2018 Holiday Blends

What's on tap for the holidays this year.

[@thirdshiftpiper8809]

Like you holidays haven’t been the greatest for me... But this year feels different... I’m totally looking forward to starting a Holiday pipe smoking tradition including watching a couple of old movies and sipping on a good Port wine maybe even have a fire outside at night... I don’t know I kind of feel like the Grinch when his heart grows ten times in size? Thanks Marches for helping rekindle this holiday fire!

[@Matches860]

That's how to do it! Create your own excitement!

[@Mitch0482]

I've already liked and can't wait to watch this video as soon as I get off from work. You know Christmas is coming when Matches uploads the Holiday Blend Choices. Hope you and yours are well John, All the best!!

[@Matches860]

I shouldn't sound so down on the holidays, I always look forward to them, but by New Years I've had enough. Thanks for watching Mitch!

[@charliswriting]

One aspect of the holidays I really enjoy is smoking We Three Kings by Cornell and Deil, great holiday smoke for aromatic lovers like me. Happy Holidays to you, Matches!

[@theartfulcodger]

Another great video John, and thanks for the mention! Christmas is a great time for a special tobacco! I have a green and red Krampus pipe and it's just waiting for a bowl of Dan Tobacco's Devil's Holiday mixed with Sutliff Black Spice!

[@Matches860]

Thanks for stopping by Ben!

[@waderichardson7389]

Have to agree that MacBaren's Plumcake is my holiday smoke. That said, just opening a pouch of Sir Walter instantly transports me back to being six years old (that was a long time ago!) and sitting by my uncle's easy chair near the fire with the Christmas tree close behind. So, Sir Walter is my happy memories of Christmas blend from codgerville.

[@Matches860]

Great memories! Enjoy the holidays!

[@JeanPanzer]

Hey John, I'm no holiday guy, too. Very nice video, thanks for your interesting thoughts. I think I'll try Mac Baren's pudding. 😁 Stay well!

[@acesgr]

Always love holiday season ... looking forward to try some holiday blends, great video, take care and happy smoking

[@grahamwilson7698]

Thank you 🙏

[@njbeerguy5501]

Great advice, as always, John. Right now, the blend of the season for me is LJ Peretti's Thanksgiving Day. I grabbed a tin of McConnell's Code: Relax that I will be smoking next month for Christmas along with my regular standard, Velvet. It's also time to get the jar of W.O. Larsen's Limited Edition 2016 out. That blend reminds me of Christmas cookies. Enjoy the season and happy smokes.

[@jefflowry4896]

Hey John ! Good to see you! Thanks for the 2018 Holiday blends edition! Always a treat. Cold here in AL. Ir never got out of the low 30s today. Althugh the weekend is supposed to see the 60s. Sure hope you and Sarge can et together. I will be joining you with Mac Baren's Plumcake tor Christmas. Just pulled the trigger on that and some others that will ring a bell. Am excited to see how Plumcake differs from Black Frigate. Also ordered more Billy Budd, Engine 99 and Mac Baren's Scottish mixture. Carter Hall is ready for a Codger Day. Happy puffing !!!

[@ryanlewis194]

I am really enjoying engine 99 and plantation evening.

[@Casa1910steve]

Yeah, we got snowed on all day here in the Detroit area. It's coming, buddy! Drive safe - loved the vid, as always. 👍 Caught up on your 2018 Halloween vids/ghost stories vids too. Man, I love those stories.

[@markstengel7680]

Hi John, Holiday blends are nice with the family a crackling fire the smells of a real Christmas Tree and some roasted Turkey flowing throughout the house and family is a sweet time smoking a pipe. Pipe smoking for me goes well with winter or autumn. Be well my friend & Happy Holidays to you and your loving family. Cheers 🎄🎅

[@Matches860]

Couldn't agree more, and apologize for not mentioning family time which is so important!

[@deckard97th]

Cheers to you - yet another pleasant smoke! Looking forward to some Comoy's Cask No. 2 with chocolate, vanilla, and port!

