Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Granger

I am a true burley lover and I must say that Granger fills the bill perfectly! This is a burley lovers dream - pleasant, nutty taste and aroma, stays lit, no bite! Those who are experiencing bite with this blend must be smoking way too fast. This is a great afternoon smoke and a tribute to the great American "drug store" blends of the past. Glad this one is still available in the present!

This is a lightly cased burley that is terrific by itself or perfect as a base for mixing a blend. I've used this for years while adding some perique, latakia and turkish for a great all day smoke. You can't beat the price for a quality burley tobacco and it's always consistent.

Now this is burley! Rich, a little sweet, smells good, burns well. If you like burley what else can you want for an OTC blend that has flavor from the beginning to end. I like this and will keep some in my rotation. Much better than a lot of expensive blend that claim to be the ultimate burley. Great as a mixer or right from the pouch. Much darker and in a rough cut that I like.

As many have noted this tobacco is perhaps one of the "best in drug store burleys". As a pipe smoker for 45 years I first encountered this tobacco in 1960 and smoked it off and on for a few years. Further noted is that consistency in manufacturing/processing this tobacco is questionable at best.

Predominately, I smoke Virginia Plug and Flake tobaccos and some Balkan flakes. Rarely do I go outside this area anymore since I find I have the satisfaction necessary with what's available. But as I have explained to many novice and experienced pipe smokers... To find that "ONE" tobacco we all search for, don't get bogged-down in reaching the destination...enjoy the journey itself...for the journey is perhaps more fulfilling than reaching any destination".

With this in mind, I picked-up a few cans of Granger, and as usual with the "old brands" I have enjoyed re-experiencing this simple, straightforward burley. While I've never understood why the manufacturer needs to spray sugar water, or something close to it, in the final process, it none-the-less, provides for an interesting and pleasurable smoke. Since most of my plugs are Matured Virginia's denoting the various differences in tobaccos other than Virginia's is drastic.

I have smoked 10 bowls over the last few days in a Dunhill group 5 straight billiard and while I remember how reasonable it smoked in an old cob, I enjoyed a number of good smokes over the last few days. However, as enjoyable as those smokes were, I am consistently drawn back to my plugs and know why I have resided in that narrow spectrum of tobacco for so long.

Is it worth a try... sure, and as we all have noted the price is right...if you can find it without having to pay high shipping costs.

As a side note...the manufacturer of Granger and several other "drug store" type brands all share in this inconsistent manufacturing process. Its a shame to see that a company can't control their process any better than this...but, they're not the only ones who have problems in this area.

When I first opened the pouch, smell was a bit like prunes! I let it sit for about a week. When I checked back it smelled like plain tobacco. It has a nice,nutty, toasty, flavor, and is a cool dry smoke. The room note is sweet and nostalgic. It does have bit of a nicotine kick, but nothing dramatic. A classic old fashioned American tobacco.

This is better in the can than in the pouch. Sometimes this stuff has a plastic taste to it that really puts me off. Other times it is very pleasant. I wish it were more consistent. Oh well. It's a moot point as Granger is no longer available where I live.

Yes, this is an old blend and its name, no doubt, pays tribute to America?s agricultural community as the word ?granger? is a (rarely used) synonym for ?farmer? (and/or a member of The Grange). Some folks call Granger an ?Over The Counter? blend and others call it a ?Drug Store? blend. Regardless of its heritage and the name, I call it a GREAT SMOKE!

Some non-burley lovers and previous reviewers who found this tobacco lacking may think I am suffering from ?delusions of Granger? in having rated this blend with four stars. I have no delusions about this blend! I like a good, honest burley and Granger fills the bill. This is a solid, simple, old fashioned, ?cracker barrel? straight burley with an unidentifiable light, topping that I found totally satisfying. I experienced no bite, just a cool, flavorful smoke with a modest hay like sweetness and toasty nuttiness from beginning to end that was augmented with a nice nic kick. A few previous reviewers have made mention of a plastic taste. I have only five words in response, "I did not taste plastic."

A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this blend 9.8 out of 10.

My trek into the world of drugstore burleys has ended with Granger. I seek no further!!! As a 31 year old pipe smoker I have no sense of nostalgia like many of the other reviewers of this blend. It's simply 14 oz of heaven for $14.95!!! No other way to describe. It packs well, lights well, burns well, tastes great, and smells nice. Pipe was bone dry. Any topping was barely discernable. Nothing complex here. Just good tobacco flavor at a great price.

This is one of the only OTC tobaccos that actually ages better than normal. When I first opened the can a couple of years ago, the aroma was godawful. After doing some research on it, the "Wellman" process that Granger uses is a type of fermenting technique (not a casing- and similar to how perique is fermented) that gives it that distinct aroma. I transferred the baccy to a tupperware container and have smoked it pretty regularly the last few weeks again. The sour aroma is now gone and in it's place is a pretty natural tobacco aroma. It loads easily, burns great (never seen a whiter ash in an OTC blend) and has a wonderful room note that brings you back 50 years. Recommended for those who enjoy Burley.

I am a big fan of burley tobaccos. Previously I have enjoyed SWR and so I decided to go all in and get a tub of Granger. It definitely has more nicotine in it compared to SWR but just slightly so. The room note is mild and smells primarily of tobacco and not very aromatic. Taste wise I can pick up the nutty flavor of the burley but it is very slight. It smokes cools and generally only needs a relit here and there if you aren't paying attention. As other reviewers have noticed, there is somewhat of a plastic taste halfway down the bowl and sometimes get a little bitter as you make your way down. I have found this occurs most often when I smoke too fast. For me it is similar to SWR with a tad more nicotine. I am nearing the end of the tub that I bought. While I have enjoyed it, not sure I will buy more. Definitely worth a try!