OK guys, I have a beautiful (to me) new pipe and I'm on the fence about what to smoke in it. I have been smoking aromatics in my grandfather's pipes, and have enjoyed them. But as I read time and again about more experienced pipe smokers having a pallet shift away from aromatics for their primary smoke... it gives me pause.

I dropped into my local B&M last night to consider my options... the young man there sold me an ounce of something that he described as a mild english, with latakia that he thought would be a good introductory non-aromatic smoke. Here's the thing. I don't find the smell of it (in the plastic bag) to be appealing. And having ZERO experience with non-aromatics, I don't know if that means I'll still feel the same when I fire it up or not??? I am aware that the aromatics don't often taste like they smell, or even have much taste at all for that matter. The young man at the B&M said that aromatics are about smell and the others are about taste. I'm willing to accept that... just hoping like Hades that this blend called "HMS Victory" doesn't taste like it smells. One way to find out... get a cheap cob pipe and fire up a bowl of it I guess. Would any of you care to make a guess whether the taste experience that I have will be great dispite my aversion to the smell? Or will the taste suck as badly as the smell does to me? Place your bets gents.

I think it is the latakia content that I'm not caring for the aroma of... I opened a jar labelled "Latakia" and stuck my nose in there and involuntarily said "No" out loud upon first whiff! Any thoughts on my ramblings? Thanks.

A heavy Latakia blend might seem like quite a jump from what you are used to, but then again you might love it and never want to smoke anything else.

Just keep in mind that if you don't like it initially, there are tons of other blends other than the cavendish aro types you are probably used to that either don't contain latakia, or contain it in greater/smaller quantities, or contain a different kind of latakia.

In my limited experience, the various tobaccos (Va, Perique, Lat, etc) can all behave/taste differently depending on which blend they are in, how they are used, where they come from, etc. So just because you don't like one Latakia or Va or Perique blend, doesn't mean you won't like another.

Give it a shot, if you don't like it at all...try a mildly flavored VA or Burley blend with no Latakia, or even a straight VA or Burley blend. Maybe one with some Perique in it if you are feeling adventurous.

If you like it somewhat, but not alot, maybe try to look for a blend that only has a tiny bit of latakia in it and focuses more on the VA, Burley, Per or whatever.

If you love it, just smoke more of it!

I've never been a fan of any blends containing Latakia. There are some I can smoke and enjoy a little but would much prefer a Virginia or Virgina/Perique blend. It's the smell of Latakia that puts me off and in a strong blend it gives me almost a nauseous feeling. Some people can't get enough of it though.

My first adventure from aromatics was with a Virginia/Perique flake and I remember it well. At first I wasn't completely sold but I got whispers of sweetness with a richly satisfying tobacco taste. I was just getting into the hobby and was pretty cheap about it. The tin cost me ten dollars so I was going to smoke it all before I bought anything else, whether I loved it or not. By the time I finished the tin I was hooked. Couldn't get enough of those flavors and when I tried to go back and smoke an aromatic I was completely disappointed in the lack of taste.

Buy a cob and try a few samples of Virginia, Virginia/Perique, Burley, and Latakia blends. Then when you decide what you like, smoke what YOU like and don't mind what others say about your choices.

LtMac

If you switch to a virginia based tobacco you will need to learn to smoke slow. Aromatics generally don't bite and that is why first time smokers find them to be friendly. Virginias and Vapers can bite the tongue, especially if you smoke fast or puff them. This can turn you off from them before you get a chance to enjoy them. Additionally, smoking slow tends to bring out the best of the sweet flavors, rather than charring the sugars into bitter charcoal.

Another good transition might be a burley based tobacco, especially one with as little topping as possible. Then a burley/virginia blend can help transition you into the pure virginias which a lot of us consider to be tobacco nirvana.

Good luck and have fun, the infinite variation is one of the great treats of pipe smoking.

Guys,

And now... the rest of the story: I just came in from a 30 minute smoke of the aforementioned English/Latakia with what I found to be very surprising results.

As I said, when nosing the baggy, my sniffer was saying "Are you sure you want to smoke this stinky stuff?"

The fact is, while the Aros can have a nice room note, there are times when I find them to be cloying. I needed to find out if there was something more to this pipe thing.

I fired up a bowl in a corncob pipe that I picked up today specifically for this experiment. Immediately, I was relieved that the smell of the tobacco while burning was alot less offensive to my nose than before. I smoked it nice and slow as suggested. I found it to be absolutely pleasant to smoke. Mild and smooth. Not at all overpowering as I had feared.

I am fond of thinking of new experiences in terms of analogies. In comparing the experience of smoking this, my first English blend to the Aro that I smoked last night... the thought occurred to me that it was sort of like drinking a cup of hot tea or coffee versus drinking a fruity smoothie. Both are satisfying at the right time, but I can (and do) drink coffee/tea all day long. I like smoothies too, but one a day (or less) is plenty for me.

I'm thrilled with my discovery and look forward to many new tobacco experiences in the future. Thanks for your input Brothers.

Another, maybe less surprising result. After the smoke, I went and stuck my nose in the bag again. That repulsive smell was no where to be found! I guess it just took a little warming up to. Good Day

When I switched from aromatics to non...I started with sweet VA blends, then deeper VAPERs and burley blends, and it was a few years before I got into english blends...HATED latakia in the beginning and now I love the stuff...it's like crack...I want more and more...lol maybe not that bad...

You seem to have skipped some of my steps...so dive right in...GLP makes some damn good english blends, I love maltese falcon, it is my fav tobacco so far...have a tin of chelsea mornin but haven't tried it yet...westminster was sour tasting to me but oh well.

I enjoy english blends so much now I bought a HUUUUUUUUGE Savanelli Goliath, just to smoke maltese falcon in...if you want a kick in the pants english try C&D pirate kake

I have recently made the same transition. For me the Va. is good but Im really liking the Vapors...

I would echo the recommendation of Maltese Falcon. You might also check out Westminster and Squadron Leader.

For a good Va, try C&D's Briar Fox. Very nice, smooth, sweet (but not cloying) smoke.

Mike

Tim, Whatever way you choose, it's all about the journey, I've now been puffing for 50 yrs.and still learning, and in that learning I find myself, Ken
Pacem en Puffing!

Smoke what ya like! And like what ya smoke!!! Hell with tha reat of'm!