[@oldkhakies5211]

Great video John. Never got into holiday blends but I have been changing it up with Carter Hall. And yep! I taste it slightly different than others.. Wes

[@Matches860]

Hi Wes! Think of you often! Hope all is well. I am on a Kentucky Club/ Lane Limited RR kick myself lately. Thanks for dropping by!

[@jbones1700]

Happy Holidays to you! I just picked up a tin of C&D Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. I'm not an aromatic smoker but this stuff is done just right. Golden Virginias, black Cavendish, and a hint of Perique, imbued with a generous touch of orange liqueur and hints of ginger. The Orange and ginger bring out the Virginias.

[@andrewkaplan6212]

jbones1700 i really wanna try that and golden days of yore!

[@SoCal9705]

Me too. Picked up some Jolly Old St Nicholas. Can’t wait to try it, it sounded great. This time of yeat i need a distinctively Chrismas-y blend.

[@jamie.777]

Nice video, get ready for the coldest Turkey on record! For central Massachusetts at least. I am newbie, so far been getting the store blends at the "owl shop" in beautiful downtown Worcester.. I was surprised to see rite aid and Walgreens dont sell tobacco in Hudson, think I will get a codger blend at Wally world

[@DerekTant]

Excellent thoughts, John.

[@Matches860]

Why thank you, Sir Derek! Thanks for coming by!

[@bamagtrdude]

one of your previous holiday blends, Lane HGL, is pretty much my every-day smoke now ... Happy Holidays!

[@Matches860]

I still reference HGL quite a bit. Now there's an unusual blend which should be palatable to anyone. Good stuff!

[@backcountrypipe]

Awesome video another classic pipe video that I look forward too every year. This is premium pipe season buddy. LOL Hope all is well, great to see you. Mark

[@Matches860]

Hi Mark! Premium pipe season for sure! Wishing you and family the best as always!

[@OnBelayClimbOn]

Inspirational already! Smoking John Cotton’s Smyrna tonight and enjoying your thoughts 😁

[@joeyneto7067]

Great vid John enjoy the Holiday blends.

[@manofmorbihan5375]

Will buy myself Mac Baren, Plumcake as a holiday blend this year. Thanks for the reminder and the video. All the best John!

[@Matches860]

You'll want to decide if you want the 100% (right out of the tin) or if you prefer to let it rest and have the rum dissipate first. I like it either way, but it's two very different experiences.

[@jameslong4929]

Holidays here tend to be a big thing. The girls giggles ohhhs and ahhs on Christmas morning are what I look forward to the most.Tobacco wise I've got C&D Autumn Evening and Sir Walter Raleigh to work with this year. Girls or Santa may surprise old dad with something too. Either way its all good. Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season.

[@carolinasmoker9764]

Hey John, I just got a new church warden a month or so back...I think I’ll break it in over the holidays! It’s definitely a good time to try some new blends! River Boat Gambler and Sammy G’s Balkan Flake are in the line up, with an assortment of samples sprinkled in here and there! Take care!!!

[@Matches860]

Nothing like a Churchwarden on a winters night! Of course, any night during the year works for me too LOL.

[@angusgreeneyeslefay9485]

Good to see you again John ,to me the only celebrations are the Pagan ones ,such as Yule in 21 of December ,im gonna be at the Sacred site of Stonehenge 3 nights of celebration with Druids /Wiccans /Shamans .i already reserved for myself my favourite pipe tobaccos and they are as it reads;Fusiliers RationfromH&H-C&D;Burley Flake nr4-Seattle PipeClub-Plum Pudding-GFGermain-Rich Dark Flake -Special Latakia Flake -Brown Flake

[@Matches860]

Sounds like my kind of celebration! Best to you!

[@angusgreeneyeslefay9485]

Even 50000 people are gathering the shortest day of the year to see the Sun-rise ,it is such a great feeling of unity and love ,seriously there is nothing about money or fees just the People ,my beloved Kin@@Matches860

[@challengerdart3731]

Great vid Matches. Thanks a lot. Have a great week-end.

