Chasing an Experience, Am I Just New?

[coys]

I have found my first impressions to not be a reliable indicator of how I will feel about a blend after 5 or so bowls, and less so after a whole tin.

For example I read the rave reviews of Plum Pudding SR and bought a tin. I loved it at first so I bought several more tins on my next order, but by the time I finished the first tin I didn’t want any more. (Everyone loves this blend. Maybe my tastes are immature or different from theirs? Who knows. There are as many opinions as there are pipes)

After my initial missteps I found a list of “Gold Standard Blends” and bought something from each category to hone my interest more. I learned from that experience that I generally like Virginias and Balkans, with a bit of English here and there.

I expected to like complex English blends but found out I didn’t know myself!

Buy a few 1oz samples from each category and see where your piping path leads you, I say.

 

[Streeper541]

There's an old adage, "You'll never forget your fist time."

Don't worry about recreating the experience, just enjoy the ride.

 

[yanoJL]

... I read the rave reviews of Plum Pudding SR and bought a tin. I loved it at first so I bought several more tins on my next order, but by the time I finished the first tin I didn’t want any more. (Everyone loves this blend. Maybe my tastes are immature or different from theirs? Who knows. There are as many opinions as there are pipes)

After my initial missteps I found a list of “Gold Standard Blends” and bought something from each category to hone my interest more. I learned from that experience that I generally like Virginias and Balkans, with a bit of English here and there.

...

Coys, I am new to the hobby, and certainly in no position to dispense advice. However, it seems that your purchase of Plum Pudding SR might be a perfect case for cellaring. I am of the understanding that English blends don't necessarily cellar in the same way as Virginias, but who knows, that flavor profile might change as might your tastes.

Also, this list of "Gold Standard Blends" sounds very helpful. I didn't even think of that (I'm capable of tremendous underachievement). But after reading your comment, a quick search found this:

Gold Standard Blends - Revised (Pipe Smokers Den)

Thank you!

 

[coys]

Coys, I am new to the hobby, and certainly in no position to dispense advice. However, it seems that your purchase of Plum Pudding SR might be a perfect case for cellaring. I am of the understanding that English blends don't necessarily cellar in the same way as Virginias, but who knows, that flavor profile might change as might your tastes.

Also, this list of "Gold Standard Blends" sounds very helpful. I didn't even think of that (I'm capable of tremendous underachievement). But after reading your comment, a quick search found this:

Gold Standard Blends - Revised (Pipe Smokers Den)

Thank you!

You’re welcome. I haven’t yet decided what to do with those PPSR tins, I may cellar them or trade them off. I am definitely slotting in as a Virginia man so far.

I think that Gold Standard list has many of the iconic choices on it. Choosing one from each category to try out would give you an idea of what each category is like. This is what I did.