| | What Blends should I start with? HELP! |    |
| |
| Author | Message |
|---|
luckydogguy
Age : 31
Joined : 11 Dec 2007
Posts : 130
Location : Wisconsin, USA
 |  Subject: What Blends should I start with? HELP!  Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:36 pm | |
| As a newbie, I don't really know which tabacco blends to start trying. I don't feel like trying something that is cheap and I don't like, maily because I'm afraid it would turn me off to smoking pipes before I ever gave it a fair chance. That being said, can you guys please give my some suggestions of good Virginians, English and Aromatic?
Thanks,
Lucky 
_________________
“A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's”
-Jean Paul Richter |
|  | | thomas james
Italian Stallion
Joined : 09 Dec 2007
Posts : 2137
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:46 pm | |
| Smoke 'em all! One at a time. Then start over, just to be sure.
tj |
| | | | puros_bran
Nightrider
Joined : 10 Dec 2007
Posts : 1590
Location : Lower 48
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:00 pm | |
| Not knowing your taste its hard to say. Here's some of my favorites.
English: GLP Odyssey Esoterica Penzance, Ashton Artisans Blend,C&D Yale Mixture.
Va: GLP Laurel Hgts. McCllelands 5100 or Christmas Cheer. Astleys 109,
Not Va, Not English: GLP Cairo, McClellands Arcadia
The only Aromatic I can smoke is Petersons Gold Blend. But I really haven't tried many 'premium' aros. |
| | | | Yak
Resident Philosopher
Joined : 10 Dec 2007
Posts : 729
Location : Yaksylvania
| | Subject: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:06 pm | |
| Since you're asking, I would recommend that you pass on the aromatic stuff. They have a generic tendency to smoke very hot and very wet. Not to mention that the casings in them tend to be very, very difficult to get rid of once they're in your pipes. If you can't stand not smoking candy, get yourself some of those little cigarillos.
I'm assuming you've read GLP's advice @ http://www.glpease.com/FAQ.html
Happy landings
_________________
All the old cliches are true.
That's why they're cliches. |
| | | | luckydogguy
Age : 31
Joined : 11 Dec 2007
Posts : 130
Location : Wisconsin, USA
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:00 am | |
| Yak,
A lot of information in that link. Thank you! I will try to incorporate some of the techniques.
Man, there's a lot to this "pipe smokin' thing," isn't there? 
Lucky
_________________
“A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's”
-Jean Paul Richter |
| | | | glpease
Dark Lord
Joined : 11 Dec 2007
Posts : 145
Location : Adjusting the pillow over my arse, so when the door hits it, it won't hurt too much
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Thu Dec 13, 2007 2:01 am | |
| | luckydogguy wrote: |
Man, there's a lot to this "pipe smokin' thing," isn't there?
|
There is. Many approach it quite simply, and derive a great deal of pleasure from their pipes and tobaccos. Others delve into it with enthusiasm, passion and an insatiable thirst for getting the most out of the experience that they can, and derive a great deal of pleasure from their pipes and tobaccos. Then, there are those in between, who derive a great deal of pleasure from their pipes and tobaccos.
There's one thing we all have in common. 
I'll invite you to look at my page, read through the Briar & Leaf Chronicles, in addition to the FAQ already mentioned. Hang out here, ask questions, post your thoughts, and enjoy. You'll find some inside jokes, but they'll soon become familiar, and we don't haze the newcomers too much. Welcome to the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Even after 28 years of pipe smoking, I still learn new things about our pastime, and am as enthusiastic as ever, if not more so, about the hobby. Welcome to it, and may you derive a great deal of pleasure from your pipes and tobaccos - for a lifetime!
