Wanted to Like Smoking the Pipe But ....
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Lawrence: that swimming story is pretty much what happened to me, except it wasn't my father, and it was the edge of the lake. It worked. I swam.
Pipo: Don't give up. As a lifetime pipesmoker who also has smoked a lot of cigars and cigarettes I can guarantee you that a pipe is best if you have to time to relax with it. The quality of the pipe and tobacco are really important. It does take quite a while to learn how to pick a good pipe and experiment enough to find the right tobacco for you. And technique is important too. How to fill it, smoke it and keep it clean. A crappy piece of briar with a careless finish will give a lousy smoke even if everything else is right. If you smoke too fast and hot, it soon tastes bad. Until the pipe is well broken in it won't smoke at all up to it's potential. Give it a chance and be systematic in finding out what is right for you.
Pipo: Don't give up. As a lifetime pipesmoker who also has smoked a lot of cigars and cigarettes I can guarantee you that a pipe is best if you have to time to relax with it. The quality of the pipe and tobacco are really important. It does take quite a while to learn how to pick a good pipe and experiment enough to find the right tobacco for you. And technique is important too. How to fill it, smoke it and keep it clean. A crappy piece of briar with a careless finish will give a lousy smoke even if everything else is right. If you smoke too fast and hot, it soon tastes bad. Until the pipe is well broken in it won't smoke at all up to it's potential. Give it a chance and be systematic in finding out what is right for you.
i will reinforce what everyone has said so far: you cannot get the whole picture from one pipe, and one blend.
i am very close to where you are at, having a significant cigar background and the desire yet inability to learn pipe. it took me ten years of casual tourist pipe smoking before a friend on a cigar forum suggested dunhill nightcap, which for me was the rosetta stone, finally unlocking all the pieces that were missing. i had occasionally smoked but well maintained pipes, had slowly researched how to properly load ans light, and a tobacco that fit my taste. not that nightcap will be for you; the power, richness, spice and texture remind me of high end nicaraguan cigars in a way. rather, there may be a tobacco out there you have not found yet that will light up your senses. and the end of the day, smoke to please your senses, and if that is cigars, so be it, but i would similarly suggest someone not swear off cigars just because they didn't like one marca or vitola.
but, most importantly, keep your pipe! with little to no upkeep, a good pipe will wait for you for as long as it takes, and if you finally do come back with interest (as i did from a decade of trial and error), you will be glad you did not have to start from scratch.
i am very close to where you are at, having a significant cigar background and the desire yet inability to learn pipe. it took me ten years of casual tourist pipe smoking before a friend on a cigar forum suggested dunhill nightcap, which for me was the rosetta stone, finally unlocking all the pieces that were missing. i had occasionally smoked but well maintained pipes, had slowly researched how to properly load ans light, and a tobacco that fit my taste. not that nightcap will be for you; the power, richness, spice and texture remind me of high end nicaraguan cigars in a way. rather, there may be a tobacco out there you have not found yet that will light up your senses. and the end of the day, smoke to please your senses, and if that is cigars, so be it, but i would similarly suggest someone not swear off cigars just because they didn't like one marca or vitola.
but, most importantly, keep your pipe! with little to no upkeep, a good pipe will wait for you for as long as it takes, and if you finally do come back with interest (as i did from a decade of trial and error), you will be glad you did not have to start from scratch.
Dany
Give it another try in a few years. I did exactly what you did 10 years ago. I just didn't have the patience and time to fuss with a pipe. A cigar gave me the easy no fuss relaxing smoke I was looking for. As you grow older, your tastes will mature, and you will look for activities that force you slow down, and you will probably see that the patience you once didnt have prehaps has blossomed. As the older you get the more time flies by, pipe smoking was a way of slowing this down for me. I think this is why I got back into the pipe as I was looking for another challenge, much like astronomy, which I wanted to learn all about, and in the process, made me take a breath and enjoy the process.
We hope to see you back sometime in the future. In the meantime, happy smoking! Cigars are great as well! just keep that pipe!
