I think the type of tobacco one starts out with may depend on whether or not one is already a smoker of cigarettes or cigars. If one is already a smoker, an aromatic may not be the best choice. They will tend to smoke hot and often bite - in fact, I think it may actually take more skill and experience to really appreciate a good aromatic, making them a tough choice for beginners across the board. Just MHO. I started with aros and nearly gave up after many unpleasant experiences. Only my innate stubbornness (as validated by Mrs Sothron) and my finding a few top-noted GLP blends kept me going.