New to the Pipe World!

[gisboro]

Hello everyone. I am brand new to the pipe world and looking forward to spending many hours reading through all the info you have probably shared countless times over.

I would however like to get a jump start on some suggestions of mild tobaccos I could try to start out with, possibly something with a pleasant aroma so the wife doesn't kick me too far away from the house while I smoke it . Thanks all for your input.

 

[rmbittner]

Welcome!
Since "pleasant aroma" usually means "pleasant aroma for nonsmokers" (which, believe me, can be wildly opposed to what a pipe smoker will consider a pleasant aroma), that typically means an aromatic. Since you're brand new, I'll just note that there are, broadly speaking, two categories of pipe tobacco: aromatics and non-aromatics (which include "English" blends, straight Virginias, Virginia/burley mixtures, etc.) The main difference is that aromatics have been flavored with something other than tobacco to give them aromas of fruit, coffee, chocolate, pastry, bubblegum (yes, really), etc. Some non-aromatics do include light flavorings of rum or cocoa or vanilla, but they will still taste and smell much more like straight tobacco.
There are literally hundreds of aromatics. The most popular is called 1Q. It's available by that name, but it's also commonly rebranded by brick-and-mortar tobacco shops. If you're buying in-person, just ask which blend is Lane's 1Q. (In Tinder Box stores it's sold as Wilshire.) Another very popular aromatic is Stokkebye's (STOKE-a-bee) Nougat, which is also commonly rebranded by shops. (Tinder Box sells it as North Sea.) Both blends are quite mild to smoke -- you won't get a lot of flavor from either one -- but they do smell very nice and they burn quite well. (Some aromatics, because of the added ingredients, can be overly moist -- goopy even -- and can tend to burn hot and even bitter as a result.)
So-called English blends contain a tobacco known as latakia, which has a very smoky, campfire taste and aroma that a whole lot of us find very appealing. But this tends to be the one leaf that nonsmokers cannot stand. Frog Morton's Cellar does contain latakia, but the Frog Morton series is known for the unusual way it handles latakia, making it much more mellow -- and even sweeter -- than any other series from any other blender, as far as I'm aware. If you feel like testing the waters with your wife, that would be an excellent one to experiment with.
Anyway, I'd recommend any one of these three for you.
Bob

 

[gisboro]

Thanks for the quick responses, I am going to run into town and talk to the guy behind the counter at the B&M store and see if they have any of what you are suggesting.

You are also correct Bob about the non-smoker aroma, I personally find a lot of tobacco smells pleasant, the wife on the other hand not so much, so I figured to stand any chance of perusing this hobby I should try get her on board with something that she is not going to mind smelling.

 

[judcole]

I figured to stand any chance of perusing this hobby I should try get her on board with something that she is not going to mind smelling.

Good luck finding something she enjoys smelling and you enjoy smoking! That's always the tough part. :rofl:
Welcome to the hobby and the forum.

 

[numbersix]

Welcome to the forum.

You are also correct Bob about the non-smoker aroma, I personally find a lot of tobacco smells pleasant, the wife on the other hand not so much, so I figured to stand any chance of perusing this hobby I should try get her on board with something that she is not going to mind smelling.

I found this to be true too. Especially in the beginning. I smoke my English blends in the basement or outdoors, but indoors I have a happier wife if it doesn't smell like stale cigarettes.

If I were to pick ONE tobacco with universal appeal, it would be McClelland's Frog Morton Cellar.

+1
Excellent suggestion from Rothnh. This is perhaps the easiest tobacco to get started with. Lights and burns well. Great taste and flavor, the aroma is nice. Your B&M may not have it - but it's pretty easy to find online.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.

 

[teufelhund]

Welcome to the forum and I hope you are enjoying your new hobby. Just thought I'd let you know some stuff my gal likes: MacBaren 7 Seas Reg, CAO Eileen's Dream, Carter Hall, Captain Black Reg and Captain Black gold. Good luck finding something she likes the smell of; I agree it can be challenging.

 

[bigboi]

Welcome to the forum.

+1 for the Frog Morton Cellar

I would also recommend the Frog Morton On the Town

or McCellends Grey Havens

all of those have a nice room note

 

[kashmir]

Dare I mention it? Captain Black White is a decent smoke and produces a sweet room note. Been around forever. And with good reason too. Or Prince Albert or Carter Hall. As others have mentioned, usually the best smoking pipe tobacco produce the worst room notes. Tis what it is. Welcome to the world of pipe smoking.

 

[gisboro]

Well my run out to the tobacco store was a bit of a let down, they only had two pipe tobaccos, seems they sell mostly cigars. Seems I am destined for online shopping, any recommendations on where I should be buying from? Also once again thanks for the continued suggestions and the time you have taken to share your knowledge with me.

 

[deleon]

Welcome gisboro,

Hope to see photos of your collection very soon once you start buying!

I'd recommend Lane Limited 1-Q for tobacco for a mild smoke, it's a good starting tobacco.

 

[snewton]

Where are you from? If you are UK based I can definitely help.

 

[cavendish]

Welcome to the brotherhood and the forums! There are literally THOUSANDS of different blends out there for us to try out so just ask questions and we will be happy to give our opinions and educated answers to help ya out!

If I were to pick ONE tobacco with universal appeal, it would be McClelland's Frog Morton Cellar.

I second that but it might turn off a new pipe smoker.
I would sugggest for sweet smokes, MacBaren 7 Seas Royal or Regular, MacBaren Vanilla Cream loose cut or their vanilla cream flake.

Stronger flavors (english blends) Dunhill Early Morning Pipe is good, Night Cap is pretty much the same but stronger and more robust.

For Virginia try Orlik Golden Sliced or Full Virginia Flake from Gawith

Virginia with Perique I like Peter Stokkebye Bulls Eye Flake

 

[gisboro]

Where are you from? If you are UK based I can definitely help.

Stuart I haven't lived in the UK for over 20 years now, but grew up in North Yorkshire, I thank you for the offer though.
I did buy a few tobaccos online last night one been the McClelland's Frog Morton Cellar along with some 1Q and Stokkebye's nougat. Looking forward to giving them a try.
You guys are awesome, I am really enjoying this site.