How about tobacco? What are your thoughts on that? Brands?
LMAO now there's a who other can of worms!
The greatest thing about smoking a pipe is all of the tobacco choices available out there. That is one you need to just sample and experience for yourself.
Personally, I always recommend some non-aromatics for a newer pipe smoker. Others are just the opposite. You will just have to sample as many different blends as you can and find what you like.
Some decent ones that I tend to like are (bear in mind these are just personal likes)in no special order:
Uhle's Bishop's Move (my favorite)
Uhle's Irish Aromatic
Captain Black (white label)
Carter Hall
Half and Half
Escudo (great stuff)
Five Brothers (not for the feint of heart)
Peterson Sherlock Holmes
Peterson Irish Flake (also not for the feint of heart)