The Search for the Codger Blend

[@jackstraw4438]

My go to lately has been Old Ironsides from Dan Tobacco. It's an English flake that's easy to light.

[@JohnRichardHewittFineArt]

@@jackstraw4438 sounds lovely. How's the Latakia ratio?

[@jackstraw4438]

@@JohnRichardHewittFineArt I don't know the exact ratio, but the sweetness of the Virginias are well balanced with the Latakia. The blend seems to sell fast, so I purchased three tins on my last order.

[@_leyrd_.]

It must be a thing with all Samuel Gawith flakes, the ones i've tried are the very devil to light and keep going. I think that's why they include the handy insert card with the attractive artwork, as a drying out mat! Regarding flake tobaccos in general in my view they are almost always superior to their ready-rubbed equivalents.

[@JohnRichardHewittFineArt]

Love the tin art - I am actually creeping back to Bob's Chocolate as it seems easier to light and has a bit more of the lakeland floral that I like.

[@scott3991]

Hi john, the only ready rubs i buy are balkan mix and nightcap, which I buy because I like the flavours of them and the kick from nightcap. I much prefer pressed or twisted leaf, but over the counter where ive had both longcut/flake vs rubbed I like the bolder flavours of the former. My codger blend is an easy pic, that would be coniston cut plug, lovely subtle lakeland flavour that reminds me a little of lilly of the vally, the nicotine is decent too, its the trade off for no tin note as thats always loose so for that experience it needs to be tinned or jarred, but that is worth the wait. The first time I smoked erinmore flake I was really lucky they had been sat for a long time so the tins were 3years old when I got them which was much more dried fruity than when new. Ive never had the mixture so I couldnt say on that. Ihave a pretty big kilner jar thats full of bits from everything I smoke Ive had it years so its really dry, Im going to make it into a few crumble cakes but when I forget to order and Im running low I will rehydrate a few pipes and that stuff is wild.

[@JohnRichardHewittFineArt]

I haven't had coniston cut plug in a long time - floral and strong is what I remember and I do love floral. I tried a little alchemy with left overs and it was............interesting.

[@scott3991]

@@JohnRichardHewittFineArt Yes floral is quite nice. Coniston was the first blend I ever mixed it goes very well with broken flake 7

[@scott3991]

I couldnt get a hold of coniston cut plug, I have got a few that Ive never tried on the way so this mont ive gone for some gawith and hoggarth bosan cut plug, onother S&G, Gawith Hoggarths Rich Dark Spring Dew and a tin of Peterson Old Dublin. I haven't tried any of those so its a new journey this time round, and with the best part of a pack of conder I think Im set for a tasty adventure.

[@JohnRichardHewittFineArt]

@@scott3991 the rich dark sounds lovely. Keep me posted ☺️

[@scott3991]

@@JohnRichardHewittFineArt Hi richard those baccys I ordered came today the 2 samuel gawiths are loose so I have had a good smell of each. The rich dark spring dew smells really nice its got a leathery treacle smell straight off and smells like prunes also. You can also smell the honey with this blend and before Ive had a bowl I can tell its going to have a taste I can only describe as cheap cigars from days gone bye at bit like dark flake(gawiths not petersons). The bosun flake has a really full aroma of turkish delight I would imagine it tastes pretty much the same with the rose geranium.

[@scott3991]

as with the dark stuff it wont be for everyone, it is quite a strong smoke and worth a visit if you like dark tobacco. The flavour is deep and fruity a bit like christmas cake and mine went well with a strong coffee

[@woodnugget1301]

Tried erinmore mixture it’s awful compared to what it’s used to be 20 years ago.

[@JohnRichardHewittFineArt]

@@woodnugget1301 not just me then 😊