Switching from Cigarettes

[wizhunter]

Hi

Just joined and hail from Yorkshire, England. Today i am beginning my journey into the pipe smoking world after rolling my own cigarettes for over 40 years, looking for advice and guidance in mainly what's the best Tobacco to buy, i bought some Condor ready rubbed but have since been told that will be way to strong for me, so that will be my first waste of money.I have also purchased a couple of Corn cob pipes and a Joyoldelf pipe made from pear wood, for advice on Tobacco please remember that i am in the UK so some of the American and even some of the European tobbacco will be unavailable for me to buy, unless some of you guys know something i don't which you all probably do.

Thanks for reading and looking forward to the advice given.

 

[brightleaf]

I doubt a tobacco will be too strong for you, but only you can decide that. If anything I prefer stronger tobaccos over weaker ones. The stronger the tobacco is, the less likely I will feel a need to inhale the smoke before my bowl burns out.
As for waste of money, that's only if you throw out the tobacco. I will smoke anything I buy, as it is all worthy to me. You could also offer it for free to a fellow smoker and build a bond of friendship.

 

[briarblues]

wizhunter, Welcome to the forum. What is or isn't too "strong" for you really depends on your tastes. I am going to assume you smoked non filter cigarettes and inhaled, thus I doubt you'll find too many pipe tobaccos to "strong" for you. I would not begin with any aromatic ( flavored ) tobaccos. Aroma and taste are different. What may offer the aroma that will pleasing to others does not usually equate into a similar flavor.
I'd suggest you try a few different types of tobacco and find out which you find the most pleasant. Dunhill Early Morning, or Elizabethan are good beginning blends. Neither too "powerful, yet both have good flavor profiles. Both should be easily available in the UK. From these you can choose to go lighter or to a fully strength blend.
If there is a decent tobacconist near you it may be good to stop in for some advice. Let the tobacconist know what types of food you prefer and what beverages you like. These should offer some hints to what styles of tobaccos you may like.
Regards

Michael J. Glukler

 

[cortezattic]

Familiarize yourself with TobaccoReviews.com. I often read comments there suggesting that a blend would suit the cigarette smoker transitioning to the pipe. You can use the search facility there looking for "cigarette-like", or some such keywords.

 

[saltedplug]

Virginia/Perique - Escudo, Dunhill Elizabethan, Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake

Latakia - Dunhill 965, London Mixture, Nightcap

Virginia - Capstan

 

[mikethompson]

First off, welcome to the forum!
Your tastes in blends will differ from anyone elses and will of course change in time. I personally like Nightcap from Dunhill but you might not. As mentioned above, you will want to check out tobaccoreviews.com and specifically reviews by jimlnks. He's reviewed roughly 2000 blends.
You've already got your cob which are great for starting out.
Enjoy the journey!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The hardest part of switching from cigarettes to either cigars or pipes is that 'lung-full" feeling. My first tobacco was one of those bags of RYO labelled pipe tobacco. It's actually pretty good stuff, some are better cuts of tobacco that you would ever find in prepackaged cigarettes. Maybe take a look at Daughters Ryan pipe tobaccos. Three Sails is a good one, but you will have to try around to find a good one. I also would occasionally take a sip into the lungs occasionally as I was transitioning. You'll find it harsh, so don't drag on it like a Camel, plus pulling too hard on the pipe will create a much too hot a fire for a pipe. Just a small sip of smoke. You don't even have to let it go deep, just to satisfy that lung feeling. Eventually, as your tastes in pipe tobacco changes, you won't be sipping as often. Condor is fine for once you get past the need for a car crash lung blast of nicotine. A good strong pipe tobacco absorbed through the small veins of the mouth can deliver much more nicotine to your system, but it will be a very different feeling, more relaxed and sleppy-like.

But, YMMV, and everyone may have a different approach, and all of them probably works. This one just worked for me. Good luck!

