1.) They seem to have more blends than any other pipe tobacco manufacturer, and as I read the different descriptions, lots of them seem similar. My first question is this: For those that have smoked many of their offerings, how similar are the different blends? For the pipe smoker who hasn't smoked for years and years, could multiple offerings taste essentially the same?

2.) Some offering run 7ish bucks for 2 oz where a 8oz tin runs 13. Others blends run 7ish for 2oz and then mid 20's for 8oz. Is this due to the different leafs?

I hate to 'tell on them' because I do love their products.. But yes they do have a lot of blends that are very close...

The price diff is that some are 'tinned' bulk blends, some are Tinned blends. Sounds crazy, huh...

I seldom suggest this but go to www.tobaccoreview.com and read up on these.. All very different, all good IMO

Star of the East (heavy lat)
Old Joe Krants (big burley)
Yale Mixture (delightful lat/va mix)
Rajah's Court (oriental heavy)
Mississippi Mud (Perique & Latakia, very weird)

Honorable mention
Briar Fox (a va crumble cake)
Nightrain (a Va/Bur/Per crumble cake)
Kajun Kake (a Va/Per crumble cake)

Hi Alex!

Yup, I noticed many are similar, but not exactly alike, either. And quite a few are unique, to my limited experience, too. It does make fans of one blend curious about other ones enough to buy and that's what marketing's all about, I guess.

FB15....I think those prices you mentioned are from the C&D website?!? Checkout pipesandcigars.com and smoking pipes.com (among others) for their C&D prices. Don't know where you live; but should you be near one of the JR Cigars(JRCIGAR.com) in North Carolina, they carry many of the C&D blends at discounted prices. Check them online; but watch their shipping prices. C&D offers blends and bulks. They are great folks. I keep a goodly variety of their English/Balkan/Oriental blends in the cellar; Star of the East and Rajah's Court being two of my favorites. And, yes, the differing prices reflect the varying ingredient tobaccos. FTRPLT

dang, 6.50 for 2 oz! My locals 2 oz tins of SG, McClelland, Peterson, Orlik, etc run anywhere from 9 to 11. He doesn't carry any C&D stuff though. That price isn't bad at all...wish I lived near a JR's

I would like to tack on a question regarding Haunted Bookshop: Anyone familiar with this blend? If so, please post your opinions... I think I am drawn to this blend simply because of the great name, "Haunted Bookshop." I somehow feel that it would be very rewarding if someone asked, "Hey, what kind of tobacco are you smoking?" and my reply was, "Well, Haunted Bookshop, of course."

Trout Bum-

I agree! It would be cool to say!

Its a burley heavy blend... sometimes a fruity nut sweetness comes out...
Better than OTC stuff because it isn't overloaded with PG, but in the same family of 'Americana Tobacco' One of those ok all day blends that isn't awesome but isn't bad either.

I suffered a couple of serious concussions in my youth, and it is believed it has affected my taste sense. My go-to tobaccos are heavy English and robust Va/Perique blends. I tend to prefer the stronger flavors just so I can taste it at all. I'm about to make another order, and so far, I have Mountain Camp and Bayou Night in my cart. I'd like to try one or two other C&D blends. I'm thinking I'd like something sweeter to break out of my habits. I thought of looking for a Dunhill 965 type blend, but something even more Cavendishy would be find. I'm not a big fan of burley, but I'm not opposed to its inclusion. I want these other two choices to either be an English or a Virginia. Flakes are welcomed. Not interested in the Aromatics. Any suggestions for other C&D blends to maybe give a try?

It is from C&D blends that my daily, go-to smokes often come.

To second an item from PB's excellent list, I would also suggest Night Train (#417P). This is probably my all time favorite offering amongst their long list of blends (hint: always buy it in the 1 lb. sealed brick).

I could smoke Night Train all day long (and often do).

Thanks for the recommendation. I was concerned about Night Train because of this thread:
http://www.brothersofbriar.com/t5091-cornell-diehl-night-train?highlight=cornell

I have a weird deal with nicotine. I smoke heavy blends, but some blends have the same affect as eating Redman Plug by the block. I really don't feel well after smoking them. I didn't know if Night Train would be like that.

Any others? Anyone? I'm going to dig around for further reviews on Night Train, but I'm still looking for suggestions.