new pipe smoker with questions.

[Mr_D.]

When your out in public and someone lights a pipe, you can smell it and it smells SO good. Yet the 2 tobaccos I have tried smell like cigarette burning. What tobacco should I use for good flavor and aroma?

I got a pipe stand, humidor and new pipe from a flea market. the pipe was brand new and I wiped the mouth piece with alcohol before I used it.

The humidor is glass with a brass lid. the lid does not have any felt or corck or any type of seal. should I add one?


Thanks

 

[LocktownDog]

The humidor does need to seal fairly tightly to keep the tobacco fresh.

What tobacco should I use for good flavor and aroma?

That's the age old question, isn't it? Something that smells wonderful to a bystander, will probably have very little flavor to the smoker. The closest I've found is Macbaren Vanilla. But I only smoke that for others. For flavor, I tend to lean toward something with latakia in it. And latakia is a leaf with an unpleasant aroma to most. Not me!

 

[DesertDan]

Yes, the humidor should seal snugly.

Go to an actual tobacconist shop in your area and take your pipe with you as most decent ones will allow you to sample a few of the tobaccos that you are interested in.

There are basically two main types of pipe tobaccos blends; "aromatic" and "english". Aromatic blends have "flavorings" added to the tobaccos, these tend to be sweeter in both taste and aroma. Aromatics are usually the type blends that non-smokers find least offensive and some even like.

English (these are not neccessarily of true English origin) blends rely on rely on the combination of the different tobaccos in the blend to lend distinct taste and aroma. Some of these blend can be rather strong.

Also, if you smoke regularly aquire several more pipes as soon as you can as you need to swab out your pipes after each smoke and once you use a pipe for a day or two allow a few days for them to "rest" before smoking through it again. If you don't the pipe will "sour" and will always taste bitter when smoked.

Pipes are a great way to enjoy tobacco, enjoy

Cheers!
DD

 

[Mr_D.]

Yes, the humidor should seal snugly.

Go to an actual tobacconist shop in your area and take your pipe with you as most decent ones will allow you to sample a few of the tobaccos that you are interested in.

There are basically two main types of pipe tobaccos blends; "aromatic" and "english". Aromatic blends have "flavorings" added to the tobaccos, these tend to be sweeter in both taste and aroma. Aromatics are usually the type blends that non-smokers find least offensive and some even like.

English (these are not neccessarily of true English origin) blends rely on rely on the combination of the different tobaccos in the blend to lend distinct taste and aroma. Some of these blend can be rather strong.

Also, if you smoke regularly aquire several more pipes as soon as you can as you need to swab out your pipes after each smoke and once you use a pipe for a day or two allow a few days for them to "rest" before smoking through it again. If you don't the pipe will "sour" and will always taste bitter when smoked.

Pipes are a great way to enjoy tobacco, enjoy

Cheers!
DD

Thanks for the info and tips. I will get a 2nd pipe ASAP.

 

[Mav]

Quit last year after about 15 years on the pipe, as a caveat.

I found, generally, that what smells good to others usually tastes like hell to the smoker and bites the tongue. You're doing it for your pleasure, so smoke what tastes best.
It takes a good bit of experimentation. I started out smoking Balkan blends (heavy Latakia with a bit of Perique) and over the years gravitated to Burleys. Burleys are somewhat nutty and slow- burning; a good, mellow, very American variety of smoke. (Mark Twain is rumored to have smoked pure Burley), but the slow puff is crucial. Latakia blends are delicious, with earthy tones, kinda like....mmmm....dirty mushrooms, maybe. But they stink like a blazing forest fire, best smoked outdoors.
Just play with it- it's not only an addiction, it's a hobby.

G-d, I miss smoking a pipe.

 

[shortbow]

There's lots to learn about pipe smoking, and it will probably take you a couple of years before you figure out what's what.

My advice to any new pipe smoker is to start with a corn cob and several different burley blends. Cobs smoke cool and dry from the start, take no break in, are very inexpensive. Burleys have a low sugar content and hence are the least likely to bite, and bite is the bane of piping.

As others have said, the aromatics may make the ladies swoon, but they generally taste like old boots and bite like a mad dog.

Good luck, take your time, experiment, don't be in a hurry and you will eventually be rewarded with a superior habit that is good for body, mind and soul.

 

[Nick D]

My hands down favourite is Mac Baren Scottish Mixture. It smells great to others and has a mild flavour I really like. Mac Baren can be hard on the smoker, though, it really has to be smoked slow and gentle or it'll give some bad tongue bite.

