Try More Blends or Cellar What I Know?

[TheWhale13]

Title edited for caps. Rule 9! Thank you.

I am facing a bit of a dilemma right now. I don't know if I should prepare myself for the tobaccopocalypse and rising prices by buying what I like now, or if I should try new things? I am a beginner still, so I have not experienced a lot of tobaccos, and that is why I'm so hesitant about cellaring right now. Maybe I should compromise and do a bit of both?

Does anyone have some wisdom to share?

 

[Andriko]

If you've found sutff you really like, go deep on it and get the occasional of something else. I've only been smoking about a year, and already a few of the blends I liked are gone.

 

[Peter Turbo]

I'm two years deep and still in the try phase, basically anything I taste now that impressed with from the first bowl goes on a list. There's only been a few blends, less than 5 maybe, where I've tried and been like "damn I'm ordering more of this right now". I probably have over 120 different blends at the moment and most of those are just one timers, things I have 2oz or less of because I bought them to try.

This brings me back to my rant about not being able to purchase tobacco in grams to try in the USA, like they have in the UK (not sure if EU gets this as well) where they can get 10g samples. Honestly I weighed it out and I'd be fine anywhere between 5-7g for samples. I don't need an ounce (in some case minimum two ounces! kbv and wcc I'm looking at you!!) of something to tell if I'm gonna like it or not.

Tough call to make since you're new I'd say keep trying new things but you could end up strung out like me trying to figure it out after two years still. It's annoying to be like "yeah id be good with this xyz blend i just tried" only to find something you like more a week later and now we're starting all over again.

Good luck.

 

[monty55]

The short answer - YES!

 

[reloader]

I try to cellar the blends I like the most and get an oz. of several new blends each time I order. I like to have at least an oz. of something I haven't tried because there have been a few blends that the first bowl was not enjoyable, but when I went back for subsequent bowls I realized I liked the blend. I think you have a bit of time until the hammer falls so order small amounts of the things you want to try. Your tastes may also change over time, so the blends you find you love in the near future may not be the ones you love 15-20 years from now. My cellar isn't big enough to last that long so I don't have to worry about that just yet.

 

[karam]

There hasn’t been a blend I enjoyed a whole tin of which wasn’t cellar-worthy! That’s my personal guide.

 

[Streeper541]

Try more blends or cellar what I know?​

I have consulted with the all knowing and wise Magic 8 Ball...

 

[warren]

Depends on how yo are wired I suppose. I have no clue.

 

[Servant King]

I'd go with cellaring. As time goes on, this will be the more difficult of the two options to pursue successfully, both in terms of availability and cost. I've obtained samples from more fellow forum members than I can count on one hand, so that's certainly an option for you. It's a great way to try a variety of new blends. Pipe smokers are a generous lot, by and large.

 

[alaskanpiper]

This brings me back to my rant about not being able to purchase tobacco in grams to try in the USA, like they have in the UK (not sure if EU gets this as well) where they can get 10g samples. Honestly I weighed it out and I'd be fine anywhere between 5-7g for samples. I don't need an ounce (in some case minimum two ounces! kbv and wcc I'm looking at you!!) of something to tell if I'm gonna like it or not.

Agree. Bigtime. I would have less than half the tobacco I have now if samples were available.

 

[karam]

Agree. Bigtime. I would have less than half the tobacco I have now if samples were available.

In terms of number of blends or weight?

 

[alaskanpiper]

In terms of number of blends or weight?

Weight.

 

[sablebrush52]

I am facing a bit of a dilemma right now. I don't know if I should prepare myself for the tobaccopocalypse and rising prices by buying what I like now, or if I should try new things? I am a beginner still, so I have not experienced a lot of tobaccos, and that is why I'm so hesitant about cellaring right now. Maybe I should compromise and do a bit of both?

Does anyone have some wisdom to share?

Do both.

 

[brandaves]

I say do both.

When I first jumped in I ordered a lot of everything. Most of it tinned. That was a good thing and a bad thing. I now have anywhere from 7 ounces to a pound of some blends that I don't consider necessary for my cellar, but what I do have is trade stock, PIF candidates and things to revisit should my tastes evolve over time.

I have begun to gravitate my deep cellaring to inexpensive staples that I can get in bulk. I'm a Virginia lover so for me things like Newminster 400, Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake, Luxury Navy Flake and 507C. I can get a pound of those for $40. I cellar a handful of tins as they become available such as the Rattray's usual suspects and Wessex. A collector is a collector so I hesitate to say my cellar will ever truly be "done" but I could happily make do smoking any of those Virginia blends and breaking up any boredom with a tin of this or that along the way.

To sum all that up, I'd suggest finding some inexpensive bulk blends that you can cellar and enjoy later. As you do that include a tin or two of something new you'd like to try. If those tins become cellar candidates then you know what to do from there! There is really no wrong way to go about it so long as you enjoy the hobby.

 

[Thepipehunter]

Honestly, both. Buy as much as you can comfortably afford.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I think I am getting my new members mixed up. I was thinking that you had said that you don't smoke, but just enjoyed the camaraderie on here. Maybe it was someone else.
Lots of guys on here want to read your mind and predict your future, but I am not going to be responsible for your disappointment down the road. This is a very personal decision, like selecting a lover or choosing a sexual position that fits you best, ha ha. Just do what your heart desires most.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Try more blends or cellar what I know?​

Both.

I like to say that with the selection of blends on the market now, it could be argued there is no such thing as bad tobacco.
Make sure you have a comfortable amount of anything that strikes your fancy.

 

[scloyd]

If there's a blend you really like, buy more. You never know when it'll be no longer available.

One of my favorites is John Cotton's Smyrna. When I was down to my last two unopened tins, I tried to order more and it was no longer available. Luckily, a generous forum member sent me his JCS leftovers. Now, I'm down to one tin and one jar. When it's gone, it's gone.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

You need to do both with more emphasis on try new things. In fact, I'd say 90% on the try new things. I believe you have time. Save your money monthly so you can make some bigger buys when you're more comfortable with your preferences.

 

[Streeper541]

This is a very personal decision, like selecting a lover or choosing a sexual position that fits you best...

Nicely put Cosmic!
In other words.... YMMV.