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Haunted Bookshop is actually one of my favorite blends, and I think I can describe why people like it, and also why it's divisive. First of all, I'll address why people often dislike it: For a burley blend, it's pretty unusual because it contains perique, and quite a bit of it. The spicy and even vinegarine taste of perique is overwhelming or putrid to a lot of people and it can alienate people from HB. Second, Cornell and Diehl's tobacco is only minimally cased, and most pipe smokers are familiar with heavily-cased aromatics. C&D's blends, therefore, have a very natural and savory taste, almost reminiscent of Turkish or cigarette tobacco but without acrid characteristics. Consequently, it tends to burn fast and hot, since it is less moist and has less sugar. The bold, natural flavor and fast burning characteristics will be offensive to some palates, and again, it's quite unusual for pipe tobacco. Third, HB has a ton of nicotine. Even just half a bowl is enough to give sensitive persons nicotine sickness. Others may not like the strong stimulation. HB is not a very relaxing blend, it really kicks you in the face, so it is, again, unlike most pipe tobacco. On the other hand, Haunted Bookshop fits a perfect niche for many pipe smokers like myself. It has a cigar-like character -- savory, leathery, spicy, and strong with just a little touch of creamy sweetness. It's almost like sticking a cigar in your pipe. When I get the urge to smoke a cigar but don't have any lying around, HB satisfies me well for a fraction of the cost. Its flavor is very compelling to me. The toasty and nutty qualities of the burley provide a solid foundation for the peppery perique, and they combine in such a way that the qualitative flavor experience leaves either blend indistinguishable. Sort of like a very expensive Scotch, it's hard to identify any individual component, it's just really good. Unlike other burley varieties I've had in the past, it wasn't boring, but instead very ostentatious, which opened up my palate. I started trying out more burley afterward and I really like it now. I really appreciate the natural flavor of Cornell and Diehl's tobacco leaf. It's unapologetic, high quality, and a little rough around the edges. It's what I always imagined tobacco to taste like before I started smoking. I can handle nicotine pretty well so the strength doesn't bother me. A full bowl makes me a little dizzy though, but you can drink some sugary hot tea to compensate if you need to.
Bread - Great explanation of what makes Haunted Bookshop unique among Burley blends. I currently have a tin opened from 2014 that is now very much Perique forward. Also, if buying in bulk it usually needs moisture added for peak performance and ageing. Having bought it for years in tin only, I discovered this when I picked up a couple of ounces of bulk from a local shop and it was unrecognizable to me, truly awful to the point of being too harsh to smoke. I put it in a jar adding moisture with distilled water and then let the leaf get back to a springy consistently and it became the Haunted Bookshop I was familiar with. When there is the option to buy a blend tinned vs. bulk I recommend buying in tins. Even though it cost a little more most blends will perform better in the long run.
I put off HB for a while because so many people said they disliked it. Shame on me. I tried some for the first time last month and it immediately became one of my all time favorites. So wonderful, especially with coffee.
Well, I tried it. Maybe needed to let it age, but I just let it go to someone who likes the stuff. I got through a bowl and a half. Done. And it was not the perique, either. Smoked a full bowl of C&D's ribbon-cut perique to get the HB taste out of my mouth. (I actually enjoy straight C&D ribbon-cut perique quite a lot.) That said, Haunted Bookshop did get me to read the book, which I highly recommend. I even bought a first-edition for my mother for Christmas!
New pipe smoker so take everything I say with a grain of salt lol. When I started I thought I would be an only aromatic smoker but found I didn’t enjoy the sweetness and nontobacco flavors like I thought I would. Instead I found I like the natural tobacco much better 🤷🏻 I tried autumn evening and most of the “top 10” aromatics and none of them really captured my attention. Switched gears to Virginia and found I didn’t like many pure Virginia’s but like quite a few va/pers but wanted a more “low/bass/deep” flavor, picked up haunted bookshop after some TH-cam videos and really really liked the low sweetness+nutty+musty+spicy flavor and I enjoy the nicotine but it’s probably on the upper end of nicotine content that I would enjoy. Really good in the morning with coffee. Got to this video because I’m going to explore the burley blends much more, admittedly I haven’t tried most of these blends but they’re next on my purchase list 😉
I gave away my Haunted Bookshop to Artful Codger. I do enjoy Velvet but my current burley favorite is University Flake which technically is a VaBur. God bless.
Haunted Bookshop became my favorite over time. I used to smoke mostly English or Balkan blends. Now I almost only smoke Burleys, and secondarily VA/Pers. I like the occasional aromatic too. I don’t like Latakia anymore, the Smokey flavor over powers everything else in the blend. Great video!
Fantastic video as always. Blessings to you and your family as well. Please continue to produce content on a more frequent basis. If a Patroen membership is needed to make that happen I'm in. Can't get enough of these videos. Your style and knowledge is top notch.
Outstanding insights, Allen! I just subbed your channel. You were recommended to me by one of my patients. I am a pipe smoking dentist from Arkansas. I have been enjoying pipe smoking for almost three years, now, but still consider myself a “newbie”. I’m not big on burley blends such as Haunted Bookshop. Even though I AM a big fan of Nicotine😆! I love Peterson’s “Irish Flake”! However, I find that Haunted Bookshop is just too harsh for me. I think so many people buy it because it was the favorite blend of John Hardin. I do love the stuff when it is mixed 1:1 with Pirate Kake to make the blend which Matches 860 called “Haunted Pirate Ship”. I have never tried any of the four blends you mentioned today, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I am going to! I appreciate your GREAT content! Cliff
Hello, Dr. Harrelson! I recently found your channel and have been enjoying your commentary immensely! Watching this video, I was struck with joy at Nero and Lewis Grizzard being on the same bookshelf, sir! Much the same in my own study. I wish you and yours a wonderful and blessed Christmas season, sir.
Good morning sir, I ordered and smoked C&D Apricots and Cream yesterday after you endorsed it on that podcast. I have to say it was as close to a Nirvana smoke as it gets. It was a nice 70 degree Tennessee winter day, and it burned and tasted great from beginning to the end of the bowl. Thank you so much for letting me know about that. I think that will be part of my rotation now.
