It was intriguing to me to reflect on my long history of tobacco use, some good and some not so much. I worked with a lot of older guys that smoked cigarettes and I didn't find them appealing, but seeing a pipe in a tobacco shop caught my attention. It was cheap, probably briar, and the tobacco I bought was poor I'm sure. I fiddled with it for about 6 months, had no instruction, no pipe tool, and didn't know any other pipe smokers. After reading much here I see how I screwed it up badly. Inevitably cigarettes came and I justified them with the stress of the job. I tried quitting but was never really successful. I also started enjoying cigars and would never fully enjoy them until after cigarettes. Finally I ran into snus which was the easiest way to quit cigarettes. I started with the higher nicotine stuff and knocked it down to normal levels. I'm now at the point where I don't crave nicotine at all and am just trying to use off my last two cans of los Grov. Back to cigarettes, after quitting for several months I started noticing tastes and complexities in cigars I had never been able to enjoy before. That is my biggest satisfaction with a cigar. And without the nicotine craving snus just seems kinda boring. So I have been thinking about revisiting the pipe. With cigars I enjoy deep and complex natural tastes, I'm not too hip on mild smokes and flavored ones are definitely not happening. I'm probably going to start off with a MM Corn Cob and I'm looking for suggestions on tobaccos that meet my likes but are also good for the beginner. Prince Albert seems to be all over the smoking forums but I'm not sure what that is like. And for my last question, my humidor which has some room stays at 65%, is this good for pipe tobaccos? Thanks!
My tobacco journey and a couple pipe ?s
- Thread starter Leche
- Start date
I have not tried Prince Albert, however, it is a burley and burley seems to be up your alley based on what you're describing. It typically has a full-bodied, somewhat sweet, earthy, nutty taste, though some is bitter. A few recommendations:
GLP's Key Largo (has maduro cigar leaf mixed in, so that will give you something to latch onto in terms of flavor, and it will also let you know if you like latakia). You may also want to try Wessex's Burley Slice.
C&D's Night Train, Old Joe Krantz and Exhausted Rooster. The former two are heavy burley based blends (WARNING: Night Train should NOT be smoked on an empty stomach), and the latter is a VA-perique blend (also a genre you may enjoy) with some burley in there. There is a very light rum casing, but you really don't taste it when you smoke it.
If you're looking to go ultra-cheap, pick up a pouch of Five Brothers which goes well with a cob, but make sure to re-hydrate it before you smoke it, otherwise it will taste a lot like a cigarette (i.e. non-existent flavor).
These are just recommendations off of the top of my head, however, and I'm sure some others will come in later and give you more detailed recommendations (hell, I might, too). I highly suggest looking through www.tobaccoreviews.com for reviews of any tobacco you've heard of, to get a feel for the quality and the tasting notes of others. Once you start trying stuff, try to find some reviewers whose tastes match your own, and you'll be set. Also make sure to watch some videos on packing, tamping, etc. and ask plenty of questions.
GLP's Key Largo (has maduro cigar leaf mixed in, so that will give you something to latch onto in terms of flavor, and it will also let you know if you like latakia). You may also want to try Wessex's Burley Slice.
C&D's Night Train, Old Joe Krantz and Exhausted Rooster. The former two are heavy burley based blends (WARNING: Night Train should NOT be smoked on an empty stomach), and the latter is a VA-perique blend (also a genre you may enjoy) with some burley in there. There is a very light rum casing, but you really don't taste it when you smoke it.
If you're looking to go ultra-cheap, pick up a pouch of Five Brothers which goes well with a cob, but make sure to re-hydrate it before you smoke it, otherwise it will taste a lot like a cigarette (i.e. non-existent flavor).
These are just recommendations off of the top of my head, however, and I'm sure some others will come in later and give you more detailed recommendations (hell, I might, too). I highly suggest looking through www.tobaccoreviews.com for reviews of any tobacco you've heard of, to get a feel for the quality and the tasting notes of others. Once you start trying stuff, try to find some reviewers whose tastes match your own, and you'll be set. Also make sure to watch some videos on packing, tamping, etc. and ask plenty of questions.
I enjoy a pipe now and then, but haven't tried Prince Albert. I'd recommend going to a tobacconist and gettimg samples of a variety of different strains and blends. Personally, I've always gravitated towards Virginia and Latakia tobaccos, while avoiding flavored ones. Of course, YMMV, but try a variety to see what you like.
Hie thee to a tobacconist. He should have a variety of jars for you to sniff, and they will frequently let you try a bowl or half-bowl of a smattering of blends for free. It's difficult to give you recommendations because pipe shops tend to rename their bulk blends. I could recommend tinned blends but that's an expensive way to experiment ($10-$20/tin) when you're first starting out. Sniffing and sampling jars is much easier, and once you figure out your general preferences then you're off and running and can try the tinned stuff if you're interested.
