What a great new hobby. Long to tobacco but short to the pipe, I started with Aromatics and ventured into Virginia's and Burleys and even got some Dark Fired Kentucky. I've enjoyed most everything thus far with a few exceptions. Initially, I stayed away from anything with Latakia in it, I guess I thought I might have a bad experience and did not want to ruin my new hobby. A few weeks ago I got ahold of some HGL. I was awestruck how different it was and how much of a totally different experience I had smoking it. I posted this experience and asked for advice on where to turn next. Balkan Supreme kept being mentioned and a week later I sat there smoking a bowl in my shop thinking this can't get any better. Many of the tobaccos you suggested I purchased and await their turn. Smoked some RLP-6 last night and enjoyed it, but couldn't quit thinking how good that Balkan Supreme was.
Taste. It Is A Changin!
- Thread starter dkmdvm
- Start date
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I've been on a huge Carter Hall kick again. These days. Now that my tub is finally dry enough, 90 percent has been Carter Hall. Delicious and cheap!
I have the tendency to stick with what I like. However, the older I get I realize time is not on my side and I don't want to miss out on new things that I may enjoy by playing it safe. Trying Latakia blends reinforced that idea. I like Carter Hall as well. I can always go back to that if I hit what several others describe as a "Latakia wall." I'm finding the only things steering me toward or away from certain blends is availability.
I'm the opposite, I started with Latakia (Dunhill Nightcap) and smoked only that for a couple of years, to the point where I thought that there's no other pipe tobacco on the planet. Now I don't really like Latakia anymore, and going through a major VaPer kick.
I started with OTC'S and hated them. I moved to bulk aros for a long time then to English/Latakia blends. I've never hit the Lat wall thank goodness. Lately though it's been Virginias and Dark fireds. I tried Carter Hall over the holidays after reading so much about it on this forum and it was one OTC in never tried. It was like smoking an angry bee hive to me. Mark Twain in a can from P&C is close to an OTC and it's not bad.
Me as well. I started with SPC Plum Pudding and then picked up a bunch of English/Balkan blends, but once I figured out how to smoke and taste Virginias it's been pretty much all Virginia/VaPer blends, and mostly flakes. I'll have a latakia centered blend occasionally, but probably 70 percent of my smokes are now Virginia based, with Burley and Lat making up the other 30.
dkm' it sounds like you have a thoughtful and successful approach to blends and are trying around in an adventuresome way. I don't think you need much advice from me. Steady on. I'll just repeat what I often say: For about two years, just buy small quantities in a wide variety of genres and cuts, to see what you like. Your tastes will change. Even when you like something a lot, don't buy it in quantity. I'd keep it at an ounce of bulk, a tin, a pouch at a time. Keep track of blends and how you like them, and know what the constituent tobaccos (and flavorings if any) are in each blend, to get a line on what you like. If you don't like a single leaf or blend, jar it and try it again later. Mostly, have fun. I think you've got it going in the right direction.
Thanks mso489. I have done mostly what you suggest. It may be faux pas, but I threw something in the trash cause I didn't like it. I only did that once and now that I think on it probably won't do it again. I tried luxury bullseye flake and just couldn't finish it, so like many on this forum have said I jarred it and will try it later. I may be headed in the right direction, but only because I've been getting good information from guys on this site. Thanks to everyone who contributes.
Wow i hope i find a blend i LOVE enough to buy a garbage bag size of someday. I mean dang 5 pounds thats cool. Will have to add some to my next order. Still trying different blends with some standouts but so many great tobaccos to try yet.
I am very fortunate to have our local pipe club, everyone has something to share and try. The problem is can’t buy anything mail order because of Washington state laws. The saving grace is our one b&m. Although everything is in a hold pattern for the time being?
I bought four of those bags last year. Many blends in the same genre are too similar for me to want to try anymore so I finished up my collection last year with 5-20 pounds of the blends I found to be staples of the genre.
Here's a few I have. Some bulk, some bought by the pound container.
Stokkebye Balkan Supreme
Old Dark Fired
HH Burley Flake
Symphony
LJ Peretti Royal
Watch City Slices
Rouxgaroux
Orion's Arrow
Oriental Silk
Superior Navy Flake
Plum Cake
The Solent Mixture
Stokkebye Cube Cut
Mixture 79
Luxury Twist Flake
Luxury Bullseye Flake
Acadian Perique
Elizabethan Match
Blackberry Brandy
Milan London Dock
Angler's Dream
Ennerdale Flake
Glengarry Flake
Grasmere Flake
Belmont Station
Kendall Gold BaNana