-Zero
_________________
Gregory L. Pease
Master of the Universe
G. L. Pease Artisanal Tobaccos
The Briar & Leaf Chronicles
2009 In Celebration of Briar Calendar Now Available
GLPn=Ø |
| | | | glpease
Dark Lord
Joined : 11 Dec 2007
Posts : 145
Location : Adjusting the pillow over my arse, so when the door hits it, it won't hurt too much
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Thu Dec 13, 2007 2:25 am | |
| | luckydogguy wrote: | As a newbie, I don't really know which tabacco blends to start trying. I don't feel like trying something that is cheap and I don't like, maily because I'm afraid it would turn me off to smoking pipes before I ever gave it a fair chance. That being said, can you guys please give my some suggestions of good Virginians, English and Aromatic?
|
It's a big world out there, and during the early years, your tastes will change, your palate will adapt to new flavours, your smoking technique will improve. What you like today may be something you won't like in a month, or a year, or ten. Forgive me if I foray into some other "stuff," rather than answer your question directly. This is "stuff" I wish someone had told ME when I started out...
The early bowls are often a little disappointing to someone new to the pipe. Until we find a tobacco with enough flavour to penetrate the novice's haze, then learn a bit about tending to the pipe, then give our minds time to begin the process of categorizing and characterizing all the new tastes that we experience, we usually don't really grok the whole cloth.
Most tobacconists start the newcomer off with a "mild" blend. This is wrong-minded. A more stout blend will give the palate something to chew on during the early phases of the learning process. "Mild" blends often produce harsher smoke, and this is exacerbated by the tendency to pack too tightly, and to puff furiously to keep the pipe lit.
This leads to my second piece of advice. Don't be afraid to re-light the pipe - 50 times, if necessary. The WORST thing you can do is try to stoke the fire by puffing like a locomotive. Smoking to the bottom of the bowl on a single light is something we all enjoy, when it happens, but there's no shame in using as many matches as needed to get the job done. Save the parlour tricks for slow smoking contests when you're bored with the other stuff.
Then, there's the subject of filling/packing the pipe. This just takes time. You develop a feel for it, and learn different methods for different types of pipes, different tobaccos. Finally, at some point, you do it unconsciously, almost intuitively. But, in the early days, learn not to pack too tightly, or you'll end up with a soggy, gooey mass that is impossible to smoke to the bottom.
Tamping - the weight of the tamper is sufficient. Don't press. The idea is to settle the ash, not compress it. Of course, if your tamper is made out of Roentgenium, you'll have to hold it back a little...
For tobacco recommendations, I'll leave that to the others. I'm a little biased...
-Zero
_________________
Gregory L. Pease
Master of the Universe
G. L. Pease Artisanal Tobaccos
The Briar & Leaf Chronicles
2009 In Celebration of Briar Calendar Now Available
GLPn=Ø |
| | | | luckydogguy
Age : 31
Joined : 11 Dec 2007
Posts : 130
Location : Wisconsin, USA
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:33 am | |
| Zero,
Thanks a bunch for the invite to the link. I will be taking a lot of notes!
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Lucky
_________________
“A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's”
-Jean Paul Richter |
| | | | hazmat
Age : 34
Joined : 11 Dec 2007
Posts : 313
Location : Harrisburg, PA
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:35 pm | |
| | luckydogguy wrote: |
Any other suggestions?
|
Just keep trying stuff that sounds good to you. I know that's not much advice, but it's about the best I can give. What tastes good to one piper may not to the next so it's hard to say "Sure, these are THE 'baccys you should start with, hands down". When I first started, I had so many open tobacco laying around I didn't think I'd be able to smoke it all. Eventually I zeroed in on those types that really do something for me and use them as a basic reference point when going exploring. But that's really what's good fun about this hobby, you constantly have reason to try "just one more" tin of tobacco. That's as near a win-win situation as I'm aware of. |
| | | | smokey422
Joined : 21 Dec 2007
Posts : 141
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:37 pm | |
| When I get asked this question by a novice smoker, my recommendation is usually to get a sampler pack from Cornell&Diehl. They have them available with both 5 and 8 blend assortments. You will get two oz. of each blend (except for tinned and Pease blends, in those cases you get one). It takes that much tobacco to really get a "feel" for a blend. The best way to do this is to call Craig Tarler at 1-800-433-0080 and talk with him. Explain your situation and what you are looking for in a tobacco and he will be able to guide you. He has done this for many new smokers over the years.
