Started pipe smoking around 1979 while in college. (Trying to look more adult!) Have smoked pipes off and on since then, more regularly in the last decade. Although technically a codger, I still don't consider myself an expert. My taste in tobaccos has evolved from OTC blends, to aros, to Lat blends to virginias. I now smoke about 75% virginia blends and 25% others. Likewise, my pIpe collection has evolved from Dunhills (hence my forum handle) to Castellos to German artisan pipes.