Give it another try in a few years. I did exactly what you did 10 years ago. I just didn't have the patience and time to fuss with a pipe. A cigar gave me the easy no fuss relaxing smoke I was looking for. As you grow older, your tastes will mature, and you will look for activities that force you slow down, and you will probably see that the patience you once didnt have prehaps has blossomed. As the older you get the more time flies by, pipe smoking was a way of slowing this down for me. I think this is why I got back into the pipe as I was looking for another challenge, much like astronomy, which I wanted to learn all about, and in the process, made me take a breath and enjoy the process.
We hope to see you back sometime in the future. In the meantime, happy smoking! Cigars are great as well! just keep that pipe!
Again, thank you all for your time and feedback. I really appreciate it.
To resume, I decided to try the pipe as an alternative to smoking cigars. Even when bought from overseas, cigars can be rather expensive. The cheapest good ones are at least $6. Pipe tobacco isn't cheap either in Quebec. A 50g pouch of the Blatter Reserve cost me $21. I figured I could smoke about 15 times. Which is much more cost efficient than cigars. Unfortunately, I picked a blend I didn't end up liking. It shouldn't be the end of it but for now, I'll take a break. The rum, wine and raisins tones gave me the nausea. Do tobacconists usually exchange tobaccos you don't like or it's a final sale? I am open to give it another shot if they can exchange the blend. I'll see tomorrow and report back.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Reserve/ad7a9ccb-6aff-4502-91a8-8bc6efbdd19d_zps71d071da.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Reserve/blatter_reserve_2_zpsa9dd778c.jpg
As far as the pipe is concerned, it's a Briar wood made by Blatter in Montreal. I don't know if it's a lot of money for a pipe but at $75, it's a quality piece. Excellent craftsmanship. I only smoked a few times and I doubt the break in is complete. Hopefully, I can finish it next time I smoke. Either way, I will follow your advise and keep it.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Pipe/pipe-1_zps63523a27.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Pipe/pipe-2_zps75a10b07.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Pipe/pipe-3_zpsa5823a31.jpg
I'll be honest. I don't know if I have the patience you guys have. Ten years to master a hobby is not patience, it's absolute passion and dedication. Which is admirable. I am sure a lot of frustration and headaches come along the way. It's how you conquer them that matters. I also have to add that when I read all your comments, I realize there is a lot more to it than what I think. You all seem to enjoy smoking the pipe so much. I am missing out now but I won't give up. Now or later, I'll see the light.
To resume, I decided to try the pipe as an alternative to smoking cigars. Even when bought from overseas, cigars can be rather expensive. The cheapest good ones are at least $6. Pipe tobacco isn't cheap either in Quebec. A 50g pouch of the Blatter Reserve cost me $21. I figured I could smoke about 15 times. Which is much more cost efficient than cigars. Unfortunately, I picked a blend I didn't end up liking. It shouldn't be the end of it but for now, I'll take a break. The rum, wine and raisins tones gave me the nausea. Do tobacconists usually exchange tobaccos you don't like or it's a final sale? I am open to give it another shot if they can exchange the blend. I'll see tomorrow and report back.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Reserve/ad7a9ccb-6aff-4502-91a8-8bc6efbdd19d_zps71d071da.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Reserve/blatter_reserve_2_zpsa9dd778c.jpg
As far as the pipe is concerned, it's a Briar wood made by Blatter in Montreal. I don't know if it's a lot of money for a pipe but at $75, it's a quality piece. Excellent craftsmanship. I only smoked a few times and I doubt the break in is complete. Hopefully, I can finish it next time I smoke. Either way, I will follow your advise and keep it.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Pipe/pipe-1_zps63523a27.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Pipe/pipe-2_zps75a10b07.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Pipe/pipe-3_zpsa5823a31.jpg
I'll be honest. I don't know if I have the patience you guys have. Ten years to master a hobby is not patience, it's absolute passion and dedication. Which is admirable. I am sure a lot of frustration and headaches come along the way. It's how you conquer them that matters. I also have to add that when I read all your comments, I realize there is a lot more to it than what I think. You all seem to enjoy smoking the pipe so much. I am missing out now but I won't give up. Now or later, I'll see the light.
mikephillips,
The Blatter Reserve is actually not aromatic. It's 100% natural. When you smell it at cold and while it's burning, it's hard to believe but it is entirely natural. I just picked up the wrong blend. I will see if Blatter can exchange the blend I bought for the Navy Flake you recommend or a something like the Samuel Gawith FVF others did.
