Looking to Assemble a Little Brownleaf Sampler

[VirtualAsylum]

Hi Gents,

I'm a pipe noob (just to get that out of the way). I've finally got a nice cake building in my pipe after trying a few different tobaccos...here's what I've tried:

Carter Hall
Prince Albert
Frog Morton
Captain Black White
Captain Black Gold

As you see, this has not been an adventurous trip to this point. It's only been about 25 bowls, but I've already learned:
1) Frog Morton rules- it grew on me very quickly.
2) Prince Albert is tops for me with respect to OTC blends; great flavor- really grew on me also (honorable mention to Carter Hall!)

I'm going to order up a nice pipe lighter, and I'd like to include some smokeleaf in the order. I already have some great info on aromatics to try which are generally regarded as good (Boswell, Lane Ltd.). That said, if you were to recommend a "tour de pipe tobacco" sampler, what 5 blends would you recommend as above all others in these categories: a virginia, a burley (excited about that since I like PA so much), a cavendish, an oriental, and a perique.

Thoughts?

 

[Uncle Jackie]

Orlik Golden Slice - Virginia
Amphora Original - Burley
Solani 633 - Perique

I really don't enjoy Cavendish, and can't think of a great Balkan right now.

 

[VirtualAsylum]

...excellent. Thank you sir! Added these to the list, and a'googling I go.

 

[nrdoty]

I'm very limited on my experience with Virginias, but one of the better straight VAs I've tried so far is Peter Stokkebye - Luxury Twist Flake.

Definitely not a VA for purists, but I like Just For Him - Longbottom Leaf. I think you can only get it directly from their website. This is a nice mild VA cased with just a little vanilla which I think would make it a "crossover" between a straight VA & an aromatic. But don't worry, it's not at all overpoweringly sweet in room note or taste.

I can't say I have picked out any favorites in the straight burly or cav categories. But an OTC (my favorite) you have skipped over is Half & Half. It's a burly/Va blend with an anise casing. If you like black licorice at all it is worth a try.

As for Oriental I know Samuel Gawith - Squadron Leader has some Turkish in it so I guess that counts. It is a highly regarded medium bodied English blend.

When you say a Perique, I'll assume you mean a Virginia Perique blend (VaPer) as most don;t smoke Perique straight. Escudo Navy Deluxe is my go-to VaPer, but if you can find anyEsoterica Tobacciana - Dorchester is really smooth.

....annnd one more. If you like the general Latakia-forward flavor of Frog Morton, a more robust alternative is Cornell & Diehl - Pirate Kake . Be warned it is a good step up in taste & probably a equally moderate step down in wife/girlfriend acceptance.

 

[Red Horn]

Boswell's:

2 oz Northwoods
2 oz Countryside
2 oz Piper's Pleasure
2 oz Boswell's Best
2 oz Bear Blend (have not tried)
2 oz Premium Burley (have not tried)

I can vouch for most of these listed.