I keep reading about new pipe smokers wanting to start with aromatic blends. I know that they are better left to more experienced smokers but the newborn smokers will not listen. My big question is what should the newbies be smoking? English blends? An old Codger blend? Order a sampler from somewhere? Search for a willing experienced smoker to help with the mechanics. Local pipe club is smart but can be far and scarce as chicken teeth. What say you? Who helped you when you started?
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- Thread starter Swampdragon69
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Few things more forgiving than burley and a cob. Prince and Carter are cheap, abundant, and easy to learn the basics with!
I've always advocated Prince Albert and a cob and that hasn't changed. When I started smoking a pipe in 1967, I had nobody to help me. I learned from my mistakes.
There's what should be, and what is. Aromatics are the financial foundation of the pipe tobacco business, about 95% of sales to be exact, so we can assume that most pipe smokers start and stay with aromatics. When I bought my first pipe in the seventies, aromatics were considered the beginner's way in. However, I will go along with the idea that it helps get started to smoke some tobacco without non-tobacco flavoring, a good Virginia, burley, or whatever you like, at least as part of a regular rotation. I'm skeptical of any high dogma about what you must smoke, but some of the non-aromatics are a good idea.
I think that many codger blends are forgiving, both in mechanics and taste. Carter Hall practically smokes itself. Amphora and some others are a broken flake, so you just gravity fill it loosely, no worrying about “packing methods” or whatever Frank does.
Also codger blends in pouches and tubs are generally well-made to be smoked as you buy them. No worrying about humidity or drying them.
I’d advise something like Carter Hall in a cob, or Amphora Burley to start. As for the suggestion of a light English, I liked those early in my pipe smoking too. Lots of flavour for an untrained palate to chew on. I had the most luck with Presbyterian early on.
Then just keep trying new ones as funds allow. If they don’t work, jar them and come back in a few months. You’ll be amazed how fast your palate changes early on.
Let us know what you choose and how it works out!
Also codger blends in pouches and tubs are generally well-made to be smoked as you buy them. No worrying about humidity or drying them.
I’d advise something like Carter Hall in a cob, or Amphora Burley to start. As for the suggestion of a light English, I liked those early in my pipe smoking too. Lots of flavour for an untrained palate to chew on. I had the most luck with Presbyterian early on.
Then just keep trying new ones as funds allow. If they don’t work, jar them and come back in a few months. You’ll be amazed how fast your palate changes early on.
Let us know what you choose and how it works out!
I would offer both Carter Hall and Captain Black Regular. I dispise the latter, but this isn’t about me. Lol
My reasoning is that the new smoker is likely going to enjoy either one or the other more.
He can then be directed to further explore either Aromatics or delve into Burley and VA.
Later he can learn about condiment tobaccos, perique, Latakia and Orientals.
Too many new smokers could taste a Burley and toss up their hands or vice versa dislike an Aro.
My reasoning is that the new smoker is likely going to enjoy either one or the other more.
He can then be directed to further explore either Aromatics or delve into Burley and VA.
Later he can learn about condiment tobaccos, perique, Latakia and Orientals.
Too many new smokers could taste a Burley and toss up their hands or vice versa dislike an Aro.
I recommend Chelsea Morning as a starter english/VA. Very light and smooth.
I would get in touch with the folks at the Country Squire, tell them you are new and have them put together a sampler of various types of blends for you to try.
The problem I had with aromatics when I was a new smoker was freight training the damn thing trying to get it to taste like the tin description. Atleast when I smoked English early on I had something to taste.
My local Pipe Club contacted Sutliff & MacBarens stating we were looking for a couple samples for members to try. Once the age verification was sorted out, they sent samples.
