Planning return to piping with a change in direction.

[BigDragongly]

Hello. I took up piping for a short period of time a handful of years ago and really only got around to trying some aromatics which never tasted nearly as good as they smelled and tended to burn my tongue. Now that I'm considering a return, my focus is going to be non aromatics. I have gone through reviews and recommendations and have come up with the following for blends it I think I would like to start off with. I realize this is a year mileage may vary type of scenario but just wanted to get some feedback on the four that I have chosen and if it might even be better to just choose two of them instead and also to check my reasoning for pipe selection as well.

1. I chose two English style blends:
-Sutliff Tobacco Company Crumble Kake English #1
-Peterson Early Morning Pipe

2. And two Virginia style blends:
-Peterson Flake
-Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

I suppose I still need to figure out if I want cake flake or ready rub. I'll probably watch a couple more videos on that a little bit later.

3. The plan is to get two inexpensive Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes to try the for tobacco's. One pipe to try the Virginias and the other pipe to try the Englishes. Does that seem like a reasonable approach?

Thank you

​

 

[ziv]

Sounds like a reasonable approach, and MM cobs are great pipes to start with.

One question though - why start trying tobacco with tins and not bulk? With bulk, you can buy more tobacco for the same money, 1 or 2 oz each. Although some say bulk tobacco is inferior to tinned, I don't believe it actually is.

PS Maybe instead of straight VA try some VaPers? They have more pronounced taste which is easier to pick up.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Although some say bulk tobacco is inferior to tinned, I don't believe it actually is.

It isn't.

 

[cachimbosergipano]

Hello. I took up piping for a short period of time a handful of years ago and really only got around to trying some aromatics which never tasted nearly as good as they smelled and tended to burn my tongue. Now that I'm considering a return, my focus is going to be non aromatics. I have gone through reviews and recommendations and have come up with the following for blends it I think I would like to start off with. I realize this is a year mileage may vary type of scenario but just wanted to get some feedback on the four that I have chosen and if it might even be better to just choose two of them instead and also to check my reasoning for pipe selection as well.

1. I chose two English style blends:
-Sutliff Tobacco Company Crumble Kake English #1
-Peterson Early Morning Pipe

2. And two Virginia style blends:
-Peterson Flake
-Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

I suppose I still need to figure out if I want cake flake or ready rub. I'll probably watch a couple more videos on that a little bit later.

3. The plan is to get two inexpensive Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes to try the for tobacco's. One pipe to try the Virginias and the other pipe to try the Englishes. Does that seem like a reasonable approach?

Thank you

​

I had a similar experience with tongue bite. When I returned to smoking pipes, I spent some time watching a few YouTube videos to make sure I was doing it properly. Then I realized I was puffing too hard, which was overheating the bowl – voilà: tongue bite! I learned the breathing method from a Muttnchop Piper tutorial on YouTube and tried again with the same blends I used to smoke before. The result? I finally got a nice flavor and a relaxing smoking session, without tongue bite or any other discomfort.

 

[BigDragongly]

Sounds like a reasonable approach, and MM cobs are great pipes to start with.

One question though - why start trying tobacco with tins and not bulk? With bulk, you can buy more tobacco for the same money, 1 or 2 oz each. Although some say bulk tobacco is inferior to tinned, I don't believe it actually is.

PS Maybe instead of straight VA try some VaPers? They have more pronounced taste which is easier to pick up.

Regarding the bulk stuff, If I go to a local shop, they're going to have a whole bunch of random names on their bulk stuff that won't really let me know what it is that they're giving me and they like to be secretive about that stuff. I suppose I could order through somebody's site. That is an option. I'll have to reconsider brands that I can get that way. Unsure.

Regarding the blends with perique, I understanding is that it tastes like black pepper and that is not a flavor that I particularly care for.