Very great video. I really enjoy your accent and cadence. Looking forward to seeing more. I had a very similar journey with burley. I was turned off to it before I really tried it. But I knew I had to experience all the basic types of blends to learn what my preferences would really be. My first was HH. And it was excellent. Now I always have a few different jars of burley on hand.
Balkans are my corral, yet I always look forward to coming on home to burleys. Mac Baren's venerable Navy Flake won my heart early on for cooler weather. When it's warm out, perennial classic Prince Albert can charm the soul, can't even say why. Sir Walter Raleigh takes on the most surprising mellow mulled wine notes after several months decanting in a jar. You've named fine choices, all. Right fine observations and respectful presentation. Keep up the tempo sir.
Great video! I love your choices: I haven't tried Golden Extra, but it's on my list. I do like strong Burleys such as Haunted Bookshop and Burley Flake #1, but I also like these choices too.
I would love a video on how you choose a pipe for a blend. I'm newer to the pipe hobby and haven't really understood how what bowl style affects flavor profile of tobacco. Keep these great vids coming!!
I appreciate your comments about burley, because I share your experience. My favorite blends are straight Virginias, but I venture out into other blend types frequently. Burleys, though, have been the most challenging for me - for some of the same reasons that you mentioned. I have not given up, by any means, and I can see myself spending time with some Pegasus in the near future. I certainly look forward to seeing your future videos on other blend types. Take care now. - Jim
Been a Burley fan since the mid 70’s. Current favorite is Pegasus. I also like cube cut in it’s several blends. PA is my break in tobacco. My awareness of it dates to the 40’s and the aroma of my grandads pipe when I was very young. Over time I’ve tried dozens of different blends with temporary love affairs but keep coming back to simpler Burley blends. My observations about Pegasus are in complete agreement with yours and I have plenty on hand. Much like your tobacco rotation, mine follows a similar approach only limited by what I have on hand. Enjoyed the presentation enough to subscribe and will be looking forward to future commentaries.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
I have said that I’m not a burley fan but I base that on the codger blends that have that cigarette smell. I’ve tried HB and it’s definitely better but not a go-to for me. You have convinced me to give a good burley blend a whirl. Thanks for your content.
I agree that burleys done right are a comforting hug in times when you need one. For me the codger burleys are my go to for that. Great video. I too didn’t care for haunted bookshop.
I have tried H & H Dark Fired Flake , which I like very much and would buy it over other blends I've tried , but on my pipe trip there are lots I need to try , although I like the American aromatics for their room note I find a lot of them you can get tongue bit . I prefer flake to ready rubbed . Thank you once again for your videos. Best wishes from a fan from England.
I love this cat...he rocks...I sit back and smoke some cult blood red moon and then crash out....his voice is like a good night story...keep it up love your content lifestyle and channel brother
Burley is my love in pipe tobacco, I like virginia as a condiment as virginia tends to give me horrible tongue bite. My favorite pipe tobacco right now is Pegasus. I was mixing it with sweetened black Cavendish but lately ive been appreciating it on its own. My next endeavor is to mix just a tad more "unsweetened" black Cavendish to it. If it had just a smidgen more, it would be epic!
Burleys are my go to "summer blends", because they tend to smoke cooler than Virginia dominant blends imo. I like the Solani Aged Burley Flake, I like the McBaren Golden Blend, and I like Amphora Full Aroma, and also a few others.
Just found your channel, loved the video! I recently tried Pegasus for the first time and would agree that it’s very good, I too prefer some sweetness with a heavier burley blend. I ordered an ounce of Old Joe Krantz white label, because it sounded like Pegasus with perique which should be a home run👍🏻
Haunted Bookshop is the legacy of the late great Matches860. Every YTPCer should peruse his channel before yootoob sends it to the scrap heap. Matches860 was a unique presenter that is sorely missed. Haunted Bookshop became a favorite of his and a feature of his Friday Night live chats.
I found haunted bookshop about four years ago and it's been my favorite ever since. My second favorite is crooner.The only Virginia's I can smoke without tongue bite are the dark English ropes brown bogie and S.G xx.My steady smoke is carter Hall.I really enjoy your videos also.
Dear Sir, I greatly enjoy your videos and appreciate the time and energy you put into your TH-cam Channel. I wish you luck as you endeavor to follow your calling while establishing your brick-n-mortor store. In regards to your assessment of Haunted Bookshop, I wholeheartedly agree.. Thank you and God Bless.
The popularity of Haunted Bookshop in my opinion is the name itself along with its label artwork and connection to the book of the same name by Christopher Morely.And definitely on the endorsment of and description by John Harden aka Matches 86Zero.I smoked my first bowl today in my new Savinelli Rusticated Bings favorite pipe.I found it very harsh and it left a bad taste in my mouth but as I smoked on it lightened up a bit and I started enjoying it more than in the beginning.
Great reviews on burley. I have a couple I like and a couple I haven't opened yet. I'm trying to wrap myself around haunted bookshop but it seems to be missing something. Pegasus sounds like something I have to try. Maybe a little sweetness is what I'm looking for. Thanks and have a great day.
A burley blend I believe you would really enjoy is Solani Silver Flake, its a VaBur and it's my favorite tobacco that includes burley/Kentucky dark fired.
solid recommendations -- i posted a series on my channel called "Understanding Pipe Tobacco" & was surprised to see the performance of my video on burley's -- overwhelmingly it was viewed far more than any other tobacco type/category i discussed ... i also picked on Haunted Bookshop & gave my explanation of why one should not judge burley's as a whole by HB ... folks who like a lot of nicotine will love it -- but i'm thankful there are other options out there :) i wish MacBaren's London Blend was more widely available, esp in bulk - Golden Extra is close to it, but London Blend would be my everyday smoke if it were available all the time ...
Interesting how tastes differ. I've been mostly an English/Balkan smoker, but have more recently been moving towards burleys. Haunted Bookshop is a favorite of mine to pair with my coffee in the morning. Pegasus, however, is a palate wrecker for me. I've been trying to let it age, but each time I've tried to smoke it, I get severe bite. Peretti has some amazing Burely blends. Their No.111 and 333 have been added to my regular rotation.
Haunted Bookshop is excellent marketing - great name that adds a dark narrative to your smoke - you expect it to be different and offensive 😎 Best smoke on earth for me is Plum Pudding Reserve smoked in a longer Savinelli Clark’s Favorite - the longer stem seems to cool,the smoke and it’s even more flavorful to me.
