RYO Revolution Forum

by **robertfoy** on 27 Apr 2010, 18:05

After 2 solid months with the Wintergold my impression is still a solid so/so. My first impression has remained the same...no change. Its ok...nothing spectacular to me. I have the remaining 4-6oz up for trade in the deals and discounts section if anyone is interested.

robertfoy wrote:I just got some Wintergold in yesterday. If I have learned anything from my myo/syo experience its that I should refrain from making early judgment on any tobacco without giving it a fair shake. My first impressions:

• It is not a menthol. I don’t think one could even consider it close.
• It came in the most common D&R pipe cut…Like Windsail, Rowland, or Vengeur.
• Even at 65% humidity (@71 degrees F) it burns cool and slow.
• The mint flavor is VERY mild…almost unnoticeable.
• The aroma is nice, you can really smell the mint!
• My guess…it’s Windsail with some added toppings/flavorings.

I give it a solid…”meh…not bad…so/so”. I am not a huge Windsail fan (I like Windsail but don’t smoke it regularly by itself), but if you are this would be a good choice for a little change to your line-up.

Of course, this assessment comes after less than 24 hours. I will re-post if my first impression changes after a month or so.

by **pipesticks** on 07 Mar 2010, 13:38

Cockstrong Platinum? I found Cockstrong a bit overpowering for all day but a nice, occasional treat...added a lil Windsail Plat and mellowed it out nicely, plus added that scrumptous sweet component. Platinum WindCock? Dunno....still working on the name...

by **robertfoy** on 12 Feb 2010, 17:49

I just got some Wintergold in yesterday. If I have learned anything from my myo/syo experience its that I should refrain from making early judgment on any tobacco without giving it a fair shake. My first impressions:

• It is not a menthol. I don’t think one could even consider it close.
• It came in the most common D&R pipe cut…Like Windsail, Rowland, or Vengeur.
• Even at 65% humidity (@71 degrees F) it burns cool and slow.
• The mint flavor is VERY mild…almost unnoticeable.
• The aroma is nice, you can really smell the mint!
• My guess…it’s Windsail with some added toppings/flavorings.

I give it a solid…”meh…not bad…so/so”. I am not a huge Windsail fan (I like Windsail but don’t smoke it regularly by itself), but if you are this would be a good choice for a little change to your line-up.

Of course, this assessment comes after less than 24 hours. I will re-post if my first impression changes after a month or so.

by **Flasherly** on 26 Oct 2009, 01:47

elgiacomo wrote:I REALLY like the Cockstrong tobacco. It's gonna go into regular rotation and will probably end up as my go-to smoke in the morning to have along with some strong coffee, but could smoke it throughout the day as well. Very robust, rich, and satisfying, but not harsh in the slightest. Smoked in 15-17mm FF tubes. This is one of my favorite D&R blends that I've tried so far.

Nope, not harsh but subtle. Though I'm mixing it and in mini, 6mm tubes. My "driving" smoke -- for not having to screw around behind the wheel with a filter holder I use for regular King tubes. Nice for "quickies", too, and not a bad taste to pull on someone asking for a cigarette. Cockstrong is the most distinctive blend in there, and quickly stands out. Doing single-basket pulls off an Italian lever espresso machine lately. Enjoy them at least as much at night, after being away during the day, than the morning. A mouth coated with emulsified coffee extractions, for following with a flavorful cigarette, indeed. ...Maybe not a mile, but definitely worth the walk the kitchen to the coffee table, to set the espresso down and light a smoke.

by **packrat** on 25 Oct 2009, 08:52

Elgiacomo......I too used to smoke Cockstrong-it was my daily smoke...if you like the Cockstrong for it's full flavor, etc, give the Criss Cross (original) a try..To me, it's even better than the CS...smells great, packs good and is even stronger than the CS, but no harshness whatsoever!! I have quit buying the Cockstrong altogether, as I do like the CC so much better...smoking a pound every 10-12 days. P&C has a 6 oz. bag you can buy for like $ 7.74.....pound bags are just $18.65 :thumbsup:

And FWIW Four Aces is somewhere between the CS and the CC...not quite as strong as the Cross Country, but still a very good smoke. YMMV, naturally.

by **Roscoe** on 24 Oct 2009, 23:36

Hardly any posts recently on D&R blending. C'mon, there's got to be some new blending going on our there!