 

[ray47]

When I quit cigarettes, I started out with strong blends like C&D's Big & Burley, Old Joe Krantz and G&H Dark Birdseye. I gradually came down to milder blends like Prince Albert & Carter Hall. I had to reduce my dependence on nicotine and the milder blends helped, but I sure increased the number of bowls I smoked per day while smoking those milder blends. I'm at a point now where I only smoke a strong blend about once or twice a week. That worked for me so I don't know what will work for you.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I fully second Mr Cosmic, and wanna say only You gentlemen who reside in Britain you really have plenty of marvellous pipetobaccoes from which to choose, even the major part of The British OTC's are surpricingly high quality, to mention only a few, St Brunos, Players,both Capstans and Amphoras, though only one significant downside is excisting and that is extermly high retail prices,

 

[ukbob]

Try Smoke King .com , they do samples of Sam Gawith etc.

 

[ryeguy]

Your taste is yours, and I think it is irresponsible of people to tell you that something will be too strong for you.
The only way to figure out what you like is to try a couple examples from each of the major classes.
Saltedplug made some solid recommendations. Under VAs I'd add Dunhill Flake. I'd also try a couple Burley blends, though I don't have any good recommendations off-hand. Those will give you good starting points to see what you like.
And remember, tobacco ships wet--way too wet to smoke enjoyably, in my opinion. Dry the stuff out.

 

[crashthegrey]

Cosmic hit the nail on the head, and although it may not help where you are, Pipes and Cigars just emailed that Daughters & Ryan 3 Sails bulk is on sale for $1 an ounce, with no minimum purchase.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Hi Wiz, welcome to the forum from another Yorkshireman! I too rolled my own (Sampson, Drum, Old Holborn) for 35 years afore I took to the pipe two years ago.
I mostly smoke tobaccos from Samuel Gawith and Gawith & Hoggarth (Kendal, Cumbria) though I also have some lovely blends from the States, mostly VaPers.
Condor is an acquired taste, I personally love the stuff.
You'll likely get much advice and suggestions here if you stay around.
If you PM me your personal details I'll send you a sampler pack of different blends.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[wizhunter]

Thanks for all the replies and advice, i will try different types as you guys suggested, i think i chose Condor because it was the only one i had heard of lol, with rollong your own your only have like 4 or 5 different types of tobacco so the choice is easy. I am determined to sti8ck with the pipe. I will keep a small amount of rolling tobacco to one side in case i have the urge to have a ciggy. I was expecting everything to arrive today but some things haven't come so hopefully i will get on track tomorrow, i will look at the tobacco site you guys suggested and have a good look, i was lookig at my Corn cob earlier and didn't realise how small the pot was, well it is compared to the other i bought. Another thing i wondered about was the different types of wood they are made of, i see a lot of people like Briar, does it make much difference what it's made of ?. Also thanks for the offer Jay i will shoot you a PM in a bit.

Thanks again

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Drum rolling tobacco in a small pipe is actually a very good Kentucky Fire Cured/Virginia smoke.

i wondered about was the different types of wood they are made of, I see a lot of people like Briar, does it make much difference what it's made of ?

The wood gives off a warm subtle aroma to the smoke. Briar is what gives the pipe tobacco that pipey smell. Cobs have a sweet corny aroma that some like, and the white meerschaums are supposed to have no aromas.

I prefer briar, because I enjoy that warm sweet wood smell. I actually crave it as well as the tobaccos sometimes. It really just depends on your personal preference. Some guys prefer to only ever smoke cobs, which is great on the budget.

 

[wizhunter]

I have 3 Cobs on order lol, just wondered about the briars, they seem quite expensive though, also is it wise to buy pre-owned pipes to save a bit of cash ?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

also is it wise to buy pre-owned pipes to save a bit of cash ?

There are many different reason to buy used/estate pipes, and saving money is a good reason.

 

[crashthegrey]

Estates are a good way to start, and the Morgan Pipes Bones line is quality briar, but without all of the fancy finishing, for only $39, or similarly priced over there. I am fairly certain he has UK distributors, GQ Pipes perhaps. Definitely pick a briar and give it a whirl. It's completely different than other woods or cobs for me.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Wiz, do you prefer straight pipes or bent pipes? Large or small? I'll see if I can include a briar pipe in your sample package.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[wizhunter]

I don't really know Jay the cobs i bought are bent and straight, i wouldn't want anything too big i don't think, i will be mainly smoking in the house so i don't think it would really matter.

I really appreciate your offer so anything will do

I can send you some cash through paypal. I don't want you being out of pocket.