My first experience with burley blends was certainly an unpleasant one. I bought 4 oz of a tobacco that sounded great on paper and had good reviews, but no matter what I tried or when I tried it the only notes that I could get was a faint cinnamon taste and cigarettes. A very discouraging turn off for me, so I gave it a month or two in a jar and it didn’t improve. It probably needed way more age, but I couldn’t stand the taste so I got rid of it for good. Your selections sound very good in comparison to what I tried. It may have been a quality of tobacco issue like you mentioned that was my problem. I have been eyeing Pegasus for a while now, maybe I should give it a try sometime. To you and your family, Happy piping
All solid burleys. I’m one of those Haunted Bookshop lovers. I just like stronger-what some consider rougher-blends, so HB is up with Brown IrishTwist, Bold Ky, Rustica, etc., for me.
The brown is a bit stronger. Some like the black but think the brown is too much. I like both and will buy either one when available. The brown is definitely worth a try if you like the black.
I have to agree with you on Haunted Bookshop, I actually mixed it with Pegasus to make it more smokeable for me. These two blends do seem very similar to me, but, like you, I like that little bit of sweetness the cavendish adds to Pegasus. I like HH Burley Flake quite a bit, it's more of an everyday burley than Solani ABF. Can't agree with you more on the quality of ABF, it's in a class all it's own, just not a daily smoke for me, between how rich it is and the unavailability of it, it's an occasional smoke for me. I'm considering buying the one pound box of HH Burley Flake, excellent blend, great everyday burley. Very much enjoying your videos sir.
Im not much of a burley dude but i will enjoy if the occasions arise. HBS mos def adds a punch...Granger (still on my Jung quest)...PA & CH (just because im told my grandfather smoked it...and finally Thanks Giving Day by Perreti's up in Boston... Possibly the most mellowest and nuanced baccy ive tried (started out one dimensional then it took off... tasty/nutty/enjoyable - no cardboard taste) Anyhow thank you for the recommend. Hope to find Sollani & give it a go (got my interest no doubt.)
I’ve never been a great fan of HB but it’s stronger more refined cousin Old Joe Krantz is a constant in my pipe. Wessex Burley slice is probably my ultimate burley blend. Golden extra and the old London Burley blend (not the latest overly chcolatey version MacBaren occasionally re release). Pegasus is a fine blend indeed.
Haunted bookshop is raw when fresh but it does age well, and gets deeper. HH ODF, HH Bold and HH Burley Flake are all great, with the later being much more milder with a smooth sweetish finish
At first i would agree with you on haunted book shop. I bought it because it was very popular and it was around Halloween, so i bought some. At first i did not like it was to strong and spicy, but afterl letting it sit a few weeks it mellowed out becoming sweeter. It took me a while to get use to it but once you can taste all the different nites. Its a good tobacco not my favorite, but it is good tobacco. But its not for everyone.
Try cutting Haunted book shop with C&D Autumn Evening. It brings out the buttery notes of Haunted bookshop and adds a nice mild caramel/maple taste and smell. I enjoy HBS by it's self but I love to use it to cut other blends. Works well with Sutliff - Pumpkin' Spice as well as Dan's Tobacco - Devil's Holiday.
Haven't had any Haunted Bookshop or Solani yet, but I'd like to add Amphora Burley to the list. Mild but with distinct notes of unsweetened cocoa powder and a little sweetness, almost like Orlik Golden Sliced but without the butter-cookie topping. Love your accent btw 🍻
I thought you might enjoy a blend not mentioned in your video that was just brought to my attention by CaneRodPiper only recently . Just a bit of a back story. I generally don't care for sweet blends. I was watching an older Video from CaneRodPiper where he was reviewing older drugstore blend that he now finds un-smokable to his pallet now. He was talking about the original sugar barrel blend being a reasonable smoke for a store-bought burley. This blend from the original manufacture is long gone. No fear there is a match I found through pipes and cigars. So I had to try it considering I am a burley fan. I read many reviews and the consensus is the new match is not anywhere as sweet as the original. I purchased just 1 oz with unknow expectations. I was completely surprised when I finished my first bowl. This mixture is absolutely wonderful if you like burley blends. It has a very light note of vanilla and smokes extremely cool, no relights needed extremely light absolutely no tongue bite, and from my thoughts are a great all day smoke . Thank you for your page I follow your reviews with great enthusiasm. Just wanted to share a great burley that I just found Sincerely Jim
Hi, I used to smoke a brand called Edgeworth here in England in the mid 1960's. In the description on the tin I remember White Burley being mentioned. It was good! tasted of roast beef to me which was unlike anything around then. I couldnt get hold of this very often being from the US but I really liked it. Is there such a brand now and is White Burley still grown? I once got some "Revelation" brand US pipe tobacco (in Austria) which made a thing of being "Outdoor Cut" It was that allright - it was full of dead ladybirds! I spent more time picking them out than smoking it and cant remember what it was like to smoke. Love your channel and your accent. It has some similarities to our local Suffolk accent. I have an East London accent. Good luck with your shop. Danny.
I mentioned the other day on Instagram, the burley was some of my favorite. What I should have said was, I use to enjoy Carter Hall as a mixer to tone down my aromatics.. Aromatics are my standard for daily smoking. Carter Halls new mix however is not tolerable. New mix, bad decision. As for Haunted BookShop, I aged mine in a jar for six months, it was a little better. Not a huge fan, nicotine strength that's too much, keeps me from enjoying many popular blends. Tasty pleasing aromatic blends make my day, with some burley's thrown in for nice changes.. Blessings today... (ShoeBoxProphet). Randy
A true presenter's voice. Shelby Foote is reborn? I've found turkish, and Stokkbye's burley blend to smell like cigarettes. If a cigarette was fresh, good smeling, and 5 times as strong.
Haunted Bookshop was Matches favorite pipe tobacco and he recently passed away (about a year ago) and everyone has been on a kick smoking it because they miss him.
