Best Tobacco for Reading

[Actonius]

Title edited for caps and clarity. -jpm

Nothing beats a good book accompanied by a bowl of nice tobacco. We all know that and yet, there are a lot of challenges. Even after years of pipe smoking I still haven't found the ideal tobacco for this particular activity and think that not all pipe tobaccos are suitable for consumption while reading. I think that the ideal tobacco to smoe while reading should have at least the following characteristics:

- Easy and uniform not requiring frequent relights
- Slow burn to provide extended smoking sessions
- Not overly complex requiring concentration, but also providing enough edge so you senses are rewarded
- Minimal irritation of the mouth mucosa (no perique or latakia for me)
- Requiring minimum tamping not to distract the reader (flake?)
- Moderate amount of nicotine to provide extended smoking pleasure but not overwhelm you
- And lastly, a good room note so you can smoke inside without annoying the people around you

I haven't found this elusive tobacco yet but I haven't given up hope. What would you recommend, whats your favorite tobacco for extended book reading sessions?

 

[Skapie]

I had one such exact blend, called Fox, by van Erkoms in South Africa. A musty, earthy burley-based tobacco with a room note reminiscent of caramel, but I couldn’t taste that at all, if it even was a topping or a casing. Slow, even burning, fairly one-dimensional, no bite.

I suppose the old “codger blends”, like Carter Hall or Sir Walther Raleigh might fit the bill?

 

[Actonius]

I had one such exact blend, called Fox, by van Erkoms in South Africa. A musty, earthy burley-based tobacco with a room note reminiscent of caramel, but I couldn’t taste that at all, if it even was a topping or a casing. Slow, even burning, fairly one-dimensional, no bite.

I suppose the old “codger blends”, like Carter Hall or Sir Walther Raleigh might fit the bill?

Thanks mate, I just got some Prince Albert and will try it tomorrow. How many locall pipe tobacco's are currently produced in Slouth Africa?

 

[Skapie]

Thanks mate, I just got some Prince Albert and will try it tomorrow. How many locall pipe tobacco's are currently produced in Slouth Africa?

I really don’t know. I only knew of Van Erkoms and they practically supplied the whole country with tobacco, and the rest was imported. If there are any other local manufacturers I never knew of them.

 

[JOHN72]

For my taste I would recommend any Amphora tobacco..................

 

[judcole]

What you are looking for, it seems to me, also fits the description of an "all-day smoke". There was an extensive discussion of this topic not that long ago. Might be worth your while to search out that thread.

 

[Grangerous]

I wish I could enjoy a good book. I’ve become a clencher of late. My three light em and forget about em blends are Granger, Pegasus and Winchester. But I suppose any well behaved OTC would do the trick and I second Prince Albert as the quintessential accompaniment to your book. Just a nice nutty, cocoa aura to surround you without you having to give it a second thought. Enjoy!

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

OTC and non-aromatic ribbon blends aren't fussy.

Before my toddler was born, I read 1-2 books a week (without pictures, thank you).

Currently, my most efficient time to smoke is weekend mornings before the household awakes.

Now that the weather is breaking (since I smoke outside), maybe I can try reading for pleasure again. Some Sherlock Holmes stories with a pipe in hand sounds nice.

I'm looking forward to what others say.

 

[bullet08]

I'm not good at multitasking.

 

[Peter Turbo]

Warped: Until the End

Sold out at the moment but when it comes back in stock I highly recommend. Just a super easy going well behaved and refined blend. The components might sound intimidating (cigar and DFK being listed) but its just so smooth and easy to smoke its a shock. Could easily smoke books to this tobacco, sad it doesn't come in bulk.

edit: looks like you're in AU, not sure sp ships to there.

 

[canucklehead]

Mac Baren London Burley or one of the Amphoras.??

 

[Elric]

Haunted Bookshop?

 

[warren]

Usually one of the three or four blends found on my desk. Pairing activities to blends? Seems to unduly complicate the smoking experience. Stuff a bowl with some Three Star Blue, ignite, lean back, scratch the dog's ears, open book and I'm good.

 

[mortonbriar]

Usually one of the three or four blends found on my desk. Pairing activities to blends? Seems to unduly complicate the smoking experience. Stuff a bowl with some Three Star Blue, ignite, lean back, scratch the dog's ears, open book and I'm good.

Pay attention newbies! The secret to packing a pipe is JUST after the char light, scratch the dogs ears. Hair of the dog will help you through, and also provide an interesting room note post-finger tamp.

 

[dctune]

Book reading tobaccos? What kind of mutant leaf is this? I didn’t know there were any plants that could read. All the tobacco I’ve ever seen has just sort of laid there. Sometimes when I light it, it’ll kinda raise up and curl. But other than that, zero sentience or intelligence whatsoever.

All joking aside, I concur. But when I do read and smoke, I use my all-time favorite type of pipe: one of my churchwardens.

 

[kcghost]

I personally don't worry about this. If the pipe goes out I relight it without taking my eye off the printed page.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

How about Regents Flake? It's a flake of VA and Orientals. Nice incense room notes, etc.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I've never heard of this, but I guess if you can get your tobaccos to read to you it could save you some time.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I've never heard of this, but I guess if you can get your tobaccos to read to you it could save you some time.

Title changed! .

And I find any tobacco I have just fine for reading or watching a movie.

 

[SmokeClouds]

Haunted Bookshop