[Mister Moo]

Have you been there? Done that? Loved it? Hated it?

I went on a little drugstore burley bender last month, deciding to try the range of brands including PA, CH, H&H and Captain Black (vari9ous versions). While the price by the pouch or cannister is hard to beat I found my first dance with PA was not - it tasted a hair acrid and reminded me a bit of cigarette taste. I worked on through the CH and H&H (so far) and found them both a little softer tasting - neither bad nor particularly attractive to my taste. I note however that at least one person commented on the great aroma of the burning PA when I was smoking it outdoors at a job site.

Advice offered by experts: I tried the PA tobak again after there sat in a cool spot (indoors) for several days as compared to a bowlful from a pouch that had been sitting in a hot car. Maybe there was a slight improvement but nothing dramatic - hard to nail that down.

Further advice offered: I moved the PA, CH and H&H from briar and meer into a cob. You know what? A cob softens that slightly acrid edge I got from PA and did smooth or round-out the CH and H&H. I rate the drugstore burley as much improved from a cob. While it still wouldn't jump out as my first choice of tobak they all tasted OK, packed easily and burned evenly to a fine ash at the bottom of the bowl in every case. It may even grow on me. There is something to be said for inexpensive, perfect burning, moderate tasting, biteless pipe tobacco. It does not lack character and, if you're fortunate enough to fawn over the flavor, I count you particularly fortunate given the price of the gear.

I'd favor keeping some of the Carter Hall around for blending with a couple of intense VA tobaks; I usually buy some more costly burley at a B&M, an ounce or two every so often, but the CH will do the job just fine.

(Poll problem for those who "Tried it but were so-so" like me. I'll say just vote as Tried it ' loved it (and smoke other stuff).