Haunted Bookshop is my everyday smoke because it doesn't bother anyone 😃, 35+ years ago when I started smoking pipes (went from cigarettes so that might explain part of it) everyone appreciated the aroma of a pipe, today it seems like cigarette smokers don't like the 'weird' smell of your pipe & non smokers always think it smells like you are badly burning some type of fruit or condiment 😃 Haunted Bookshop goes unnoticed by the cigarette smokers and barely noticed by non smokers because it smells like cigarettes without the acrid smell. I also like how C&D took the huge oversupply (probably since the 'Codger Blends' are almost extinct) & made exotic blends out of them, to me rivaling all the McClelland blends I used to smoke as I then felt only Virginia's made a good tobacco base. I also agree with others that the book is a good read 👌
Cobblestone hiking tops my list better than solani imo it bumped off the top, then macbaren "burley" they brought back for limited run very close to their golden extra, macbaren navy flake, watch city slices very good, corn cob pipe and button nose.
Because it’s just simply the best lol. I’ve have tried many blends so many I can’t count. I’ve been a pipe smoker for 5 years now so simply not a professional by any means but Haunted bookshop just hits all the right tastes for me. It’s now all I smoke. If I ever switch it up, it’s for haunted pirate ship. Whir has contains haunted bookshop still.
North West Pipe Smoker described Bookshop best. “Taste like you are smoking a rope that was under some dudes armpit.” LOL. Gonna try it one more time before I give up on it.
You explained Haunted Bookshop quite well. I wanted to like it but it wasn't for me. I keep it around to have a tribute smoke in memory of Matches860 from time-to-time.
I very much enjoy your insights and knowledge. I am relatively new to pipe smoking, and am enjoying my Peterson and Savinelli Pipes that you have recommended. I’ve been starting out by using exclusively Peterson blends, such as Sherlock Holmes and De Luxe and Hyde Park. My girlfriend has requested that I find a nice, full AROMATIC. All I can find online , are Aromatics which are “nicotine free”. Is there SUCH A THING as a normal aromatic tobacco which hasn’t been made “nicotine free”. I do not drink “Light” beers or make use of condoms. I certainly do not want a “nicotine free” tobacco. Can you help me with a recommendation?
Alan, I love your offerings. I bought my first pipe in 1961 and have smoked and tried a wide variety of blends over the years. One I have fallen for is Old Dog, but try though I might, I can't find it anywhere since production has been discontinued by McClelland (actually, McClelland has been discontinued). Do you carry it, or do you know where I can find some?
Bookshop is as popular as it is because it is near the top of all blends.. Haunted Bookshop, Old Joe Krantz original, Bayou Night, Big n Burley, and to a lesser extent Pegasus are all that I really need.. others need not apply :>)
Can anyone please tell me what pipe model is on the thumbnail for this video? Is it a Peterson, if so, what model/line. Thank you in advance. Is it a Donegal B10? My goodness, is it ever a handsome pipe!
I’m new to this and appreciate the recommendations! If anyone would be so kind I’d appreciate another but something more fitting for me something with strong flavor, my taste buds are masochists, I make my coffee by filling up the filter to the top, my food with loads of garlic, onions and hot peppers and I like Isay whiskey that wakes ya up with a peaty smack to the face like ardbeg and lephroaig🥃 If ya ever had a tobacco with flavor that kicked ya in the nuts I’d be so great full for recommendation👍
I smoked cigarettes for about 14 years. I’ve been smoking a pipe for for around 7 years , and I’ve never smoked a blend that reminds me of cigarettes - except for Haunted Bookshop. It is by far one of the worst blends I’ve ever smoked. It’s popularity is shocking to me
I really like a good burley with a cup of dark black coffee in the morning. Solani ABF is exquisite. I highly recommend checking out John Patton’s Storm Front. Bulk only and only sold through 4Noggins. It’s very full flavored and has a good body to it, but the nicotine level is low - so it’s very, very smooth. It also has a very light topping or casing that adds a touch of molasses like sweetness, not much, but just a perfect little bit of it to make it very smooth and easy smoking.
John Patton was an excellent blender. Been awhile since I've had any of his blends. Tried then all except the one's with Latakia. Moe's Confetti was a blend that was John's ode to drug store burleys for those who prefer a sweeter burley blend. (Alan might be one you'd enjoy.) My favorite blend of his was Virginia Squire (4 different Virginias with 10% white burley), Also, Cool Hand Fluke for the Vaper lovers out there is fantastic, also.
Haunted Bookshop is actually one of my favorite blends, and I think I can describe why people like it, and also why it's divisive. First of all, I'll address why people often dislike it: For a burley blend, it's pretty unusual because it contains perique, and quite a bit of it. The spicy and even vinegarine taste of perique is overwhelming or putrid to a lot of people and it can alienate people from HB. Second, Cornell and Diehl's tobacco is only minimally cased, and most pipe smokers are familiar with heavily-cased aromatics. C&D's blends, therefore, have a very natural and savory taste, almost reminiscent of Turkish or cigarette tobacco but without acrid characteristics. Consequently, it tends to burn fast and hot, since it is less moist and has less sugar. The bold, natural flavor and fast burning characteristics will be offensive to some palates, and again, it's quite unusual for pipe tobacco. Third, HB has a ton of nicotine. Even just half a bowl is enough to give sensitive persons nicotine sickness. Others may not like the strong stimulation. HB is not a very relaxing blend, it really kicks you in the face, so it is, again, unlike most pipe tobacco.
On the other hand, Haunted Bookshop fits a perfect niche for many pipe smokers like myself. It has a cigar-like character -- savory, leathery, spicy, and strong with just a little touch of creamy sweetness. It's almost like sticking a cigar in your pipe. When I get the urge to smoke a cigar but don't have any lying around, HB satisfies me well for a fraction of the cost. Its flavor is very compelling to me. The toasty and nutty qualities of the burley provide a solid foundation for the peppery perique, and they combine in such a way that the qualitative flavor experience leaves either blend indistinguishable. Sort of like a very expensive Scotch, it's hard to identify any individual component, it's just really good. Unlike other burley varieties I've had in the past, it wasn't boring, but instead very ostentatious, which opened up my palate. I started trying out more burley afterward and I really like it now. I really appreciate the natural flavor of Cornell and Diehl's tobacco leaf. It's unapologetic, high quality, and a little rough around the edges. It's what I always imagined tobacco to taste like before I started smoking. I can handle nicotine pretty well so the strength doesn't bother me. A full bowl makes me a little dizzy though, but you can drink some sugary hot tea to compensate if you need to.
