Good Beginners Tobacco

[workman]

Since pipe smokers generally don't inhale the pipe smoke and rely on absorption through the membranes, the strongest pipe tobacco is pretty damn weak nicotine-wise compared to smoking a cigarette or throwing in a dip. The nicotine in pipe smoking is a different experience... it's cumulative throughout the smoke and creeps up on you, instead of all at once like shortly after putting in a dip, or when inhaling a cigarette.

As an experienced tobacco user, you'll be just fine with the strongest pipe tobacco, and might even find it lacking. Pro tip - burley blends are heavy on the nicotine and are usually pretty easy blends to smoke. Most of the "codger" blends are burley blends. My favorite of them is Carter Hall. Every pipe smoker should give the old school codger blends a try - Prince Albert, Granger, Carter Hall, Sir Walter Raleigh, and so on. These blends are more Midwestern farmer than refined gentleman, and IMO they are quite enjoyable for what they are - a simple no-frills smoke.

The cumulative absorbtion of nicotine that you mention is one of the things I enjoy with pipe smoking. I used to smoke cigarettes, so going from that instant hit to the slower process of smoking a pipe took some getting used to, but it is much more pleasant, once you figure it out.
Also the cravings disappear and morph into something more like anticipation.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

What you ordered seems sound but I don't believe in beginners tobacco. The first thing I tried was Skiff Mix.

 

[hairvise]

What you ordered seems sound but I don't believe in beginners tobacco. The first thing I tried was Skiff Mix.

I think Skiff was one of my first tobaccos as well and I really, really think it’s a great place to start!

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I think Skiff was one of my first tobaccos as well and I really, really think it’s a great place to start!

I agree. I think it’s better to start with a somewhat universally thought of as a great tobacco vs. a great value.

 

[lawdawg]

I agree. I think it’s better to start with a somewhat universally thought of as a great tobacco vs. a great value.

Fair point, though I think it's also quite important that a first pipe tobacco should be something easy to smoke, which would burn easily and be forgiving of poor packing technique, smoking too hot, etc. Smoking a pipe is a finicky process, especially for a beginner, and better that they successfully smoke a bowl of an easy-going codger burley than struggle with a wet bowl of a Gawith flake that takes constant relights until you get used to drying your tobacco and lightly packing your pipe. All things considered, my recommendation is always a cob and Carter Hall for a beginner - it will stay lit well enough, won't bite, won't gurgle, and you're pretty much guaranteed to get a decent smoke.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Fair point, though I think it's also quite important that a first pipe tobacco should be something easy to smoke, which would burn easily and be forgiving of poor packing technique, smoking too hot, etc. Smoking a pipe is a finicky process, especially for a beginner, and better that they successfully smoke a bowl of an easy-going codger burley than struggle with a wet bowl of a Gawith flake that takes constant relights until you get used to drying your tobacco and lightly packing your pipe. All things considered, my recommendation is always a cob and Carter Hall for a beginner - it will stay lit well enough, won't bite, won't gurgle, and you're pretty much guaranteed to get a decent smoke.

Yea, but why not get use to the quirks of fine tobacco from the start? Enough info online to prepare oneself, I’m no genius and i sorted it out within a few bowls.

 

[lawdawg]

Yea, but why not get use to the quirks of fine tobacco from the start? Enough info online to prepare oneself, I’m no genius and i sorted it out within a few bowls.

Not to say that good blends shouldn’t be part of the equation from the start. By all means, try the good stuff. I just think there should be an easy smoke in there as well for a good example of how the experience should go.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Not to say that good blends shouldn’t be part of the equation from the start. By all means, try the good stuff. I just think there should be an easy smoke in there as well for a good example of how the experience should go.

Yes’m, but while nothing wrong with Carter Hall, not sure I would of been wowed by the experience enough to continue.

 

[unadoptedlamp]

Haddo's Delight is what I would recommend to anyone who asks. It has a good punch, tastes like great tobacco, and is mysterious as fungi or an ancient tree. If that doesn't grab you by the whiskers and pull you in close, I don't know what will.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Haddo's Delight is what I would recommend to anyone who asks. It has a good punch, tastes like great tobacco, and is mysterious as fungi or an ancient tree. If that doesn't grab you by the whiskers and pull you in close, I don't know what will.