[@themanofyorke6708]

Nice ideas for the holiday season, I'm looking forward to trying two very flavourful tobaccos for Christmas, Blockade Runner and E.G. Robinson!

[@mr.sherlockholmes6130]

Like you John the Holidays are ok. I love the small family I have left. The Penzance is awesome to me . The video I want to see is your take of the Christmas Carol. I bet you can do a great job your the master Story teller . I am a Dickens would be a honnor to here your version . They say the clay is great to smoke New year's Eve and make a wish for the new year . John thank you your the best hope to see your tale of the Scrooge and with a twist only you can give us :) !!!!!

[@Matches860]

Oh my, here's my experience with Scrooge. I've probably seen the entire movie but only in snippets over the years, so I couldn't do a start to finish talk on it, and to be honest, I never got into it for some reason. Perhaps this year I will watch it in one sitting!

[@Pipesandstooges]

MATCHESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS 860 ‼️ 😎 well I'm looking forward to seeing you and the Sarge!!!👍 I love Ben's videos always great....I can't believe it is snowing here John....maybe bacon old fashioned for Xmas morning?????🤢🤢🤢....I will give some to Peg...👺

[@Matches860]

LOL, Peg might dig the old time gym sock flavor! Throw a jock strap in for good measure! I have to go out shortly and move some of the white stuff off the car.

[@KevinTwiner]

Love that Savinelli pipe of the year! ❤️ how does that ribbon cut burley burn ? Enjoyed very much , An say Hello to the wife from Marsha an I .

[@larrylepore1079]

Larry L Matches love your videos....been a piper for 5-0 years....your videos are right on,

[@mmatzick]

I'm a Latakia guy... And I don't really change what I smoke based on the seasons... I just smoke what I smoke...but great video as always.

[@TheMagicianPiper]

Damn John I’m currently backstage awaiting a tech run and this really makes me want to fly back home tonight and have a bowl ...

[@Matches860]

Ha,ha...work comes first my friend!

[@joshualeboeuf2926]

Very excited for holiday blends. Got myself a Dr. Grabow :) we'll see how it works out. I've now got four pipes :D very pleased. I myself don't celebrate Christmas, even though I'm a Christian (don't like the actual origins of Christmas, or Easter). I think I need to figure out my holiday blends 😂 it'd be fun to set up baccy for holidays. I think Blood Red Moon or lane black raspberry would be good for the winter and fall, due to its rich creamy sweet flavors. Something about smoking sweet stuff during Christmas lol

[@Matches860]

There you go! You're well on your way already!

[@talasblue4450]

I have recently found that lane black rasbary while delishus does not keep its flavor long stored. I had some in a mason jar less than a year old and when i came back to it it was vary flavorless. So smoke it up fast and enjoy =)

[@joshualeboeuf2926]

@@Matches860 i hope you don't mind me asking, but, what are your thoughts for the coming holidays? Specifically Christmas? You mentioned that the holidays weren't the greatest time for you, and it caught my attention. If it's too personal or you just don't feel comfortable answering I understand completely. I just wanna know your thoughts and feelings.

[@Matches860]

I meant to discuss the options of Lane and Sutliff tobaccos as another alternative. Yeah, aro's can lose flavor quickly!

[@joshualeboeuf2926]

@@talasblue4450 I got some sent to me from earlier this year and it was quite tasty still. Something about Black Raspberry is so good lol

[@dalepiper6693]

Great tobaccos to look out for and try and some wise tips on how to enjoy them...thanks John

[@grampabones5638]

Happy Smokes, John! Stay warm.

[@Matches860]

You too Buddy!

[@vincesun3463]

I'd say Mac Baren Navy Flake makes for a good holiday tobacco and Mixture Scottish, but I tend to like them all the time. Boswell's Christmas Cookie is a different from norn blend I like for the holidays. Cheers buddy !

[@paulthescandinavian4992]

Vince Sun: ain't these two Mc Barens offerings suit better for spring -summer season?

