Yeah I didn't feel like I truly "got it" untill I had my first bowl of Carter Hall. And I've stuck with it ever since.
Non-Smoker Tobacco Recommendations
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C'mon, you probably know that by humectants I mean artificial additives, like PG. By additives I also mean chemical crap that can impart the tobacco a chemical aftertaste, which some have noticed in Carter Hall and I've personally tasted in Lane's products, particularly BCA. Lane is just a notch above OTCs.
Indeed, some non-OTC entry-level blends like MB's 7 Seas do contain noticeably amounts of additives, although not as grossly noticeably as Capt. Black or Borkum Riff.
Quality aromatics are very low on ARTIFICIAL humectants and additives. I don't get funny aftertastes with Sillem's or Vauen's blends or with the higher quality aros from MacBaren.
Indeed, the funny aftertaste resulting from the additives in Carter Hall led Russ Ouellette to avoid such chemicals when creating his match, Chatham Manor—which I found particularly underwhelming: if Chatham Manor is a better-tasting 'version' of CH, I don't want to ever smoke the real thing.
I'm like you..but a couple years in. I started with Peterson Sunset Breeze which I found to have too much bite at first so I tried a very mellow Sutliff Christmas Spice and another vanilla aromatic that I really liked. I don't smoke more than once or twice a week and am just now getting to where I want to try more "serious" tobaccos. Thankfully I didn't throw out my Peterson Sunset Breeze and recently tried it again and was surprised how much I now like it. My palette is developing...
Yup, and I must add, as a public service to the OP, that drying the tobacco prior to smoking, as is widely suggested here, is mission impossible with some OTCs and Lane's blends. I've left BCA sitting out there for over an hour and it just won't dry, whereas Vauen's blends will be bone dry (and ruined) in 30 min (I normally give them 15 min; remember: aromatics cannot be dried too much lest they lose flavour). Again, excess and/or type of humectants used is the problem.
Also, to be fair, humectants are not necessarily evil: they're needed for the tobacco to have a viable shelf life and PG is also fungistatic. The problem is with the amounts those damn pouches pack.
If the OP lives in the UK I'm sure he's familiar with MacBaren's St. Bruno, an OTC that readily available in the UK. I think that would be a good non-aromatic for him. If he wants to stay with aromatics, then he might like some Lakeland blends like G&H Ennerdale Flake.
Ignore these arguing knuckleheads. Since you live in the land of tobacco glory, try some Gawith, Hoggarth and Co. Exclusive Black Cherry. Wonderfully mild with no tongue bite. While you are at the tobacco shop, ask them what other blends they have like that. Pick up a few ounces of different ones.
*Olkofri slaps hauntedmyst around a bit with an aromatic trout (cherry flavour)
Only... the UK is under lockdown right now, so you probably can't go to the tobacconist.
Actually, this is best way to proceed, really. Go to the B&M and do as Gandalf suggested, "follow your nose".
Only... the UK is under lockdown right now, so you probably can't go to the tobacconist.
Since you're in the UK I would buy some Skiff Mixture. If you find that it’s not for you I would say it’s a good indication that the pipe won’t be your thing. I’m a relatively new pipe smoker and I am glad I was fortunate enough to have that as my first smoke.
If you go to site sponser www.gqtobaccos.com you can buy a 10g taster of all the loose Samuel Gawith, Gawith Hoggarth, JF Germain's tobaccos (among others). I find this useful when trying out new blends, if you don't like whatever it is you've only wasted £3 - £4.
Whatever you buy, getting your technique right is probably more important than the tobacco you choose. That said, a ribbon cut is probably a better choice to start with. Flakes can be a bit more finicky (more trial and error) to get working.
Things that made a huge difference for me were:
1. Dry the tobacco 15-20 minutes before packing.
2. Do a test draw after packing. It should feel like drinking soda through a straw. If it is too loose or too tight, just empty and start again.
3. Try to take small sips rather than big draws. If the pipe goes out, just light it again. If the pipe gets too hot, let it go out and cool down before you light it again. Try not to draw purely to stop the pipe from going out.
Welcome to the hobby and enjoy! Part of the fun is experimenting until you get it right.
Things that made a huge difference for me were:
1. Dry the tobacco 15-20 minutes before packing.
2. Do a test draw after packing. It should feel like drinking soda through a straw. If it is too loose or too tight, just empty and start again.
3. Try to take small sips rather than big draws. If the pipe goes out, just light it again. If the pipe gets too hot, let it go out and cool down before you light it again. Try not to draw purely to stop the pipe from going out.
Welcome to the hobby and enjoy! Part of the fun is experimenting until you get it right.
www.tobaccoreviews.com is really handy, maybe filter out high nicotine blends since you are coming from a non smoking background. Otherwise, pick whatever stands out, whatever your starting point you will refine your choices along the way...in other words, I cant help ya!