I didn't know about cob pipes. I would have gone that way if I did.
Thank you for your input.
The Blatter Reserve is actually not aromatic. It's 100% natural. When you smell it at cold and while it's burning, it's hard to believe but it is entirely natural. I just picked up the wrong blend. I will see if Blatter can exchange the blend I bought for the Navy Flake you recommend or a something like the Samuel Gawith FVF others did.
I didn't know about cob pipes. I would have gone that way if I did.
Thank you for your input.
The fact of the matter is that you don't need ten years to "master" pipe smoking - refinements come with time, and the motions will become automatic for you by then, but one can become a proficient pipe smoker in a matter of months. You can also get an enjoyable smoke very soon - the trouble is finding a key, a Rosetta stone as java mentioned.
I agree with Mike that a corn cob pipe will supply you with more instant gratification than a new briar, which by necessity requires 10-20-30+ mediocre bowls before it is sufficiently broken in...
Also, I am not a proponent of trying house blends until you are more experienced as a pipe smoker.
Very few people here have smoked Blatter Reserve and there are only a handful of reviews on TobaccoReviews.com so we cannot give you very constructive feedback.
Despite the fact that you claim it is a "natural" tobacco, I have seen a lot of reviewers mention some sort of aromatic essence. These "rum/wine" flavours would not be present in a classical English mixture like Balkan Sobranie. (People are comparing it to Frog Morton and "crossover" English blends)
It should also be noted that most tobacconists who "blend" their own tobacco are simply mixing together prepackaged tobaccos from various sources. That is another reason to hold off until you are more experienced because it makes it harder to precisely dissect the contents of a blend and that is a valuable learning experience...
Since you are a cigar smoker, perhaps you should see if they carry Peterson Irish Flake. That would probably be more familiar than Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake - and also much less picky... It has a good amount of strength, is fairly close to being "natural" and unflavoured, and is quite common and highly regarded.
I agree with Mike that a corn cob pipe will supply you with more instant gratification than a new briar, which by necessity requires 10-20-30+ mediocre bowls before it is sufficiently broken in...
Also, I am not a proponent of trying house blends until you are more experienced as a pipe smoker.
Very few people here have smoked Blatter Reserve and there are only a handful of reviews on TobaccoReviews.com so we cannot give you very constructive feedback.
Despite the fact that you claim it is a "natural" tobacco, I have seen a lot of reviewers mention some sort of aromatic essence. These "rum/wine" flavours would not be present in a classical English mixture like Balkan Sobranie. (People are comparing it to Frog Morton and "crossover" English blends)
It should also be noted that most tobacconists who "blend" their own tobacco are simply mixing together prepackaged tobaccos from various sources. That is another reason to hold off until you are more experienced because it makes it harder to precisely dissect the contents of a blend and that is a valuable learning experience...
Since you are a cigar smoker, perhaps you should see if they carry Peterson Irish Flake. That would probably be more familiar than Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake - and also much less picky... It has a good amount of strength, is fairly close to being "natural" and unflavoured, and is quite common and highly regarded.
simeon,
I would gone the corn pipe path if I knew they existed. Either way, it's all good. I'll break in the Briar pipe I have and eventually find my way in.
I did read the review of the Blatter Reserve on TobaccoReviews but I must have omitted the "some sort of aromatic essence". I have to agree. No way on Earth can natural tobacco smell like this.
Blatter describes their Reserve blend as: "A blend of pure Virginia, Latakia and Perique. The added Turkish tobaccos makes this mixture a favorite with the lovers of rich, “Balkan Sobranie” type tobaccos." I'll leave it at that. They used to blend their home blends themselves but due to some laws, it's now blended by some company in the US. So like you said, who knows what goes in it.
I'll go to Blatter on Monday and see if they can exchange it for something else. If not, I go to the US often and I'll buy different tins to try out. It would cost me too much to do the same in Quebec.
About other tobaccos, so far I've noted your recommendation of the Samuel Gawith FVF, mikephillips' Mac Baren's Navy Flake and now the Peterson Irish Flake. Just like for cigars, I would prefer something that doesn't have the black pepper feeling. Somethings smooth, rich and complex. I'll try and discover.
Thank you for your input.
