So I'm just still exploring all the different offerings out there and its a bit overwhelming. I have a hard time being able to remember which is what so I'd love to be able to create a sort of baseline to grow from. Is there a general consensus for a typical virginia/vaper/burley/oriental/etc? If so, can anyone give me a list of the different types and a solid representative from each category so i can start to identify the differences and preferences?
Learning Different Styles/Blends
- Thread starter r4wk5t4r
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
I doubt you'll ever find a consensus on anything among pipe smokers. Blends are almost as varied as the stars in the sky. Even blends within the same genre can vary greatly depending on the proportions of the constituent tobaccos used and the toppings/casings that may be applied, the way the blends are processed, etc.
For myself and I assume many others, this is part of the journey and it can literally take years to develop one's sense of taste and one's ability to pick out and recognize the different tobaccos used in a blend.
You may start with a broader brush and determine what types of blends that you like. Do you like English blends? Do you like blends with contain a lot of Latakia or just a little? Do you like Virginias? Do you like the spiciness and fruitiness of Perique and how it works with Virginias? Perhaps you like the nuttiness of Burley?
Keep in mind that early in the journey and even later, tastes and preferences change. As you gain more experience and as your sense of taste develops, you may come to enjoy something that you initially did not and vice versa. It is very subjective and dynamic.
I don't know of a shortcut around this learning curve. I would suggest that you keep experimenting and try to enjoy the process.
For myself and I assume many others, this is part of the journey and it can literally take years to develop one's sense of taste and one's ability to pick out and recognize the different tobaccos used in a blend.
You may start with a broader brush and determine what types of blends that you like. Do you like English blends? Do you like blends with contain a lot of Latakia or just a little? Do you like Virginias? Do you like the spiciness and fruitiness of Perique and how it works with Virginias? Perhaps you like the nuttiness of Burley?
Keep in mind that early in the journey and even later, tastes and preferences change. As you gain more experience and as your sense of taste develops, you may come to enjoy something that you initially did not and vice versa. It is very subjective and dynamic.
I don't know of a shortcut around this learning curve. I would suggest that you keep experimenting and try to enjoy the process.
Thank you! Yeah I’m looking forward to the journey but also a little overwhelmed.
Even taking about the “broader brush” for example, do I like English blends? I don’t know, what defines an English blend? What are some examples of very popular, indisputably English blends? Same question for Virginia.
So far I feel like I’ve tried a wide variety and enjoyed almost everything and that might be why im having a hard time drawing lines.
It is very overwhelming from where you are starting. Keep a small notebook so help your memory along.
I do not claim to be an expert, but in my opinion, an English blend typically contains Latakia and Orientals along with a base of Virginia. Sometimes Perique can be involved. The proportions of the constituent tobaccos can vary based on the blend. This can make one "English" blend taste much different from another.
I'm sure if you search the forum, you will find previous threads which give examples of blends from various genres as I know this topic has been discussed before. As KC mentioned, keep a notebook and write down your thoughts on different blends. This will likely help you as you go along.
At this point, you are probably just getting the fundamentals down, packing, lighting, smoking as slowly as possible. This is what you need to be focusing on. Whatever blend you currently have is probably fine, or maybe try a codger blend to just get your whole routine down.
Then when you are ready, maybe branch out into some latakia. It will be really easy to taste, but at first your going to have to adjust to it. Maybe something not overwhelming, like a medium latakia... GLPs Ashbury is a favorite of mine. But really, his Maltese Falcon is good too.
Then, when you can discern between two different English/latakia blends, then consider moving on. If you go switching between Virginias and Englishes and aromatics, you're going to start making false impressions and stereotypes about blends. Wait for a while before jumping into Virginias or periques. Just trust me. If you spend money on a Virginia at this point, it will be a waste. They have the lightest of flavors, and you're just gonna toss it.
Aromatics, while I make fun of them, I do have some that I enjoy. You will need to develop a philosophy. Do you want to taste tobacco, or when you see "vanilla" on a blend, are you going to demand that vanilla slap you in the face? I think aromatics used early on develops a lot of smoker schizophrenia. They either develop a hatred of tobacco tastes, and they end up being like a vape user, just wanting to taste candy and shit. Or, they complain endlessly about not being able to taste the candy flavors.