That’s funny... I was gifted Skiff and around the same time that’s the first blend I purchased. I don’t disagree with your recommendation,, it’s a very enticing tobacco...

 

[02Knight]

Yea @BROBS I think it does pretty much the same thing to everyone when they first try it. The trick is to not fill your lip up, sort of like sipping. I have been dipping the same amount approximately 1 can a week which is not alot. Appreciate the atta boy @lawdawg, hopefully the Copenhagen will be a thing of the past with the pipe, I'm not inhaling it much, just letting it sort of absorb in my mouth

 

[hairvise]

Fair point, though I think it's also quite important that a first pipe tobacco should be something easy to smoke, which would burn easily and be forgiving of poor packing technique, smoking too hot, etc. Smoking a pipe is a finicky process, especially for a beginner, and better that they successfully smoke a bowl of an easy-going codger burley than struggle with a wet bowl of a Gawith flake that takes constant relights until you get used to drying your tobacco and lightly packing your pipe. All things considered, my recommendation is always a cob and Carter Hall for a beginner - it will stay lit well enough, won't bite, won't gurgle, and you're pretty much guaranteed to get a decent smoke.

Actually, I would probably suggest something like Westminster or Chelsea morning, in that you get the flavor right away and it’s fairly low in nicotine. I am not very versed in Burley, but if it packs a strong nicotine punch, it might not be the best place to start. Thoughts?

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Actually, I would probably suggest something like Westminster or Chelsea morning, in that you get the flavor right away and it’s fairly low in nicotine. I am not very versed in Burley, but if it packs a strong nicotine punch, it might not be the best place to start. Thoughts?

He said he dipped Cope for years. He can probably handle the nic. Copenhagen is pretty strong as snuff goes. I dipped it briefly. I liked it, but it always gave me a headache at the end of the day for some reason.

 

[hairvise]

He said he dipped Cope for years. He can probably handle the nic. Copenhagen is pretty strong as snuff goes. I dipped it briefly. I liked it, but it always gave me a headache at the end of the day for some reason.

True, I overlooked that! I am biased in that the flavor of Burleys did not exactly grab me whereas I was instantly smitten with the flavor of medium strength English blends. I have since moved on to Virginia’s but I thought that starting with English really helped me to get hooked on the hobby.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

True, I overlooked that! I am biased in that the flavor of Burleys did not exactly grab me whereas I was instantly smitten with the flavor of medium strength English blends. I have since moved on to Virginia’s but I thought that starting with English really helped me to get hooked on the hobby.

Nothing wrong with starting with Englishes in my book.

 

[Old School 3319]

I smoked cigarettes for 20 years and quit I have been chewing snuff for 30. I quite smoking cigarettes 8 years ago. Picked up the pipe and never looked back. I chew once or twice a day at work the rest is all pipe. When I started I tried aromatics out of ignorance and got frustrated and tongue bit. Frustration and the internet brought me here and I learned a lot. I bought PA and CH and SWR. Everything clicked and I have been enjoying it ever since. I still have the occasional aromatic but it’s only once a month or so. Love the OTC brands

 

[02Knight]

I really appreciate all the suggestions. I really like the D&R Picayune and the HH Old Dark Fired! Both of these for sure have a punch in the nicotine department and the flavor and aroma is pleasant to me. I mostly have to smoke in my truck since the wife allows no smoking in the house. Usually before bed I will go out and sit on the tailgate of my truck and enjoy a good bowl of either of these. I sit there and gaze at the stars, pet the dogs and just relax while smoking a good bowl of either of these fine tobaccos. I like the HH so much I have ordered enough to cellar some. I am also trying other brands, have yet to open the Peterson's Irish Flake or Nightcap. All of these I ordered from smokingpipes, along with my latest order. I did stop by my local tobacco shop and to my surprise they had some Cater Hall in a pouch and some Prince Albert Soft Vanilla. I bought one of each. They had some tins and large cans but the price was WAY to high! I will stick with ordering from the sponsor Smokingpipes, great prices!