In the ’90s, I would smoke a pipe occasionally to bring variety into all my cigar smoking. These days, at least in the winter months, it’s the opposite.
I smoked a pipe for 10 years, then gave up smoking for 20 years, then cigars for 13 years. Went back to the pipe last year and when I try an occasional cigar there is simply no taste or feel. My opinion is if you are going to smoke, pipes are probably the least of all evils. Pipes are also chick magnets, met my wife when she commented on my lovely smell, pipe tobacco of course
cheers
Welcome from Florida. I would buy a nice unfiltered Savinelli in a group 4-5 size and I believe it will smoke cool and dry and it will give you a baseline for all further purchases.
I have been advising this to new guys for a decade or more. Some ignore me and end up with crappy pipes and crappy smokes and end up quitting fairly quickly.