First Briar Pipe!

[VirtualAsylum]

I used to smoke an occasional pack of camel blues, maybe 3-6 a year. It was a poor attempt and relaxation and stress relief and not as enjoyable as I hoped (significant health risk exchanged for little in return). Some posts here at brownleaf convinced me to try out a cob pipe. My initial sessions with the cob were entirely enjoyable and I was immediately sold. I can certainly see myself consistently smoking a few bowls a month, so I "manned up" and bought myself a briar pipe this weekend.

Here she is, a humble (but still beautiful IMO) and functional Leonessa Capri. Two smokes in and I already adore her!



I also picked up a tin of Frog Morton...my initial impression is quite favorable, but I wasn't as blown away as I thought I might be. Perhaps that will change a few bowls in. For the moment anyway, I see this as an "occasional" smoke. (Found it mild and tasty during my smoke, but the aftertaste was a touch too potent and enduring.)

Despite the "lowbrow" reputation of Captain Black White (and aromatics in general), I'm finding that I slightly prefer them. The subtle vanilla/whiskey tones together with that beautiful scent really do it for me (room note is just as important as taste in my case).

That being said, I'm still a relative noob here. Can any of you suggest some other aromatics I might want to try? I'm sure there are blends to be had which are similar in profile to the CBW, but even better? Which blends are typically regarded as tops in aromatics?

Thanks gents!

 

[Argonaut]

Nice pipe! Lanes RLP-6 and 1-Q are probably the most popular non OTC aros, C&D Autumn Evening is my personal favorite. No shame in OTC's, try some Carter Hall if you get a chance. It's what I use to break in my pipes.

 

[rickcharles606]

Looks and sounds like you're well on your way, congrats and good luck ;-) You might want to try some of the other Frog Morton line, they're all pretty good.

 

[senatorxmg]

Nice!

For some good quality aromatics, try some from the following blenders:
- boswells
- pipeworks&wilke

No bite and great taste.

 

[zatopus]

Boswells aromatics are great. Raspberry cream is my personal favorite, but they have quite a few great ones besides that.
http://www.boswellpipes.com/tobaccoblends.html

 

[allawd]

Looks and sounds like you're well on your way, congrats and good luck ;-) You might want to try some of the other Frog Morton line, they're all pretty good.

I agree. Something about Frog Morton on the Town is more relaxing to me than just about anything else. And it is not high in nicotine.

 

[VirtualAsylum]

I agree. Something about Frog Morton on the Town is more relaxing to me than just about anything else. And it is not high in nicotine.

Generally speaking, how do the "other" Frogs compare to the original in terms of taste? Are any of them a bit sweeter?

 

[ChivalryRocks]

Congratulations! A few suggestions that may help . . If you don't mind a thorough briar-cleaning regularly, TOP-Grade briars are a good way to go.
But, if you've never smoked a good meerschaum, you've got Total pipe smoking enjoyment awaiting. Requiring MUCH less maintenance. BLOCK meerschaum
is the ONLY quality, worthwhile investment when shopping. They are MUCH lighter weight, smoke cooler, and you can smoke a different blend at each
bowlful. The pipe only takes on the flavor of the tobacco you've just lit up. A MAJOR advantage! The longer you keep & smoke a meerschaum Properly,
the more it will color, gradually, beautifully over years of proper use.
Any of Richard Carleton Hacker's books on pipe smoking include sections about meerschaum smoking Do's & Don'ts. There are other meerschaum primers out there, as well.
GOOD LUCK!

P.S. I do realize B & B is a SHAVING fraternity, but just trying to help out by writing above post. Thanks!

 

[OkieStubble]

I used to smoke an occasional pack of camel blues, maybe 3-6 a year. It was a poor attempt and relaxation and stress relief and not as enjoyable as I hoped (significant health risk exchanged for little in return). Some posts here at brownleaf convinced me to try out a cob pipe. My initial sessions with the cob were entirely enjoyable and I was immediately sold. I can certainly see myself consistently smoking a few bowls a month, so I "manned up" and bought myself a briar pipe this weekend.

Here she is, a humble (but still beautiful IMO) and functional Leonessa Capri. Two smokes in and I already adore her!

View attachment 251606

I also picked up a tin of Frog Morton...my initial impression is quite favorable, but I wasn't as blown away as I thought I might be. Perhaps that will change a few bowls in. For the moment anyway, I see this as an "occasional" smoke. (Found it mild and tasty during my smoke, but the aftertaste was a touch too potent and enduring.)

Despite the "lowbrow" reputation of Captain Black White (and aromatics in general), I'm finding that I slightly prefer them. The subtle vanilla/whiskey tones together with that beautiful scent really do it for me (room note is just as important as taste in my case).

That being said, I'm still a relative noob here. Can any of you suggest some other aromatics I might want to try? I'm sure there are blends to be had which are similar in profile to the CBW, but even better? Which blends are typically regarded as tops in aromatics?

Thanks gents!

Nice pipe! If you like Captain Black, try Admiral's Choice.

