Thoughts on Carter Hall

[SmokinJohnny]

I picked up a pouch of Carter Hall this morn. I think I tried this once before. It's not bad tobacco. It smokes nice while driving. It's a little sweeter then PA but has a hint of soapiness to it for me. The after taste is very pleasant. I think I like PA better. Hard to say really. Depends on what mood my taste buds are in at the moment. Some days, Mixture 79 does it for me. That is some wicked drug store sheat. You either love it or hate it.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by afilter

I have seen this blend recommended to new smokers here in the forum many times. I had never really noticed it before myself. I had to stop by and pick up some lighter fuel today and noticed Carter Hall on the shelf, so I decided what the heck I will give it a try. I loaded up a meer for the drive home.

I have to say I was not impressed. No bite, which is why it may be good for newbies, but it was just bland and kind of blah.

Have my tastes been spoiled by finer and stronger baccy that I just do not appreciate it? Is there something I am missing or do others feel the same way?

Thoughts?

I haven't smoked a lot of it but I found it bland but with an offensive top note. I prefer PA, although not by much. Both are supremely preferable to Half & Half, which I find unsmokable. I'm not sure that you and I are "spoiled" per se - I think it may be more of a matter of our tastes being formed with other blend styles. It's not always easy to go from a medium well NY strip steak to a rare Filet or from Coke to Diet Coke.

[afilter]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

I haven't smoked a lot of it but I found it bland but with an offensive top note.

This is probably the best way to describe my experience. I did give it a 2nd try just to be fair. I decide to not even finish the bowl. Several years ago I decided life is to short to drink cheap(poor tasting) beer. I guess the same applies here. I did not get any of the sweetness and a somewhat foul taste. I guess this is just not a blend for me. Fortunately for the time being there are still many more to choose from.

[SmokinJohnny]

I haven't smoked a lot of it but I found it bland but with an offensive top note.

I think that's the soapy hint I was trying to describe in my post. PA has nothing like that. Just a clean smoke with body.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by afilter

This is probably the best way to describe my experience. I did give it a 2nd try just to be fair. I decide to not even finish the bowl. Several years ago I decided life is to short to drink cheap(poor tasting) beer. I guess the same applies here. I did not get any of the sweetness and a somewhat foul taste. I guess this is just not a blend for me. Fortunately for the time being there are still many more to choose from.

You and Smokin' Johnny understand my concept of making no apologies for what I like or don't like. It may be true that a million people can't be wrong but all million of them are only right for themselves. Everyone's tastes are different.

[SmokinJohnny]

You and Smokin' Johnny understand my concept of making no apologies for what I like or don't like. It may be true that a million people can't be wrong but all million of them are only right for themselves. Everyone's tastes are different.

It's likely the million who don't care for it make no comment. Like you say everyone's taste is different. I make no appologies for loving Mixture 79. To a lot of people, that stuff is rancid. But for me, I get bursts of wonderful flavor.

[Mister Moo]

I am sure that all y'all who think CH tastes like burned soap and soiled linen and the like smoked some in a cob and not just in briar, right? Just curious here because I wouldn't have given two-cents for CH (or PA) until I tried it in a (broken in) Missouri Meerschaum.

Hmmmm?

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I am sure that all y'all who think CH tastes like burned soap and soiled linen and the like smoked some in a cob and not just in briar, right? Just curious here because I wouldn't have given two-cents for CH (or PA) until I tried it in a (broken in) Missouri Meerschaum.

Hmmmm?

Neither worked in a briar but PA was fine in a cob. That's the only way I'll smoke it, and it actually was a decent, probably repeatable, experience. CH in a cob wasn't too good for me.

[Zeabed]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I am sure that all y'all who think CH tastes like burned soap and soiled linen and the like smoked some in a cob and not just in briar, right? [...]

I guess if one can get the soap to launder the soiled linen, why then, it would be as right as rain.

[SmokinJohnny]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I am sure that all y'all who think CH tastes like burned soap and soiled linen and the like smoked some in a cob and not just in briar, right? Just curious here because I wouldn't have given two-cents for CH (or PA) until I tried it in a (broken in) Missouri Meerschaum.

Hmmmm?

Both. First couple loads was in a briar road pipe which sees mostly PA and wondered if it ghosted. Tried another in a virgin MM cob. Tasted the same.

[afilter]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I am sure that all y'all who think CH tastes like burned soap and soiled linen and the like smoked some in a cob and not just in briar, right? Just curious here because I wouldn't have given two-cents for CH (or PA) until I tried it in a (broken in) Missouri Meerschaum.

Hmmmm?

Both of my experiences were in my trusty Meer. Broke the stem on my cob and have not replaced it.

[SmokinJohnny]

We could be doing it wrong. Maybe what Carter Hall needs is a moowarden.

[Alpedhuez55]

I have been soking a lot of Carter Hall lately. I have a couple of pipes that I am having trouble breaking in, and Carter Hall and Prince Albert tend to build up cake while not adding any off tastes.

That said, I have grown very fond of CH. It is a no frills smoke. It is not going to blow you away. It is just a nice slightly sweet and nutty burly. And the price is right too. I can get a pouch for $2 at most grocery and drug stores. So the price is right as well.

[sounds7]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I am sure that all y'all who think CH tastes like burned soap and soiled linen and the like smoked some in a cob and not just in briar, right? Just curious here because I wouldn't have given two-cents for CH (or PA) until I tried it in a (broken in) Missouri Meerschaum.

Hmmmm?

I'll admit I haven't smoked it in a cob. I have one cob that I traveled to cancun with because I was afraid my briars might get stolen if I take them. So basically this son and grandson of Missouri farmers is somewhat of a newbee when it comes to cobs. The tobacco i had with me on the trip really did not taste too good in the cob and that was Stonehaven. So what smokes good in a cob besides over the counter drug store tobaccos?

[DSturg369]

Everything smokes good in a cob pipe. Just make sure it's a quality cob, such as MM. Burleys and VA's (or blends of) sing in a cob, IMHO.