Myself, I consider an aromatic a loser 0/5 stars if I do taste too much of that flavoring shit, because I'm a tobacco smoker. Others have different philosophies, and that's ok. Just set on the other side of the room with their candy smelling burned candle shit. (I'm just being hyperbolic, because those schitzo-aro smokers are fun to rile up). JK
To me, the perfect aromatic gives hints of the aromatics to the room note, and leaves me just tasting a quality tobacco. To me, a quality tobacco is a good balance of virginia and burley, not so much the cavendishy tasteless stuff.
Good luck, and i hope I have helped.
Then when you are ready, maybe branch out into some latakia. It will be really easy to taste, but at first your going to have to adjust to it. Maybe something not overwhelming, like a medium latakia... GLPs Ashbury is a favorite of mine. But really, his Maltese Falcon is good too.
Then, when you can discern between two different English/latakia blends, then consider moving on. If you go switching between Virginias and Englishes and aromatics, you're going to start making false impressions and stereotypes about blends. Wait for a while before jumping into Virginias or periques. Just trust me. If you spend money on a Virginia at this point, it will be a waste. They have the lightest of flavors, and you're just gonna toss it.
Aromatics, while I make fun of them, I do have some that I enjoy. You will need to develop a philosophy. Do you want to taste tobacco, or when you see "vanilla" on a blend, are you going to demand that vanilla slap you in the face? I think aromatics used early on develops a lot of smoker schizophrenia. They either develop a hatred of tobacco tastes, and they end up being like a vape user, just wanting to taste candy and shit. Or, they complain endlessly about not being able to taste the candy flavors.
Myself, I consider an aromatic a loser 0/5 stars if I do taste too much of that flavoring shit, because I'm a tobacco smoker. Others have different philosophies, and that's ok. Just set on the other side of the room with their candy smelling burned candle shit. (I'm just being hyperbolic, because those schitzo-aro smokers are fun to rile up). JK
To me, the perfect aromatic gives hints of the aromatics to the room note, and leaves me just tasting a quality tobacco. To me, a quality tobacco is a good balance of virginia and burley, not so much the cavendishy tasteless stuff.
Good luck, and i hope I have helped.
Forget about it... that question is just asking for everyone to dogpile you with exotic favorites of theirs, most giving you impossible to find blends that makes them look cool. The question isn't helpful, because absolutely no one will agree. It'll be a pissing contest in no time.
Englishes, burley, Virginias, Vapers, aromatics, and a subcategory is lakelands. Just stay away from lakelands for a while. if you jump into that too soon, you'll be a stinky homeless person ostracized from society, and panhandling spare change for soaps and perfumes. Unless of course you live in England, then... I'm sorry.
Thank you. That list will give me a good basis to start from!Forget about it... that question is just asking for everyone to dogpile you with exotic favorites of theirs, most giving you impossible to find blends that makes them look cool. The question isn't helpful, because absolutely no one will agree. It'll be a pissing contest in no time.
Englishes, burley, Virginias, Vapers, aromatics, and a subcategory is lakelands. Just stay away from lakelands for a while. if you jump into that too soon, you'll be a stinky homeless person ostracized from society, and panhandling spare change for soaps and perfumes. Unless of course you live in England, then... I'm sorry.
A good way to start to discern between two blends is to pack and smoke two pipes loaded with two different tobaccos of the same genre, like latakia. Then smoking a slow draw off of one, note the tastes, and then switch and repeat. Hawky suggested this a long time ago, and I still do it from time to time to keep my taster honed. Maybe a thin slice of apple or ice water between sips of smoke to cleanse the palate.
I really hope I've helped and not just loaded you down.
I really hope I've helped and not just loaded you down.
Good suggestion, thank you! I think maybe part of my problem is that I have time for maybe 1 pipe per day so sometimes it’s a bit between when I taste different blends and recalling specifics for comparison can be tough.
Yeh, just one pipe a day or week... it will take those casual smokers forever to develop a palate. Two pipes though, maybe fill halfway, if you can't handle that much nicotine. Also, keep a bowl of those small individually wrapped chocolate candies next to your smoking chair. The spins comes from depleted sugars in your blood while smoking, and one small bite of chocolate knocks out those negative feelings right away.
Being kind of a noob myself, I'll name some bulk blends that I like, under the assumption that bulk is more easily acquired. And if you hate any of 'em, you've wasted less money.
