Brands or Blends Ready to Smoke

[BlueMaxx]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title ( See Rule 9 ) - Bob

Another beginner question here, so be gentle!

I was wondering what brands or blends are best to purchase and open to smoke immediately?

I have been stashing away some of the rarer and some not so rare tins like a squirrel in October with OCD...but some are of the harder to get blends and brands and I want to let them age.

My main smoke has been the brick and mortar's house blend where I go that is nearly two hours away.
I have no idea what the exact mixture is.
It is mildly aromatic and smooth and is in their bulk jar....so moisture content is rather dry.

The other I have been smoking is Squadron Leader, and I am finding I like English blends, well this one at least.
In fact it may be my first "name brand" bulk purchase should I find it that way.

So is their a particular brand or blend, or combination of both that is "ready to go" or am I over thinking things?

I am wanting to broaden my horizons a bit.

No aromatics please...I am just not there yet....I cracked a tin of Cult Blood Red Moon and just the tin note made my eyes water ...so that one I jarred and am letting rest.

Not sure if it will help, but as I said I am a beginner.

I am going to have to learn more about casings, additives and other methods of deriving an aromatic, but feel that is for the future.


Thanks,

M

 

[Casual]

My bulk orders of Balkan Supreme have come at exactly the right moisture content to smoke immediately, and leave no dottle. Makes for a satisfying experience to do no preparation and get great results.

 

[mso489]

Aromatic: Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic

Non-aromatic: SPC Potlatch (might be a little strong for a nw pipe smoker, in which case C&D Tuggle Hall may be more pleasing).

So many blends! Sample buying small quantities to get a range on what you enjoy.

 

[workman]

I'm not sure if by ready to smoke you are referring to moisture or age. If it is age, my guess is that all blends that are being put out are deemed ready to smoke by the blender. Aging is just a way for us pipesmokers to complicate things and feel special.
If you are talking about moisture, well, just let it dry before you smoke it.

 

[gervais]

I think it would vary from batch to batch on moisture content. I've come to realize that most come a little too moist for my liking.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I really like Daughters Ryan (D&R) blends. They are dry enough and you get a lot more tobacco because he doesn't case it with water. Also, C&D blends don't seem to require much more than just a little fanning to dry them, but I think it mostly depends on which blend.

 

[sablebrush52]

Most OTC's are ready to smoke, as well as most of the Hearth&Home line of tobaccos. There are individual blends among other makers, like Savinelli Doblone d'Oro, that are ready to smoke right out of the tin.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I think most everything is technically ready to smoke. Bad tobacco might improve a bit with age, lose come rough edges, but it won't become great,

With that said, tobaccos age differently. Try some different blends, determine which genres you prefer. Try some more. Taste is subjective so what I say about a blend is going to be meaningless to you.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Virtually all blends are ready to smoke. Virtually all blends are tinned at a moisture content good for packing and shipping, but benefit from some drying before loading the pipe and igniting the stuff.

Some bulk blends might have dried a bit, and need nothing further. YMMV.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Oh, I misunderstood. I thought this was about dryness.
Yes, there are no tobaccos sold that "have" to be aged before you can smoke them. Aging is an eccentric American thing, mostly. But, all tobacco sold is intended to be smoked immediately.
Some just suck without a little age on them... although the manufacturer would beg to differ. But, there are less sucky blends than great ones... unless we start including aromatics.

 

[BROBS]

fresh that is great to smoke right away (with dry time) are many MacBaren flakes..
also Orlik Golden Sliced and Dark Strong Kentucky.

 

[subsalac]

fresh that is great to smoke right away (with dry time) are many MacBaren flakes..
also Orlik Golden Sliced and Dark Strong Kentucky.

I came to say this, I was worried recently because I opened a tin of OGS 1 month old, was expecting bite. Nope, just sweet, bready bergamotty virginias. Another one I've had success with fresh was Escudo.

Blends I would not recommend fresh are C&D blends, but I haven't tried as ton of theirs so YMMV.

 

[ray47]

Some C&D blends can be a bit harsh when fresh, but give them a month and they'll be fine. My two favorite C&D blends, Pegasus & Three Friars don't seem, at least to me, to need any sitting time. I smoke them fresh from the get go.

 

[BROBS]

fresh that is great to smoke right away (with dry time) are many MacBaren flakes..
also Orlik Golden Sliced and Dark Strong Kentucky.

I should have said "flakes and coins".
any of their roll cakes are good to go too.

Three nuns too .. but really I consider it MacBaren.

 

[burleyboy]

All the STG Dunhill ribbon cut blends that I had smoked, were great right from the tin. Of the ones I liked, is readily available now only Elizabethan Mixture rebranded as Peterson blend.

 

[BlueMaxx]

I really like Daughters Ryan (D&R) blends. They are dry enough and you get a lot more tobacco because he doesn't case it with water. Also, C&D blends don't seem to require much more than just a little fanning to dry them, but I think it mostly depends on which blend.

I have a tin of Daughters and Ryan English Hoopla that is suppose to arrive with a new pipe today...

And to the above, I was kind of referring to both...so far I have not had anything that would be deemed too moist...but only really delved into the Squadron Leader which I let set out on one of my little Aeropress filters for about ten or fifteen minutes before loading, and have been averaging two or three relights per bowl so far.

However, I blame that on my inexperience at packing.

 

[BlueMaxx]

Most OTC's are ready to smoke, as well as most of the Hearth&Home line of tobaccos. There are individual blends among other makers, like Savinelli Doblone d'Oro, that are ready to smoke right out of the tin.

I have a free bonus tin from a Savinelli purchase that should be here today also.

 

[BlueMaxx]

fresh that is great to smoke right away (with dry time) are many MacBaren flakes..
also Orlik Golden Sliced and Dark Strong Kentucky.

When I made my first purchase I went heavy on the Mac Baren tins....7 Seas Royal, Red, Mac Baren Vanilla Cream and Symphony......

This is a prime example of giving a monkey a who knows nothing a credit card...I purchased a lot of aromatics before doing my research.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

And Amphoras yet Mc Baren Golden Extra, though I prefer letting these to dry at least for 20min prior to smoke

 

[Sonorisis]

I would recommend Pegasus and Old Dark Fired to you. You're in pretty good hands with Squadron Leader.