I got some Wintergold earlier this year and I agree with the posts here that the wintergreen flavor is somewhat subtle. I did not really enjoy this tobacco by itself. Recently I went at it again and came up with a blend that I really like. It is 70% Wintergold, 15% Ramback and 15% Wingate Gold. The menthol seems to bring out the wintergreen flavor. Ramback gives body and flavor to the blend, sort of like a little salt that makes a sweet so much better. I really enjoy this concoction, it is sweet, flavorful and smooth and a nice occasional change of pace for me.

I only have a cup of Wingate Gold but am not a regular menthol smoker so this will last me for awhile. When I do run out I'll have to find another tobacco to give that 'touch of menthol'. D&R, if you are listening, consider making a menthol pipe tobacco!

by **Guest awaiting activation** on 28 Sep 2009, 00:25

Sorry to revive a very old thread but I'm still waiting for activation so can't start a new one & wasn't sure where else to post this.

I'm really new to RYO & getting ready to place my first D&R order & I'm going to try some Cockstrong. If it's too "robust" what would be the best to blend it with? Would Ramback work?

This blend doesn't seem to be talked about as much as the others so I'm not real sure what I'm getting into but it sounds interesting & just have to try it.

I appreciate everyone's opinions regarding the different D&R blends ... it's helped me a lot as a newbie.

by **elgiacomo** on 01 Mar 2009, 13:20

I REALLY like the Cockstrong tobacco. It's gonna go into regular rotation and will probably end up as my go-to smoke in the morning to have along with some strong coffee, but could smoke it throughout the day as well. Very robust, rich, and satisfying, but not harsh in the slightest. Smoked in 15-17mm FF tubes. This is one of my favorite D&R blends that I've tried so far. :thumbsup:

by **MisterMxyzptlk** on 26 Feb 2009, 03:18

I guess I mentioned this in a different thread, but the sample of WinterGold I received had no detectable wintergreen flavor. Being assured that this was not typical, I ordered a 10/2. Sadly, like my sample, the tobacco in the tub also had no wintergreen flavor - just a slight "coolness" to it.

I stuffed a stick and cut off the filter for my friend who smokes a very mild, unfiltered menthol blend, and he couldn't detect a wintergreen flavor either. Combined with D&R sending me a case of the wrong tubes (the CTC Windsails as opposed to the St. Vincent Windsail Prestiges), I'm a bit irked with them right now, but I'll call them tomorrow and see what we can get resolved.

-TJ

by **MisterMxyzptlk** on 17 Feb 2009, 19:25

Cockstrong
A full bodied traditional U.S. Blend, with a robust taste reminiscent of blends from the mid-20th century. This flavorful and satisfying blend contains exotic air-cured Burley, flue-cured Gold Leaf and Oriental tobaccos from around the world. No chemical flavorings or casings added.

I've been smoking this blend at a rate of 2-3 sticks per day for the past few weeks. "Full-bodied" and "robust" are certainly good terms to describe it!This is definitely the most "stout" American blend I've had (excluding Picayune), but yet it's not "harsh" as I think of it**. It's "stout" in the same way as a Guiness Stout - strong and flavorful but not unpleasant - and not for everyone. It's my favorite of the D&R "American blends", and I think of it as the "halfzware" of American tobaccos because of its full-bodied richness.

Initially, I found it to be a bit too much for me, but I've come to appreciate it more and more. In fact, I'm going to order a 14 oz. bag of it with my next (BIG!) D&R order (probably a year's supply).

-TJ

** There is some ongoing confusion as to the meaning of the word "harsh", so let me tell you how I define it. In my taste tests, I take a puff into my mouth using my cheeks and then give the smoke an open-throated full inhale. I gauge the "harshness" by how it hits the back of my throat and lungs - and by whether it makes me cough (or want to). Examples of what blends nail the back of my throat in this way are Bali Red and NAS tobacco (others disagree - of course).

RYO Revolution Forum

D&R Specialty Blends - Athey, Cockstrong, WinterGold

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Cockstrong - after a few weeks . . .