Uk Tobaccos

[Bear100]

Title edited for style. Rule 9. And welcome! -jpm

I’m now starting my tobacco journey!
As you may have read in my few meagre posts I’m very new to pipe smoking, first tobacco I tried was an aro cherry and vanilla, not a clue of the brand but it was pleasant, then I tried Century vanilla custard and Gwaiths tropical which I didn’t enjoy either so much.

In my introduction post I was recommended to try some no aros, so now very keen to try something nice but of course being so green I haven’t got a clue what to try.
looking through some posts and googling them a lot have come up as hype like plum pudding and Carter Hall, and most I can’t get hold of in the uk ( there is one shop I can mail order from but a minimum order of 1100g must be met )

So can you please recommend some beginner friendly full flavour tobaccos, or must try’s that will ease me into this ever expanding world of pipe smoking!
Thanks

 

[BROBS]

Hi pipers

I’m now starting my tobacco journey!
As you may have read in my few meagre posts I’m very new to pipe smoking, first tobacco I tried was an aro cherry and vanilla, not a clue of the brand but it was pleasant, then I tried Century vanilla custard and Gwaiths tropical which I didn’t enjoy either so much.

In my introduction post I was recommended to try some no aros, so now very keen to try something nice but of course being so green I haven’t got a clue what to try.
looking through some posts and googling them a lot have come up as hype like plum pudding and Carter Hall, and most I can’t get hold of in the uk ( there is one shop I can mail order from but a minimum order of 1100g must be met )

So can you please recommend some beginner friendly full flavour tobaccos, or must try’s that will ease me into this ever expanding world of pipe smoking!
Thanks

Can you list the type of stuff available to you? I’d go to the news stand and pick up a pouch of Maltan and Benson and Hedges Special Virginia to start and see how you care for those. Should be a cheap and easy start.

 

[mingc]

Looks like your choices at Tesco and/or Sainsbury's are Clan, St. Bruno, Benson & Hedges Special Virginia, Gold Block and Condor. Clan and Condor are both perfumed and acquired tastes but St. Bruno is generally well regarded by most these days, so I'd recommend that. I'm not familiar with Gold Block or the Benson & Hedges.

Good luck against Toulouse this weekend. I hear Dupont is back!

 

[Duck]

Go to GQ take a look at their sample sets and see if any strike your fancy. I've had a look but I didn't see a set that I could recommend to a beginner without some reservations. They also do 10g samples of all their loose tobaccos which is enough for a few bowls.

 

[Hampshire Pipes & Cigars]

Try Turmeas. they have a shop in London, Chester and I think Liverpool. But also a web shop which I use all the time cgars.com and they have a full selection of tobacco available. Plus they have sample sets that wont set you back too much. If you go to their youtube site they also have dozens of short but good tobacco reviews.

 

[edger]

Title edited for style. Rule 9. And welcome! -jpm

I’m now starting my tobacco journey!
As you may have read in my few meagre posts I’m very new to pipe smoking, first tobacco I tried was an aro cherry and vanilla, not a clue of the brand but it was pleasant, then I tried Century vanilla custard and Gwaiths tropical which I didn’t enjoy either so much.

In my introduction post I was recommended to try some no aros, so now very keen to try something nice but of course being so green I haven’t got a clue what to try.
looking through some posts and googling them a lot have come up as hype like plum pudding and Carter Hall, and most I can’t get hold of in the uk ( there is one shop I can mail order from but a minimum order of 1100g must be met )

So can you please recommend some beginner friendly full flavour tobaccos, or must try’s that will ease me into this ever expanding world of pipe smoking!
Thanks

Full flavor,eh? Do not go gentle………

 

[Andriko]

As others have suggested, Cgars and GQ Tobaccos are good websites to look at, and there are some sample packs, but I don't know how useful they are - you might be better selecting a few small bags of loose tobacco.

In general though, Sam Gawith and also Hoggarth (same company now) do pretty good tobaccos. As you are a 'beginner' you'll need to find your tastes, which will change.

For now I'd recommend trying Sam Gawith's Skiff Mixture (English blend that is light on the latakia, probably also one of the best English blends out there), Peterson's My 965 (a English with Cavendish, aka a Scottish blend. Also very good). These were two of the first blends that I tried that I really took to. 'English' blends also tend to be quite mild, and the orientals very tasty, and a good way to start pipe smoking. They are essentially aromatics without added flavouring.

However, Latakia gets old fast, so I would also suggest Sam Gawith's St James's Flake (a great Virginia/Perique) and Full Virginia Flake (excellent straight Virginia). However, you might want a bit of experience before trying these as the flakes are quite thick and need a bit of work, and I think you won't quite 'get' them straight away (but who knows!).

You should also give some burley and Kentucky blends a try, though some people think these can be a bit heavy on the nicotine. I don't find them to be, and I don't know if you are a smoker generally. Maybe just go slow and steady in a smaller bowl at first. The one I'd recommend would be Mac Barren's Old Dark Fired, but you can also look around at what Gawith Hogarth have also, as they have quite a few loose. These tobaccos tend to be quite full bodied, earthy and rich, which is why I like them.

