September Pax Crawl - Tobacco 101

The September tobacco crawl is planned to be an organized introduction to pipe tobacco. The crawl could extend to more than one month, if members would like. I'm posting now so that we have time to organize, choose blends, and procure them. Feel free to start signing up, just by saying "I'm In"
The idea is to survey the classic blend types, starting with the two foundations, a straight Virginian and a Burley based blend. Will then add two other blends, perhaps VaPer and an English. We might want to select blends that are Perique and Latakia heavy, so as to make the taste more easily identifiable than a a more subtle, subdued blend.
It will be tough, if not impossible, to come to a consensus on the best representative blend in a category, so declared members will have final say by order of seniority. Everyone who declares will eventually get to choose, so this seems fairest to me. What say you?
I believe the following members are next up. They can entertain nominations or just pick their favorites or perhaps pick one they've always wanted to explore.
catyrpelius

puffdoggie

smokeybear

rsuninv
On Procuring Your Tobacco

I'll see if I can find some deals on the final selections. However, feel free to organize tin trades. You might also check out the sticky, Have a blend you want to try? (http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/have-a-blend-you-would-like-to-try)

Smokey, I know we will want a burley for the second week, so you will make final decision. You might want to hear what others would like to nominate but that is up to you.
I'm hoping some self-proclaimed old timers or acknowledged experts might jump in. If you were to educate a newbie to pipe tobaccos, what blends would you select to educate their palate?

CmdrMcBragg, I assume you mean a VaPer and English and/or Balkan, not smoke straight perique or straight latiakia.
Or am I wrong? I do recall years ago you could buy straight Perique but don't think I've seen straight Latakia for sale.
Shoot. Now I notice you are using ROTFL emoticon. You were joking?

I had bulk Perique when I blended my own back in the eighty's but I never tried it straight. I do recall the couple of times I used over much of the Louisiana Pepper and it was, let's be charitable to myself, un-smokable. Luckily, I just needed to add more Virginia or whatever to the mix to salvage the blend.
It was a fun experiment but I have to confess I never came up with a blend that I liked better than my favorite bulks, so eventually went on to over interests.
But, you know, it would be educational if we could get our hands on maybe a bowlful of each for our fellow crawlers.

Welcome, Dread. You are number 15 in seniority.

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Who's Turn to Pick the September Blends?

I'm trying to reconstruct who made the choices for August. It was really more of a concensus gatehering but who initiated the he GLP Jacknife Plug blend? I want to make sure that I'm not skipping someone who has a turn at picking. Cmdrmcbragg, thesmokingtexan, lincolnsbark Do you have a turn coming up in September? Please let me know ASAP. I promise to track better going forward. BTW, I nominated 3 nuns.
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I'm going to assume that everyone who declared for August will also want to participate in September. Keep in mind that you can try as many or as few blends on the menu as you like. You can purchase tins from your favorite supplier or arrange a tin swap with CmdrMcBragg or other willing members.
Anyone can join in at anytime by saying "I'm in".

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Declared Members for the September Tobacco 101 Crawl
misterlowercase - ODF

cmdrmcbragg

thesmokingtexan

lincolnsbark

catyrpelius Peterson Perfect Plug
puffdoggie

smokeybear

rsuninv

TwoOneFive
Settersbrace

Sallow

Darwin

eightywon
Stosho

Ruger414

Dread

To Darwin First of all, I agree that members should have a voice, not only in the direction and progression of the crawl, but in final blend choices or any other matter affecting the crawls. But I think you'll agree that the only thing that we pipe smokers universally agree on is that we don't agree on much of anything. So, every declared member will get to make the final choice for a blend. You'll get your turn in October.
Now on to your suggestion. If I had my choice for August, I would have started with a straight Virginia, then moved onto VaBurs and VaPers. But the consensus for August led to VaBurs.
The thinking is that following up with a Straight Virginia, then a Burley in September, would help us, by contrast, appreciate the August VaBurs. Likewise, following straight Virginias and Burleys with a VaPer and English blend, would be a good start at looking at the most popular class of blends, all of which are based on Virginias and Burleys.
So, let's put your idea up to the group, knowing that the selection team gets the final say. I'll very happily support the decision, since I'll get to try new tobaccos now matter which way the group goes.
We currently had planned on 1. Straight Virginian 2. A burley blend 3. A VaPer 4. An english. Darwin is suggesting VaPers, then moving onto Straight Virginians.
Do you guys want to stick with the current plan or adopt Darwins.
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Note: Anyone can join at anytime and smoke as many and few blends as you wish. Just say "I'm in" if you want to be a declared member. Declaring your interest puts you in line to have a final choice in the blend smoked.
August Selection Team

misterlowercase (Chose Old Dark Fire)

cmdrmcbragg (If I recall correctly, he concurred with Brass aka Pax on 3Nuns)

thesmokingtexan (Deferred Selection Right)

lincolnsbark (Jacknife plug)

catyrpelius (Peterson Perfect Plug)
September Selection Team

puffdoggie

smokeybear

rsuninv

TwoOneFive
October Selection Team (You guys want to start thinking about your theme?)

Settersbrace

Sallow

Darwin

eightywon
November Selection Team

Stosho

Ruger414

Dread