 

[DC_MPA]

Very nice pipe, I would have bought it too and I've been smoking pipes for 6 years. My suggestion is going to your local tobacco shop and buying 3-5 different bulk tobaccos in 1 ounce buys each. This will give you 7-10 bowls to try them out and ask them what their top sellers are, as well as ask them what the tobaccos you are buying are in comparison too. Many bulk blends are a close trial at matching the recipe of a more expensive tin tobacco. Have them write down on the bags what each blend mimics. That will have you at $25-30 invested in a handful of tobaccos that will last you a long time and let you dive into your future likes and dislikes.

Aromatic and non-aromatic tobacco is like starting a post in the brush forums with a single question, "what's better, boar or badger?" it's like pouring blood in a shark tank and no one gets a fulfilling answer Smoke what you like and forget about everyone else.

 

[zatopus]

Aromatic and non-aromatic tobacco is like starting a post in the brush forums with a single question, "what's better, boar or badger?" it's like pouring blood in a shark tank and no one gets a fulfilling answer Smoke what you like and forget about everyone else.

Boar is much better than badger.

 

[DC_MPA]

I disagree! Badger all the way!

 

[allawd]

Generally speaking, how do the "other" Frogs compare to the original in terms of taste? Are any of them a bit sweeter?

I'll have to refer your question to a more experienced piper. I know FMOTT is sweet for a non-aromatic, but I have not tried the others. From what I read, I have the impression it is the most mild.

 

[Spillproof]

Congratulations on the pipe and the bacchy.

Rule #1 (IMHO). Smoke what you want in whatever you want. I have big-name briars and a ton of cobs, and I smoke everything under the sun. Whatever works for you is right.

Among the most popular and available OTC's are Sir Walter Raleigh (SWR), Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic (SWRA), Carter Hall (CH), Prince Albert (PA), and Captain Black (CB). A very popular and well regarded aro OTC is Middleton's Cherry (I love the stuff). There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of them, it is all a matter of taste. Of the ones listed I would say my favorites are Carter Hall and Middleton's Cherry. Prince Albert is less sweet and more straight forward burley. I do not personally care for the others listed, but all of are worth trying if you're going the OTC route. Another one worth trying in the aro avenue is Lane's Burley Light Without Bite (BLWB); Lane's is the source for some timeless old bacchy. Search for tobacco reviews and you will find a ton of great information.

On the Frog. There's Frog Morton on the Town, Across the Pond, and On the Bayou. On the Town is the "standard" (Va, Latakia, Turkish). Across the Pond is similar but includes orientals and so is perhaps more nuanced (Va, Latakia, Orientals). On the Bayou includes perique (Va, Latakia, Turkish, Perique). Each has it's own distinct take on the Frog, and all are worth trying if you're up to it ;-) You've already made it over the latakia hurdle. Have you experienced perique?

All tobacco's ave's lead to one in a sense. Frog Morton is C&D. But C&D get's Va's from McClelland ;-)

Btw, I have a lot of bacchy too ;-) Not a lot of OTC's to be honest.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Welcome. Nice pipe, and if captain black floats your boat, go for it

 

[Stevew443]

I have been smoking a pipe for almost 42 years, and I have burned a lot of different tobaccos in that time. When I smoked aromatics, I tended to smoke mostly Blue Note. It does not have a bad flavor (for an aromatic) and the aroma of the smoke will delight those around you. I have settled in on strictly Virginia Perique blends as my main stay now and I find that they are the most satisfying tobaccos for me.

By the way, that is a very nice looking pipe. Smoke what you like in a pipe that you like and you will never go wrong.

 

[bnalley]

Nice, I'm liking the couch you got for it too.

 

[Devilpup]

Try Carter hall, it's a burley base OTC with a very light vanilla case ( I believe), bobs chocolate flake and Lane 1Q are just about the only aromatics that I smoke when I want something sweeter. Check out some Virginia Perique tobaccos, they tend to be sweeter without having the bite or artificial flavor some aromatics do.

 

[biloxi123]

Beautiful pipe! BTW, I think Capt Black is a unjustifiably maligned tobacco. I prefer the CB Royal myself and usually smoke it at least once a week. Are there better baccys out there? Sure! But, you can't beat CB for availability, reliability and price.

 

[COHunter]

There is a huge world of blends available to you, like others have suggested, check out tobacco reviews. If you have an idea of what flavors/scents you enjoy just look for tobaccos that fit that bill. Keep in mind if you keep up with the hobby your tastes will most likely change. It's no different than food or beverage really. Don't let the opinions about a certain brand or blend sway you too much. What one guy loves another loathes. Also just to make you aware, many aromatics can give a wicked tongue bite from the flavorings they use. Some are better than others. One of my favorite aro blends is from a local B&M and it's a mix of whiskey and black cavendish. It's a good mild blend that has a wonderful room note and smokes without much bite (unless I'm being stupid and smoking like a runaway train!).

Just for reference I LOATHE Half & Half. Absolutely horrendous to my palate. Other guys love it.