Non-Smoker Tobacco Recommendations

[howag93]

Greetings from London! I'm new here and to pipe smoking so please be gentle.

I've ordered a Hardcastle Camden briar pipe and all the accessories. Now I'm stuck on what tobacco to buy. I've been doing some reading and I know it's difficult to recommend anything until I've found my taste, so if you'd be so kind, please could I have your recommendations for a starter Aromatic, Virginia and English for someone who has never smoked a cigarette in their life. From what I understand, I might have to leave the English blends until after my palette can appreciate more complex flavours.

To give you a little more info, I like IPAs, would prefer to lay off the latakia for now and prefer something a bit sweeter, milder, low in nicotine and doesn't smoke hot. A pleasant room note would also be preferable but not vital.

Finally, to be a pain, I'd be grateful for the recommendations to be limited to tobaccos that I can purchase in the UK. I have heard a lot of talk about Lane Limited BCA/ 1Q but I don't think it's available to me here and I'd rather not have to import, especially when just starting out.

Many thanks!

 

[olkofri]

From what I understand, I might have to leave the English blends until after my palette can appreciate more complex flavours.

Some here will actually suggest you start with those, as they have less sugars and thus burn cooler, reducing tongue bite/burn.

Personally, I'd start with aromatics. Sure, they're more finicky but it's like learning to drive: if you learn on a standard you can drive an auto, but the converse is not possible.

I'll leave the recommendations for someone who is in the UK, but here's some reading you may find valuable: On Tongue Bite. Even if you're not dealing with tongue bite, there's info there regarding the pH of different tobaccos and pipe smoking thermodynamics.

 

[elasmo]

go straight for the good stuff, otherwise you'll lament the time you've wasted ?

 

[mso489]

Order smallest available quantities -- one ounce bulk, one pouch, one tin -- in the various genre. Orlik Golden Sliced is a mild Virginia Flake, just rub it out and don't pack too tight or smoke too fast, sip. The pouch tobaccos John Bull (minimal Latakia), Erin Go Bragh with Irish Whiskey, and Amphora Burley might be good starters, but you won't know your taste until you've tried around. Save any you don't like in jars, to keep them fresh, as your tastes may change. Peruse the online retail tobacco pages for recreation and learn about the different brands, blends, constituent tobaccos, strength, "room note," and read some reviews. It should all be fun and amusing, so stay in that lane. Enjoy.

 

[ray47]

If you like aromatics you should try MacBaren's Vanilla Flake or Loose Cut. You can get that in the UK and it should be widely found.

 

[Casual]

I found that aromatics were poor to start with because they just tasted like cigarettes until my palate developed enough subtlety. Englishes were easiest as the flavours are generally right there, up front and center.

For a light, well-behaved, lowish nicotine, easily available English blend, my personal favourite is Presbyterian. It’s strong enough in flavour you’ll taste it, but not too strong that you’ll still taste it for three days like some strong Englishes.

 

[kschatey]

If available, take a look at the Mac Baren, Mac Baren HH, and Orlik offerings.

 

[olkofri]

I'd avoid flakes for starters. Begin with ribbon cut. If Peterson's old Dunhill blends are available where you live, I'd get me some Early Morning Pipe: it's an English (ugh), but it's easy to pack and burns clean and swift.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I would NOT start with aromatics, if i could go back i would change that for myself. Get you some OTC blends (over the counter), you can find these online, if not over any counter.

Five Brothers
Prince albert
Carter Hall
Granger
Half and half

In my opinion, and its just that, an opinion. These are easiest to burn right and enjoy.

 

[ray47]

I would NOT start with aromatics, if i could go back i would change that for myself. Get you some OTC blends (over the counter), you can find these online, if not over any counter.

Five Brothers
Prince albert
Carter Hall
Granger
Half and half

In my opinion, and its just that, an opinion. These are easiest to burn right and enjoy.

Great recommendation for sure, but he may not be able to get those in the UK.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Great recommendation for sure, but he may not be able to get those in the UK.

Yea I wondered that after I posted. I wonder if they have blends similar to those across the pond?

Also i want to add, dont fool with anything related to Captain Black at first. That stuff probably runs off more smokers than taxes. Ive recently learned to find things I like in it, but it took much effort.

 

[olkofri]

Yeah, I wouldn't start with OTCs either.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Yeah, I wouldn't start with OTCs either.

Just out of curiosity, why would you say that?

 

[olkofri]

Just out of curiosity, why would you say that?

They're laden with humectants and additives.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

They're laden with humectants and additives.

As are all the aromatics. I guess I'd bet all my corona trump bucks on the fact that nearly 100% of all pipe smokers learned to smoke OTCs.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

And I guess OTCs are aromatics, but clearly different animals.

 

[olkofri]

As are all the aromatics. I guess I'd bet all my corona trump bucks on the fact that nearly 100% of all pipe smokers learned to smoke OTCs.

Nearly, because I didn't. And no, not all aromatics are laden with humectants; casings and toppings, yes, they're part of the recipe, but not humectants.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Nearly, because I didn't. And no, not all aromatics are laden with humectants; casings and toppings, yes, they're part of the recipe, but not humectants.

Sugar is a humectant. Aromatics absolutley contain humectants and additives.

 

[didimauw]

I'd also start with the otc blends. They were easier to keep lit for me in the beginning.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I'd also start with the otc blends. They were easier to keep lit for me in the beginning.

This was my thinking. Some of the stuff I first ordered (aromatics) were like trying to burn asbestos insulation. That almost ran me off.. I do live in a high humidity climate, this could be partially to blame.