I would gone the corn pipe path if I knew they existed. Either way, it's all good. I'll break in the Briar pipe I have and eventually find my way in.
I did read the review of the Blatter Reserve on TobaccoReviews but I must have omitted the "some sort of aromatic essence". I have to agree. No way on Earth can natural tobacco smell like this.
Blatter describes their Reserve blend as: "A blend of pure Virginia, Latakia and Perique. The added Turkish tobaccos makes this mixture a favorite with the lovers of rich, “Balkan Sobranie” type tobaccos." I'll leave it at that. They used to blend their home blends themselves but due to some laws, it's now blended by some company in the US. So like you said, who knows what goes in it.
I'll go to Blatter on Monday and see if they can exchange it for something else. If not, I go to the US often and I'll buy different tins to try out. It would cost me too much to do the same in Quebec.
About other tobaccos, so far I've noted your recommendation of the Samuel Gawith FVF, mikephillips' Mac Baren's Navy Flake and now the Peterson Irish Flake. Just like for cigars, I would prefer something that doesn't have the black pepper feeling. Somethings smooth, rich and complex. I'll try and discover.
Thank you for your input.
rothnh,
Reading Blatter's history in pipe making, I am not surprised to read you say they rival some of the other best. I could it was top quality the second I picked one up. At least, not everything is "lost". All in all, good to know.
I agree, patience is of essence for this hobby. Anything worthy is.
I'll see how it goes tomorrow at Blatter's shop tomorrow. Hopefully, they exchange it for something else, even if it's half the price, I don't mind. If not, so be it. I'll be glad to trade or give it away.
Thank you for your input.
Reading Blatter's history in pipe making, I am not surprised to read you say they rival some of the other best. I could it was top quality the second I picked one up. At least, not everything is "lost". All in all, good to know.
I agree, patience is of essence for this hobby. Anything worthy is.
I'll see how it goes tomorrow at Blatter's shop tomorrow. Hopefully, they exchange it for something else, even if it's half the price, I don't mind. If not, so be it. I'll be glad to trade or give it away.
Thank you for your input.
I quit pipes for years to support my late wife in quitting cigarette smoking, a multi-pack habit. When
I was away on business I would enjoy cigars (which were my occasional smoke in college). I really like
a good cigar, and since work took me outside the U.S., I could try Cuban cigars along with others.
I really like Dominicans the most. But cigars are so different from pipes. You really have to change
gears entirely. I can see a transitioning cigar smoker going to pipes, especially for the first time, would
smoke way too fast and be impatient with the relights and annoyed by the vast range of tobaccos even
compared to a nicely stocked cigar humidor; you kind of know what size and tobacco you're after with
cigars, often anyway. My suggestion to Blatter is, keep the pipe around, and maybe buy a corncob pipe
or inexpensive pipe as a second, and don't push it. From time to time, buy small quantities, like 2 oz,
of distinctly different tobaccos (I like the English and Virginia suggestions earlier). But don't make that
your principle smoking experience. I think it will sneak up on you. One day you'll say, hey, this
ain't no cigar, but it's mighty fine!
I was away on business I would enjoy cigars (which were my occasional smoke in college). I really like
a good cigar, and since work took me outside the U.S., I could try Cuban cigars along with others.
I really like Dominicans the most. But cigars are so different from pipes. You really have to change
gears entirely. I can see a transitioning cigar smoker going to pipes, especially for the first time, would
smoke way too fast and be impatient with the relights and annoyed by the vast range of tobaccos even
compared to a nicely stocked cigar humidor; you kind of know what size and tobacco you're after with
cigars, often anyway. My suggestion to Blatter is, keep the pipe around, and maybe buy a corncob pipe
or inexpensive pipe as a second, and don't push it. From time to time, buy small quantities, like 2 oz,
of distinctly different tobaccos (I like the English and Virginia suggestions earlier). But don't make that
your principle smoking experience. I think it will sneak up on you. One day you'll say, hey, this
ain't no cigar, but it's mighty fine!
