Any Suggestions For New Pipe Smoker?

[smokedank]

I first tried a pipe about a year ago, I was coming from cigars and the pipe didnt really seem to click with me. I recently decided to give it another shot, being that the weather is cooling off and being outside is becoming more enjoyable. I live in the deep south, so it's hot and humid.

So far I have purchased and jarred over 50 different blends in the last month, along with a few pipes.

So far my favorite pipe is the savinelli trevi 311KS..it is perfect for me and my style of smoking. A close second would be the 320KS 2018 saint nicholas. I have 3 more savinelli, 2 peterson, 2 neerup, 3 viking, and 14 MM seconds of various shapes and sizes.

My favorite blends so far are peter stokkebyes luxury twist flake, navy flake, and bullseye flake, Cornell and diehl opening night, and old joe krantz. Those blends have really hit the sweet spot for me. Keep in mind I have way more blends than I have had time to try. I have a journal and smoke a blend carefully and slowly to get an idea of what it has to offer in case I want to buy more.

So far I have 2lbs of sleepy hollow stored, and half lbs of each of the 3 PS flakes I mentioned, mostly everything else is 4oz or less. I can provide a list of the blends I have so far, as I have them saved in an excel file, if it helps in recommending anything. If theres anything you would advise to a new pipe smoker, or wish you did differently when you started, please let me know! I have spent countless hours watching YouTube videos and reading online learning about pipe smoking, but im constantly craving to learn more!

I do have a couple questions I will post later in the thread, this post got longer than I expected it to.

 

[cortezattic]

My initial foray into the world of pipe tobacco was a scatter-shot approach to sampling, but back then the selection was limited to what the corner drug store had on its shelves.

Today, with the internet, I would try top rated touchstone blends from the major pipe tobacco genres. Check out this FAQ:

The Pipe Tobacco Aging, Storage and Cellaring FAQ: Tobacco Categorization

A compendium of knowledge intended for the pipe-smoking enthusiast interested in the aging, storage and cellaring of pipe tobacco.

pipe-club.com

 

[DonutLuvr]

Thanks for posting that link, that was a good read for another noob!

 

[smokedank]

My initial foray into the world of pipe tobacco was a scatter-shot approach to sampling, but back then the selection was limited to what the corner drug store had on its shelves.

Today, with the internet, I would try top rated touchstone blends from the major pipe tobacco genres. Check out this FAQ:

The Pipe Tobacco Aging, Storage and Cellaring FAQ: Tobacco Categorization

A compendium of knowledge intended for the pipe-smoking enthusiast interested in the aging, storage and cellaring of pipe tobacco.

pipe-club.com

Thanks! That's a really helpful site. I have a few of those touchstone blends, but that definitely gives a guideline to follow.

 

[mso489]

I hate to be the old prune, but for a few years more, I'd keep quantities on each blend low -- a tin, an ounce or two, a pouch. Your taste will develop and change a lot over time, even further into the future. You may even like a blend but just not smoke it that much for whatever reason. Better to spend on sampling widely.

 

[smokedank]

I hate to be the old prune, but for a few years more, I'd keep quantities on each blend low -- a tin, an ounce or two, a pouch. Your taste will develop and change a lot over time, even further into the future. You may even like a blend but just not smoke it that much for whatever reason. Better to spend on sampling widely.

Sampling widely is what I would say I'm doing..I have over 50 different blends in Mason jars. Alot are from 1.75 oz tins, and alot are from bulk blends 2-4oz. I feel like my sampling pool is huge for a beginner. I only have 8oz or more of 4 blends, which are exceptional blends.

These are the non aromatics I have so far. I'm sure there are 2 or 3 that are missing, but this is pretty accurate.

 

[smokedank]

Sampling widely is what I would say I'm doing..I have over 50 different blends in Mason jars. Alot are from 1.75 oz tins, and alot are from bulk blends 2-4oz. I feel like my sampling pool is huge for a beginner. I only have 8oz or more of 4 blends, which are exceptional blends.

These are the non aromatics I have so far. I'm sure there are 2 or 3 that are missing, but this is pretty accurate.

 

[smokedank]

I dont think my tastes will change so drastically that I won't like any of the 3 PS flakes or sleepy hollow I have alot of..those 4 blends taste so good to me right now, they cant get worse with age. Gawith and hoggarth best brown 2..have a half lb of that as well.

 

[thebigragu]

Mac Barren Plum cack is good with some age on it and Peter stokabe bulls eye

 

[jttnk]

Welcome Smokedank. I’m in a similar situation. Only w years in, I have 50 or so blends in jars. I have started to pick a few I like and add tins for cellaring. Now it’s build and be patient. I did not like Virginia’s at all to start. Then I opened a jar that had been sitting a year, OGS, it was far better. I can see stocking a few blends I’m not sure of and just letting them age. Good luck.

 

[jon11]

I think a new pipe smoker should smoke through an entire tin of Va tobacco without changing blends, then move on to a VaPer, then a Vabur, then a tin of Burley dominated, then Latakia. This helped me truly understand the differences. After you understand and can taste the nuances, mix it up from bowl to bowl if you want variety.

 

[krizzose]

If you like those Stokkebye flakes, I would suggest you try some of the Rattray’s Virginias, particularly Marlin Flake and Brown Clunee.

 

[sandollars]

+1 on the Rattray's Virginias, Marlin Flake and Brown Clunee.

 

[danimalia]

Damn, dude, you dived into the deep end right away. Good for you. Those are all pipes and tobaccos you won't have trouble trading or selling if you don't like them. I really don't have any advive for you. With that kind of variety, you'll figure things out just by smoking as often as you can.

 

[smokedank]

I think a new pipe smoker should smoke through an entire tin of Va tobacco without changing blends, then move on to a VaPer, then a Vabur, then a tin of Burley dominated, then Latakia. This helped me truly understand the differences. After you understand and can taste the nuances, mix it up from bowl to bowl if you want variety.

This is the type of advice I was looking for. I will do this. Thanks

 

[smokedank]

If you like those Stokkebye flakes, I would suggest you try some of the Rattray’s Virginias, particularly Marlin Flake and Brown Clunee.

Thanks. I will

 

[J.Henry845]

Ignore the hype! No sense in getting caught up in chasing down those rare blends when there are hundreds of blends to get your feet wet.

Smoke what you like, and like what you smoke.

 

[smokedank]

Ignore the hype! No sense in getting caught up in chasing down those rare blends when there are hundreds of blends to get your feet wet.

Smoke what you like, and like what you smoke.

Oh I learned that within the first week. I would rather get 5 or 6 different blends to try than overspend on a blend that's out of production, or rare, or hyped.

 

[oldtoby]

Oh I learned that within the first week. I would rather get 5 or 6 different blends to try than overspend on a blend that's out of production, or rare, or hyped.

Wise choice.

Chasing the unobtainium shall come. And you'll appreciate the sickness much more.

 

[smokedank]

Wise choice.

Chasing the unobtainium shall come. And you'll appreciate the sickness much more.

How weird. I'm sitting at work puffing on a bowl of old toby from the country squire.