 

[SmokeyJock]

You can't go wrong with Early Morning Pipe. Worth drying it out until it's almost crispy imo

 

[SmokeyJock]

Solani aged burley flake is another one it's hard to get to bite and which I'd recommend

 

[ziv]

Regarding the bulk stuff, If I go to a local shop, they're going to have a whole bunch of random names on their bulk stuff that won't really let me know what it is that they're giving me and they like to be secretive about that stuff. I suppose I could order through somebody's site. That is an option. I'll have to reconsider brands that I can get that way. Unsure.

Regarding the blends with perique, I understanding is that it tastes like black pepper and that is not a flavor that I particularly care for.

Oh, I didn't realize that you were going to use your local B&M shop and not order from the Internet. If that's the case, then you have to select from what they've got to offer, of course, if you are ready to pay the premium.

Re perique, it can be peppery, depending on the amount, but at least you will taste something, unlike straight VA with which you might not taste anything haha. Or maybe you will, I don't know.

 

[hoipolloiglasgow]

People will recommend all kinds of different blends that they like. You’ll have to try as many as you can to find the ones that you like. I say try all the classics first. Tongue bite should go away for the most part after you smoke enough.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

If you’re getting back into the hobby get a cob and the Amphora sampler pack. You’ll be spending about 50 bucks total if you buy online from SmokingPipes. The sampler is going to give you several common blends that may not be the cream of the crop, but will give you an idea of what you like and then you can go from there.

If you find that pipes aren’t for you, that’s ok, you won’t be out a lot of money. Good luck!

 

[proteus]

 

[atwaterville]

EMP is a pretty good English blend to start. For Virginia blend, Newminster's Superior Navy Fake is delicious, easy to smoke, and very well priced.

 

[Pipke]

Seems like a reasonable approach to me. Those are premium tobaccos. Stick with tins and cobs if that's what you like. Enjoy.

 

[Grangerous]

You’ve missed an entire genre. Won’t it be something when you end up loving Burley?

 

[JackOrion]

Hello. I took up piping for a short period of time a handful of years ago and really only got around to trying some aromatics which never tasted nearly as good as they smelled and tended to burn my tongue. Now that I'm considering a return, my focus is going to be non aromatics. I have gone through reviews and recommendations and have come up with the following for blends it I think I would like to start off with. I realize this is a year mileage may vary type of scenario but just wanted to get some feedback on the four that I have chosen and if it might even be better to just choose two of them instead and also to check my reasoning for pipe selection as well.

1. I chose two English style blends:
-Sutliff Tobacco Company Crumble Kake English #1
-Peterson Early Morning Pipe

2. And two Virginia style blends:
-Peterson Flake
-Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

I suppose I still need to figure out if I want cake flake or ready rub. I'll probably watch a couple more videos on that a little bit later.

3. The plan is to get two inexpensive Missouri Meerschaum corn cob pipes to try the for tobacco's. One pipe to try the Virginias and the other pipe to try the Englishes. Does that seem like a reasonable approach?

Thank you

​

Peterson Flake, one of my favorites

 

[Hutch Piper]

You’ve missed an entire genre. Won’t it be something when you end up loving Burley?

I didn’t much care for burley starting out, but now it is my jam. An acquired taste (at least that was my experience).

 

[bullet08]

I actually thought it was a piping thread. After 6 or so years on the forum, I don't get as disappointed as I used to.

 

[sablebrush52]

Re perique, it can be peppery, depending on the amount, but at least you will taste something, unlike straight VA with which you might not taste anything haha. Or maybe you will, I don't know.

Depends on the Perique. Some are peppery, others are fruity.

 

[BigDragongly]

Ok, I went to a local shop and went with what was available in bulk. I got an ounce of each of the following:

Stokkebye Luxury Twist flake (omg, this smelled SOOO good in the jar!)

Haunted Bookshop (also smelled really good!)

Voodoo Queen English

 

[BingBong]

Solani aged burley flake is another one it's hard to get to bite and which I'd recommend

I keep being tempted to try it but then regret that it has been simplfied to its detriment and don't bother. Is it decent in its modern form, in your experience?