Since you're coming from cigarettes it's possible that nicotine content may play a part in your choice. Personally I'm not a fan of nicotine, I tend to stick to lighter cigars and to the styles of pipe tobacco which are lower in nicotine. But for some guys (esp ex-cigarette smokers) Vitamin N is a critical aspect of the sport, so I'll touch on that a bit. The aromatic tobaccos (vanilla, cherry, etc) often have pretty much the same taste (light, woodsy, cigarette-like) no matter what their aroma, since they are based on the same base tobacco just with different sprayed-on scents which doesn't carry through to the taste. However, this stuff tends to be quite high in nicotine, comparable to cigarettes since they share the same base tobacco (burley). The guys that smoke enough to buy by the pound seem to gravitate to this stuff. The tobacco that smells like leather, jerky, and plummy ham will have a distinctive and characterful taste, but because they tend to have such a strong flavor it's difficult to smoke these continuously the way you can the light aromatics. In addition, these types of tobacco often are light on nicotine because of where it's grown and how it's cured. These are the types of pipe tobacco I personally prefer, but everybody's different. There are also companies that make non-flavored versions of burley tobaccos, that use better burley tobaccos along with a little bit of virginia or latakia to give it a bit more taste and complexity.
I heartily commend your choice of cob as a starter pipe. Besides the obvious benefits of price, they also don't "ghost" very much, so you can try different types of blends without having each smoke taste like the previous one. If you can get it I would recommend the MM Country Gentleman because of it's fairly large bowl (for a cob), the MM freehand is another good one but that very tall bowl can be a challenge for a beginner to smoke all the way down. There's also a guy that makes nice stems for MM cobs; they're a bit pricey because they're hand-cut and made from nice lucite, but they largely solve the main problems that cobs have - the "cheap" look and feel. Also, you can move it from cob to cob since all MM cobs have the same mortice geometry.
Since you're coming from cigarettes it's possible that nicotine content may play a part in your choice. Personally I'm not a fan of nicotine, I tend to stick to lighter cigars and to the styles of pipe tobacco which are lower in nicotine. But for some guys (esp ex-cigarette smokers) Vitamin N is a critical aspect of the sport, so I'll touch on that a bit. The aromatic tobaccos (vanilla, cherry, etc) often have pretty much the same taste (light, woodsy, cigarette-like) no matter what their aroma, since they are based on the same base tobacco just with different sprayed-on scents which doesn't carry through to the taste. However, this stuff tends to be quite high in nicotine, comparable to cigarettes since they share the same base tobacco (burley). The guys that smoke enough to buy by the pound seem to gravitate to this stuff. The tobacco that smells like leather, jerky, and plummy ham will have a distinctive and characterful taste, but because they tend to have such a strong flavor it's difficult to smoke these continuously the way you can the light aromatics. In addition, these types of tobacco often are light on nicotine because of where it's grown and how it's cured. These are the types of pipe tobacco I personally prefer, but everybody's different. There are also companies that make non-flavored versions of burley tobaccos, that use better burley tobaccos along with a little bit of virginia or latakia to give it a bit more taste and complexity.
I heartily commend your choice of cob as a starter pipe. Besides the obvious benefits of price, they also don't "ghost" very much, so you can try different types of blends without having each smoke taste like the previous one. If you can get it I would recommend the MM Country Gentleman because of it's fairly large bowl (for a cob), the MM freehand is another good one but that very tall bowl can be a challenge for a beginner to smoke all the way down. There's also a guy that makes nice stems for MM cobs; they're a bit pricey because they're hand-cut and made from nice lucite, but they largely solve the main problems that cobs have - the "cheap" look and feel. Also, you can move it from cob to cob since all MM cobs have the same mortice geometry.
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- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks for all the helpful advise. I should have mentioned I haven't touched a cigarette in about 2 years and the last six months of that was the occasional. The scent of them makes me sick. High nicotine snus also makes me feel sick and prolonged "normal" levels start to put me in the hurt box. Can't wait to hit a shop, just got to ignore all those yummy cigars.
Burleys can have a cigaretteish room note at times, however, pipe tobacco burley tends to be much higher quality than the stuff put in cigarettes. I originally made the suggestion since the flavor would give you something to grasp onto that was somewhat familiar, but if this the case, it may not be as great of an idea as I originally thought. That said, I'd suggest trying some and if it's too 'cigarette-like' for you, then you know to avoid it in the future. Prince Albert would be a cheap way to find out. That said, definitely check out the B&M.
i really want to get into pipes but i hate the fact people would look at me weird because I'm young (24). I could care less about what someone thinks but it would be nicer if it wasn't really age dependent basically.
I am a young pipe smoker as well, 22. But I mostly smoke in my house.
I quit cigarettes by switching to cigars. Yeah, I know it's still tobacco, but it's less harmful IMO. Now, I smoke at most 1 cigar a few times per week. Not like inhaling a pack a day. Plus it's much more enjoyable.
