New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

[Havanaaddict]

Ok I am thinking about dipping my toe into the pipe smoking world. I am a CC only smoker and LOVE them but with the way prices are going I am thinking of adding in a pipe. I know I am going to have to slow way down, I smoke a Robusto in 30 min. The question I have is if I pick up a pipe if I start with trying Aromatics tobacco in the pipe do I need to stay with Aromatics in that pipe.?

I tend to have a sweet tooth, I like sweet & rich flavors.
I do like Punch and Cohiba cigars (the vanilla & citrus) CCs

I may end up realizing that I like Non - Aromatics

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by Havanaaddict

I may end up realizing that I like Non - Aromatics

I was a bit outraged earlier in the year when Habano SA decided to use Hong Kong to set their benchmark on prices for Cohiba' and other CC'. Not sure who' going to be shelling out $1K plus for a box, but...

Welcome to the pipe world! This is my three cents when it comes to just starting out. You need to get one of these:

A Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob: https://corncobpipe.com/product/boone-corn-cob-pipe/

Knowing you in the past and the cigars you smoke, I would recommend the following blends to start off with:

Amphora Virginia blend. I think you'll find the blend rewarding: https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-to...duct_id/278505

Sutliff 707 Sweet Virginia: https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-to...duct_id/107483 or...

Sutliff 505C Virginia Flake: https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-to...duct_id/127345

The 707 is pretty much the rubbed-out version of the 505C.

Sutliff 515 RC-1 Red Virginia: https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-to...duct_id/250855

Sutliff 507-S Stoved Virginia: https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-to...duct_id/250792

I would probably take about 10g' of 515 and 507 and mix really well. Then place the mixture into a one pint wide mouth Kerr/Ball jar for about three months to marry. Burping the jar once every two weeks to age the mixture, and see what you think after the three month period.

One more I'd recommend would be...

Amphora Burley blend: https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipe-to...duct_id/326507

I forget where you reside in the SoCal area, but you may want to peruse a good B&M in your area that carries Sutliff Bulk and the Amphora blends (if they do) to maybe support them in the start of your pipe journey. They should also carry the Missouri Meerschaums too.

Good luck and we'll be here to support you and make sure you slide hard down this other slope


PS - I forgot to mention that the Warped Cloud Hopper pipe tobacco blend in the 2oz tin is a darn good smoke too.

[physiognomy]

Originally Posted by Havanaaddict

… The question I have is if I pick up a pipe if I start with trying Aromatics tobacco in the pipe do I need to stay with Aromatics in that pipe.?

It depends on you and the Aro. Definitely maybe. Some ‘ghosting’ will occur, but can often fade with cleaning or smoking oher blends. If you are ok with that, it’s all good. Honestly, most common Aromatics won’t ring your bell, Mark. Plenty of good recommendations already. Try everything, but I recommend a simple over-the-counter burley (E.g. Carter Hall) to learn pipe smoking - fill/pack, light, tamp, puff, light, tamp, light, puff, light, etc Quickly becomes easy, but some help there is a good idea when starting. Also leave tobacco out to ‘dry’ for an hour or two before smoking (think ‘dry-boxing’).

I find a bowl or two of a Lakeland (medium-stout Virginia and or/burley base with floral topping - yes, think grandma powdery-floral - they are delicious!) will stick for good while and that’s all I taste. Some regular OTC sweet vanilla Aro may fade quickly after a couple bowls of a smoky English/Balkan blend.

As recommended, some folks start with a few cob pipes for this reason. I like them a lot, but find there’s a break in period (any new pipe, really) that can affect initial impressions. Stick with it and try to stop early bowls before the very bottom (burns raw shank inside bowl - normal, tastes ‘woody’) Still, a good way to try different things. Dye the outside black if you don’t want to look like a hillbilly

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by physiognomy

if you don’t want to look like a hillbilly

Gotta go hillbilly sometimes