What’s your preferred or go to tobacco flavor(s)? Who’s your favorite blender or tobacco line?
For me, in my short time in the hobby, I have begun to narrow down my preferences.
Absolutely, unequivocally, I assure you, I don’t care for ANY aromatic or consisting of aromatic tobacco. I’ve tried close to 30 American and non American blends with same results. First 2-3 puffs and the front of my tongue is singed. Love the tin notes but absolutely abhor the taste.
I’m not sure I have an absolute front runner. I enjoy orientals. However, I gravitate towards VaPer and recently, VaBur blends. Also, I enjoy lighter and mellow but also if my mood requires a more robust mixture. For brands or blenders, I gravitate to Robert McConnell, HU, Ravenwood, DTM and KBV.
I won’t even start with the blends and brands (McClelland, ESO, Germaine’s, Butera, Solani, Edgeworth, etc etc) that are no longer sold or aged. Once one starts down this path it’s hard to stop.
I think others would enjoy your input, especially, those who have years of experience.
Let the drybeg shenanigans begin 🫣😜.
I agree with the aromatic thing. They’re just not for me. As far as blends, it really depends on the time of day, weather, mood…it just depends. I like a lot of McConnell stuff, KBV, C&D, GL Pease, HU, Gawith…I can pretty much find something I like from all of them.
With my short time in the hobby also, I don’t dislike any tobaccos. I really like the Balkans and plugs. Arango Balkan Supreme is about my favorite. I do like many of the aromatics. My problem is I ask myself would I buy more of this and 90%+ of the time I say no. I have now have quite a collection of small samples of ho hum…
@Rdp77 said: I agree with the aromatic thing. They’re just not for me. As far as blends, it really depends on the time of day, weather, mood…it just depends. I like a lot of McConnell stuff, KBV, C&D, GL Pease, HU, Gawith…I can pretty much find something I like from all of them.
If you don't like aromatics, why was my wilke peanut butter a few ounces light?
I'm drawn to Latakia, Virginias, Turkish and Orientals. Not a big burley fan, it's OK, but mostly just OK, I think that the few occasional aromatics I use are probably burley. Not much for most aro's, I don't hate them, but there's nothing like good Virginia or Turkish. Perique is helpful to many blends.
I wish we could still get Syrian Latakia. See what happens when the natives blow their country up? It just had a depth and flavor that the Cyprian can't match. I don't know how they did it.
I tend to prefer flake or plug over ribbon or cube cut.
That's all I can think of right now.
Like some burley’s as a morning smoke with coffee. A few shop aromatics I like, but 90% I can’t stand. Love a good English blend. Virginias can be great, but have to be careful and pay attention
I had no idea Sherm was a pipe smoker.
I don't have much of a history to go by. So right now I would say English. My smoking habits are a bit different than most, I'll smoke the same blend with the same pipe for a week or two. Right now it's C&D Epiphany in a Falcon.....Next week, who knows. Most Aromatics I find are to moist and can make them hard to smoke.
As a newbie, my first year, I bought a lot of whatever tobacco, having no idea what I was buying, n the name of R&D.
I’m now cycling back through my rag tag collection in hopes of zeroing in on what exactly my palate is attracted to. Also, I hope to extract some finite tasting notes of the tobacco I’m smoking to better understand the blend.
Like @Rdp77 said choice of tobacco to smoke depends on many variables. My hope is I get better and more familiar with my blends so I can pick accordingly.
@ShawnOL said: I had no idea Sherm was a pipe smoker.
Easy now
Love me some DFK and old Virginia's. Smash 'em together and yum. Don't mind some aromatics. Fruity flavors are a no-go but a touch of vanilla is alright.
Never heard from @Yakster @Stubble @silvermouse @dirtdude @d_blades
I’m sure @ShawnOL @OmgFrigginMike @edz by now , also has a formed opinion??
I'm leaning towards English and Oriental blends. I've tried a few aromatics that taste ok and smell great, but I struggle to smoke them without burning my tongue and its very off putting. So far, my favorites are C&D Palmetto Balkan and The Country Squire Cornishman. I don't pipe smoke as much as I do cigars, and I have a decent stash of unopened tins that I bought myself. I've mostly been working through the sampler my friend from work gave me, and have barely tapped into the stash Shawn sent me.
Tongue bite can be lessened by smoking slower and trying not to let the smoke exiting the stem directly blast your tongue. Some pipe are easier to do this than others.
As far as me, still learning what I like I should have ordered an ounce or two of each component tobacco at the beginning. That would have allowed to to understand what I prefer the most. Discovered I love dark burley and whatever Virginia is in OGS. Ordered a few ,have a couple Virginia's coming in today. Straight latakia and black Cavendish later in the week. Need to order some white burley and some dark fired kentucky next.
I'm so new to a pipe that I need to smoke my way up to just plain clueless to start figuring out what I really like.
I try to stay away from blends with red and/or orange Virginia tobacco in them because they tend to bite me. Beyond that, I like a variety, I can't say I have a favorite.
Grab a bowl of Prince Albert just about every morning with coffee. Mainly English,Balkan blends, a couple of light aromatics, Virginia blends.
Would like to add, getting into VaPers... DFK still the winner for me.