Anyway, I'm in a similar boat as the OP. I'm now in the process of taking up a pipe (thanks to the other B&B thread) to mix things up a bit. I've been using a couple corn cobs, and just ordered a Stanwell. I'd also appreciate blend recommendations.
Anyway, I'm in a similar boat as the OP. I'm now in the process of taking up a pipe (thanks to the other B&B thread) to mix things up a bit. I've been using a couple corn cobs, and just ordered a Stanwell. I'd also appreciate blend recommendations.
It's like wearing a fedora. The key is to not be self-conscious about it. Visit your local pipe/cigar shop and hang around there some, you'll meet other young pipe smokers.
Besides, the easiest way to become a 40 yr old pipe smoker with 20yr old Escudo in his closet is to start out as a 20 yr old pipe smoker with fresh Escudo in his closet.
Cobs tend to really sing with burley and virginia blends. MacBaren's Navy Flake (tin) is really excellent in a cob, as is Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake and Stokkebye bullseye flake (also bulk). Also Esoterica Stonehaven, but that's in short supply at the moment because demand is outstripping supply. Escudo is also excellent but really needs a year or so of age on it (decade or more is even better). Oh and Peterson's University Flake is a nice burley with a bit of virginia in it, and I've found it particularly well suited for a large cob like a Freehand or Country Gentleman.
For latakia type blends, a good bulk blend is Stokkebye's Proper English, which is basically the bulk version of Balkan Sasieni, though IMO Balkan Sasieni is a better (not sure why since they're the same thing, probably something about the tinning process). MacBaren's HH Vintage Syrian (tin, but inexpensive) is very popular. And for oriental blends I'd recommend trying Butera Pelican (tin) or McConnel's Oriental (tin).
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I'll second the recommendation for University Flake, though I will note that it has a light plum casing (doesn't bother me) but if you absolutely can't stand that, you may wish to avoid it. I've heard Peterson's Perfect Plug described as 'University Flake with less of a casing' though it should be noted that a plug form requires some preparation before smoking in the form of being cut up. If I was going to recommend a burley flake, at this point, it would be Wessex's Burley Slice.
I'm a fedora wearing, pipe smoking 22 year old, and I couldn't care less what people think. Though it probably didn't hurt that two of my close friends also smoke pipes (well one now, the other quit). Do what you want, and damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!
I sarted smoking a Pipe when I was in my mid twenty's, I got a few looks and some good natured ribbing from my friends. Within a couple years many had quit smoking cigarettes and moved on to cigars and pipes.
Keep and Protect the faith brother.
Keep and Protect the faith brother.
- Thread starter
- #15
Well I stopped by a B&M and the tobacconist was very helpful and a pipe smoker too. He set me up with a MM Country Gentleman, an ounce of a house blend "Purely English" based on my cigar likings and the scent was very enjoyable to me, and a very generous sample of Optimum which reminds of backwoods cigars. He went over the pipe with me, pitched in a nail style tamper and went over the techniques. Haven't had a chance yet but I'm looking forward to it.
I'll second the Mac Baren Navy Flake recommendation. I'm an ex-cigarette smoker, and I also can't stand the smell of cigarettes or much nicotine. That said, burley doesn't make me ill or anything. At worst, it's a very light, fairly long-lasting nicotine buzz.
-Andy
-Andy
- Thread starter
- #17
So is my cigar humidor good to store these tobaccos? Also they came in plastic baggies, should I just leave them in the bags, seal open or closed? Over thinking this?
Most pipe tobacco as-sold is actually too damp to smoke well (because it's sold by the ounce of course) and needs a bit of drying out anyway.
I wouldn't put an aromatic in the cigar humidor, because the aroma will color the cigars. Just keep them in the baggie, and if they get a bit dry then spritz a bit of distilled water on them. You can also put them in small tupperware containers to help keep them moist. That's what I do with my pipe tobaccos.
I wouldn't put an aromatic in the cigar humidor, because the aroma will color the cigars. Just keep them in the baggie, and if they get a bit dry then spritz a bit of distilled water on them. You can also put them in small tupperware containers to help keep them moist. That's what I do with my pipe tobaccos.
Mparker's advise is good especially if we're talking about samples. If they are tobaccos you intend to keep around for a while you may want to get wide mouth ball jars or if you keep some out on a desk like I do perhaps bail-top jars. You can get bail-tops for a few bucks a piece at any mega-mart sort of place and Ball makes an attractive and very functional wide mouth with a silver top at 5 bucks or so for a box of four which prices it fairly competitively with Tupperware if your buying new.
- Thread starter
- #20
Thanks gents for the great info. Had my first go tonight, went with the Optimum. Packed the bowl, did the "false" light, tamped again, and relight. Very enjoyable and only one relight. Still reminded me of a backwoods, but the flavor was more subtle and complex. Overall pretty happy.