Thanks a lot for all the replies and recommendations! As olkofri rightly pointed out, the UK is currently under lockdown, so it is unlikely I'll be able to get to a tobacconist for the next few weeks at least. I'll start out with some G&H Kentucky Nougat and and wait till some corn cobs arrive to try some other blends as well. Wish me luck!
He said available in
why not go for a sampler
here is one,they do others use the search facility
www.turmeaus.co.uk
www.turmeaus.co.uk
Uk not one of these are unfortunately
why not go for a sampler
here is one,they do others use the search facility
Staff Picks - Billys Kendal Pipe Tobacco Sampler - 4 x 10g
www.turmeaus.co.uk
sampler pipe tobacco Search Results
www.turmeaus.co.uk
Update: I caved and went with an ounce of 1Q, BCA, 7 Seas (Black) and Mac Baren Vanilla Cream, SG Squadron Leader and GH Kentucky Nougat. So as you can see, for the most part, I went full noob aromatic starter! Also, no additional tax or customs needed which I assumed I would have to pay, so very cheap for me!
Although some people suggested staying away from aromatics (and I appreciate their views), I decided to go for something which had a mild tobacco taste to ease me into it. As a non-smoker, even just the smell of squadron leader seems a bit intimidating although I'm aware taste and smells are very different.
Will update you guys on my thoughts on the tobacco choices when I get the chance to try! Slightly worried I'm just going to hate it from the start!
Although some people suggested staying away from aromatics (and I appreciate their views), I decided to go for something which had a mild tobacco taste to ease me into it. As a non-smoker, even just the smell of squadron leader seems a bit intimidating although I'm aware taste and smells are very different.
Will update you guys on my thoughts on the tobacco choices when I get the chance to try! Slightly worried I'm just going to hate it from the start!
Those are all great tobaccos. I have smoked a pipe (off and on) for 40 years and I still like 1Q, which is the very first tobacco I tried (now I typically mix it 50/50 with BCA). Good luck.
Buy a variety (over time) in small quantities for about two years, to find what you like, but knowing that your tastes will change. Jar what you don't like and try it again in a year. I think it is easier if you start with mild unflavored (no non-tobacco flavoring). Orlik Golden Sliced would give you an example of Virginia, and Amphora Burley would sample burley. Be gradual in sampling and smoking. Find the enjoyment, since that's the point, and only get ambitious as you go along, if ever. Hardcastle is one of the pipes I really like but don't own; I own too many. Welcome.
For an aromatic I would recommend my favorite to anyone, beginner or veteran, and that is Gawith, Hoggarth, & Co. American Delight. It is a very mild blend and you'd almost have to be trying to get tongue bite for it to bite you. It has a very pleasant sweet taste. It always makes me thing "candy bar" although not any specific bar. I have found GH&C aromatics to be very much less wet, or goopy, than other brands (you'll note all of the conversation here about added humectants). I smoke this particular blend straight out of the tin, or bag in my case, without any dry time and those that want it drier shouldn't have to give it much dry time. Additionally, since you mentioned it, I will never touch Lane 1-Q again after trying this blend. I've got a few ounces of 1-Q I haven't been able to give away yet.
For an English I would recommend Arango Balkan Supreme if you can get it. It's cheap but better than so many other blends. It's around $2-$3 per oz here in the US. Even though you mention avoiding Latakia for now I would still recommend getting an oz to at least try. I'm not a big fan of Latakia but really enjoy this blend and find that it helps breakup the monotony of smoking mostly aromatics and VaPers. It kind of "resets" my palate , if you will.
For a Virginia I would recommend a VaPer instead as I have more familiarity with them. For that I consider Samuel Gawith St James Flake to be the best VaPer available although there are many, many close ones available. SG's Cabbie's Mixture being one of them. For just a Virginia you could try something like Capstan. I tried the gold for the first time over the weekend and really enjoyed it.
Whatever you choose remember there's no real "wrong" here. Relax and enjoy it. I often let my pipe go out on purpose and relight it rather than try to stoke it back up. I've found it's not only easier on my tongue but I get more flavor this way.
Also remember to dry your tobacco more than you think you should, pack it looser than you think you should, and adjust as you go. If you fell you've over-dried your tobacco a little bit, simply don't dry the next bowl as much. You can always dry it a little more as well. I prefer to use my tamper and pack the bowl more as I smoke. Some tobacco blends tend top expand once lit and won't stay lit once expanded.
I recommended their American Delight which is like a more mild version of the Kentucky Nougat. I do find it easier to get more of the sweetness from the KN vs the AD so hopefully you enjoy it.