Pipe Tobacco

holli4pirating · 07-01-2008, 02:31 AM

I thought I'd open up a thread to discuss Pipe Tobacco specifically, since I'm getting into pipe smoking as an economical alternative to cigars. Thus far I've found that I like English blends, but I'm still sampling anything that sounds good or is recommended.

So tonight I was already kinda close to my local tobacco shop, and I figured I'd stop in and try a few more blends. So I'm reading the tobacco list, and next thing I know I'm walking out with six bags of one ounce each.

Here's what I got today:
Captain's Black Cavendish
Celtic Morning (recommended by the shop owner)
Gentleman's Blend
Jesse's Blend
Lenny's Own
Ultimate blend

In addition to the three I already had:
Crown Achievement
Stonehenge
Blend 965 (a match to Dunhill 965)

I realize those names might not mean much. but details can be found here: Untitled Document It's a good shop, and you can order online. I'd suggest checking it out if you don't have a local shop. They also have good prices on cigars, from the little I know.

Please share your preferences, insights, and stashes.

RMV · 07-01-2008, 03:06 AM

Borkum Riff is what I enjoy, The Tinder Box had a nice tobacco selection with the "Lamp Lighter" and the "Virginia Special" but is now closed. The best I ever enjoyed was bought in London, DesmondSautter wine (or vine), it was, for me, the ultimate pipe tobacco. So if any forum member knows a little about this one in particular or where I can get some more, it will be very much appreciated. Pipe Tobacco and cigars, there are so many, just like wine, it is up to the self to try as many as possible and find one that you really prefer and enjoy the most.

honedright · 07-01-2008, 03:18 AM

If you enjoy the Captain Black consider trying Mac Baren "Vanilla Cream." Even some strict English blend smokers find the Vanilla Cream a tolerable smoke. Very nice in a meerschaum.

Scott

holli4pirating · 07-01-2008, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honedright

Very nice in a meerschaum.

Scott

Funny you should mention that. My buddy is going to Turkey, and I'm going to have him bring me one back. Do they smoke differently from briar pipes. I'm actually not sure what my pipe is made of, all I remember is the price and that it was hand carved in France.

JimmyH-AD · 07-01-2008, 05:32 AM

Any of GL Pease tobaccos. Two of my favorites being Robusto and Haddo's Delight. Cornell&Diehl have one called Epiphany that lives up to the name IMO.

Galopede · 07-01-2008, 03:32 PM

Smoking a bowl of Troost Slices as I type, picked up on a recent trip to the Netherlands. Good stuff but hard to get.

I smoke mostly Viriginas or Virginia/perique blend. Favourites are, in no particular order:
Sam Gawith's Full Viriginia Flake (reckoned by most to be THE Virginia)
Sam's medium Virgina Flake (a milder version of FVF)
Rattray's Marlin Flake
Rattray's Old Gowrie
Several of the McClelland Vas or Va/pers in bulk, 2010 and 2015 are outstanding.
Russ Oulette's Anniversary Kake is most impressive too.

I could go on!

Gareth

honedright · 07-01-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Do they smoke differently from briar pipes.

I think the meerschaum smokes cooler and drier than my briars. I also think the meerschaum (also the Missouri Meerschaum

) is superior for aromatics and I've dedicated mine to vanilla blends. Just experiment a lot and you'll find what you like the best.

Scott

holli4pirating · 07-01-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galopede

Smoking a bowl of Troost Slices as I type, picked up on a recent trip to the Netherlands. Good stuff but hard to get.

I smoke mostly Viriginas or Virginia/perique blend. Favourites are, in no particular order:
Sam Gawith's Full Viriginia Flake (reckoned by most to be THE Virginia)
Sam's medium Virgina Flake (a milder version of FVF)
Rattray's Marlin Flake
Rattray's Old Gowrie
Several of the McClelland Vas or Va/pers in bulk, 2010 and 2015 are outstanding.
Russ Oulette's Anniversary Kake is most impressive too.

I could go on!

Gareth

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyH-AD

Any of GL Pease tobaccos. Two of my favorites being Robusto and Haddo's Delight. Cornell&Diehl have one called Epiphany that lives up to the name IMO.

I'm glad to hear that the Marlin Flake and GL Pease are well regarded. I've just purchased a year old tin of each from Don and I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival.

foundlingofdollar · 07-02-2008, 04:08 AM

As the shop I buy at does a lot of its own blends, I don't know if you can get this anywhere else or not. It's technically an aromatic, though it smokes more like an english. It's called staghorn, it's a cavendish/burley blend. The tobacco is smoked (thus making it an aromatic), but this is the only flavoring added. When you open the pouch it smells like campfire.

junkinduck · 07-02-2008, 12:16 PM

I like a blend from Barclay in Columbus OH called Montana. And I like it in a cob pipe Missouri Meerschaum .

Don

holli4pirating · 07-02-2008, 08:27 PM

As an update to my previous posts, I've smoked both the Gentleman's Blend and the Captain's Black Cavendish.

The Gentleman's Blend is, to my tastes, like a very mild English blend with just a hint of sweetness

The Captains had more Canendish than I'd expected, based on the description provided in the tobacco list and on the website, but it was still pretty good. It would make a good choice for someone who likes a sweeter, mild smoke; for me, it will likely serve as a break between the heavier blends.

Both get my stamp of approval, though that can't be worth much seeing as I'm so new to pipe smoking.

holli4pirating · 07-05-2008, 05:27 AM

Another little update. I smoked a pipe of Jessie's Blend, which is a VA with some Burley mixed in. It smoked pretty cool, and had a slightly woody flavor with the Burley kicking it almost as an afterthought. Initially, I wasn't wild about it, but I found that I was liking it more and more as I got towards the bottom of the pipe.

I think it was my first VA blend, so that might be why it didn't tickle my fancy straight away. I'm looking forward to coming back to it as I move through my "rotation" to see how my impression of it changes.

morfiel · 07-27-2008, 04:49 PM

For the summer, I recommend McClellan's Virgina #24 and Esoterica's Stonehaven. During colder months, I recommend GL Pease's Blackpoint and Esoterica's Penzance. I also recommend dedicating different pipes to different types of tobacco. None of these are aromatic blends. You smoke them for your enjoyment not for the enjoyment of those around you (unless someone around you likes them too). Enjoy.

kevint · 07-27-2008, 05:15 PM

I too have enjoyed every tin of GL Pease I have tried. I like the English Orientals such as McClelland's Bombay- any of the series will do. They also offers a blend with maduro leaf- the name escapes me. I'm sure others offer similar blends for the cigar fans.
Every time I tried a lighter smoke- like any of the McClelland's #20's I just didn't like them. Dunhill 965 I generally find a bit too spicy.