My story? Geez, that was 45 yrs ago! I barely have a grip on what happened last week! I
do remember quite clearly that it was Middleton's
Cherry Blend in a filtered Medico straight bulldog. Let's just say it was, excuse the pun, love at first bite. That pipe burned-out on me, a year or two later, as I was smoking it outdoors one miserably cold day. I still have the second pipe I bought: a ½-bent Kaywoodie high bowl.
Over those early years I went through nearly every popular drug store blend. That was the source of all my tobacco until I stumbled upon
Iwan Ries Co., a famous downtown Chicago B&M. They helped me identify my preferences in natural tobaccos, and I've been a wanderer in paradise ever since. BTW, if you get the chance, visit Iwan Ries; it is a veritable museum of tobacciana, and they aren't kidding when they claim to have over 10,000 pipes for sale. And be prepared to be treated in a sophisticated and "proper" manner.