[@vincesun3463]

Try them and you'll see why... Alot of folks like Plumcake during the holidays too

[@pep48ito]

I dont enjoy the holiday time of year either, but this year im excited to try and get some tobacco's to use for the holidays! First winter as a pipe smoker and im pretty excited.

[@lunchboxsti275]

You're going to love L.J. Peretti Thanksgiving Day

[@Matches860]

This will be my second year, loved it last year and have aged a cake that Sgt. Savinelli gifted me.

[@ktoes]

Great video Matches. Holidays are made for puffing with friends. Throw my two cents in...McClelland Holiday Spirit....if you can find it.

[@lapipesmoker3751]

Good to see you John. Thanks for the suggestion for Christmas blends, Thanksgiving blends etc. Are you going on hiatus this winter for recorded videos? At any rate, I hope you and Vinny are going to be able to get together for a Thanksgiving smoke. Take care and don't get buried by the snow my friend.---Todd

[@Matches860]

Hi Todd! I plan to try the live streams again, but I can't commit to any set schedule. We'll see how it all plays out.

[@PacemakerandButtons]

thanks for thinking of us New guys out here. Missed out on the Thanksgiving Day from LJ Peretti

[@Matches860]

New folks are so important to keeping all this alive!

[@PacemakerandButtons]

@@Matches860 been watching all of you out there doing reviews. just watched Under the oak trees reviews Velvet from artful Codger. Must be a wonderful experience to be able to go back in time to try these older tobacco. I enjoy watching all of the reviews. Thank you and YTPC

[@Matches860]

Oh yes! The old tobacco's take you back in time, no doubt about it!

[@thesmoovepiper4356]

Heyyy John how are you hope all is well my friend im thinking of trying a flake this year John PETER STOKKABYE. LUXURY TWIST FLAKE. Ive wanted to try this for some time. So im going to give it a shot. That Mc Barean plum cake sounds good too. Ben gave a good recommendation last year Edward G Robinson blend ive been smoking that like crazy i love the stuff its amazing. Thanks so much for sharing buddy have a great Thanksgiving with your family. Happy smokes😃😃😃😃😃😃😃👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 best regards peter.

[@Matches860]

Hi Peter, yeah, EGR is very addicting stuff! Wishing you & yours a great Thanksgiving and holiday season!

[@pipesetc.5608]

Thanks for the video and the Shout-out. Having a Challenge of Holiday blends is a great idea! Take care and stay warm...

[@Matches860]

I just happened to watch your latest video before I filmed LOL.

[@pipesetc.5608]

@@Matches860 Thanks for watching, John. I appreciate it greatly!

[@Matches860]

My pleasure Sir!

[@talasblue4450]

Hey matches great video. With you talking about vanilla cavandish in skme of your other videos i would like to recommend if you havent tryed it. Clock tower by old Havana. It is my go too smoke and has a wounderful light vanilla toffy tast and it is a cavandish blend. I think it tasts best after bekng caned up for a few weeks the flavers seem to really come out more then. Hope you and yours has a great holiday season.

[@Matches860]

I have moved to the opposite end of the spectrum since my Vanilla Cavendish days. I prefer non-flavored stuff now but admit that an English/aro can get me excited. I'm all vanilla'd out LOL

[@talasblue4450]

@@Matches860 they also have an vary good English I've been enjoying apply named proper English.

[@bobanddonnareynolds1226]

I really enjoyed that.

[@SmokinBriar]

I was shocked to hear Peterson isn't making a Holiday blend this year. Now i'm lost😟 Happy smokes John...hope all is well.

[@Matches860]

I wasn't aware of that Mike, but I'm sure there are more out there to choose from.

[@SmokinBriar]

@@Matches860 Breman pipe smoker had a video about it. No holiday pipe this year from Peterson either.

[@Matches860]

I started to watch that video and was rudely interrupted...perhaps I can catch it now.

