Nah. We should just keep calling them OTC since the tobaccos in question originally were sold over-the-counter in drug stores, grocery stores and other retail outlets. That differentiates those blends from other blends created over 100 years ago and sold only at tobacconists.
My first smoke was Penns Pride. I was 14 in my neighbors garage. He called it horse shit and shavings. I smoked it out of a straight Kaywoodie. He was a 70 year old guy that taught me more about wrenching than anyone could. After that pouch he was on Middleton cherry or captain black. He would give me a piece of clove candy so my mother wouldn’t smell it on me. Oh the memories. I graduated to Captain Black royal for years and gave it up until about two years ago. Prince Albert is my go to OTC for sure now.
I am fortunate to have attended the ARESIA Convention in Boston basically it is one of the largest East Coast Sci-Fi conventions and people of all ages attend, None of us have ever had` much contention between age differences and we all seem to converse and amuse ourselves and we never blame the predecessors for our problems. Of course I never heard anyone yelling about "Boomers" which seems to be flung about in the Pandemic. As I predate said "boomers" by about 5 years I guess I can't be blamed
I have tried, not all , but most OTC Tobacs in the 57/58 years I've clinched a Briar, and I have to say that most of them or OK to great with a few that are not so good to God awful. So there!
SWR aromatic, Captain Black White, Dark & Royal, Half & Half. Velvet and SWR get honorable mention. I have not tried Granger, Carter Hall, Paladin or Prince Albert (in the can or otherwise), but someday I will.
When I first started smoking pipes about 15 years ago, there was a wonderful local shop that got me started. He made up his own blends and recommended one called "Irish Puff" he kept in one of those big display jars. I smoked it for a long time (and would probably still be smoking it now), but at some point he could no longer get some of the ingredients and stopped making it. The alternatives never tasted the same to me. That shop closed a few years ago. All these years later I've never enjoyed anything as much as that Irish Puff blend. It smelled really nice too. I would get consistent comments and compliments when out and about smoking it.
Over the years I've tried many of the big-jar blends at various shops. To me they tend to be the same: heavily aromatic and so much flavoring I barely tasted any tobacco. And they all seem to leave a chemical taste in my mouth. I've thrown away a lot of that stuff over the years.
At some point I decided I must be missing something and started buying tins. I guess I went through a half dozen or so and liked none of them (expensive experiment too!).
Out of frustration, and in a what-the-heck kind of moment, I picked up some Capt Black at my local grocery store. BINGO! Exactly the taste and experience I was looking for. They only sell Gold now and that's what I smoke most of the time since I can get it anytime. I always get a funny look when I ask the folks at Kroger to open the glass display and get me some 'backy. They never know what it is and I'll have to point it out and walk them through it.
Later on I ordered some Carter Hall online and liked it even better than Capt Black, but I usually stick with the Capt out of convenience.
I guess I'm just not very sophisticated: I like my old cheap pipes and OTC tobacco. I also like Miller beer and KFC and grocery store coffee.
@TakeMeToTheShire; I took up the Briar in about 1964 and have tried a lot of different tabac from tinned to B&M blends to mixing my own. Some winners and some losers, but I have also found that my tastes have changed over the years. I smoked and still smoke "Captain Black" and have some jarred to age for a few years. I still try other blends and occasionally find a winner. That is what makes pipe smoking such a great hobby. There is always something new to try.
@TakeMeToTheShire If you like Captain Black, check out Lane 1-Q. It's the same blend (if it's not, it's so close I can't tell the difference) and you can buy it as bulk for a lot cheaper per oz. Most online stores carry it: Pipes and Cigars, etc... Read up on it yourself and see if you think it might work for you...
I may be out of line since we are supposed to talk OTC here. But my end comment stands. I personally think lane LL7 is far better then what they call the popular 1-Q. I actually gave my tin away. Another one people rave about is Autumn Evening. Tried it, hated it and gave that away too.
You're going to read a lot of reviews but you need to try them yourself. Like a good wine, bourbon or anything else, you need to explore what you like and what you don't. Soon, you will narrow it down and know what to buy and enjoy.
@KA9FFJ Thanks for the tip on Lane 1-Q. It's getting near Autumn which is my favorite pipe-smoking season, so I'm open to some suggestions. I do like Capt Black a lot, but I know I'm way overpaying for it here locally. I think those small bags at the grocery store are only 1.5 oz or so, and they've gone up to around $12. I just did a small order with Country Squire for 2 oz. and it was a couple bucks less than that. I guess the grocers get us via "sin tax." Cigarettes around here (I don't smoke them) are almost $10 a pack.
This AM I was messing around over at Pipes and Cigars and remembered that for years I enjoyed Admiral's Choice. Great price on a big bag of tobacco. I've not smoked it in years and don't remember why I stopped buying it.
Comments
Velvet and SWR get honorable mention.
I have not tried Granger, Carter Hall, Paladin or Prince Albert (in the can or otherwise), but someday I will.
I took up the Briar in about 1964 and have tried a lot of different tabac from tinned to B&M blends to mixing my own. Some winners and some losers, but I have also found that my tastes have changed over the years. I smoked and still smoke "Captain Black" and have some jarred to age for a few years. I still try other blends and occasionally find a winner. That is what makes pipe smoking such a great hobby. There is always something new to try.
If you like Captain Black, check out Lane 1-Q. It's the same blend (if it's not, it's so close I can't tell the difference) and you can buy it as bulk for a lot cheaper per oz.
Most online stores carry it:
Pipes and Cigars, etc...
Read up on it yourself and see if you think it might work for you...
I actually gave my tin away. Another one people rave about is Autumn Evening. Tried it, hated it and gave that away too.
You're going to read a lot of reviews but you need to try them yourself. Like a good wine, bourbon or anything else, you need to explore what you like and what you don't. Soon, you will narrow it down and know what to buy and enjoy.