Davidoff Tobacco and Re-discovered Joy

[BBrad]

Some advice from those more knowledgeable than I, please . . .

Last fall, my elderly uncle gave me the five pipes he had remaining from his smoking days. Two were unsmoked, (a BBB briar with meerschaum lining and an Old Mokum ceramic) two Dr. Grabow Dukes with badly chewed stems and thick cake, and a Peterson System Pipe with very low mileage . . . maybe smoked two or three times!

I passed along the unsmoked pipes via eBay to those who would appreciate them more than I . . . but the Peterson intrigued me, and the Grabows were begging to be restored to smoke-able condition. Since I hadn't smoked a pipe since 1982, and quit cigarettes in 2007, I was a little afraid to be bitten by the tobacco/nicotine bug again . . . but some friends here at B&B encouraged me to enjoy a bowl or two.

I found that I could puff a half-bowl of Prince Albert after supper (without inhaling) and not become a nicotine fiend . . . SWMBO also enjoys the aroma of the pipe while we enjoy our coffee on the porch at the end of the day!

For Christmas, dear SWMBO gave me a tin of Davidoff Blue Mixture. Needless to say, my Peterson will never see "The Prince" ever again . . . what a delightful, cool, and flavorful smoke!!! Even the Grabows are improved by the Davidoff experience!!

At $20 per tin at our local smoke shop, it seems to be a bit "pricey" to my Scottish ancestory. But, nothing that I have ever smoked comes close to the delightful experience of this tobacco.

Now, my question . . . can anyone guide me regarding the other varieties of Davidoff pipe tobacco? I'm thinking about trying the Red mixture next, and maybe the Scotch blend. I'd value anyone's experience or opinion!

Davidoff is the only premium tobacco sold locally at this shop . . . can anyone share their experience with other blends/brands comparable to Davidoff that would be worth a try via Internet purchase?

Thanks, guys . . . happy smokes and smooth shaves!! :thumbup:

[Greglam]

I can't help you really, vis-a-vis Davidoff tobacco but let me offer you some advice relative to tobacco buying in general: 1) Buy online from a vendor outside your state. Why? Many states now have ridiculous, confiscatory tax rates applied to tobacco purchases. In NY, e.g., it is approximately 60%, in addition to the general sales tax. So, a $10 tin of tobacco bought in state gets not only the 7% or whatever, sales tax added but another 60% on top of that, which makes it nearly a $20 tin of tobacco. I am guessing that the same holds true for your Davidoff. 2) Take a look at pipesandcigars.com or smokingpipes.com for two large, out of state (for you) vendors. Yes, you'll have to pay shipping, but if you order enough tins you can either amortize that across the number of tins you order, OR, you can simply order enough at once to get free shipping.

Cheers!
-Greg

[jwhite]

I can't help you really, vis-a-vis Davidoff tobacco but let me offer you some advice relative to tobacco buying in general: 1) Buy online from a vendor outside your state. Why? Many states now have ridiculous, confiscatory tax rates applied to tobacco purchases. In NY, e.g., it is approximately 60%, in addition to the general sales tax. So, a $10 tin of tobacco bought in state gets not only the 7% or whatever, sales tax added but another 60% on top of that, which makes it nearly a $20 tin of tobacco. I am guessing that the same holds true for your Davidoff. 2) Take a look at pipesandcigars.com or smokingpipes.com for two large, out of state (for you) vendors. Yes, you'll have to pay shipping, but if you order enough tins you can either amortize that across the number of tins you order, OR, you can simply order enough at once to get free shipping.

Cheers!
-Greg
I am also a proponent of buying larger orders online, especially as unopened tins will keep indefinitely. I have no experience with that blend but my understanding is that it is a mild lightly topped VA blended and packed by Orlik with that in mind you might like Orlik's golden sliced, Mac Baren's Vanilla Flake or Dunhill flake. Another recommendation would be C&D Autumn Evening. Actually you might try the C&D and Mac Baren first the C&D is a little more aromatic but both are pretty easy to smoke and the quality is very good as well.

[Blue_2]

Excellent recommendations. I've had Davidoff Red and found it to be a nice light aromatic, but I can't compare it to the Blue since I have no experience with it. I've been told that they're similar in strength.

Since you are smoking near your wife, and she currently enjoys the aroma, I'd probably steer clear of any blends that contain a lot of Latakia for the time being. I've heard some of them referred to as 'Wife Repellent'.

If you decide to pursue aromatics then there are two blenders that are worth noting. 'Pipeworks and Wilke' (http://www.vtpipes.com/index.html) in Vermont and 'Boswells' (http://www.boswellpipes.com/index.html) in Pennsylvania.

It'd probably be best to order a small amount of a few different things for trial. Pipesandcigars has sampler packages put together, but dont be afraid to make your own sample pack on any site.

[Anthony416]

My favourite Davidoff is Royalty which is available on-line for $11 -$12 from US retailers. Wonderful tobacco but took me several bowls to fully appreciate it.:001_smile
Cheers
Anthony

[BBrad]

Thank you all for responding with your comments and suggestions.

I just placed an order with smokingpipes.com, and will be trying some C&D Autumn Evening and Mac Barren Vanilla Cream. Even with shipping, their pricing beats my local retailer!

I'm sure the more experienced among you know of this, but I just stumbled on tobaccoreviews.com (http://www.tobaccoreviews.com) and found it to be a very informative site! Both novice and experienced pipe smokers should check it out!

User reviews confirmed jwhite's advice to me . . . hence my purchase today! I held off trying another Davidoff for now, partly based on less than glowing user reviews of their Red and Scotch Mixtures!

Well, I now have four more estate pipes on the way to me from a recent eBay "win", and this package of leaf in transit . . .

Somebody should have told me this pipe thing is just like razors only different!!! :thumbup:

Again, thanks!!

[Blue_2]

Somebody should have told me this pipe thing is just like razors only different!!! :thumbup:

Again, thanks!!Oh yeah, Tobacco(TAD) and Pipes Acquisition Disorders (PAD) exist. :lol:

[Jasonian]

Oh yeah, Tobacco(TAD) and Pipes Acquisition Disorders (PAD) exist. :lol:

Without a doubt.

[Blue Raccoon]

C&D Autumn Evening.. if you like things 'maple' you will love this stuff!