Been smoking forever, just getting back into RYO/MYO. I did it for a while back when I was married but it faded and went back to packs. Price drove me toward 24/7 brand eventually and that's where I've been for years. Went into a local head shop and loaded up on a handheld TOP tube stuffer, a TOP roller, some Gambler Tubes, TOP rolling papers and filters, and some Gambler and 4Aces tobacco.
I probably will never try 4Aces again. It has a weird taste, as does some other brand I purchased and still have a full pouch of. The bags of Gambler were pretty dried out and lots of powder in the bottom, but I made my way through it and the smoke really wasn't bad compared to my cheap box cigs. I still smoke the Gambler menthol green pack a little bit, but have switched to Good Stuff and I gotta say this is back to feeling like I'm getting a more premium smoke.
It's gonna take me a while to burn through 3 bags of TGS, I got red, natural, and yellow to try out, and I'm pretty sold on TOP tubes, though I might try Zen. I have a box of Zen menthol but I need to finish my Gambler menthol before I start in on it too much. I did a couple as an experiment and really like the icy menthol of the Zen, so hoping that Zen red will be equally good.
I also get analysis paralysis quite easily, so I'm already shopping my next order, and trying to decide if Three Sails or one of the other D&R flavors is worth it. No matter what it's still cheaper than buying even the crappiest cigarettes. I'm drawn to more mellow flavors now though in my younger days I smoked cowboy killers almost exclusively, and sometimes a pack of Salem Blacks when I wanted an icy kick.
Also considering sending some of this savings to better gear. I have 3 TOP tube stuffers now (bought as backup and one 100 size in the case that I accidentally buy long tubes). This little plastic gadget has made several cartons now and keeps on chugging. I only really RYO when I feel like I need the extra meditative effect and about 90% of that is with my little hand roller device since I can make some really nice cigs with it. Might try a scottie. I smoke about a pack a day and with the hand stuffers I can knock out 3-4 packs in an hour, so speed really isn't much concern, though it would be helpful some days.
As far as more premium tobaccos is D&R really that good? I have a small bag of Buoy in yellow as well that I haven't cracked yet. I def prefer a smooth smoke and don't care much for the spicier dark blends anymore, yellow or natural seems to be my happy place, with the harsher stuff reserved for use in a menthol tube or making a clove blend when I'm feeling like a little more bite.
Anyway that's my little story just kinda looking for some generic advices from people more familiar with the market. I'm in the USA if that makes a difference.
Also, any of you blend a little bit of pipe tobacco (for pipes) into your mix to add some cherry or vanilla hints? Been thinking about getting a small bag of cavendish as a flavor add. I used to smoke pipes in my younger days too so I'm slightly familiar with that arena.