I was skeptical at first but I was impressed after I tried Velvet, I thought it was pretty good for an older blend. Burn smooth and even with a steady cadence. I also keep a pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh regular around for a change up. I really enjoy it in a cob over briar. It has a sweet after-taste when I use my cob. Both of them can burn if you puff really fast but a steady cadence and tamping they are nice.
I’m going to also suggest Five Brothers, but with a warning. IMHO I love it, but in small bowls since it has a major nic hit. It comes in a shag cut, and needs some rehydration.
I tend to put this in my aromatics to make them a little more robust.
I'd agree with those suggesting Carter Hall. I've been smoking a pipe for 50 odd years now but for some unknown reason Carter Hall was never a blend I tried. Not quite sure what it was - but I never considered buying it all those years of smoking. Then 50 years later when I happened upon the YouTube pipe community and this forum in particular the blend was mentioned so often I thought I'd give it a try. And you need to remember that by this time I'd discovered many fine quality aromatics so you'd think I would have graduated beyond the OTC Codger blends. But it proved to be a pleasant surprise. Nothing complex about it ... but it was a very enjoyable smoke. I've since included it in my rotation even though I have over 60 different blends in my cellar to choose from. When-ever I pop into a local Smoke Shop with a few of the codger blends on the shelf I'll pick up a box or two. It's one of the least expensive blends in my cellar - but on the occasion I opt for Carter Hall, it's just as enjoyable and satisfying as my favorite expensive quality blends.
I smoked a bowl of George Washington last night. It went out of production in the mid-1970s but I acquired a sealed 14 oz. tin last August and jarred it immediately. Very mild and slightly aromatic.
Comments
I tend to put this in my aromatics to make them a little more robust.
A modern codger
https://youtu.be/7_OY0W25arI