Blatter and Blatter Reserve was one of my favorite English blends when I smoked English, it is a quality tobacco if you like Latakia. I was a 20 year cigar smoker when I took up the pipe and the blend that opened my eyes to how good a pipe can be was Escudo. Pipe smoking it totally different than cigars and it takes time to learn how to smoke, what you like and what kind of pipes you enjoy. It is a journey that cannot be rushed but is well worth the effort in my opinion. The price difference in terms of cost per smoke in comparison to a quality cigar is huge, even with the crazy prices in Canada. There are so many great blends out there, and if you stick with it, you will find them. The journey is part of what makes pipe smoking so rewarding.
Pipo I'm also a Canuck & have found prices here are kind of ridiculous most of the time also. Now let me encourage you to be patient with your pipe smoking & that with time it will all work out for you. Now let tell you what I've discovered in time. You can order your tobacco online from the US for much less than you pay up here even with freight. If you make sure not to order more than 8oz at a time you will not even be charged any duty. I can usually get 8oz delivered up here for around $20.00 total, freight included. Now to me thats a great price, you have to shop around cause some online stores charge way too much for freight but some are amazingly very reasonable. It sure helped me in adding to my tobacco collection & finding my favourite blends. Good luck , relax take your time & enjoy the ride. Welcome aboard.
@ mso489: Noted. Thank you for your input.
@ cigrmaster: The Blatter Reserve is a quality blend of tobaccos, no doubt. Just not to my liking. I will see if I can exchange it tomorrow. If not, I can send it to you. I've noted the Escudo as it's something that comes up often as a recommendation. Thank you for your input.
@ brassonly: Tell me about it, the good things of life are $$$ in Canada. Noted for ordering from the US, thank you for your input.
@ cigrmaster: The Blatter Reserve is a quality blend of tobaccos, no doubt. Just not to my liking. I will see if I can exchange it tomorrow. If not, I can send it to you. I've noted the Escudo as it's something that comes up often as a recommendation. Thank you for your input.
@ brassonly: Tell me about it, the good things of life are $$$ in Canada. Noted for ordering from the US, thank you for your input.
You really need to try some straight VA tobacco. The Full Virginia Flake was an excellent suggestion, Orlik Golden Sliced is another really good one. Straight Virginia Tobaccos are my all time favorite, and it does not take 10 years to learn how to smoke, it took me one year to really get it down and three to really know most of the kinds well.
I'm surprised no one has recommended tobaccos with cigar leaf in them to you. Since you enjoy cigars so much maybe you would enjoy that familiarity in a pipe tobacco at a cheaper price. McClelland's Dominican Glory and Dominican Glory Maduro might fit the bill as would GL Pease's Robusto. GL Pease also makes another cigar blend called Key Largo which is more latakia forward and a touch of an aromatic taste IMHO which it doesn't sound like you would like but worth a try if the others don't work for you.
Learning to smoke a pipe takes a good deal of patience and stick-to-it-iveness but pays off in spades once things click.
Learning to smoke a pipe takes a good deal of patience and stick-to-it-iveness but pays off in spades once things click.
@ Eric and @ Wayne: thank you for your input.
Hi all,
I went to Blatter and Blatter this morning. Exceptionally, they accepted to exchange the tobacco since so little was used. They normally don't. I smelled their different blends and all had a licorice type of sweetness which I don't like. The Virginia tobacco was the best and smelled like tea with a very faint touch of sweetness. For some reason, I ended up choosing the Cavendish. I was told it's basically a vapor cured (if I understood right) Virginia. Long story short, came home, tried it. I like it more than their Reserve blend but still not enough.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Cavendish/789302d4-9a2d-4a21-abf5-5002d3d29c5b_zps9ab1fb99.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Cavendish/Blatter_Cavendish_2_zpsa08a0771.jpg
The constant relights put me off. I know it takes practice and I don't mean to sound like I am complaining. For the moment (I feel for good), I'll put the pipe to rest. I don't feel the pipe is "my thing" and it's ok. You have to try to know.
I must add that the service at Blatter & Blatter was excellent. I highly recommend it if you are from the city or happen to pass by or visit.
I wish to thank you all for your time and help.
