My Favorite Smoke so far

[990rick]

After much searching and sampling I have settled on McClelland's PM pipe as my favorite tobacco. I enjoyed Dunhill Nightcap, but didn't enjoy the price or the fact that you can only get it in four ounce tins. I like to vacuum-pack my tobaccos in very small packets. Then I found Rich's Cigar Shop's Nightcap match and liked it even better than the original, but found it was even more costly. Over $80 a pound! I tried some other Nightcap matches and kept coming back to McClelland's. It is a wonderfully complex smoke with just the right level of latakia for my taste. I tried quite a number of English-style blends from C&D and they were almost all too heavy/smokey, but PM Pipe hits just the right note for me.

 

[riptide]

Sounds Like you found a winner. Enjoy Good Sir.

 

[classicgeek]

Those McClelland folks know what they're doing, in my opinion. Fully half of the blends in my collection come from them, although I've not tried the PM pipe.
Simon

 

[robs]

It was the finish of Murrays Nightcap that led me to McClelland's 5110. This has become something of a staple part of my daily intake.

 

[Strike Anywhere]

If you like VA/Oriental/Latakia mixtures, try their AM Pipe as well. It has just a pinch of Latakia, but it's a great, balanced blend, and a PERFECT way to start the day. Holds up to a cup of coffee, or it's great on it's own. I'm smoking some now!

 

[xoibsurferx]

I can't wait to find a tobacco I really love! Its harder than it seems but once the search is over then its time to start searching again for another choice.

 

[docwatson]

Tobacco sampling and searching is a life long enjoyment as you will find out as time goes by. There are more wonderful blends out there today than ever, and quality is extremely high amongst the blenders. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy so many blends and it's never too late to cellar away all you can, it will never be more affordable than today and taxes will never be less than they are now!! find some favorites and load up.

 

[macnutz]

Ditto, what the esteemed Doc Watson said. That is the best part of pipe smoking, the constant search for taste treats and learning what different things actually smell and taste like.

 

[990rick]

I have tried the AM pipe and it's nice, but for me it's just not the hit that PM pipe is. I feel pretty much the same way about Dunhill's Early Morning pipe. I agree about stashing away good blends. At this point I have about 20 lbs of various ones stored in vacuum-sealed bags and packed into a couple of plastic containers. They're all identified and dated though I've only been at this for about two years.

 

[tomdavis]

990rick - I have thought about trying the vacuum packs. Do you notice any tobacco smell from the vacuum-seal bags after a few days? I know the zip locks are not very dense plastic and the smell migrate through--thereby reducing the quality of the tobacco.

 

[seakayak]

Among my favorite things about the pipe is how the same tobacco can be only so-so on one day and a glorious experience on the next. Thanks for your observations on McClelland PM. I haven't yet had the pleasure, but will add a tin to my cellar at first opportunity.

 

[990rick]

Sundown, I haven't noticed any smell emanating from the vacuum packs. I just use a household variety vacuum sealer. I've eaten dried apples and plums that I'd kept sealed for a couple years and they were just as good and tasty as when I sealed them. I'm really hoping that my tobaccos will not only stay fresh, but improve as the various components of the blend absorb each other's flavors. Anyway, I'm planning on continuing to buy and pack so I can someday enjoy 10, 20, even 30 year old tobacco.

 

[990rick]

I just realized I forgot to mention where I bought my PM Pipe blend. It's from pipesandcigars.com I've shopped there often. I like the selection, the prices are good and they are exceptionally quick at getting my orders to me.

 

[ricarsi]

Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to pipe smoking, converted cigar smoker that couldn't afford the cigars he liked. I found a blend from a tobacconist in Ann Arbor MI. Maison Edwards #20. Very nice smoke no bite, and the aroma is very pleasing even my wife likes it. Another good one comes from McClelland, Blue Mountain.

 

[dubinthedam]

Orlik GS in my fav day in day out blend. The first time I tried it I didn't like it at all. Of course there are a few navy VA flakes and blends I also love, but it's such a great thing to find your own blend. I try other blends to enjoy a chance of pace, but the great quest has ended, and that is a truly great thing. The void has been filled.

 

[Strike Anywhere]

990rick have you tried Hearth & Home: Ten to Midnight? You can get it from pipesandcigars as well. Since you like PM Pipe so well, Ten to Midnight is along the same lines. Not the same, but similar. Here's the description:
A dark, full Balkan-style tobacco containing bright and matured Carolina and Virginias, a healthy mixture of Turkish, and plenty of flavorful, fragrant Latakias. A superb late-evening smoke that can stand up to a sturdy single-malt scotch, small-batch bourbon or hearty port.

 

[judcole]

Hearth & Home: Ten to Midnight

Good stuff but I like Larry's Blend from them even more.

Ann Arbor MI. Maison Edwards #20.

Been to Maison Edwards - bought some Chartwell, IIRC. Pretty good stuff. I don't get there often, since it is in a pretty crazy corner of AA. The MSU Alum sticker on my car might be a factor, too. :P

 

[baronsamedi]

You like what you like, 990rick, the important thing is you know what it is that you like. I love pipesandcigars.com. I even shop there in my sleep. Hopefully I'll remember your reccommendation next time I'm unconscious.
As for best H&H blends, for me it's

1. Black House

2. Magnum Opus

3. Larry's Blend

4. Sweet and Savory

 

[lordnoble]

+1 on the Black House...
-Jason

 

[Strike Anywhere]

Maybe I should revisit Larry's Blend. When I last tried it, the Latakia and Orientals seemed too much -- I like for the VAs to be more than an afterthought. I will revisit, especially since my tastes seem to be changing a bit here lately.