[@waltercyran3720]

Have been smoking Chatham manor bought some Carter Hall since I never smoked it.wanted to see how it compares to CM

[@tleek]

Have you had esoterica tilbury? Got some in bulk once and it became a favorite. Always out of stock though!

[@Matches860]

I'm pretty sure I had that one once. As I say, I've never had a bad blend from them.

[@tleek]

Matches860 It’s great. Coincidentally, I just ordered a sample of C&D Pegasus and it reminds me a lot of Tilbury. This one has less Virginia, but tastes pretty similar if I remember correctly

[@Matches860]

I'm a Pegasus fan myself!

[@zachzestwest]

Plumcake is delicious! I could probably make it my every-day smoke, but I try to keep a rotation so I don't run out of tobacco too quickly.

[@Matches860]

I only smoke it a couple times a year so I don't get tired with it.

[@southwestpiper7484]

Great ideas for holiday smoking! Cheers!

[@Matches860]

Thanks for watching Southwest Piper!

[@paulthescandinavian4992]

Thank You, John, nice Chat, and congrats on You 10 thousand subs, that's a impressive figure if You ask me, Have You happened to smoke C&D Burley flake nro 5 and them Sixpence, if You were can't You remember if You liked those,my understanding is that the nro 3 flake by C&D is a bit lighter Burley forward,? Have a Nice weekend now, Greets, Paul

[@Matches860]

I smoked all of the original Burley Flakes and am now hitting the new line. Haven't had #5 as yet but I could easily take more #3.

[@briank.7471]

Shameless plug for Half and Half as a fine holiday codger blend. Green and red wrapping and a pouch aroma not unlike industrial strength fruit cake. Early seasons greetings to all. Skol!

[@Matches860]

Half & Half is a great holiday blend to be sure! Seasons Greetings back at ya'!

[@dm1523]

I'm a half and half fan. Tis a good holiday blend indeed.

[@theartfulcodger]

Velvet comes in a festive red tub Brian! I wish they still did special holiday packaging though. Who wouldn't like a seasonal tub of tobacco under the tree on Christmas morning? Right next to the tie and the bowling ball!

[@BrutherBriar]

Love that pipe John!

[@pipeheadOR]

Will definitely be a church warden kinda season. Good time for pipe smoking. Great weather. Stay warm!

[@drohegda]

Matches how about the movie ""Holiday Inn"" for an old Hollywood Christmas Season movie. Thanks for the video.

[@Matches860]

I freakin' love that movie! There are so many to choose from, but I may have to go with that one this year!

[@maxboonkittypoison]

Yeah these video's are awesome. Goodbye Matches860. Greetings,, Kitty.

[@maxboonkittypoison]

Great video again :D Greetings,, Kitty.

[@Matches860]

Hi Kitty!

[@brianquilty687]

Can anyone confirm this. Somewhere in my mind I think I heard that Stanwell Pipes of Denmark had sold there rights and pipe company to another company. Did I hear this, or was it miss understood. Thanks.

[@Matches860]

I had not heard that, but perhaps someone else knows better.

[@paulthescandinavian4992]

Brian Quilty: Not as I can tell but today Stanwells are no more made in Denmark but instead in Italy starting from early 2005

[@brianquilty687]

Thanks for the info Paul.

[@gavindwyer5457]

Love your videos and stories. I actually don't smoke but bought a pipe and tried it just cause you make it look so enjoyable... Let's just say it didn't agree with me! 😀

[@Matches860]

Well Gavin, to have non-smokers in the audience means a great deal to me. When the smoke clears, we're all pretty much the same. Thanks so much for joining me!

[@theurbanhermit9879]

Great video! I'm probably going to stick with my normal blends. Captain Black Royal, Old Port, maybe Colts Gold Deluxe or Colts American Mixture or Maybe MrBs English mixture or MrBs Canadian Winter it's a Vanilla Maple Blend. Check out my latest video I dedicated to Sargeant Savinelli. You will get a kick out it .

[@erba6344]

🎄♥️🎨

[@RichardT2112]

Looking good my friend! Will drop you an email shortly! Chat soon! R