Bread - Great explanation of what makes Haunted Bookshop unique among Burley blends. I currently have a tin opened from 2014 that is now very much Perique forward. Also, if buying in bulk it usually needs moisture added for peak performance and ageing. Having bought it for years in tin only, I discovered this when I picked up a couple of ounces of bulk from a local shop and it was unrecognizable to me, truly awful to the point of being too harsh to smoke. I put it in a jar adding moisture with distilled water and then let the leaf get back to a springy consistently and it became the Haunted Bookshop I was familiar with. When there is the option to buy a blend tinned vs. bulk I recommend buying in tins. Even though it cost a little more most blends will perform better in the long run.
I put off HB for a while because so many people said they disliked it. Shame on me. I tried some for the first time last month and it immediately became one of my all time favorites. So wonderful, especially with coffee.
Well, I tried it. Maybe needed to let it age, but I just let it go to someone who likes the stuff. I got through a bowl and a half. Done. And it was not the perique, either. Smoked a full bowl of C&D's ribbon-cut perique to get the HB taste out of my mouth. (I actually enjoy straight C&D ribbon-cut perique quite a lot.)
That said, Haunted Bookshop did get me to read the book, which I highly recommend. I even bought a first-edition for my mother for Christmas!
correct :)
Matches860 would have been blown away by this channel.
For me haunted bookshop has both the big flavour and decent strength that I want out of a tobacco,
No one sold more tins of HB than Matches860. RIP.
New pipe smoker so take everything I say with a grain of salt lol. When I started I thought I would be an only aromatic smoker but found I didn’t enjoy the sweetness and nontobacco flavors like I thought I would. Instead I found I like the natural tobacco much better 🤷🏻 I tried autumn evening and most of the “top 10” aromatics and none of them really captured my attention. Switched gears to Virginia and found I didn’t like many pure Virginia’s but like quite a few va/pers but wanted a more “low/bass/deep” flavor, picked up haunted bookshop after some TH-cam videos and really really liked the low sweetness+nutty+musty+spicy flavor and I enjoy the nicotine but it’s probably on the upper end of nicotine content that I would enjoy. Really good in the morning with coffee. Got to this video because I’m going to explore the burley blends much more, admittedly I haven’t tried most of these blends but they’re next on my purchase list 😉
I gave away my Haunted Bookshop to Artful Codger. I do enjoy Velvet but my current burley favorite is University Flake which technically is a VaBur. God bless.
Haunted Bookshop became my favorite over time. I used to smoke mostly English or Balkan blends. Now I almost only smoke Burleys, and secondarily VA/Pers. I like the occasional aromatic too. I don’t like Latakia anymore, the Smokey flavor over powers everything else in the blend. Great video!
I find your videos very educating and soothing. I enjoy my early a.m pipe and coffee while viewing your content. Thank you Sir
Fantastic video as always. Blessings to you and your family as well. Please continue to produce content on a more frequent basis. If a Patroen membership is needed to make that happen I'm in. Can't get enough of these videos. Your style and knowledge is top notch.
I ordered Golden Extra along with a Rossi 8320 from your shop earlier this week. I look forward to trying it. Thanks for your channel and your store.
Thank you for your recommendations. I love your channel, congratulations!
Outstanding insights, Allen! I just subbed your channel. You were recommended to me by one of my patients. I am a pipe smoking dentist from Arkansas. I have been enjoying pipe smoking for almost three years, now, but still consider myself a “newbie”. I’m not big on burley blends such as Haunted Bookshop. Even though I AM a big fan of Nicotine😆! I love Peterson’s “Irish Flake”! However, I find that Haunted Bookshop is just too harsh for me. I think so many people buy it because it was the favorite blend of John Hardin. I do love the stuff when it is mixed 1:1 with Pirate Kake to make the blend which Matches 860 called “Haunted Pirate Ship”. I have never tried any of the four blends you mentioned today, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I am going to! I appreciate your GREAT content!
Cliff
Hello, Dr. Harrelson! I recently found your channel and have been enjoying your commentary immensely! Watching this video, I was struck with joy at Nero and Lewis Grizzard being on the same bookshelf, sir! Much the same in my own study. I wish you and yours a wonderful and blessed Christmas season, sir.
Good morning sir, I ordered and smoked C&D Apricots and Cream yesterday after you endorsed it on that podcast. I have to say it was as close to a Nirvana smoke as it gets. It was a nice 70 degree Tennessee winter day, and it burned and tasted great from beginning to the end of the bowl. Thank you so much for letting me know about that. I think that will be part of my rotation now.
This is one of the first videos I saw of yours. It's still one of my favorite because I like solitude with my pipe.
Very great video. I really enjoy your accent and cadence. Looking forward to seeing more.
I had a very similar journey with burley. I was turned off to it before I really tried it. But I knew I had to experience all the basic types of blends to learn what my preferences would really be.
My first was HH. And it was excellent. Now I always have a few different jars of burley on hand.
Enjoyed the chat bredren 👍🏾
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for the Great Video 😊
Have a good day😊
Balkans are my corral, yet I always look forward to coming on home to burleys. Mac Baren's venerable Navy Flake won my heart early on for cooler weather. When it's warm out, perennial classic Prince Albert can charm the soul, can't even say why. Sir Walter Raleigh takes on the most surprising mellow mulled wine notes after several months decanting in a jar.
You've named fine choices, all. Right fine observations and respectful presentation. Keep up the tempo sir.
Great video! I love your choices: I haven't tried Golden Extra, but it's on my list. I do like strong Burleys such as Haunted Bookshop and Burley Flake #1, but I also like these choices too.
I would love a video on how you choose a pipe for a blend. I'm newer to the pipe hobby and haven't really understood how what bowl style affects flavor profile of tobacco. Keep these great vids coming!!
Here's an easy one: it if burns too hot to hold the pipe, put it in a calabash!
