall, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sugar Barrel are the ones I am most interested in, but there are others. None of them are available in my area.

I would be very happy to hear your impressions of these legendary blends - as well as any of the others that have stood the test of time...

(Captain Black, Sail, and Amphora are the OTC tobaccos in my area - I don't like any of them enough to pay the crazy prices)

I know these blends are not likely to blow you away with flavour and that they are designed for an easy smoke, but that has been what's attracting me to them.

I don't like the taste of full-blown aromatics, and I want some nice clean tobaccos to enjoy in my cobs and to break in my my first briar, so that is why I am gravitating to them.

I'm not sure I will like every one, but what the hell - a few dollars won't break me.

Plus I think as a pipe smoker I should have an idea what PA and the gang actually taste like. I haven't had any of the old school burleys to date...

Thanks, gentlemen.

**oc_in_fw** · 08-06-2012, 02:01 PM

I have had Captain Black in the past, and received a pouch of SWR when I ordered my clay pipes. Both are good in a pinch, IMO. They won't knock Squadron Leader or SG Navy Flake out of my top spots, though. Good think about them is they are cheap, easy to get, and you may find them totally enjoyable.

**2b1ask1** · 08-06-2012, 02:22 PM

Half & Half and Carter Hall are probably the best "OTC" brands. Very mild and flavorful, and the price is cheap here in America. Captain Black Royal (blue) is probably my favorite of theirs. Of course, YMMV

**Uncle Jackie** · 08-06-2012, 03:54 PM

Amphora Original is one of the best burlys on the market, perhaps my favorite tobacco of all time.

Captain Black (white) is a decent tobacco, my favorite of all of them
Sail Yellow is a mild aromatic which is not bad at all
Borkum Riff - won't touch that crap at all
Prince Albert, Half and Half, SWR, ... are not typically available in Canada, but are all solid tobaccos.

**nrdoty** · 08-06-2012, 06:32 PM

Half & Half as well as Carter Hall are both semi-regular smokes for me. Both no-fuss kind of smokes. I go for H&H when I want a little sweeter/aromatic taste & CH is more of that straight, slightly nutty baccy flavor.

**Argonaut** · 08-06-2012, 06:57 PM

Carter Hall is my favorite OTC, though I have to order it online.

**delamain** · 08-07-2012, 04:28 AM

The reason I am interested in these old-time tobaccos is that I have found myself in a position where I want to conserve my top shelf tinned blends to a degree, and I just want something that is simple and maybe even a tad sweet, but nowhere near the average aromatic - I still want the tobacco flavour front and centre.

Maybe since I cut my teeth on the artisanal tobacco blends I won't enjoy these old classics, but I am willing to take that chance. I am most familiar with Virginia tobaccos but I am willing to give these burleys a shot. (I know there are a few with VA in them) Not to mention there is quite a bit of nostalgia in seeking out these brands; even though I don't have a personal history with them, I've known of their existence for years and I finally want to know what they are all about. (Good ol' marketing...)

Originally Posted by jmallen5

Carter Hall is my favorite OTC, though I have to order it online.

I think that is definitely happening more and more; pipe tobacco isn't a common find in many places. It is too bad that these tobaccos are getting squeezed out of their traditional spot behind every shop counter...

nrdoty/2b1ask1, how would you guys describe Half & Half's flavour and aroma? I see a lot of people throwing around anise, but it seems like there is no consistency to that assessment... I think that people keep recycling it from one single tobacco review.

Uncle Jackie, my problem with CBW is the humectants. I know that is par for the course when you talk about these drugstore blends, but some definitely have more than others and I think CBW is probably one of the worst offenders. I've left the stuff open in the pouch for weeks and even that doesn't necessarily dry up the PG enough to make it smokeable.

The same goes for Sail Green; a lot of people slam that one, but I've let that dry for a few months to let the casing dry out and it is literally the best aromatic I've ever had when it is at the proper moisture level and when you smoke it at the right cadence. Now that has a very nice anise/cocoa casing with a wisp of smokiness that is very underrated; when I first started ordering tinned tobacco, I sampled aros from Gawith & Hoggarth, McClelland, and Dan amongst others - not one of them even came close to the intentionally dried ol' pouches of Sail Green I used to enjoy...

Would you say that Amphora Original is the equal of PA and Carter Hall, or is it better in your mind? That is probably the only brand I can get that Americans can't! Unfortunately, though, it is about $30 for 50g - that is so expensive that I can't afford to dislike it. (I had the Amphora Red label aromatic and that was not my style at all... Tasted like air) I don't remember my grandfather but apparently he smoked Amphora whenever he did reach for his pipe...

I agree with you about not bothering with the Borkum Riff, even though I haven't tried it. There's too much good stuff out there to waste your time, money, and breath on something you won't likely enjoy. Some of the reviews are really scathing - I don't rely upon them entirely, but they keep me from blind-buying garbage tobacco for the most part...

jmallen5/nrdoty, as fans of Carter Hall do you think that PA is a worthy contender? What would you consider to be the main differences between them? (I assume you've tried both)

As far as Captain Black, I have only tried the White and that is what I remember from my childhood but the Royal is all I see in the shops. I know 1Q is supposed to be the "better" CBR and that's supposedly the most popular bulk tobacco of all, so maybe there is something to be said for that version. In my next order, I'm going to get some Lane RLP-6 just to revive my CBW memories without having to go to the pains of airing out all of the goop...

