Noob question about tobacco

[ahitofmeth]

I quit smoking March 2011 and switched to mini cigarillo's, mostly Cafe Creme and the occasional cigar. I've been meaning to pick up a pipe for a while now and everytime I pass by the cigar/pipe store I end up changing my mind. It doesn't help that none of the pipe store owners speak english or are able to give me any info on selection so I've been doing a bit of research online on and off for the past few weeks. I've read a few articles and posts but it's all a bit overwhelming to me. I'm still familiarizing myself with all the terms and stuff so I can make the best choice when it comes to buy.
What's a good tobacco for a beginner? It's the main reason I've been holding back. I've been reading about different types of tobacco. What I'm looking for specifically is something between a Marlboro red and a mild cigar. I've read up on the Virginia, Burley and English blends but couldn't really find any at the store, (I think it was rolling tobacco they had), most of the ones I see are flavored ones, apple, vanilla, etc...

 

[guitarguy86]

Lane 1Q was one of the first tobaccos I tried. It's an aromatic, and to me, it does have a Vanilla taste/aroma. Other people on the forums here say it's a good starter. I wish I've smoked some Virginias so I could reccomend some to you, but I havent tried any of those yet. I'm an English/Balkan lover. If you're considering an English/Balkan, maybe try Hearth & Home Ambassador's Blend, or Black House(my favorite).
Hope that helps at least a little.

 

[hfearly]

Welcome to the forum!
First off, I don't think there is such a thing. 80% of the fun of this hobby is trying all the different tobaccos, keeping note of what you like and don't and develop your very own taste.

Maybe start with a solid Missouri Meerschaum Pride, a multi tool and the archetype tobaccos of every genre and see what you like most.
For example:

English - Dunhill Nightcap or Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader

Virginia - Samuel Gawith Best Brown or Full Virginia Flake

Aromatic - Mac Baren 7 Seas White or lane 1Q (also called Wilshire at Tinderbox)

Burley - Mac Baren Golden Extra or Solani Aged Burley Flake
From your description above you might find the Mac Baren Golden Extra (light cigar) or the Mac Baren Club Blend (mini cigarillo) to your liking.
It's all about experimenting and fun. Don't be intimidated! Best thing is if you can find a pipe mentor who shows you all the tricks ;-)

 

[judcole]

Welcome aboard.
I personally would not recommend a flake for a new smoker - that's one more thing they have to mess with. I personally love SG BBF, but flakes do have theri own learning curve, distinct from the pipe smoking learning curve. For a decent Virginia blend for a new smoker, I would recommend MacBaren HH Mature Virginia.
You can do much worse than explore MacBaren blends. They use quality leaf, and their blends are easy to find. A good e-tailer that has their bulks will usually sell you an ounce, which is a good way to explore. Don't get sucked in and buy large amounts before you try it! I have seen way too many guys here go off and buy 8 ounces of something 'cause they got a great price, and then find it's not their cuppa. ::

 

[cynyr]

Thanks for coming by! Pull up a chair and stay.
I can't disagree with anything the experienced pipemen above have said. My advice would be to buy the best pipe you can afford. Think over US$100. That way, an inferior pipe won't be holding you back. You can always get most of that investment back on BriarBid.
I recommend 1Q for beginners, but in your case go with good old Prince Albert. It's mild, with a full tobacco taste that you are used to from cigars. If you really enjoyed the Creme cigarillos, then by all means search out the 1Q. Any of the sponsors here will carry it under that name.
But above all, have fun trying everything. That's what the hobby is all about.

 

[shawn622]

+1 Jud

 

[hfearly]

How come flakes are always considered not beginner friendly? Cut in little cubes, let them slide in until pipe is full, press lightly on top, light. Pipe packing can't get easier than that. Getting a good packing tightness with ribbon cut took me forever before it was more or less usable. Just sayin.

 

[mlyvers]

yes you have too expreiment with tobacs. first thing get a good pipe, 25-50 dollar range or as sugested a corn cob. you say you want something like cigs and a cigar. well i would not suggest an aromatic to you. there are tobacs out there that contain virginia and cigar leaf. however if you want sweet, go with 1Q, good luck to you sir. remember to experiment with diff tobacs. you will find something that suits your taste. hang in there my freind.
mike.

 

[foggymountain]

My tobacco recommendation for a beginner is Dunhill Standard Mixture. It is a tasty and enjoyable smoke without being too dominated by any one taste. Subtle, doesn't hit you over the head, not too strong, but charming. They say it is Virginia and oriental.

 

[joshwolftree]

If you want to experiment with different tobaccos many of the site sponsors have sampler packs of an ounce or two of a couple of tobaccos.

I like the corn cob's because they tend to require significantly less breaking in, but that's my opinion also they are relatively inexpensive. you'll notice Missouri Meerschaum getting mentioned a lot when discussions of cobs come up. this is because they make good cobs. It sounds like the tobacco shops you have nearby are of the big chain, roll your own cigarettes, with a humidor and a few cheap mini pipes thrown in for good measure? If their anything Like the ones I have near here, the vast majority of the "pipes" are glass,metal,or made to look like something other than a pipe? and there are probably signs nearby the display counter advising you that usage of incorrect terminology when referring to smoking devices will get you ejected from the store? If you answered yes to any of these questions. check quickly to see if they have any small packets of classic tobaccos(IE captain black) then check even more quickly to see if the corn cobs are full sized or minis. If full sized check the bottom if it say made in(insert random country here) then you don't need it. If it says Missouri Meerschaum, then think about it. or just visit some of the lovely site sponsors.