Thank you very much for you're advice always appreciate you're videos sir greetings from Scotland
I appreciate your comments about burley, because I share your experience. My favorite blends are straight Virginias, but I venture out into other blend types frequently. Burleys, though, have been the most challenging for me - for some of the same reasons that you mentioned. I have not given up, by any means, and I can see myself spending time with some Pegasus in the near future. I certainly look forward to seeing your future videos on other blend types. Take care now. - Jim
Been a Burley fan since the mid 70’s. Current favorite is Pegasus. I also like cube cut in it’s several blends. PA is my break in tobacco. My awareness of it dates to the 40’s and the aroma of my grandads pipe when I was very young. Over time I’ve tried dozens of different blends with temporary love affairs but keep coming back to simpler Burley blends. My observations about Pegasus are in complete agreement with yours and I have plenty on hand. Much like your tobacco rotation, mine follows a similar approach only limited by what I have on hand. Enjoyed the presentation enough to subscribe and will be looking forward to future commentaries.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Great picks. Wessex burley Slice is another to consider and amphora burley. Thanks for sharing👍🏻😊
I have said that I’m not a burley fan but I base that on the codger blends that have that cigarette smell. I’ve tried HB and it’s definitely better but not a go-to for me. You have convinced me to give a good burley blend a whirl. Thanks for your content.
Fantastic recommendations! Thanks for a great video.
Good video several of those are on my try list and I am going to add the Golden Extra. I saw Van Til on the book shelf 👍
I just got a Peterson Pipe. I appreciate you saying avoid the cheap stuff.
I agree that burleys done right are a comforting hug in times when you need one. For me the codger burleys are my go to for that. Great video. I too didn’t care for haunted bookshop.
I have tried H & H Dark Fired Flake , which I like very much and would buy it over other blends I've tried , but on my pipe trip there are lots I need to try , although I like the American aromatics for their room note I find a lot of them you can get tongue bit . I prefer flake to ready rubbed . Thank you once again for your videos. Best wishes from a fan from England.
Great review. I have everything except the Pegasus in my cellar. Burley is definitely a great Autumn smoke.
Thank you for another great video!
I love this cat...he rocks...I sit back and smoke some cult blood red moon and then crash out....his voice is like a good night story...keep it up love your content lifestyle and channel brother
Burley is my love in pipe tobacco, I like virginia as a condiment as virginia tends to give me horrible tongue bite. My favorite pipe tobacco right now is Pegasus. I was mixing it with sweetened black Cavendish but lately ive been appreciating it on its own. My next endeavor is to mix just a tad more "unsweetened" black Cavendish to it. If it had just a smidgen more, it would be epic!
Just received several tins from olde Carolina pipe cottage… including a couple Haunted Bookshops.. thank you!
Burleys are my go to "summer blends", because they tend to smoke cooler than Virginia dominant blends imo.
I like the Solani Aged Burley Flake, I like the McBaren Golden Blend, and I like Amphora Full Aroma, and also a few others.
Just found your channel, loved the video! I recently tried Pegasus for the first time and would agree that it’s very good, I too prefer some sweetness with a heavier burley blend. I ordered an ounce of Old Joe Krantz white label, because it sounded like Pegasus with perique which should be a home run👍🏻
I smoke what I grow, a burley named KY-21. It’s a beautiful brown leaf, sweet as can be. Excellent, clean smoke with an pleasant aftertaste.
Haunted Bookshop is the legacy of the late great Matches860. Every YTPCer should peruse his channel before yootoob sends it to the scrap heap.
Matches860 was a unique presenter that is sorely missed. Haunted Bookshop became a favorite of his and a feature of his Friday Night live chats.
I've yet to watch any of his material, but have been meaning too. He sounds like C&D's best salesman, lol.
I found haunted bookshop about four years ago and it's been my favorite ever since. My second favorite is crooner.The only Virginia's I can smoke without tongue bite are the dark English ropes brown bogie and S.G xx.My steady smoke is carter Hall.I really enjoy your videos also.
ABF is truly a great blend! I wish Wilke still made Nut Brown Burley. That was a beautiful blend.
Dear Sir, I greatly enjoy your videos and appreciate the time and energy you put into your TH-cam Channel. I wish you luck as you endeavor to follow your calling while establishing your brick-n-mortor store.
In regards to your assessment of Haunted Bookshop, I wholeheartedly agree..
Thank you and God Bless.
Thanks for sharing these.. Amphora burley blend is my favorite but I will get a tin of the solani when it’s available
The popularity of Haunted Bookshop in my opinion is the name itself along with its label artwork and connection to the book of the same name by Christopher Morely.And definitely on the endorsment of and description by John Harden aka Matches 86Zero.I smoked my first bowl today in my new Savinelli Rusticated Bings favorite pipe.I found it very harsh and it left a bad taste in my mouth but as I smoked on it lightened up a bit and I started enjoying it more than in the beginning.
I greatly appreciate you having a copy of Greg Bahnsen's book on Van Til's apologetic!
I love Haunted Bookshop. It's probably my favorite. No idea why though.
Thanks for the recommendations!
Great reviews on burley. I have a couple I like and a couple I haven't opened yet. I'm trying to wrap myself around haunted bookshop but it seems to be missing something. Pegasus sounds like something I have to try. Maybe a little sweetness is what I'm looking for. Thanks and have a great day.
A burley blend I believe you would really enjoy is Solani Silver Flake, its a VaBur and it's my favorite tobacco that includes burley/Kentucky dark fired.
I find your voice to be very relaxing. I just love your rhythm and drawl. Much like the author Shelby Foote.
Watching as i smoke Half and Half out of a Missouri Meerschaum "Ah! Fellow Sophisticates!'
Great video. I love burley.
solid recommendations -- i posted a series on my channel called "Understanding Pipe Tobacco" & was surprised to see the performance of my video on burley's -- overwhelmingly it was viewed far more than any other tobacco type/category i discussed ... i also picked on Haunted Bookshop & gave my explanation of why one should not judge burley's as a whole by HB ... folks who like a lot of nicotine will love it -- but i'm thankful there are other options out there :) i wish MacBaren's London Blend was more widely available, esp in bulk - Golden Extra is close to it, but London Blend would be my everyday smoke if it were available all the time ...
Interesting how tastes differ. I've been mostly an English/Balkan smoker, but have more recently been moving towards burleys. Haunted Bookshop is a favorite of mine to pair with my coffee in the morning. Pegasus, however, is a palate wrecker for me. I've been trying to let it age, but each time I've tried to smoke it, I get severe bite. Peretti has some amazing Burely blends. Their No.111 and 333 have been added to my regular rotation.
