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dunnyboy

Lifer
Jul 6, 2018
2,574
32,073
New York
Welcome from NYC. I'm wondering whether Edward G. Robinson pipe blend might not be a reasonable next step. It is easy-smoking with just a hint of latakia and is a favorite of Jim Inks, the dean of tobacco reviewers.
 

Chevronpiper

Lurker
Dec 26, 2022
14
17
36
Welcome from NYC. I'm wondering whether Edward G. Robinson pipe blend might not be a reasonable next step. It is easy-smoking with just a hint of latakia and is a favorite of Jim Inks, the dean of tobacco reviewers.
Thanks so much for the recommendation. I will definitely look into that Edward G Robinson pipe blend. sounds like it would be very nice blend for a beginner.
 
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Epip Oc'Cabot

Can't Leave
Oct 11, 2019
473
1,314
I would definitely take Trainpipeman’s suggestion to heart. Iwan Ries is an absolutely wonderful, traditional pipe & tobacco shop. It is only a few minutes walk from the “L” as well, so you can easily get to it from virtually anywhere in greater Chicago.

Three Star Blue is a house blend that they produce that is quite pleasant for the pipe smoker who likes burley flavor and strength but also wants to have a room note that others will find pleasant but not obscure your own tasting of tobacco flavors. They have a large selection of beautiful pipes, a large assortment of tinned tobaccos and several in-house blends.

The folks who work there are very kind and knowledgeable, and it felt wonderful to have the full-blown traditional experience there of being able to indulge in a sample while perusing the store before you purchase…. not so common anymore. I was there about a month ago, and it was by far the most enjoyable B & M experience I have had in several years.
 

Chevronpiper

Lurker
Dec 26, 2022
14
17
36
I would definitely take Trainpipeman’s suggestion to heart. Iwan Ries is an absolutely wonderful, traditional pipe & tobacco shop. It is only a few minutes walk from the “L” as well, so you can easily get to it from virtually anywhere in greater Chicago.

Three Star Blue is a house blend that they produce that is quite pleasant for the pipe smoker who likes burley flavor and strength but also wants to have a room note that others will find pleasant but not obscure your own tasting of tobacco flavors. They have a large selection of beautiful pipes, a large assortment of tinned tobaccos and several in-house blends.

The folks who work there are very kind and knowledgeable, and it felt wonderful to have the full-blown traditional experience there of being able to indulge in a sample while perusing the store before you purchase…. not so common anymore. I was there about a month ago, and it was by far the most enjoyable B & M experience I have had in several years.
Thank you for the recommendation. I will surely check out the Three Star Blue blend when I make my way to Iwan Ries. Sounds like a nice blend that the wife wont mind being around either.
 

rmbittner

Lifer
Dec 12, 2012
2,759
2,024
Thank you for the recommendation. I will surely check out the Three Star Blue blend when I make my way to Iwan Ries. Sounds like a nice blend that the wife wont mind being around either.
Depending on where you are, you also might want to visit Arlington Pipe and Cigar Lounge, in Arlington Heights. They claim to offer 40 bulk house blends and 300 tinned tobaccos. (I haven’t visited personally.)
 

Chevronpiper

Lurker
Dec 26, 2022
14
17
36
Depending on where you are, you also might want to visit Arlington Pipe and Cigar Lounge, in Arlington Heights. They claim to offer 40 bulk house blends and 300 tinned tobaccos. (I haven’t visited personally.)
Thanks so much. I will definitely check them out.
 

reloader

Lifer
Dec 5, 2021
1,980
23,982
Southern, NM
Welcome from New Mexico. You'll soon end up ordering a lot of tobacco from online stores such as smokingpipes.com and you can get 1 oz bags of different bulk blends. That's how I try different blends just to see if I like them or not. My wife is not a fan of the room note of English blends but didn't complain about Sutliff Eastfarthing. It was fairly mild for an English in my opinion. Tobacco Reviews | Sutliff Tobacco Company - Eastfarthing (Sutliff Private Stock) - https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/12022/sutliff-tobacco-company-eastfarthing
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,610
Hey from central North Carolina, from a native Chicago area guy, in the near-north suburb of Chicago, Park Ridge, just across the line from the neighborhood of Edison Park on the commuter line, the old Chicago and Northwestern. Eons ago there was a good pipe shop there, the Park Ridge Pipe Shop right beside the tracks.
 
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Chevronpiper

Lurker
Dec 26, 2022
14
17
36
Welcome from New Mexico. You'll soon end up ordering a lot of tobacco from online stores such as smokingpipes.com and you can get 1 oz bags of different bulk blends. That's how I try different blends just to see if I like them or not. My wife is not a fan of the room note of English blends but didn't complain about Sutliff Eastfarthing. It was fairly mild for an English in my opinion. Tobacco Reviews | Sutliff Tobacco Company - Eastfarthing (Sutliff Private Stock) - https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/12022/sutliff-tobacco-company-eastfarthing
Awesome! Thank you for the recommendation. That Sutliff Eastfarthing sounds like a nice blend and a bonus if the wife doesn't mind it.
 
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Chevronpiper

Lurker
Dec 26, 2022
14
17
36
Tha
Hey from central North Carolina, from a native Chicago area guy, in the near-north suburb of Chicago, Park Ridge, just across the line from the neighborhood of Edison Park on the commuter line, the old Chicago and Northwestern. Eons ago there was a good pipe shop there, the Park Ridge Pipe Shop right beside the tracks.
Thank you. I will definitely look into that shop. I love supporting B&M shops over online
 

dino

Lifer
Jul 9, 2011
2,064
15,007
Chicago
Many of the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club meetings are held at Arlington Pipe and Cigar Lounge. Our club's secretary is Amu Torres, who is the pipe and tobacco director of the shop. It is truly worth a trip. I hope to perhaps meet up with you at the next meeting, Saturday, January 21st.