Looking for a new tobacco

[obihann]

So I'm only very new to this, and currently smoking captain black gold. I'm gonna pop to the smoke shop today to get a pipe tool, maybe a cheap corn cob to go with my cheap wood pipe, and pick up some new tobacco. I'm looking for something cheap and common, but a unique taste that I hopefully will notice the difference compared to the captain black.
Thanks!

 

[hobie1dog]

Ask them what blend they have that is known as 1Q. Then ask them for an English blend to broaden your horizons. :wink:

 

[riptide]

I second the 1Q.

 

[lordnoble]

Actually, the Altadis Mild English (many B&M's carry Altadis blends as their "house" bulk blends) isn't a bad intro to English blends, but Peter Stokkebye English Luxury is a better bulk if they have it.
-Jason

 

[obihann]

Just got back from the nearest smoke shop, and I got into a conversation with the buy before I could even ask about the brands you all suggested (there going on my must try list I promise). He started explaining the difference between aromatic and english tobaccos, I asked for something that might be more cool or refreshing and he said what makes it cool is often the distance between the bowl and your mouth. I asked him a bit about corn cobs and he said you may notice a sweeter taste with the english blends but nothing on the aromatic. So... I picked up a pipe tool (didn't have one yet), some filters, a corn cob pipe, and a tin of old dublin by betersons of dublin.
I think I will try the old dublin in my current pipe thats half broken in, but with a new filter. That way I can hopefully better compare with what I'm used to smoking, I figure if I change tobaccos and pipes it won't be that fare of a comparison.

 

[mattmars]

Sounds like you have a great resource at your B&M. I think you'll get a lot of people here saying that you should ditch the filters. Good luck on your endeavor!

 

[barkar]

Congrats on your tobacconist experience. Old Dublin is a good quality tobacco but it wouldn't have been my recommendation to a new smoker. I'm interested to hear how you made out with it.

 

[obihann]

I've chatted with this guy before and I believe the reason he recommended it to me was because he knows I smoke cigars, so I guess to him I wasn't a new smoker just new to pipes.
Stupid question, whats B&M mean?
Also, why remove the filter?

 

[bigmike]

B&M = "Brick & Mortar"
Enjoy your new Corn Cob and Petersons............

 

[hobie1dog]

Most people think that the filters restrict the draw, trap moisture and get plugged up, ruin the flavor of the tobacco....the list goes on and on.

 

[brewshooter]

...or try it both ways and see which you prefer. I use filters in all my pipes that are designed to accept them. You could also try the balsa filters in place of the paper ones, if they are more to you liking.

 

[spartan]

Try it without the filter. See what you like better.
The only downside without a filter in the corn cob is when you smoke all the way to the botom of the bowl you might get some ash in your mouth if you puff too hard. So be gentle.

 

[mlaug]

Try some of the cheap and common over the counter blends such as Prince Albert, Carter Hall, etc.
Lots of pipers use those old standby blends.

 

[obihann]

I think if I walk into my smoke shop and say "excuse me sir, do you have Prince Albert in a can?" they'll throw me out... Or, maybe not until I follow it up with "you better let him out".

 

[mlaug]

hehehe....if your B&M has a passive aggressive issue go to a Wal-Mart, pharmacy, gas station, or some where else to pick up the PA.
Seriously, if cheap and common are two of your criteria, what are known as the "codger blends" are something you should try.
Especially so if you're using a cob. You might be surprised.

 

[ghost]

^Still funny...("Prince Albert in a can" that is...)
Seriously though, the 1Q recommendations are solid. If you have a real friendly shop to visit, part of the fun is chatting about the hobby. See if they have a "sampler" deal of some kind to try a few blends. I know that would've been more helpful for me starting out. I had to finish a lot of pouches of stuff that wasn't that great before I found my favourites, but you sure do learn a lot...

 

[obihann]

It seems to be a great shop as the few times I've been in there hes had helpful advice to share. On a side note its funny how quickly you can pick out the difference in peoples geography via forums. For example I'm from Canada, up here any store with a pharmacy is not allowed to sell tobacco, so that rules out Wal-Mart and any of the local drug stores. I often wonder why Wal-Mart doesn't bend the rules like the local grocery stores, they have pharmacys however they all built a "smoke shop" with no entrance to or from the grocery store, but right front and center next to the main entrance.
Yah, its a bit different up here, but at least I can buy Cubans pretty much anywhere

 

[ghost]

Yeah I hear you, I'm from Ottawa so I've bought a few Brighams from the grocery store in the past. Even then, only a few in the area even sell pipes anymore when at one time most had a display case. I bought my first Peterson at a Loblaws here a few years back...
Still some great b+m's around, always good to support them when you can.

 

[baronsamedi]

Some of the other Canadian folk can probably reccommend an American etailer that is good about shipping to Canada. Some are more effective than others, or so I'm told.

 

[judcole]

Old Dublin is a fine blend. Enjoy it. ::