Smokey |
| | | | jhuggett
BoB's Pioneer & Founding Father
Age : 36
Joined : 09 Dec 2007
Posts : 1773
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:41 pm | |
| Smokey made a great suggestion and mentioned sticking to it... that's what really got me excited about pipe smoking. I was looking for something a little more than the aromatics I was smoking. I bought at tin of S&G Full Virginia Flake. The first few smokes were less than satisfying but I kept with it to finish the tin. All of a sudden I was experiencing these marvelous flavors and a real sweetness that lasted through out the bowl unlike the cheap stuff I was smoking. My next tin was Laurel Flake and that was it... I was hooked.
_________________
Jason |
| | | | luckydogguy
Age : 31
Joined : 11 Dec 2007
Posts : 130
Location : Wisconsin, USA
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:52 am | |
| Smokey,
thank you . That is something I will definately try when I put an order in. Sounds like the right thing to do. That's basically how I got started with cigars also.
Thanks guys.
Right now I'm enjoying some "haunted Bookshop" courtesy of Davey. Agreat gentleman! Thank you, Davey! 
Lucky
_________________
“A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's”
-Jean Paul Richter |
| | | | Justpipes
The Duke
Age : 49
Joined : 17 Dec 2007
Posts : 3290
Location : American by birth, Southern by the grace of God!
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:25 am | |
| | luckydogguy wrote: | As a newbie, I don't really know which tabacco blends to start trying. That being said, can you guys please give my some suggestions of good Virginians, English and Aromatic?
Thanks,
Lucky |
Lucky,
Just cut to the chase and visit this website http://www.wvsmokeshop.com/ and order a tub of Walnut. You will not be disappointed taste wise or economically. Walnut is a very satisfying light to medium English blend that has been around since 1856. Don't let CP's comments fool you!
Mark
_________________
"Man is the only religious animal. In the holy task of smoothing his brother's path to the happiness of Heaven, he has turned the globe into a graveyard."
Mark Twain |
| | | | gospelman
Age : 54
Joined : 20 Dec 2007
Posts : 115
Location : Knoxville
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:33 pm | |
| I'd say for a good English blend, you can't go wrong with GLP's Westminster. It's currently my favorite, and it seems to me to be just about right for someone who has never tried an English baccky.
You might also try Squadron Leader.
Mike
_________________
It's just this little chromium switch here...you people are so superstitious. |
| | | | showme1or2
Age : 35
Joined : 13 Dec 2007
Posts : 258
Location : Nashville, TN
| | Subject: Re: What Blends should I start with? HELP! Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:00 pm | |
| Lucky, in my opinion the best tobacco to start trying is FREE tobacco. Accept anything that is offered and give it a try. You might like it at once, or you might like it enough to try something in its family. Or, you may dislike it so much you avoid anything close to it.
There is no better replacement for experience than....errr....experience. Ya just gotta start smoking.
Keep your eyes peeled for a spring boxpass, too. That is a great way to sample new tobaccos. Also, do you have a B&M nearby?
Feel free to PM me with something you might like to try. If I've got it I will send you out at least a couple bowlfuls (bowlsful?)...enough for a couple smokes. Heck, PM me anyway and I'll send you whatever I've got. (Which ain't a lot compared to some of these collectors but that is how I got started and I'm more than glad to pass it on.)
showme |
| | | | | What Blends should I start with? HELP! | |
|
| Page 1 of 2 | Goto page : 1, 2 |
| | Permissions of this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| |
Home 
Chat 
Calendar 
FAQ 
Search 
Register 
Log in 
