Hello,

[wardrum]

Im new here and new to smoking pipes. I live in ohio with my girlfriend of 14 yrs our two kids and a bunch of animals. Any tips on what the best tobacco for a new guy or any where to maybe get free samples would be great

 

[nikko]

Welcome aboard!! I'm relatively new to this as well, so I'll let some of the more experienced members make some recommendations, but as far a free samples go, if you click here, it will take you to sterling tobacco where I recently got sent two 1 oz free samples.
Hope you find a taste that you like and happy piping!

 

[romeowood]

Good call on the Sterling, nikko--that's some brilliant leaf. I'm most fond of Royal London Dock and Sweet Briar.

Welcome to the site, both of you! Wardrum--several members here are from your neck of the woods, and may have some inside dope, as it were, on the Ohio scene. At the top of the page you'll see a button "Pipe Store Locator" that is a handy shortcut to search the InterWebs for local tobacconists; take some time to go visit them and (hopefully) you'll be rewarded with at least a few house blends that you can sample and perhaps a staffer with some knowledge of pipes and tobacco. There's nothing like face-to-face interaction to help guide you on the path to this pastime. Don't be afraid to experiment and try anything that strikes your fancy, whether it's a tobacco that was recommended or just one that you like the tin art on--in the worst case scenario that you find something that is utterly repulsive to you, there's a good chance you can trade it off with another member here, as taste is one of those most peculiar and personal of things.
Um, as long as it isn't Mixture 79.
Happy piping! :puffpipe:

 

[baronsamedi]

Store Blends- I like Captain Black, both White and Royal. Great Room note and usually gets compliments from bystanders. A lot of guys here like Prince Albert and Carter Hall. Lane 1-Q is similar to Captain black, maybe a little better in quality.
Aromatics- I like CAO Cherry Bomb, Nat Sherman Riverside Whiskey, Samuel Gawith Kendall Cream and 7 Seas Royal
English- Dunhill Early Morning Pipe, Hearth and Home Black House, Squadron Leader, and Three Oaks Syrian
Some say avoid store brands or avoid Englishes at first, but I say bollocks to all that! Smoke 'em All, Let your palate sort 'em out!

 

[markw4mms]

Yep, smoke what you like, never bought into sticking to aro's to start.

 

[hobie1dog]

Welcome to the forum, just buy every blend you come across and try them all out

 

[baronsamedi]

Especially Penzance, if you can get it before hobie

 

[sherlock]

Welcome, I agree with others just pick up all the tobacco you can and you'll find what you like. Samplers at shops are a good way to start.

 

[marmal4de]

JERRY? HELLO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URSiLj8RF-0

 

[matchstickman]

I have been told that Altadis ships out free samples a couple of times a year. As far as what to start with, dont get pigeonholed into just one thing. Try English, try Burley, try Virginia, try Aromatic, try Perique, try it all! Ive got tiny little bits of various odds and ends left over, if you let me know something you might want to try and shoot me an address, I could send you a couple of samples from my stash.

 

[judcole]

You can get a sampler from Altadis here.When I got it, it was a a lot of different packaged blends - mostly aromatics. I tried 'em all - except the Mixture 79 - and actually found a couple worth smoking. I agree that if you can find a good B&M store, they could be a big help.

 

[wardrum]

Thanks everyone for the welcomes and all the info it is greatly appreciated.

 

[spyder71]

Welcome! If your lucky enough to have a local store you can visit then ask for samples. Mine likes to give me samples so I will get hooked on another blend! It's win win really :D

Great bunch a folks here so settle in and enjoy the hooby :puffpipe:

 

[pipetrucker]

Welcome. I agree that you should try as many different types of blends as possible to find out what most appeals to you.
Welcome aboard!

 

[docwatson]

Welcome, Wardrum. Happy hunting, I'm sure you won't take long to find a favorite tobacco.

 

[wardrum]

I just got a sample of honey smoke from sterling and I really like it. (thanks for the tip nikko)Has anyone else tried this blend? What did you think?

 

[schmitzbitz]

I found both the Honey Smoke, and its sister-blend, Maple Leaf to be a touch too mild for my liking - although coming from cigarettes and cigars I shouldn't have been surprised. If memory serves, I still have the majority of the bag of Maple Leaf I picked up sitting in the back of my repurposed breadbox/tobbacco storage unit. PM me an address and it shall be in the mail for you sir.

 

[unclearthur]

Welcome aboard! Try everything that catches your fancy. Then decide what it is you really enjoy. Most etailers will sell as little as an ounce of their bulk blends.

 

[lonestar]

One mistake I made was buying a large quantity of something that I ended up not liking

Good thing is, you can probably trade it to somebody for tobacco you will like.