Starter Tobacco?

[user 6323]

Hello, for an absolute beginner and not a smoker at all. What would be the best pipe tobacco to start with? I'm in UK. Preferably something light, not to strong but enjoyable. Something that would go well while reading Tolkien using a Peterson pipe.

 

[Davy]

On the aromatic side, there's Peterson Sunset Breeze, Amphora Full, Gawith Hoggarth Black Cherry (called American BC Blend) and Erinmore Mixture. They are fairly easy to deal with for preparation and their nicotine content is mild.

If you want to try something less cased, I can think of Special Virginia and Amphora Original.

 

[Zeno Marx]

I think we're all going to recommend something similar to how we started out? I'd recommend a sampling of a Virginia/Perique (aka VaPer), an English, a burley-based blend, and an aromatic. When I started out, I liked aromatics enough to be interested, but once I tasted an English, I swallowed the hook. If there is a good Dunhill 965 match out there, maybe that? Possibly Arango Balkan Supreme? I mostly smoke Virginias and VaPers now, so I'm not of much use on the English front anymore. My tobacconist mentor went in for the kill right off the bat and recommended Escudo for a Virginia example, and while I loved it from the first puff, I'm not sure I would go that far with a recommendation. Peter Stokkebye's Luxury Navy Flake is a forgiving VaPer and flake. If not a VaPer and just a Virginia, Sutliff 507c is a nice, inexpensive one that I think would be a nice starter. I'll leave the Burley and aromatics to someone else as well.

 

[DrT999]

For the UK OTCs (over the counter), of the brands still in production I would recommend Erinmore as well

 

[Ranger107]

I've been getting Condor from my good buddy Zippo and it's pretty good for a starter.

 

[William Ziegler]

I've been getting Condor from my good buddy Zippo and it's pretty good for a starter.

Cornell & Diehl"s Epiphany - all day smoke. Albert Einstein's tobacco blend. It won't make you smarter, but it's good and easy going.

 

[Bud Savoie01]

Hello, for an absolute beginner and not a smoker at all. What would be the best pipe tobacco to start with? I'm in UK. Preferably something light, not to strong but enjoyable. Something that would go well while reading Tolkien using a Peterson pipe.

I bought my first pipe in September of 1961, my first purchase as I matriculated as a freshman in college. For one dollar, I got a pipe, a pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh, and a booklet (also by Sir Walter Raleigh tobacco company) on how to smoke and care for a pipe. Started me off, and here as I enter my 80th year, I'm still a devotee. You might start your adventure with Sir WR; and now they also have an aromatic version. but be careful---aromatics sometimes tend to give tongue-bite. Welcome to the great fraternity!

 

[rj carpentieri]

There is always Captain Black with it's many options, I prefer Dark myself, and my beginner blend, which started me on my journey 50 yrs ago, Half & Half, by the codgers I worked with as a young man. Either way , everyone has different taste preferences, experimenting is half the fun. Enjoy and welcome!

 

[nksmith119]

I use a mild vaper like escudo or dunbar. Or if they are Interested in Engish blends Westminister or London Mixture

 

[Ranger107]

Cornell & Diehl"s Epiphany - all day smoke. Albert Einstein's tobacco blend. It won't make you smarter, but it's good and easy going.

I thought Einstein smoked Revelation?

 

[ftrplt]

I thought Einstein smoked Revelation?

You're right, he did!! IIRC, Epiphany is C&D's "take" on replicating Revelation. FWIW, FTRPLT

 

[DrT999]

You're right, he did!! IIRC, Epiphany is C&D's "take" on replicating Revelation. FWIW, FTRPLT

For what it is worth, 4 Noggins sells an excellent match for these called 'Painter Hills'

 

[William Ziegler]

Edge Worth RR. Vintage 1960, in my Paul Fisher meerschaum Prince with 6 panels on top and fitted with acrylic stem - vintage 1976. First pipe of the day after chili lunch and decalf ground bean coffee. Beautiful day near 50 degrees. Sitting in my gazebo reading.

 

[William Ziegler]

About to light an after dinner GBD Sablee King #193 with acrylic stem I put on it a few years ago. MB HH Virginia after a dinner of shrimp & Brussel sprouts. Having a whisky in my mancave.

 

[Ranger107]

Apres diner smoke of Watch City Terrapin Station in a Randy Wiley grade 99 freehand bent dublin with oolong tea. Good evening BoBs.

 

[Ranger107]

Apres diner smoke of Watch City Terrapin Station in a Randy Wiley grade 99 freehand bent dublin with oolong tea. Good evening BoBs.

Dang, posted this in the wrong thread. Oh well, no biggie. Lol.

 

[Ranger107]

For what it is worth, 4 Noggins sells an excellent match for these called 'Painter Hills'

Doc, I tried the Sutliff Revelation match and was not impressed. Is the 4 Noggins blend better?

 

[DrT999]

Doc, I tried the Sutliff Revelation match and was not impressed. Is the 4 Noggins blend better?

I thought it was, but it's been a number of years since I have tried it; hopefully they've kept the quality high!

 

[William Ziegler]

MB HH Virginia in my Andreas Bauer Calabah I acquired in the 70s. Vulcanite with briar.

 

[Swede]

Apres diner smoke of Watch City Terrapin Station in a Randy Wiley grade 99 freehand bent dublin with oolong tea. Good evening BoBs.

Cool pipe there @Ranger107 !