Haunted Bookshop: Burley-based. No nonsense. Very well-behaved, never really had problems lighting it or keeping it going. Some folk say it's basically the same stuff as a higher quality cigarette, only cut for a pipe.
Evening Flake: Virginia and a little bit of Perique, I believe. Flakes are fun because you get to break 'em up, or just fold one a couple times and stuff it into the pipe.
Match 20: Sutliff's copycat of the 965 blend. I think it's a bit higher in Latakia than the average English, so probably good for seeing if you like it or not.
Haunted Bookshop: Burley-based. No nonsense. Very well-behaved, never really had problems lighting it or keeping it going. Some folk say it's basically the same stuff as a higher quality cigarette, only cut for a pipe.
Evening Flake: Virginia and a little bit of Perique, I believe. Flakes are fun because you get to break 'em up, or just fold one a couple times and stuff it into the pipe.
Match 20: Sutliff's copycat of the 965 blend. I think it's a bit higher in Latakia than the average English, so probably good for seeing if you like it or not.
Never knew that’s what caused the spins. Haven’t had a problem with that though fortunately. I usually have coffee or tea or something along with the pipe though. Just part of the enjoyment.
Tried bookshop a few times and wasn’t a fan. It’s probably the one thing I’ve had so far I’m not interested in more of. I’ll check out the other two though. Thank you!
I'd suggest familiarizing yourself with basic Virginias and burleys, which are most often used as the bases for blends, that is the largest amount/percent of the blend to which are added condimental leaf and sometimes flavoring.
Amphora has good examples of Virginia and burley pouch tobacco at good prices, or just buy examples in small amounts in bulk.
Window shop the tobacco pages online and become familiar with constituent tobaccos in various blends, the strength, room notes, taste and cuts, and you will learn a lot. This shouldn't feel like homework, more like a trip to the candy store.
Amphora has good examples of Virginia and burley pouch tobacco at good prices, or just buy examples in small amounts in bulk.
Window shop the tobacco pages online and become familiar with constituent tobaccos in various blends, the strength, room notes, taste and cuts, and you will learn a lot. This shouldn't feel like homework, more like a trip to the candy store.
@cosmicfolklore is helping and I'm going to as well but it may not seem like it.
Haven't been at this forever like most around here and it can be pretty overwhelming.
Not being snarky, but I spent a lot of time and still spend a lot of time searching and bouncing around the forum reading up on such things because the question gets asked in a general way and in specific ways all the time.
Nothing wrong with asking, just relating my approach which was time spent in fun research.
Edit: and consider taking advantage of samplers like you can get from Wilke - I've done that a few times.
No.
Too much subjectivity.
Just jump right in.
Get samples and grab any offerings available from members here when someone lets loose with a "sample pkg" or similar.
It has been very helpful to me.
Blends with a long history and lots of fans will generally be "good representatives", but you'll have to see for yourself how dis/similar your palate is to that of the crowd.
Lots of awesome suggestions from everyone and I really appreciate all the help
I think I’ll watch the most popular tobaccos being sold on smoking pipes and choose things from there in different categories.
Excited to keep exploring!
I think I’ll watch the most popular tobaccos being sold on smoking pipes and choose things from there in different categories.
Excited to keep exploring!
I'm going to offer some specific suggestions based on my own experience.
Once upon a time, Dunhill offered a range of tobaccos in most categories. Now Peterson offers their versions which are representative, if not quite the same. For a full English mixture, try 965. A lighter blend would be Early Morning Pipe and a Virginia/perique could be Elizabethan.
If you would prefer to try some bulk mixtures, Stokkebye's Proper English is a good choice for a full English and English Oriental for a lighter blend.
For a straight Virginia, you might consider Rattray's Hal o' the Wind or Marlin Flake.
There are many other options, but these might give you a start.
Once upon a time, Dunhill offered a range of tobaccos in most categories. Now Peterson offers their versions which are representative, if not quite the same. For a full English mixture, try 965. A lighter blend would be Early Morning Pipe and a Virginia/perique could be Elizabethan.
If you would prefer to try some bulk mixtures, Stokkebye's Proper English is a good choice for a full English and English Oriental for a lighter blend.
For a straight Virginia, you might consider Rattray's Hal o' the Wind or Marlin Flake.
There are many other options, but these might give you a start.