Hi all,
I went to Blatter and Blatter this morning. Exceptionally, they accepted to exchange the tobacco since so little was used. They normally don't. I smelled their different blends and all had a licorice type of sweetness which I don't like. The Virginia tobacco was the best and smelled like tea with a very faint touch of sweetness. For some reason, I ended up choosing the Cavendish. I was told it's basically a vapor cured (if I understood right) Virginia. Long story short, came home, tried it. I like it more than their Reserve blend but still not enough.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Cavendish/789302d4-9a2d-4a21-abf5-5002d3d29c5b_zps9ab1fb99.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b543/dany514/Blatter%20Cavendish/Blatter_Cavendish_2_zpsa08a0771.jpg
The constant relights put me off. I know it takes practice and I don't mean to sound like I am complaining. For the moment (I feel for good), I'll put the pipe to rest. I don't feel the pipe is "my thing" and it's ok. You have to try to know.
I must add that the service at Blatter & Blatter was excellent. I highly recommend it if you are from the city or happen to pass by or visit.
I wish to thank you all for your time and help.
I'm sorry Dany but retrying a Blatter bulk blend was not the right move.
They may be quality tobaccos, but you identified that they have a casing that you do not like and therefore it mystifies me why you would try them again. Cavendish is probably as bland as you can get and I cannot see it converting you to pipe smoking even if it did not have that flavour/aroma...
If you are going to be paying those high prices anyway, the tins are the best way to go. Maybe Blatter has gutted their tin selection but they used to have Samuel Gawith, Peterson, Rattray etc and I was trying to stay within those boundaries for you.
Well known blends from those houses could have made the difference between you enjoying pipe smoking and quitting pipe smoking and being stuck with a briar paperweight.
Anyway, best of luck...
They may be quality tobaccos, but you identified that they have a casing that you do not like and therefore it mystifies me why you would try them again. Cavendish is probably as bland as you can get and I cannot see it converting you to pipe smoking even if it did not have that flavour/aroma...
If you are going to be paying those high prices anyway, the tins are the best way to go. Maybe Blatter has gutted their tin selection but they used to have Samuel Gawith, Peterson, Rattray etc and I was trying to stay within those boundaries for you.
Well known blends from those houses could have made the difference between you enjoying pipe smoking and quitting pipe smoking and being stuck with a briar paperweight.
Anyway, best of luck...
Hi simenon,
I agree, getting another Blatter blend was not the best thing to do but I didn't want to spend another $20 as I am on a budget. They do have a myriad of tins. At this point, it was just a matter of exchanging the Reserve for something else. One of the Blatter brother was kind enough to exchange it as they normally don't. I have to say that their Cavendish blend is not bland at all but still not for me.
Overall, the whole preparation and relights don't appeal to me either. I am repeating myself in saying that there is nothing wrong with any of it, just not for me. I'll keep the pipe and might give it another shot down the road.
Thank you again for your input and happy smoking.
I agree, getting another Blatter blend was not the best thing to do but I didn't want to spend another $20 as I am on a budget. They do have a myriad of tins. At this point, it was just a matter of exchanging the Reserve for something else. One of the Blatter brother was kind enough to exchange it as they normally don't. I have to say that their Cavendish blend is not bland at all but still not for me.
Overall, the whole preparation and relights don't appeal to me either. I am repeating myself in saying that there is nothing wrong with any of it, just not for me. I'll keep the pipe and might give it another shot down the road.
Thank you again for your input and happy smoking.
The same thing happened to me when I first started smoking pipes. Everybody says to start with aromatics so that is what I did. When I first smoked a cavandish aromatic I was like WTF? Why would anybody smoke this? I was revolted, disappointed and nearly gave up. Then I read a post on how English blends are not good for beginners and latakia is too smoky blah blah blah. I thought that since I hate what everybody recommends for bigginers, then I might like what they don't recommend for beginners. Reverse pipe smoking logic. I ordered a tin of Nightcap. When I first opened it and smelled it I was not sure. Smells like a campfire. Then I smoked it. WTF!!!! This is fantastic!! Holy moly I like this better than my beloved cigars!!! An hour later I was smiling on my couch ordering several more tins. The rest is history. Until you find what you like you will be disappointed. If you were smoking crap cigars you would also be disappointed. Buy a quality tin from a quality producer like G.L. Pease or Dunhill.
By the way every cavandish aromatic I smoked was overly moist and needed a ton of relights. I even had to buy a desktop lamp to dry my tobacco it was so moist. That went away when I started smoking non aromatic blends. Your problem is your choice of tobacco in my opinion. Good luck.
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