I have a local B&M that had a bona fide blender who helped me. Even though I ultimately rejected his advice because his tastes were different from mine, he was nonetheless a great source of information. If you don't have someone with broad experience to help you, I suggest starting with the blends that have the most reviews on tobaccoreviews.com:
Esoterica Tobacciana - Penzance 457 ★★★★ 3.5 Balkan
John Middleton, Inc - Prince Albert 480 ★★★☆ 2.9 Burley Based
Lane Limited - Captain Black Original (Regular) 468 ★★★☆ 2.5 Aromatic
Orlik Tobacco Company A/S - Golden Sliced (Red Tin) 459 ★★★★ 3.3 Virginia/Perique
Peterson - Early Morning Pipe 560 ★★★★ 3.1 English
Peterson - My Mixture 965 581 ★★★★ 3.2 English
Peterson - Nightcap 631 ★★★★ 3.5 English
Samuel Gawith - Full Virginia Flake 571 ★★★★ 3.5 Straight Virginia
Samuel Gawith - Squadron Leader 512 ★★★★ 3.4 English
There's a reason why these blends have lots of reviews. It's because they are popular and a lot of folks think they're good, so they're a good place to start. Pick one English and go for Prince Albert, Captain Black and the Orlick as they each represent different categories of blends. Figure out which you like and proceed from there. (As you probably know already, Esoterica and Sam Gawiths are now hard to get, so you'll might have to skip them for now).
Esoterica Tobacciana - Penzance 457 ★★★★ 3.5 Balkan
John Middleton, Inc - Prince Albert 480 ★★★☆ 2.9 Burley Based
Lane Limited - Captain Black Original (Regular) 468 ★★★☆ 2.5 Aromatic
Orlik Tobacco Company A/S - Golden Sliced (Red Tin) 459 ★★★★ 3.3 Virginia/Perique
Peterson - Early Morning Pipe 560 ★★★★ 3.1 English
Peterson - My Mixture 965 581 ★★★★ 3.2 English
Peterson - Nightcap 631 ★★★★ 3.5 English
Samuel Gawith - Full Virginia Flake 571 ★★★★ 3.5 Straight Virginia
Samuel Gawith - Squadron Leader 512 ★★★★ 3.4 English
There's a reason why these blends have lots of reviews. It's because they are popular and a lot of folks think they're good, so they're a good place to start. Pick one English and go for Prince Albert, Captain Black and the Orlick as they each represent different categories of blends. Figure out which you like and proceed from there. (As you probably know already, Esoterica and Sam Gawiths are now hard to get, so you'll might have to skip them for now).
I tried to start with Carter Hall in a cob and found it to be very boring and bland, not much better than smoking a cigarette. Then I tried My Mixture 965 and immediately fell in love with pipe smoking. My Mixture 965 is very forgiving and user friendly as far as mechanics go (packing, lighting, smoking) and has a delicious sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor that can't be missed.
Grab a tin. You won't be sorry.
Grab a tin. You won't be sorry.
Personally, I chose what I wanted to smoke, which was an aromatic blend. I never did do well with traditions and expectations so I don't engage either side of the arguments for or against blends, specifically for newbies. How I see it is that if you smoke something that you don't like, you will eventually push yourself away from pipes. If you are going to learn and engage in the hobby, my advice would be to follow your own unique palette. If you are going to end up looking for a certain flavor anyway, it makes sense to me to start there and branch out as you become familiar.
I don't like aromatic.First tobacco I bought,965,Old Dublin...........7 seas I threw it into the trash...........
I don't know why people always recommend aromatics for new smokers...I was raised on straight leaf from nearby farms. Most philosophies are to start from something complicated (aromatics, english, vapers, etc.) and narrow your field to what you like over time...I'm exactly the opposite, start simple and then feel around for others as you go.
I say just jump right in to a high quality straight Virginia blend like Sutliff's Crumble Kake Red, or C&D Interlude (which is actually slightly cased but not topped). Both are very nice blends that you can then branch off of to explore other more complicated ones.
So far I have helped a 3 friends get into smoking pipes seriously, and I was lucky to have their trust in helping them get started. My first suggestion was to start with individual blending components, which I provided. Basically, a yellow VA, red VA, a white Burley and a dark one, all in easy smoking ribbon form. Then I supplied them with a few blend styles, like orlik GS, c&d Burley flake #2, so they could taste quality. Then I handed over a vaper and an English, and by that time they were honing in on what they liked and didn't like. Afterwards I gave them samples of lightly flavored blends like Symphony and Golden Extra and since they had good experiences and palate distinction with the more natural tobacco's, they enjoyed the aromatics for what they were and started them in their rotations. Now, suffice it to say these are close friends and pretty intrepid/open minded, so this approach wouldn't work for everyone. Everyone has different intentions and goals.
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