By the way by all means get a briar and a meer and all the other pipes too. The main reason I suggest cobs is because you can pick up three or four for the price of a cheep briar. then you don't have to worry about ghosting when trying new tobaccos cause you can just jam a different tobacco into each one.

 

[zanthal]

There's more than one packing method for flake, I think is what Jud is talking about.
You've come to the right place, new pipe smoker. We'll see you set right, if you stay awhile. ::

 

[rhogg]

Corn cob and some Prince Albert (PA) was enough to steer me clear of the cigs. It definately was a big flavor improvement over reds. I have since moved on from PA, but it was definitely a satisfying blend for me when I started off.
If you smoked reds, and like even mild cigars then it is likely you will like full tobacco flavored pipe blends.
Go for Virginia dominant blends. Burley might be good for you too. I would recommend treading lightly in the aromatic department until you figure out what kinds tobaccos you like. Once you have that down experimenting with the 5 billion flavors is a little easier. I wish I would have done that so I didn't waste a ton of money on aromatics I was doomed to hate because I knew nothing about the leaf I was smoking.
Most people would recommend you do the opposite, and most people find it easy to disagree with me so you may want to consider that as well.

 

[reformedchris]

Here is what I have enjoyed so far:
English:

Sherlock (Can be Purchased at Tinderbox) It has a very smooth, but hint of sweet taste
Aromatic: Wilshire (Purchase at Tinderbox) Great vanilla and easy on the buds for a light smoke.
I also enjoy Presbyterian Mixture which is an English. It has mixed reviews.

 

[baronsamedi]

Plenty of good suggestions, but I'll reccommend a couple of tobaccos you may like since you are already familiar with cigarettes and cigars. Both are McClelland Tobaccos and you can find them pretty easy. Pipesandcigars.com is a great place.
One is McClelland's Black Shag, which is a sweet stove fired Virginia. Full of flavor and not at all bitey. Another is their Virginia 35 Stave Aged. It is a Virginia Blend aged with a piece of whiskey barrel in the tin. It is also sweet and aromatic, but mild on the tongue.
+1 for Black House, too, but it's a Balkan. Different animal there than the first 2.

 

[ahitofmeth]

Thanks for all the input guys, I'll be sure to write down the brands and check around later in the week. I'll check for samples but I don't remember seeing any in the few shops here I've checked out, actually it's mostly flavored stuff like cherry and vanilla.

Based on my experience flavored cigars in the past, I probably won't be checking out the pipe blends either since i've never really liked the stuff. I'm looking forward to enjoying different blends but since on a bit of a budget right now I don't have the option of choosing different tobacco's, so I'm hoping for something that won't put me off pipe smoking.

 

[igloo]

I think you would like GL Pease Piccadilly or Newminster PS80 based on your currant choice of smokes . http://www.smokingpipes.com/ has a 50 dollar free shipping right now . You can do so much better than anything that comes in a resealable bag and be a lot happier in the end .

 

[nsfisher]

Either a couple of Cobs to try your hand at it mate, or spring for at least a $60+, unfiltered Briar. MacBarrens Original Choice is a good pick for a first time puffer. No bite, pleasant room note, very easy to pack and it stays lit well. If you go with an unfiltered Cob, and a pouch of OTC Original Choice or Carter Hall, you will have a good start and it will keep you at about the $20.00 range.

 

[ahitofmeth]

I was at a tobacco store earlier, I recognized the Dunhill Standard Mixture from your suggestions. I did look it up online and what costs around 12usd per 50g tin costs 46usd here. I was (reluctantly) ready to pull the trigger but they didn't have the Mr.Brog or Dr. Grabow brands I was hoping to get which are in my price range for an entry level pipe. They did have Dr. Plumb, Fravenbver and one small one with the word SPORT on the side of it lol. They had others but those three are the only ones costing less than 60usd.
I decided not to buy just yet while I do a bit more research. I know I originally asked for tobacco info on this thread but any additional advice on these brands would help supplement my research.

 

[hfearly]

Rothnh: Hong Kong
Ahitof: I found these two addresses on the net, nut not sure if they are still relevant
1. FuShing & Sons - 2nd Floor, Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, Wanchai. (some pipe tobaccos, no pipes)

2. YatFungHong - 226 Queen's Road Central, Sheung Wan. (moderate pipes, 3 B's, Big Ben's, a few others)

 

[ahitofmeth]

Thanks guys. I did forget to mention Rothnh that I am indeed in Hong Kong, where tobacco tax has gone up twice since 2010 and likely to go up again next year. The tobacco shops i've checked also only sell what they stock, no mail order stuff.
hfearly - Thanks for reminding me. We used to go that tobacco shop in Fenwick when we were kids to buy king size rolling papers. They probably won't be any cheaper than other shops but should have a better selection of tobacco. I don't think i've ever seen the one in queens road but I'll check it out later in the week to see what they have.