**Uncle Jackie** · 08-07-2012, 05:48 PM

The Rock is certainly not the best place to buy tobacco, I feel for you.

Amphora Original is pretty well a straight burley. Medium strength, not much casing if any at all, yet quite different from the American burleys. Nutty..., not so much, just a solid tobacco.

**Argonaut** · 08-07-2012, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by delamain

jmallen5/nrdoty, as fans of Carter Hall do you think that PA is a worthy contender? What would you consider to be the main differences between them? (I assume you've tried both)

Believe it or not, I have never tried PA. I've had CB White, CB Blue, and Smokers Pride Natural. My second favorite to CH would be CB Blue. I'd rather get hit in the face with a waffle iron than try SP Natural again.I use CH to break in my pipes, and for the occasional "I don't care" smoke. Most of the time I smoke flakes and such.

**conroygc** · 08-08-2012, 02:44 PM

I keep Captain Black White in my regular rotation, it's one of my favorite early morning smokes (I prefer stronger, English stuff at night).
I have some Half and Half open right now, pretty decent and I like the little bit of anise flavor I get out of it.
Borkuff riff is no good.

**blueheron** · 08-08-2012, 04:40 PM

PA. As you were.

**73mountaineer** · 08-08-2012, 05:23 PM

I don't have a lot of experience with the traditional drugstore blends, but I can vouch for Carter Hall. I also like Capt. Black White, but given the two, CH would be my first pick. It didn't realize that PA had so many fans, but I am tempted to try it...right after I show up on Jason's doorstep with a waffle iron in one hand and SP Natural in the other...after I figure out what SP Natural is.

**Argonaut** · 08-08-2012, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by 73mountaineer

I don't have a lot of experience with the traditional drugstore blends, but I can vouch for Carter Hall. I also like Capt. Black White, but given the two, CH would be my first pick. It didn't realize that PA had so many fans, but I am tempted to try it...right after I show up on Jason's doorstep with a waffle iron in one hand and SP Natural in the other...after I figure out what SP Natural is.

Smokers Pride Natural. Don't bring one of those panzy electric models, hit me with a Griswold cast-iron so I can feel it!

**73mountaineer** · 08-08-2012, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by jmallen5

Smokers Pride Natural. Don't bring one of those panzy electric models, hit me with a Griswold cast-iron so I can feel it!

You got it, anything for a friend!

Smokers pride? Ewwww.

**Devilpup** · 08-09-2012, 08:17 PM

I love Prince Albert and Carter Hall are some of my favorites. Carter hall, a cob and a cup of strong coffee is near heaven.

**delamain** · 08-11-2012, 09:37 AM

I am most looking forward to Prince Albert, Half & Half, and Carter Hall...

If I like those then I will consider the 12/14 oz plastic tubs.

Do you guys have any experience with the shelf life of the tubs once opened?

Do they retain the moisture well for a moderate period of time or are you better off jarring up the majority and saving the tubs for day to day smoking?

By the way, I will post my impressions on these tobaccos here in a mini-review when I get finally get my hands on some... I encourage anyone else who is interested to do the same.

**Dusty1** · 08-11-2012, 09:40 AM

I'm a big fan of Carter hall and Prince Albert as well. I actually prefer aged Carter Hall over the fresh stuff if that answers your question about freshness. Enjoy your smoke.

**delamain** · 08-17-2012, 12:08 AM

Dusty1,

I've just read this evening that a few people, including the blender/cob advocate John Patton, recommend storing bulk tobacco in Middleton tubs because they keep a good seal. A few more claim that the tobacco remains good for many months and even years.

Along with your recommendation, that is good enough for me. I just want to keep the original tobacco in decent condition.

I've got about a dozen Country Gentleman cobs all cleaned and ready for smoking. I've got two burleys on the way: Prince Albert and Half & Half. I'm hoping I like them so that I can save a few bucks by buying the tubs.

**Jeff C** · 08-17-2012, 06:28 AM

Sail makse a natural blend with very little casings, comes in a very pale wrapper as compared with the yellow and green labels one normally associates with Sail. See the image here, the one on the far left. http://www.pipesandcigars.com/sail.html

I always thought this was pretty good although I have not smoked it for at least 10 years. While I don't smoke that much any more and therefore smoke whatever I feel like when I do, if I was in a pinch and had to pick one, I'd pick the Sail Natural.

**delamain** · 08-17-2012, 08:54 AM

Jeff, I used to like Sail Green after it was dried for a few months. It was a little goopy before that... I've become a better pipe smoker since then, so I could probably avoid the tongue bite that I experienced at that time. The flavours were good, though...

I have never seen the Sail Natural but I would be interested in giving it a try if the price was right. (I can't be bothered to pick up the $30 pouches found locally)