Which Tobacco to Try Next

[fallsguy]

We all face the same problem in what tobacco(s) to try next. So many to choose from, no idea where to go next! I have sometimes followed the advice of other pipe smokers here on PSD and other forums as well, only to find that their tastes are quite different from mine!

So what I did, was go to Tobacco Reviews, taken all of the highest rated tobaccos, and classed them into 9 groups according to their type. (Burley, Virginia, English, etc.)

While this may not be a sure fire method of finding the right blend, I figure that it may increase the odds of finding the right choice based upon the high ratings, strength, and number of times reviewed. I've tried to eliminate blend that are no longer available. Some of these have a lot of reviews, and some don't have many, so make your own judgement.

But anyway, for what it's worth, here is what I came up with (on Excel Worksheets):
Virginia/Burleys....https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tRug9WcOFe5EXC-6AcJyFkgEr4HH-iK-C0WWSizznOU/edit?usp=sharing

Burleys,....https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ae_Vj47rrgwP280LcyS51Tu61Sfh0VwsPi5BuH7Enw8/edit?usp=sharing

English...https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fbsOpmqTbSM36dmpxtvurDXI46GmnbJ9lAB6hL_4JIY/edit?usp=sharing

Cavendish....https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_M0h0EXA2y5aRNHMg8zEwUa_ZQ_FnaaTEtC7OvBCooc/edit?usp=sharing
The reviews that I've posted have been done with Permission from tobaccoreviews.com.

 

[fallsguy]

There are some errors in my post above. Forum did not allow me enough yime to make corrections, so here are the sites again. Just copy and paste them.....
Virginia/Burleys....https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tRug9WcOFe5EXC-6AcJyFkgEr4HH-iK-C0WWSizznOU/edit?usp=sharing

Burleys,....https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ae_Vj47rrgwP280LcyS51Tu61Sfh0VwsPi5BuH7Enw8/edit?usp=sharing

English...https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KWOU1DiWyEnaELyWNcmKB9SiBh5bNCkq4lC206O9xrk/edit?usp=sharing

Orientals...https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fbsOpmqTbSM36dmpxtvurDXI46GmnbJ9lAB6hL_4JIY/edit?usp=sharing

Balkans,....https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fbsOpmqTbSM36dmpxtvurDXI46GmnbJ9lAB6hL_4JIY/edit?usp=sharing

Cavendish....https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_M0h0EXA2y5aRNHMg8zEwUa_ZQ_FnaaTEtC7OvBCooc/edit?usp=sharing

 

[sablebrush52]

Nice idea, a lot of good stuff listed. Why no Va/Pers or straight Virginia blends? Also, what was your cut off for an average rating? If they're included with the info I missed seeing them.

 

[fallsguy]

It was a real nightmare trying to post the URLs on this site. Some showed up correctly, others did not. Here are the ones that did not post:
Virginias- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uLPodoaksR0NVPrv8WR1tq8qC_RCAOVUSRlBGfXEUoA/edit?usp=sharing
VaPers-https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...jbf89YJfEhMINk6Mw9XJT_HqfU/edit#gid=537785050
Virginia/Latakias-https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...tQ8Tk6eZ6doH_8y37_Cfbum0o/edit#gid=1661609217
Virginia/Burleys-https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tRug9WcOFe5EXC-6AcJyFkgEr4HH-iK-C0WWSizznOU/edit?usp=sharing
I only used the 4 star ratings.

 

[mso489]

My favorite way of developing leads on tobaccos -- blends, single leaf, condiment -- is to recreationally ramble through online retailers, mostly Forums sponsors. You have to adhere to the idea that this is entertainment, not yet shopping, so many times you don't want to buy anything, just learn what's out there. Beginners benefit by learning the different genres, brands, cuts, blends, prices, and patterns for sales and discount offerings. After a few years of this, you also pick up nuances on how blends are tweaked with condiments, or you get clues on how base and condiment tobaccos might be proportioned. The "romance literature," that is the sales pitches, are also entertaining and sometimes informative. I also look at reviews and outright lists, but I find my attention is held better by the sales atmosphere, as long as you can maintain your window shopping mindset. The object is to develop a good feel for what you like, and to explore various genres, brands, cuts, etc. Keep the first purchase of a blend small -- a tin, pouch, a couple of ounces, to sample the actual item.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Keep it simple and have some Amphora original or St Brunos,,

 

[seldom]

I wish more sellers would offer sample packs to try out a small amount of a bunch of different blends. For example Peter Heinrichs has this: Peter Heinrichs Pipe Tobacco Collection 150 g.

Seems like this would be a great way of shopping around for what one likes best. Maybe other retailers offer this and I just haven't seen it.

Reviews by experienced smokers (like ones from forum member JimInks) can certainly help narrow down options but then again everyone has different tastes.