Haunted Bookshop is excellent marketing - great name that adds a dark narrative to your smoke - you expect it to be different and offensive 😎 Best smoke on earth for me is Plum Pudding Reserve smoked in a longer Savinelli Clark’s Favorite - the longer stem seems to cool,the smoke and it’s even more flavorful to me.
My first experience with burley blends was certainly an unpleasant one. I bought 4 oz of a tobacco that sounded great on paper and had good reviews, but no matter what I tried or when I tried it the only notes that I could get was a faint cinnamon taste and cigarettes. A very discouraging turn off for me, so I gave it a month or two in a jar and it didn’t improve. It probably needed way more age, but I couldn’t stand the taste so I got rid of it for good. Your selections sound very good in comparison to what I tried. It may have been a quality of tobacco issue like you mentioned that was my problem. I have been eyeing Pegasus for a while now, maybe I should give it a try sometime.
To you and your family,
Happy piping
My burley blends are Prince Albert and Pegasus with a little sweet Cavendish added.
SABF is my opinion 9f heaven on earth! best burley blend ever.
All solid burleys. I’m one of those Haunted Bookshop lovers. I just like stronger-what some consider rougher-blends, so HB is up with Brown IrishTwist, Bold Ky, Rustica, etc., for me.
I've tried the black Irish twist, but not the brown. Do you recommend it? I'm a fan of HB as well.
The brown is a bit stronger. Some like the black but think the brown is too much. I like both and will buy either one when available. The brown is definitely worth a try if you like the black.
@@ParsimoniousPiper
I could do with something stronger than the black. Cheers!
I have to agree with you on Haunted Bookshop, I actually mixed it with Pegasus to make it more smokeable for me. These two blends do seem very similar to me, but, like you, I like that little bit of sweetness the cavendish adds to Pegasus. I like HH Burley Flake quite a bit, it's more of an everyday burley than Solani ABF. Can't agree with you more on the quality of ABF, it's in a class all it's own, just not a daily smoke for me, between how rich it is and the unavailability of it, it's an occasional smoke for me. I'm considering buying the one pound box of HH Burley Flake, excellent blend, great everyday burley. Very much enjoying your videos sir.
Im not much of a burley dude but i will enjoy if the occasions arise. HBS mos def adds a punch...Granger (still on my Jung quest)...PA & CH (just because im told my grandfather smoked it...and finally Thanks Giving Day by Perreti's up in Boston... Possibly the most mellowest and nuanced baccy ive tried (started out one dimensional then it took off... tasty/nutty/enjoyable - no cardboard taste) Anyhow thank you for the recommend. Hope to find Sollani & give it a go (got my interest no doubt.)
Great recommendations! 😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍 I will add Golden Extra to my cellar 😄😉
I’ve never been a great fan of HB but it’s stronger more refined cousin Old Joe Krantz is a constant in my pipe. Wessex Burley slice is probably my ultimate burley blend. Golden extra and the old London Burley blend (not the latest overly chcolatey version MacBaren occasionally re release). Pegasus is a fine blend indeed.
I’ve heard plenty of Southern accents, but yours is in a class all it’s own - in a great way - where are you from?
Haunted bookshop is raw when fresh but it does age well, and gets deeper. HH ODF, HH Bold and HH Burley Flake are all great, with the later being much more milder with a smooth sweetish finish
We smoke exactly the same Burleys. I first had Golden Extra back in the 60’s and still buy it by the pound. Sometimes I even mix it with Virginia #1.
At first i would agree with you on haunted book shop. I bought it because it was very popular and it was around Halloween, so i bought some. At first i did not like it was to strong and spicy, but afterl letting it sit a few weeks it mellowed out becoming sweeter. It took me a while to get use to it but once you can taste all the different nites. Its a good tobacco not my favorite, but it is good tobacco. But its not for everyone.
Try cutting Haunted book shop with C&D Autumn Evening. It brings out the buttery notes of Haunted bookshop and adds a nice mild caramel/maple taste and smell. I enjoy HBS by it's self but I love to use it to cut other blends. Works well with Sutliff - Pumpkin' Spice as well as Dan's Tobacco - Devil's Holiday.
If you can, try Nashville County and Makhuwa from HU Tobacco Germany, for me the best Burley's in my opinion
Haven't had any Haunted Bookshop or Solani yet, but I'd like to add Amphora Burley to the list. Mild but with distinct notes of unsweetened cocoa powder and a little sweetness, almost like Orlik Golden Sliced but without the butter-cookie topping. Love your accent btw 🍻
Amphora Burley blend is excellent. Nice white billows of smoke.
I tried in the Amphora sampler and really liked it.
I thought you might enjoy a blend not mentioned in your video that was just brought to my attention by CaneRodPiper only recently . Just a bit of a back story. I generally don't care for sweet blends. I was watching an older Video from CaneRodPiper where he was reviewing older drugstore blend that he now finds un-smokable to his pallet now. He was talking about the original sugar barrel blend being a reasonable smoke for a store-bought burley. This blend from the original manufacture is long gone. No fear there is a match I found through pipes and cigars. So I had to try it considering I am a burley fan. I read many reviews and the consensus is the new match is not anywhere as sweet as the original. I purchased just 1 oz with unknow expectations. I was completely surprised when I finished my first bowl. This mixture is absolutely wonderful if you like burley blends. It has a very light note of vanilla and smokes extremely cool, no relights needed extremely light absolutely no tongue bite, and from my thoughts are a great all day smoke . Thank you for your page I follow your reviews with great enthusiasm. Just wanted to share a great burley that I just found Sincerely Jim
Hi, I used to smoke a brand called Edgeworth here in England in the mid 1960's. In the description on the tin I remember White Burley being mentioned. It was good! tasted of roast beef to me which was unlike anything around then. I couldnt get hold of this very often being from the US but I really liked it. Is there such a brand now and is White Burley still grown? I once got some "Revelation" brand US pipe tobacco (in Austria) which made a thing of being "Outdoor Cut" It was that allright - it was full of dead ladybirds! I spent more time picking them out than smoking it and cant remember what it was like to smoke. Love your channel and your accent. It has some similarities to our local Suffolk accent. I have an East London accent. Good luck with your shop. Danny.
