Best Simple Tobaccos

[Freebirth]

I've been dabbling in pipe smoking as a hobby for around a half year now. In my short time in the sport, I've tried many aromatic blends and a few English blends. I enjoy the hobby, but I feel as if I've somehow missed the basics. How can I be sure I even know what a good tobacco tastes like if I've never experienced it in a purer form? I couldn't tell you what a good Virginia tastes like. Nor a burley. Seeing as these are the bases for tons of blends, I figured it might be a good idea to become familiar with these tastes to refine my palette.

So what are the best simple tobaccos, consisting of no more than two tobaccos in a blend? It doesn't need to be limited to Virginias and burleys, just keep it simple.

 

[blindmouse]

Great question! I'll be reading the answers.

 

[Commander Quan]

Prince Albert is a classic, and one of the few straight burleys that are not blended with other leaf.

As far as straight Virgina I'd go with SG's Full Virginia Flake, C&D's Opening Night, or GLP's Union Square.

 

[Boro62]

Prince Albert is a classic, and one of the few straight burleys that are not blended with other leaf.

As far as straight Virgina I'd go with SG's Full Virginia Flake, C&D's Opening Night, or GLP's Union Square.

just curious, but is there anything u haven't smoked? I'll probably pick up some SG full virginia flake to give a whirl when i get a chance

 

[Shellbriar]

A great VA is McCrainies Red Ribbon and Red Flake. They're both great and are done by McClellend. Todd at McCrainies is great to deal with too.

 

[Uncle Jackie]

Virginia:

SG FVF
Orlik Golden Slice
McClelland 2010
Holger Danske Royal Navy Flake

Burley

Amphora Original
Prince Albert
Solani Aged Burley Flake

 

[Argonaut]

I'll second the Orlik Golden Sliced. It's just a good basic flake, and is easy to smoke. Some of the more popular VA's can be finicky to get right IMO. Also it can be had for a decent price and the availability is always there. I've never had to get on a waiting list for OGS. Not to mention it's the choice of shrewd judges.

 

[Stevew443]

Some of my favorite tobaccos are McClelland 2010, and 2015. I also love Peter Stokkebye's Luxury Navy Flake. It has been ages since I have had any, but MacBaren's Navy Flake is a wonderful tobacco. If you can find a tin with some age on it, try some Escudo.

 

[john parker]

Love the tobacco suggestions! Looking over each and every one, and noting reviews! Keep them coming please!!!

 

[Commander Quan]

I always forget about OSG, and that is a good one too.

 

[the_edski]

+2 or 3 to Full Virginia Flake!
+1 to Luxury Navy Flake (top notch VaPer)
GL Pease Cumberland is a VaPer with some Kentucky. It's a pure tobacco flavor if you don't mind 3 different 'baccys.

 

[Freebirth]

Wow, you guys are great! I'm taking note of each and every recommendation for my next big purchase. I don't have any tobacconists nearby, but my Walmart does have Prince Albert for cheap, so I may run out and get a pouch of that tonight. I wish I had a tobacconist close by that would let me try out a couple blends before I plunked down too much money (or at least some pipe-smoking friends), but I'll have to make do with grabbing an ounce of a wide variety.

Are orientals something that people smoke in its pure state or is it usually blended with something else?

 

[Commander Quan]

Orientals are a condiment tobacco added to usually virginias

 

[the_edski]

Orientals are a condiment tobacco added to usually virginias

Yep, if you want a good blend with orientals in it, get Dunhill Nightcap or Peterson Old Dublin.

 

[Argonaut]

If samples are what you're after, try C&D. Call them and talk to one of their associates, tell them what you're looking for and they'll put a sampler package together for you. Right around 50 bucks if I remember correctly. It's a good deal for quality tobacco.

 

[john parker]

If samples are what you're after, try C&D. Call them and talk to one of their associates, tell them what you're looking for and they'll put a sampler package together for you. Right around 50 bucks if I remember correctly. It's a good deal for quality tobacco.

Jason, what/who does "C&D" stand for? I will check out their site when I know what it is! Thanks!

 

[the_edski]

Jason, what/who does "C&D" stand for? I will check out their site when I know what it is! Thanks!

Cornell and Diehl. Here is their contact page, John! http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/contact_us.htm

 

[Freebirth]

Jason, what/who does "C&D" stand for? I will check out their site when I know what it is! Thanks!

I'm pretty sure it is Cornell & Diehl. I've heard their samplers mentioned before, but $50 worth is probably more than I could burn through in a long time. Of course, paying shipping on just an ounce or two at a time gets to be a pain as well.

 

[john parker]

Got it! Bookmarked it! Are they a good source for mail order? Looks like a nice selection, and advertised prices (at least prior to the shipping costs) certainly seem more reasonable then my nearest tobacconist. Sort of the WestCoastShaving and Bullgoose of brown leaf?

 

[the_edski]

Got it! Bookmarked it! Are they a good source for mail order? Looks like a nice selection, and advertised prices (at least prior to the shipping costs) certainly seem more reasonable then my nearest tobacconist. Sort of the WestCoastShaving and Bullgoose of brown leaf?

They are more "niche" than WCS or Bullgoose, but they are great. We wouldn't recommend them if they weren't good at what they did. Pipesandcigars.com and 4noggins would be the WCS and/or Bullgoose round here...