Not certain of the terminology I've seen used here, so bear with me. I used to be a smokeless tobacco user, then moved over to cigars, and for a little while now I've been smoking a pipe. Technique-wise, my problem seems to be keeping the tobacco lit, so I tend to smoke fast and of course deal with a hot bowl and tongue burn. I've smoked two different Captain Blacks (gold and white), Borkum Riff, Half and Half, and have been using Lane 1Q as well. What is common among the these is that, for me, they are incredibly mild, and I don't mean that in a good sense. Maybe it is my smokeless and cigar experience, but I need to find something stronger than 1Q. I'm really not looking to go exotic, and by that I mean expensive. If someone can understand what I'm asking for, could you point me in the right direction? These tobaccos do not remind me of the pipe smokers I was around as a young lad. My wife says I've probably burnt away all my taste buds.
What I've Tried is Too Mild
- Thread starter urtpiz
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If you are looking for flavor I will recommend a couple of blends. Try MacBaren HH Old Dark Fired and Scottish Mixture. Those are two blends that come to mind when you say that mild is a bad thing. I often feel the same way.
Additionally, these blends are not expensive as compared to the OTC Blends you mentioned. They can be had for about $10-$14 and compared to OTC's which tend to be about $5-$6 for less than half of what you would be getting in a 100g tin of the blends I mentioned. Happy hunting.
Additionally, these blends are not expensive as compared to the OTC Blends you mentioned. They can be had for about $10-$14 and compared to OTC's which tend to be about $5-$6 for less than half of what you would be getting in a 100g tin of the blends I mentioned. Happy hunting.
Seems to me that a lot of the popular OTC blends were introduced at a time when smoking characteristics such as mellow and mild blends were preferred by most pipe smokers. Not that that's a bad thing.
Like you, I started out with robust and full bodied cigars so when I transitioned to pipes a few years later, I naturally wanted something with a bit more punch to it. You'll find that there are many good tobaccos available but most likely you'll need to turn to internet/mail order to get the good stuff. P&C has some great bulks from their Hearth and Home series that will fit what you seek as well as other blends from C&D, McClelland, etc that will not set you back a whole heck of a lot more than the price of a 1.5oz OTC pouch when you break it down to price per ounce.
Like you, I started out with robust and full bodied cigars so when I transitioned to pipes a few years later, I naturally wanted something with a bit more punch to it. You'll find that there are many good tobaccos available but most likely you'll need to turn to internet/mail order to get the good stuff. P&C has some great bulks from their Hearth and Home series that will fit what you seek as well as other blends from C&D, McClelland, etc that will not set you back a whole heck of a lot more than the price of a 1.5oz OTC pouch when you break it down to price per ounce.
Hey urtpiz, I used to use smokeless and smoked cigars for a while as well, actually,I just quit smoking cigarettes...I am fairly new to smoking pipes. It sounds like your looking for something with a stronger flavor, I don't know if your talking nicotine strength as well? It sounds like you are puffing like a freight train though... The thread by rothnh helped me a great deal. I think some of the more experienced guys could definitely recommend a more robust tobacco for you. aromatics may not be what are going to satisfy you. I hope this helps a little, good luck.
Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll work on my technique and also check into some different tobaccos. I purchased the Lane 1Q at the recently discovered P&C, so I don't think I'll be going back to OTC brands anymore. I'm sure I smoke like a "freight train" but that's along with relighting the tobacco constantly. If I put the pipe down for ten seconds, I'm back to puffing like sucking a milk shake through a straw just to get it started again. Eh, i'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. Again, thanks for the help.
I think the main problem is the tobacco you've tried. As a former dipper and cigar smoker, those OTC blends just aren't going to deliver the flavor. The good news is you can choose from a number of excellent bulk blends for less per ounce than you are paying OTC.
I would recommend you go to one of the sponsor's websites and look for a sampler. Pipesandcigars.com offers a sampler of their own Hearth and Home blends, for example, where you're bound to find something more flavorful.
I would recommend you go to one of the sponsor's websites and look for a sampler. Pipesandcigars.com offers a sampler of their own Hearth and Home blends, for example, where you're bound to find something more flavorful.
First off, pipe tobaccos are more subtle flavors. It's more nuanced, and with experience, you'll learn to enjoy it.
Second, since you admit you smoke super fast, you have about zero chance of getting those subtle flavors.
Third, the tobaccos you smoke, while enjoyed by some, certainly aren't considered super high in the quality list.
So some suggestions. Try some blends with Latakia, see if that very obvious smoky flavor is something you enjoy. Suggestions: Dunhill 965, McClelland Frog Morton Cellar, G.L. Pease Westminster.
Perhaps also try something with Perique, you may enjoy the spicy note it adds. Suggestions: Dunhill Nightcap (also has plenty Latakia), Escudo Navy Deluxe, G.L. Pease Haddo's Delight.
There is a world of flavors out there, you'll likely find something you enjoy. But 3 things to remember:
1. Technique trumps Tobacco. You have to smoke slow and deliberate to get these flavors.
2. Patience is very much a virtue.
3. A pipe is a pipe. It is not a cigar, cigarette, or dip with a mouthpiece. It has its own flavor profile and experience.
Best to you!
Second, since you admit you smoke super fast, you have about zero chance of getting those subtle flavors.
Third, the tobaccos you smoke, while enjoyed by some, certainly aren't considered super high in the quality list.
So some suggestions. Try some blends with Latakia, see if that very obvious smoky flavor is something you enjoy. Suggestions: Dunhill 965, McClelland Frog Morton Cellar, G.L. Pease Westminster.
Perhaps also try something with Perique, you may enjoy the spicy note it adds. Suggestions: Dunhill Nightcap (also has plenty Latakia), Escudo Navy Deluxe, G.L. Pease Haddo's Delight.
There is a world of flavors out there, you'll likely find something you enjoy. But 3 things to remember:
1. Technique trumps Tobacco. You have to smoke slow and deliberate to get these flavors.
2. Patience is very much a virtue.
3. A pipe is a pipe. It is not a cigar, cigarette, or dip with a mouthpiece. It has its own flavor profile and experience.
Best to you!
Oh, I forgot to mention when I was new, I struggled with the relighting thing. We all do, likely. At some point I gave myself permission to stop caring about relighting, since everyone told me to smoke slow.
This was huge. Eventually my ability to prep and pack tobacco grew, and I relight less. But, for now....get over it and keep a lighter handy :
:
This was huge. Eventually my ability to prep and pack tobacco grew, and I relight less. But, for now....get over it and keep a lighter handy :
:Again, thanks for the support and ideas. I did try to slow down some today, and noticed a bit more flavor coming through. At least it didn't taste so much like an ashtray! I tried a second bowl immediately after and boy it didn't want to stay lit and i was back to my sad routine. I'll just keep checking back on this forum for more tips. I would like to try some samplers, I just don't know if I need as much as I've seen; I'm probably at a 7-8 ounce per month pace. At this point, the Frog Morton and Dunhill look interesting.
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