I think you can get a small sampling of all of these (expect maybe the Mac Barren), so a few 10g orders could be a good place to start. Maybe Skiff Mixture, St Jame's Flake, Full Virginia Flake and Dark Birds Eye (this one is quite full flavoured).

 

[Duck]

Full flavor,eh? Do not go gentle………

I missed that bit. St Bruno and Condor both meet that criterion, and both are sold in supermarkets here. I'd recommend trying St Bruno first then Condor if you enjoy the former.

 

[edger]

I missed that bit. St Bruno and Condor both meet that criterion, and both are sold in supermarkets here. I'd recommend trying St Bruno first then Condor if you enjoy the former.

I agree wholeheartedly! That was an obscure reference to a Dylan Thomas poem since @Bear100 is in South Wales.

 

[Duck]

I agree wholeheartedly! That was an obscure reference to a Dylan Thomas poem since @Bear100 is in South Wales.

I got the reference, if memory serves it was inspired by the passing of the poet's father.

 

[edger]

I got the reference, if memory serves it was inspired by the passing of the poet's father.

Yep.

 

[pantsBoots]

Title edited for style. Rule 9. And welcome! -jpm

I’m now starting my tobacco journey!
As you may have read in my few meagre posts I’m very new to pipe smoking, first tobacco I tried was an aro cherry and vanilla, not a clue of the brand but it was pleasant, then I tried Century vanilla custard and Gwaiths tropical which I didn’t enjoy either so much.

In my introduction post I was recommended to try some no aros, so now very keen to try something nice but of course being so green I haven’t got a clue what to try.
looking through some posts and googling them a lot have come up as hype like plum pudding and Carter Hall, and most I can’t get hold of in the uk ( there is one shop I can mail order from but a minimum order of 1100g must be met )

So can you please recommend some beginner friendly full flavour tobaccos, or must try’s that will ease me into this ever expanding world of pipe smoking!
Thanks

Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake. If you want something fuller, go for their Full Virginia Flake. If you want something brighter, go with their Golden Glow/Medium Flake.

Might as well get one of each!

 

[Bear100]

I agree wholeheartedly! That was an obscure reference to a Dylan Thomas poem since @Bear100 is in South Wales.

Do not go gentle into that good night!

 

[Toast]

Surely rage rage against the dying of the light is more appropriate for a pipe forum!

I'd second the GQ sample suggestion. Cgars are very reliable, but generally significantly more expensive.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I always use mysmokingshop. co.uk.
good range and good prices,, next day delivery usually.

As others have suggested, I would recommend St Bruno and the Gawifh blends.

 

[Bear100]

Thanks everyone,

I have ordered a sample pack from GQ

SG Virginia flake, SG squadron, SG cabbie mixture and St James flake
Cant wait to give them a try

 

[kcghost]

Hope you like it!!

 

[Andriko]

Thanks everyone,

I have ordered a sample pack from GQ

SG Virginia flake, SG squadron, SG cabbie mixture and St James flake
Cant wait to give them a try

The only one of those I haven't tried is Cabbie's Mixture, so let us know how you think it compares to St James's Flake.

The other three are all excellent, though I find Squadron Leader a touch heavy on the latakia (then again, I've gone off latakia in general).

 

[The Clay King]

Looks like your choices at Tesco and/or Sainsbury's are Clan, St. Bruno, Benson & Hedges Special Virginia, Gold Block and Condor. Clan and Condor are both perfumed and acquired tastes but St. Bruno is generally well regarded by most these days, so I'd recommend that. I'm not familiar with Gold Block or the Benson & Hedges.

Good luck against Toulouse this weekend. I hear Dupont is back!

@mingc I've tried all these except Gold Block in my clay pipes. Condor & St. Bruno are my favourites of these but I like Clan as well. One of the Scottish Highlander re-enactors I met at the Bonnie Prince Charlie weekend in Derby a few years ago was smoking Clan in his clay pipe; I thought the tartan packet went with his costume...

 

[The Clay King]

Title edited for style. Rule 9. And welcome! -jpm

I’m now starting my tobacco journey!
As you may have read in my few meagre posts I’m very new to pipe smoking, first tobacco I tried was an aro cherry and vanilla, not a clue of the brand but it was pleasant, then I tried Century vanilla custard and Gwaiths tropical which I didn’t enjoy either so much.

In my introduction post I was recommended to try some no aros, so now very keen to try something nice but of course being so green I haven’t got a clue what to try.
looking through some posts and googling them a lot have come up as hype like plum pudding and Carter Hall, and most I can’t get hold of in the uk ( there is one shop I can mail order from but a minimum order of 1100g must be met )

So can you please recommend some beginner friendly full flavour tobaccos, or must try’s that will ease me into this ever expanding world of pipe smoking!
Thanks

@Bear100 Probably Gawith Hoggarth Cherry Vanilla; I got some of it when I went to see Lace Wars and the Sealed Knot when I got my first clay pipes. My favourite pipe baccy!