Good beginner tobacco?

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wernerat

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 10, 2023
132
189
And I agree with you 100%. I also got the original advice that aromatics were cheap, shitty, and should be avoided at all costs. I just like pointing out that they aren’t necessarily a terrible product, that they’re better when reserved for a time when someone has refined his/her process in general.

I think the majority of folks start there after smelling pipe smoke somewhere. They think the room note was excellent so it must be one of these incredible flavored tobaccos. Just pointing out that they have their place, but in the first bowls someone smokes, it is not.
Honestly aro are also for starters are amazing. It completely worked for me.

The only difference is that they are not that "easy" to smoke. They are mostly way to wet and need at least 1- 4 hours of air to fulfill the smell out of the pack.

Also have some cleaners if they get to wet in pipe.

Smoke very slow or u get burned.

Also limited aro are a luxury product. I bought for example davidoff limited edition year of the tiger for 50 EUR. This is surely no cheap cap. But hey I got one out of 5k pieces in the world.

Most limited editions in the eu or at least german speaking countries are aro and way more expensive as a nightcap. But as stated but all their knowledge into it.

I m far away saying English mixes are not good. No way they are amazing.

But good aro are complex and amazing. Well if u buy the 3 eur blend u get what u pay.... as mostly in life

Ps the comment is more to the poster who was against aro then against your post. I badly replied :D
 
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Reactions: hawky454
Nov 20, 2022
2,774
27,996
Wisconsin
I asked the same question in a different way earlier. I got roasted a bit, but I also got great suggestions and learned quite a bit by following some of the suggestions.

Keep reading the forum. Keep trying new things. Most of all, enjoy the journey and do not worry about getting it perfect.

 

JRW11b

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 18, 2023
149
545
It doesn't matter much what you start with. There is a learning curve that you have to get right before you taste the tobacco anyway, no matter what blend you start with. You have to experiment with packing till you get that right. Then, everyone puffs too hard too fast. So, there is getting that slowed way down, to gentle wisps, smoking like you're trying to hide the smoke. Then, you will go through a phase where you have to learn to focus on tastes to be able to pull out different flavors. This last one is the hardest for most.

So, you have some practicing to do. Rarely is it ever as easy as just getting great flavors right off the bat. I'm not sure whether this has ever happened.

But, once you get past the elementary, I think you'll find Englishes the easiest to taste. The problem is whether you will like the taste, ha ha. Codger blends are good. But, really, it doesn't matter which one you start with. We all have to experiment to get to the tasting part, remembering that when you do get a hint of flavor, DO NOT puff harder. This is a counter intuitive hobby. You get the flavor from the tobacco surrounding the cherry heating up. Puffing harder will just give you more smoke, and we can't taste the direct burning smoke from tobacco. You have to slow down when you get hints of flavor, and resist the urge to puff to get more, because you won't.

It just takes practice. So, what the tobacco is that you start with doesn't really matter.
This is outstanding advice.
 
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Coreios

Lifer
Sep 23, 2022
1,637
2,722
42
United States Of America
Captain Black cherry. Then you'll eventually move on from it and try English, then Vapers. It's the road most travel. Anything Black Cavendish should be good for you. Just dry it out so you don't get tongue bite. It will discourage you and is completely avoidable.
 
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Epip Oc'Cabot

Can't Leave
Oct 11, 2019
483
1,334
I would suggest a traditional OTC would be a good first try…. Sir Walter Raleigh or Prince Albert are simple and nice. However, if you get enamored by one of the highly aromatic, jarred blends that smell very tempting at the tobacconist….. and you buy that…. My strong recommendation…. hell, it is even my strong recommendation for WHATEVER pipe tobacco you get….. especially as a “newbie” to the art of pipe smoking….. is to be patient…. by letting whatever you buy air dry for a few days before you attempt to smoke it. Pour out the leaf onto a paper plate and let it dry quite a bit.

When you eventually try it….. you will be far less likely to experience common “newbie” issues of a) poor lighting, b) tongue bite, c) hot, steam-like smoke, and d) frustration.

Dry tobacco, IMO, is the key to having a newbie have a hopefully enjoyable experience…. no matter the brand or variety of leaf.
 
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Zamora

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 15, 2023
540
1,432
Olympia, Washington
I'd say Sir Walter Raleigh, then Half & Half for an introduction to Virginias.

If you want to go the aromatic route I'd recommend getting RLP-6 or 1Q, they're identical to Captain Black minus the preservatives and are much cheaper. Most B&M tobacconists have them, even ones that focus on cigars.
 

john19

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 27, 2021
584
8,252
Greece
Important! Are you smoker (cigarettes, cigars)? If you are a smoker already, maybe help the guys here with their suggestions.
 

monty55

Lifer
Apr 16, 2014
1,725
3,574
66
Bryan, Texas
Personally, if I knew then, what I know now, I would NOT start with an aromatic. Nor would I start with a tasteless codger blend.

I would start with a medium English like Low Country Cooper, or GLP Chelsea Morning.
The flavors and tastes you will experience will be a true eye opener to the complexities of pipe tobacco blends.

Once you taste the creaminess of a good English blend, the "sweetness" you originally wanted will be long forgotten. In addition, they are easy to smoke and won't bite. What's not to love?
 
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kitchnsink52

Might Stick Around
Feb 24, 2023
52
479
I have kind of a weird suggestion. I'm a new smoker as well, so this might just be my limited experience. In the beginning, everything will taste like hot air and ash, no matter what it is. I would suggest maybe getting a light codger blend like Carter Hall, and then something else (English, aromatic, whatever). For me, the codger blend helps me to refine my technique and it also gives my tongue the chance to experience what a light and airy tobacco tastes like. After I've got that down a little bit, I can taste the flavors of the stronger tobacco much better when I light it up. I don't know if that makes any sense but it might be worth trying 😂 Like I said, it's worked for me.
 
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