Sticking With Aros For Now

[numbersix]

six, you should never apologize for smoking what you enjoy. I honestly wished I didn't love all the flakes I do because they are so damned expensive. If I liked aromatics or English blends I could have completed my cellar months ago and for a third of the cost.

You're right, and I am not really apologizing of course. But I respect the cultured taste buds of pipe smokers who enjoy the complex flavors - that's all. But as the immortal Popeye once said "I yam what I yam".
I unfortunately have expensive taste in coffee and when I used to drink beer, I mainly enjoyed quality craft beers. So I am glad my tobacco tastes aren't so refined!
p.s.

That is a very generous offer - PM sent!!

 

[numbersix]

I loaded up a favorite pipe with some Frog Cellar and for a few minutes I just enjoyed the process, the feel of the briar in my hand and the smell before heading back inside. I truly didn't want a smoke, per se, but I craved the ritual of it all. A funny thing this pipe business.

I get that perspective - even choosing the pipe is part of the enjoyment. The whole experience is truly relaxing and settles the mind and body. Such a shame the nanny-state is trying to control our decisions - for our own good of course!

 

[numbersix]

Thanks a lot Six and Rothnh, I just ordered the sampler from Pipeworks and Wilke's I got cherry cavendish,rumcake,No.13 and No.191. Thanks for suggestions fellas!

You're welcome - I really like 191 btw. As Petergunn mentioned, Bleeker Street is awesome too. And like Roth pointed out, these aros are a cut above and Carole uses real ingredients like VT honey, real vanilla, as opposed to artificial flavoring used in cheaper aros.
And some of her recipes date back to the 1800s and were enjoyed by famous pipe smokers like Basil Rathbone.

 

[simnettpratt]

Even choosing the pipe is part of the enjoyment? Hell, that's a MAJOR part of the enjoyment! I enter a pipe store and I'm like a woman in a shoe store; they don't call it PAD for nothing. Remember my B&M's quote:
Cigarettes are an addiction, cigars are a hobby, pipes are a religion.
Six, I hope you're not in New York. Remember the pipe cartoon with the astronaut on the moon meeting the alien smoking a pipe? One of my favorite captions was something like, 'I'm from New York. This is the only place I'm allowed to smoke now'. And in Hawaii, where even if you share one common wall with a neighbor, smoking in your own damn house is a ticket and a fine.

 

[numbersix]

Six, I hope you're not in New York. Remember the pipe cartoon with the astronaut on the moon meeting the alien smoking a pipe? One of my favorite captions was something like, 'I'm from New York. This is the only place I'm allowed to smoke now'. And in Hawaii, where even if you share one common wall with a neighbor, smoking in your own damn house is a ticket and a fine.

Luckily I am in VT - no such laws (yet).
Maybe we should argue that it's our religious right! ::

 

[drrock]

I'm an unabashed smoker of aromatic pipe tobaccos and proud of it. While I"m a huge fan of the aromatics from Uhles, Boswell, Peretti, vtpipes, and Milan Tobacconists, they are perhaps a bit more expensive than standard bulk aromatics. There are some terrific bulk aromatics - Lane RLP6 & LL7, Consolidated Rum & Maple, & pipesandcigars.com Trout Stream come to mind - that are inexpensive & in my experience of very good quality.

While I'll never give up the many Virginia blends etc. that I love, I'll always have plenty of room for good aromatics in my cellar

 

[kashmir]

I'm faithful to the ol' Captain Black every once in a blue moon. It's a nice break from my English & Balkans. Speaking of Aros, Boswells makes some mighty fine flavored tobaccos, tho I haven't had any in years.

 

[juptierspipe]

I just finished a bowl of Boswells Pennsylvania Dutch Treat and it was awesome! Their Rasberry Cream and Christmas Cookie is outstanding as well.

 

[murf]

TOBACCO SAMPLER

If you would like to become acquainted with Pipeworks and Wilke's fabulous tobaccos, I suggest the tobacco sampler. Choose four different tobaccos from the website and I will send you a two ounce pouch of each blend. (If you cannot quite narrow your selection down to four blends you are more than welcome to add as many as you like for an additional charge per blend).. After sampling these fine tobaccos you can decide which are your favorites.
$34.00 for sampler only, $40.00 postage paid.

Am I reading this right? $40 for 8oz of tobacco? That is steep! Better be some damn fine tobacco there. My TAD is suddenly flaring up again...

 

[Wellington]

Its good to see another pipe smoker that doesn't have a refined palette, like me. I'm the exact same way, I simply can not discern different subtleties of tobaccos or foods or drinks. Yes I still definitely have my favourites, but I can't taste all the ingredients and hints of this and that that many others talk about.

Though for me I don't love aros that much besides W.Ø. Larson Old Fashioned. I haven't tried much for aros besides that, but I haven't liked the smell of any other aros. But I plan to stalk up on some burley OTC's before the end of the year. I really enjoy the flavour and like you, I like them because they're much more affordable.

 

[soggycitybob]

Also agreed on the aros. I go for the Captain Black Royal and Cherry, and the Prince Albert Vanilla. Both are easily accessible and affordable. And I'm with #6 on the beer - leaves more $$ for a nice craft IPA.

 

[daytonsean]

There is nothing better than a nice IPA.
Pitchfork, the Altadis and Dan Tobacco Blue Note blends are different from each other. I prefer Altadis Blue Note. And it's much more affordable.

 

[pitchfork]

Thanks for confirming that, Sean. I suspected as much, but wasn't sure.

 

[ciderguy]

I'm not normally an aromatic smoker, but I decided to try a few recently. Steven Brooks at House of Calabash hand blends some excellent aromatics. He is also a frequent attendee of the Portland, OR pipe club. I highly recommend the Grandfather's Own. It is a bit pricey; however, the flavors are so intense that it can be blended up to 50% with a straight burley and it still retains all most all of its flavor. I also find it less likely to bite this way.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I pretty much only smoke aromatics. I love 1Q. Just such a nice blend. The room note is always complimented and the taste is pretty good as well. There's a reason why it's the number one selling bulk blend. Definitely smoke what you like and don't let people influence you away from those blends.

 

[zonomo]

Hey 6 - I've stopped fighting it all together. I like what I like. I think the vast majority of people are cool with it but to be honest, it doesnt matter what anyone thinks since I smoke alone 80% of the time. Yesterday I was getting my car detailed and the workers all came out one at a time to comment how much they liked the smell of my pipe.