 

[bumphrey hogart]

I've found black cherry,English or American smokes well and has a pleasant aroma if that's any help.

 

[Edward]

http://www.bondsoflondon.com/About.html - I recommend the black cherry. Sweet peach is also nice. Next I will experiment with their Irish whiskey tobacco.

 

[randooch]

Good luck, take your time, experiment, don't be in a hurry and you will eventually be rewarded with a superior habit that is good for body, mind and soul.[/QUOTE]

The mind and soul, maybe. After watching my pipe-smoking father die from emphysema, I'd have to leave body off that list.

 

[Nigel]

Smokers Forums

May I recommend a visit to Smokers Forums, other pipe related forums are available It's the first place I found when taking up the pipe and I've been there ever since.
I love the pipe, I find it relaxing, medatative(sp) and it also has infinite pipe/tobacco variations.

 

[shortbow]

Deepest condolences, randooch. I make damn sure not to inhale and always have a wee fan going when indoors, even in winter. I also try to keep it at three to four bowls a day.

 

[Chinaski]

Good luck, take your time, experiment, don't be in a hurry and you will eventually be rewarded with a superior habit that is good for body, mind and soul.

The mind and soul, maybe. After watching my pipe-smoking father die from emphysema, I'd have to leave body off that list.[/QUOTE]

Randooch, you're correct to point out that pipe smoking is not good for your body. It kind of killed the thread, however! We're all grownups (hopefully) and are here to take part in the discussion, and we can probably all quote the Surgeon General's warning. Let's get back to the discussion! No offense intended.

 

[Effingham]

I would never smoke one of the fruit-flavored aromatics. They burn oddly, leave a sticky messy dottle, and frankly are more like candy than tobacco.

My single favorite tobacco is Orlick's Golden Sliced -- a navy flake that is almost honey-like and creamy smooth. When my local supplier is out, MacBaren's Navy Flake is an almost identical blend that serves quite well.

 

[Edward]

Deepest condolences, randooch. I make damn sure not to inhale and always have a wee fan going when indoors, even in winter. I also try to keep it at three to four bowls a day.

I don't really even think of myself as a "smoker" as such. I light up, at most frequent, on average once a fortnight, which I figure isn't exactly going to kill me. It replaced a cigar as an occasional indulgence - if it gets to be every day, I'll quit (at least until I'm older..... once I reach an age where I won't live long enough for it to matter, I'll no doubt puff more often!).

The only thing about smoking as irregularly as I do is that my tobacco has gone extremely dry (I bought 100g last July and still have at least a quarter of it left). Does this really matter, or should I invest in a humidor of some sort?

 

[Nick D]

I don't really even think of myself as a "smoker" as such. I light up, at most frequent, on average once a fortnight, which I figure isn't exactly going to kill me. It replaced a cigar as an occasional indulgence - if it gets to be every day, I'll quit (at least until I'm older..... once I reach an age where I won't live long enough for it to matter, I'll no doubt puff more often!).

The only thing about smoking as irregularly as I do is that my tobacco has gone extremely dry (I bought 100g last July and still have at least a quarter of it left). Does this really matter, or should I invest in a humidor of some sort?

You should probably get a humidor, I've been thinking about getting one myself since I don't smoke much, either. I think you can 'reconstitute' the tobacco, with a little brandy, but I'll leave that up to the tobacco gurus.

 

[Blackadder]

I think there is another thread where the brothers suggest Captain Black as a rather affordable blend for starters. For me, I started with Dunhill and then Captain Black Whiskey and Captain Black Cherry. There is no loose tobacco for sale in Hong Kong so I have to make do with those pre-packed brand but I'd also suggest going to a tobacconist.

 

[Yeps]

You should probably get a humidor, I've been thinking about getting one myself since I don't smoke much, either. I think you can 'reconstitute' the tobacco, with a little brandy, but I'll leave that up to the tobacco gurus.

Pipe tobacco tends to smoke better dry. It is normally fine if you just keep it in a mason jar, or something like that.

 

[kpreed]

I keep my Pipe tobacco in a Zip-lock baggie and with my Cigars, that are still in the box,( I keep what to smoke in a screw-lid tin, on my desk) in a Igloo-type cooler. Just make sure the cooler lid fits tight! This has worked for me 25+ years now and no problem and no out-lay of cash too.

 

[Effingham]

I think there is another thread where the brothers suggest Captain Black as a rather affordable blend for starters.

I started with Captain Black Gold back in... oh, goodness, 1978. It was my standard until I discovered Three Nuns, and then eventually discovered navy flake.