Break it down - tobacco speak

[eaglerico]

Okay guys. I got the packing and lighting and cleaning down. Now I just need to figure out what I like to put in my pipe.
Everything I read review wise about tobaccos are from the POV of someone who speaks tobacco and mean nothing to me. I have tried several different blends with varrying success. For me it seems it never tastes as good as it smells.
Fill me in guys and keep it dumb.

 

[fred]

Greg offers a good deal of information on this subject, and more...

A good place to start is with the FAQ's.

http://www.glpease.com/FAQ.html

 

[cortezattic]

I will assume that you are smoking an aromatic tobacco -- something supposedly flavored with a non-tobacco item, like fruit or spice. The fact that it never tastes as good as it smells means that you are 100% normal. The aromatics smoker rarely has the same rich experience as do the people around him. That's why many folks smoke non-aromatics for their own pleasure, and turn to aromatics only out of consideration for others.
As your palate develops you will increasingly enjoy what is an admittedly acquired taste: "tobacco". I'll spare you my lecture on educating one's palate to the taste(s) of natural tobaccos, and just recommend Lane Ltd.'s 1-Q blend, which most smokers find enjoyable. I think it would be an excellent transition blend from aro's to naturals (...and vice-versa -- my adventure into aromatics began with 1-Q !)
If you would list its strengths and weaknesses, then someone here can help you along a little further.

 

[chero]

never tastes good as it smells,try some good old pa, i don't like any flavor in my tobacco, love the taste of plain o tobacco.

 

[eaglerico]

Thanks cortezattic. Explanations like your's is what I am looking for.
Fred, I will check that link.

 

[buck67]

Fred, that is a good article. I wish I would have seen it sooner myself. Thanks for posting.

 

[papipeguy]

eaglerice, go to www.tobaccoreviews.com and peruse the site. There are thousands of blends described and reviewed in detail. A fun way to kill an evening or two. Personal tatse will always win out but reading about what people think of a blend may strike a chord with you.

 

[maduroman]

and different blends smoke different in different pipes... don't forget flakes taste and smoke different depending on if you rub it out or fold n stuff, plus pike affects how it tastes.... oh, and don't forget how wet it is....
bottom line, experiment and enjoy...

 

[fred]

You're welcome Buck67. Greg has written a good deal on Pipe and Pipe tobacco

and his site contains a good deal of it. We don't have to agree with everything

he has to say, but it does give perspective to a host of issues.

 

[unclearthur]

Try as many as you can in the range you seem to be drawn to. I started many years ago with Sir Walter Raleigh, went to aromatics and now favor "English" blends. I also smoke a few aromatics just for a change of pace. It comes down to what you like personally.

 

[eaglerico]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I think the main reason for me only being exposed to the aromatics is that the shop I go to doesn't carry much of anything else. I have been looking and once more funds are available I will start ordering some sample packs. :puffpipe:

 

[seakayak]

Look for non-flavored blends heavy on Black Cavendish tobacco. Most good ones will taste as good as they smell.