Recent Pipe Tobacco Adventure ...

[Braemar Kiltmaker]

It's early, rainy, and I feel a ramble coming on ...

As a Canadian pipe smoker (occasional, not often), I keep trying to find the "perfect" old-fashioned smelling tobacco. You know the one ... like when a grandfather or uncle walked past, & you want to follow them sniffing in the aroma. The kind that takes you back in memory like scents so often do.

I've tried a lot ... fancy & otherwise ... expensive & otherwise. But none had that "follow me" appeal & room note. In doing online research, I kept hearing about a couple of old, drug-store type tobaccos: Carter Hall, and Prince Albert. Not Fancy ... been around for generations ... but the descriptions suggested that either of those might have that "pleasant-to-me-and-those-around-me" appeal. The problem was that neither of them seemed to be available for purchase in Canada - certainly not in & around south-western Ontario. And I tried ... a lot ... because I'm stubborn (but not obsessive, thank you very much!)

Then recently I travelled to Sarnia, driving over two hours (each way!) for a completely unrelated reason, and it ocurred to me that I could cross the border & buy it in the States! So I did.

Now, the average price for a pouch of tobacco near me seems to be around $18-20. When I got to the tobacco store in Port Huron, I was overjoyed to learn that not only did the have both Carter Hall and Prince Albert ... they were ONLY $4.29 each for the same size pouch. So I bought THREE. Even with the exchange rate, I thought I did OK.

Then, barely an hour later, I crossed back over the border & being a solid citizen, I declared my purchase. Guess I won't be doing THAT again. Taxes & Duty cost me over $41.00!!!

The GOOD news is I really like both tobaccos. The bad news is that I will become an even MORE occasional smoker, since I'll be making that purchase last me a long, LONG time!

[BjornBsrkr]

I know the smell you are referring to exactly. My Dad smoked a pipe all his adult life: Amphora Brown (regular).

During the last few years, Dad had a place in Florida and would come back from every trip with enough of the heavily discounted tins to keep in going until the next trip south. I think I still have dozens of those brown tins around my basement and garage!

Paul

[LANCER1562]

When I want a good inexpensive pipe tobacco, I usually head to my neighborhood Walgreens Drugs. If they sell tobacco products like cigarettes, they often have the pipe tobacco and I pick up a couple of packs of the Carter Hall
for around $3.89 USD plus tax. It's one of my favorite inexpensive tobaccos.

[tundramanq]

I have been smoking Prince Albert for decades. Haven't had anyone object to the aroma. I buy it online now for the cost reasons - 13 Ounce "can" for US$23.95 with free shipping for an over $100 purchase. I checked, They can still ship to most US states but not any where else. Probably due to the customs hassle. I am also lucky in that I have several local Indian reservations with tax free tobacco shops.

[LANCER1562]

tundramanq,

I have often found Prince Albert tobacco in cans for about $23.95 USD at of all places, Walgreens, provided they sell tobacco products. Not all Walgreens drug stores do.

[Liam]

I have no idea if it is available but "Old Chum" tobacco had a very traditional pipe smoke aroma.