I mentioned the other day on Instagram, the burley was some of my favorite. What I should have said was, I use to enjoy Carter Hall as a mixer to tone down my aromatics.. Aromatics are my standard for daily smoking. Carter Halls new mix however is not tolerable. New mix, bad decision. As for Haunted BookShop, I aged mine in a jar for six months, it was a little better. Not a huge fan, nicotine strength that's too much, keeps me from enjoying many popular blends. Tasty pleasing aromatic blends make my day, with some burley's thrown in for nice changes.. Blessings today... (ShoeBoxProphet). Randy
A true presenter's voice. Shelby Foote is reborn? I've found turkish, and Stokkbye's burley blend to smell like cigarettes. If a cigarette was fresh, good smeling, and 5 times as strong.
Haunted Bookshop was Matches favorite pipe tobacco and he recently passed away (about a year ago) and everyone has been on a kick smoking it because they miss him.
Haunted Bookshop is my everyday smoke because it doesn't bother anyone 😃, 35+ years ago when I started smoking pipes (went from cigarettes so that might explain part of it) everyone appreciated the aroma of a pipe, today it seems like cigarette smokers don't like the 'weird' smell of your pipe & non smokers always think it smells like you are badly burning some type of fruit or condiment 😃 Haunted Bookshop goes unnoticed by the cigarette smokers and barely noticed by non smokers because it smells like cigarettes without the acrid smell. I also like how C&D took the huge oversupply (probably since the 'Codger Blends' are almost extinct) & made exotic blends out of them, to me rivaling all the McClelland blends I used to smoke as I then felt only Virginia's made a good tobacco base. I also agree with others that the book is a good read 👌
Cobblestone hiking tops my list better than solani imo it bumped off the top, then macbaren "burley" they brought back for limited run very close to their golden extra, macbaren navy flake, watch city slices very good, corn cob pipe and button nose.
@@thepipecottage3301 yeah the secret got free hehe
I think the popularity of Haunted Book is probably do to Matches 860 .
Once you try LJ perreti peretti burley blends you will never be the same. They are amazing and almost all ice smoke anymore that and Stonehenge flake
Because it’s just simply the best lol. I’ve have tried many blends so many I can’t count. I’ve been a pipe smoker for 5 years now so simply not a professional by any means but Haunted bookshop just hits all the right tastes for me. It’s now all I smoke. If I ever switch it up, it’s for haunted pirate ship. Whir has contains haunted bookshop still.
North West Pipe Smoker described Bookshop best. “Taste like you are smoking a rope that was under some dudes armpit.” LOL. Gonna try it one more time before I give up on it.
You explained Haunted Bookshop quite well. I wanted to like it but it wasn't for me. I keep it around to have a tribute smoke in memory of Matches860 from time-to-time.
I very much enjoy your insights and knowledge. I am relatively new to pipe smoking, and am enjoying my Peterson and Savinelli Pipes that you have recommended.
I’ve been starting out by using exclusively Peterson blends, such as Sherlock Holmes and De Luxe and Hyde Park.
My girlfriend has requested that I find a nice, full AROMATIC.
All I can find online , are Aromatics which are “nicotine free”.
Is there SUCH A THING as a normal aromatic tobacco which hasn’t been made “nicotine free”.
I do not drink “Light” beers or make use of condoms.
I certainly do not want a “nicotine free” tobacco.
Can you help me with a recommendation?
To me, Haunted Bookshop is very similar to Carter Hall, just with more premium Tobaccos.
Alan, I love your offerings. I bought my first pipe in 1961 and have smoked and tried a wide variety of blends over the years. One I have fallen for is Old Dog, but try though I might, I can't find it anywhere since production has been discontinued by McClelland (actually, McClelland has been discontinued). Do you carry it, or do you know where I can find some?
Bookshop is as popular as it is because it is near the top of all blends.. Haunted Bookshop, Old Joe Krantz original, Bayou Night, Big n Burley, and to a lesser extent Pegasus are all that I really need.. others need not apply :>)
I didn't care for Haunted Bookshop either. Eight State Burley is a keeper.
I just Love Haunted Bookshop and Old Joe Krantz..... In my personal Opinion I don't care for "Sweet"
What tobacco do you recommend that would be a good substitute for Tinder Box (McClellands) 1928?
Added Pegasus to my order. Let’s just say it’s not for me. But I actually love Carter Hall, King Albert, and Haunted Bookshop.
Haunted Bookshop is a nice autumn tobacco. Not my favorite, I have to be in a mood
Can anyone please tell me what pipe model is on the thumbnail for this video? Is it a Peterson, if so, what model/line. Thank you in advance. Is it a Donegal B10? My goodness, is it ever a handsome pipe!
Is there a website for your store?
I have to know what pipe is this in the photo?
I’m new to this and appreciate the recommendations!
If anyone would be so kind I’d appreciate another but something more fitting for me something with strong flavor, my taste buds are masochists, I make my coffee by filling up the filter to the top, my food with loads of garlic, onions and hot peppers and I like Isay whiskey that wakes ya up with a peaty smack to the face like ardbeg and lephroaig🥃
If ya ever had a tobacco with flavor that kicked ya in the nuts I’d be so great full for recommendation👍
I smoked cigarettes for about 14 years. I’ve been smoking a pipe for for around 7 years , and I’ve never smoked a blend that reminds me of cigarettes - except for Haunted Bookshop. It is by far one of the worst blends I’ve ever smoked. It’s popularity is shocking to me
HB has a tin note reminiscent of sour milk... must be the Perique.
I really like a good burley with a cup of dark black coffee in the morning. Solani ABF is exquisite. I highly recommend checking out John Patton’s Storm Front. Bulk only and only sold through 4Noggins. It’s very full flavored and has a good body to it, but the nicotine level is low - so it’s very, very smooth. It also has a very light topping or casing that adds a touch of molasses like sweetness, not much, but just a perfect little bit of it to make it very smooth and easy smoking.
John Patton was an excellent blender. Been awhile since I've had any of his blends. Tried then all except the one's with Latakia. Moe's Confetti was a blend that was John's ode to drug store burleys for those who prefer a sweeter burley blend. (Alan might be one you'd enjoy.) My favorite blend of his was Virginia Squire (4 different Virginias with 10% white burley), Also, Cool Hand Fluke for the Vaper lovers out there is fantastic, also.
Why Haunted Bookshop? I'm sure it's the nicotine!
Burly is strong nicotine
BURLEY is a WEED in the garden of tobacco. Cattle ruffage. 👃