I am new to pipe smoking and I’ve been trying several different bulk tobaccos including aromatic and Virginia blends. I’ve recently tried my first English blends from local B&Ms- English Oriental Supreme and Lane HGL. I REALLY like them both for different reasons but they both have richer, fuller flavors that I’m drawn to. So where should I go from here? Should I keep exploring English blends? I haven’t tried anything with Perique yet- should I go there next? I’d love some opinions and any specific tobaccos I should try. Thanks!
Where Do I Go From Here?
- Thread starter jwesthurl
- Start date
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Yes to all of your questions the answer is a big fat yes. They're all worth exploring. If you're like me you'll find you like all styles but certain examples much more then others. Basically just follow your guy. Heck I often don't even read the descriptions and just go by names. And have had really good luck with that.
I started out smoking aromatics. I smoked Lane 1-Q exclusively for nearly a year straight. Then I switched to English blends and never went back to aromatics. I continued to branch out trying Burleys, Virginia’s, dark fired Kentucky, etc. Now I have just about everything in my rotation except aromatics as I enjoy them all.
Wherever you wish! Dare to explore. Have fun with your new vice.
Not that I'm the world's most experienced smoker, but I'd say try whatever sounds cool. Don't read a bunch of reviews or watch a ton of videos and listen to other people's opinions. it's easy to get discouraged when you're hearing people talking about tasting hay and citrus and creosote and all that jive and you're spending money and feeling kinda let down because the internet is telling you how incredible and mind-blowing all this stuff is and how you need to track down out of production stuff because that's when tobacco was tobacco. There's a ton of great stuff out there. Hopefully you live somewhere that allows you to have tobacco shipped to you. Pick out a few 1 oz samples and try whatever sounds awesome to you.
Good advice! I can have tobacco shipped to me, I’m in St. Louis, MO. I’m actually pretty luck in that we have two legitimate pipe shops and several other tobacco shops that sell bulk and some tins. Also, I’m less than an hour from the Missouri Meerschaum factory and museum.
Edit: I’ll also be attending the St. Louis Pipe Show next weekend, so I’m sure there will be a ton of stuff to spend my money on lol
Ouch, wrong end of the spectrum to start with, that's asking for some major oral and tongue pain.
Yep and branch out to burleys. After a bit start playing with Virginias and what have you but get to a point in your technique where the pipe and smoke stay nice and cool. Even later down the road aromatics are very enjoyable.
Do you know about Tobacco Reviews?
Tobacco Reviews | Browse and Review your Favorite Pipe Tobacco Products
Remember everyone is different, but if you find a reviewer with similar tastes based on what you've tried, that can help steer you more directly to what else you may like and prefer. Also FYI, Lane HGL is very sweet for an English/Latakia blend, so don't be surprised if others you try are less sweet.
Also check if there's a pipe club in your area. That's a good way to swap samples and meet like-minded people.
Tobacco Reviews | Browse and Review your Favorite Pipe Tobacco Products
Remember everyone is different, but if you find a reviewer with similar tastes based on what you've tried, that can help steer you more directly to what else you may like and prefer. Also FYI, Lane HGL is very sweet for an English/Latakia blend, so don't be surprised if others you try are less sweet.
Also check if there's a pipe club in your area. That's a good way to swap samples and meet like-minded people.
As a newbie myself, I started this last summer, I’ve been buying tobacco in one ounce bags from the local B&M from their suggestions. I’ve also purchased tins based off reviews that honestly I haven’t even opened some yet. My philosophy is, try them all, ones I don’t like put in a jar and try on a later date, or if they’re that bad, give them to the local pipe club to have in their tobacco bar.
Va-pers usually are bite-free tobaccos, easy to smoke and very flavorful. So if you haven't tried any, I suggest you do that. As you've been told, pure virginias can be a bit tricky at first, but perique really makes things easier.
There are guy named Tantric,Jiminks and Pipestud who I would see if your tastes are similar to theirs and if they are keep trying to get the best tasting blends from them.
Careful of red virginias and tongue bite and always have Biotene in the house. It is a newbies special.
Careful of red virginias and tongue bite and always have Biotene in the house. It is a newbies special.
I will join in and encourage you to try different types of blends and some of the actual blending components. Buy some 1 ounce samples of different Burley, Virginias, Blk Cavendish and Turkish. I like having Components to use and mix with a blend that I’m not overly fond of or needs more flavor. Sometimes I stumble across a mixture that I like very much.
You asked for a blend suggestions. One of my favorite English blends is GLP Quiet Nights. It has a hint of Perique.
For more of a English Arro try Boswell‘s Tobacco, Northwoods.
You asked for a blend suggestions. One of my favorite English blends is GLP Quiet Nights. It has a hint of Perique.
For more of a English Arro try Boswell‘s Tobacco, Northwoods.
There's so many, I can only recommend you my personal favorites. Something with not too much Perique at first. McConell Black Parrot is very good. GLP Telegraph Hill, or maybe Fillmore, since you already are into English blends. Rimboche AP or SJ (although I don't know if they are available in small quantities anymore). A little different, Billy Budd Blonde is a big favorite of mine.
In coin cut, I tried Dunhill Navy Rolls, Bulldog Roper's Roundels and McConell Highgate. I liked all of them and they are very easy to smoke.
Do this ^^^^
I look at Tobacco Reviews (TR) before purchasing a new blend to try. I shy away from blends that have few reviews and those with a low average score. One of the nice features of the site is that you can select a genre, blend, blender, etc to look at. I also use a couple of "trusted" reviewers (folks whose taste seems to be like mine) as another gauge before making the purchasing decision.
The question of "what should I try next" will likely generate a lot of suggestions, TR will help sort those out for you, and maybe along the way it will point you to a blend that becomes a favorite though not recommended.
Lot's of great advice already given. I wholeheartedly echo the suggestion to look on Tobacco Reviews. You will get a general idea of what sounds appealing. But, ultimately, it's up to you. Discovery is 1/2 the fun!
How many bowls have you smoked of each of your blends? For me, I tend to really like the first three bowls of a new blend, and then find out that I don't like it at all. So make sure you give anything you try a fair shot!
And yes you need to try burleys. But I saw you said you like full flavor and rich blends. Burley? Maybe not so much. But you need to atleast try some at some point!
And yes you need to try burleys. But I saw you said you like full flavor and rich blends. Burley? Maybe not so much. But you need to atleast try some at some point!
I get that, there are just sooo many choices that a little direction is helpful ?
I’ve had at least 2-3 bowls of everything I have so far and I will definitely give each a fair shot. I’ve read enough similar advice to yours to not give up. I will definitely try burleys since I don’t even know what I don’t know at this point. And it seems that most people’s tastes change over time. Thanks!