Pipe Tobacco

[djr7572]

Do any of you gents smoke a pipe? I have always found the smell of someone's pipe to be intoxicating (I'm not sure I've ever smelled what would be considered "foul" pipe tobacco). On the rare occasion that I happen to be in close proximity to a gentleman's pipe, I find myself breathing deeply, sometimes even going as far as following someone
just to be downwind of the pipe smoke! :lol:

I'm interested in pipes and pipe tobacco, but just not sure where to start. I'm not a smoker - I can't stand the smell of cigarettes. Cigars can be nauseating to smell, but a pleasure to smoke every now and then. But pipes ..... pipe tobacco seems to be in a category by itself - I actually find it quite pleasurable to be around.

So, I'm just wondering if any of you smoke a pipe ... how often ... what kind of tobacco you like ... etc.

If one is interested in an occasional smoke, where does one start in finding out about the different pipes that are available and the different pipe tobaccos ??

Any comments, stories, suggestions, references, etc, would be really appreciated!


Thanks guys!

- David

[djr7572]

I should've done a little digging before posting, as I just read Scotto's post about childhood memories and his first pipe & tobacco.

Great story ...

[Cutthroat]

Where it that post? I have been wanting to try a pipe lately as well. I enjoy mid range cigars from time to time (Arturo Fuente, Macanudo, etc.) however, I have never smoked a pipe. I am not looking to make a major investment. Actually the least spent to still give a pleasurable experience. Any advice would be welcome.

[Xert]

Ah, yes. Cigarettes are foul things: little white deathsticks of nasty addiction (my apologies to any of our members that indulge themselves so). Cigars can be excellent, but the cost for a good cigar is just way out of my price point (especially if I want to keep acquiring shaving products at the current rate). Because there's no rolling involved, pipe tobacco's inherently cheaper to smoke, as well as provides an absolutely incredible variety of options. Many of them I find taste disgusting (despite their often 'aromatic' aroma), but the markup for quality tobacco is far less than for cigars, and there's a greater variety of quality available for an excellent price. As for price, check Mars Cigars (http://www.marscigars.com/) out. Some crucial resources for any pipe man are Tobacco Reviews (http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/) and the pipes.org forum. (http://forum.pipes.org/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi)


Some basic tobacco guidelines:
-It doesn't necessarily taste like it smells, especially if you're smelling those sweet fruity casings put on aromatics. Having said that, for those tobaccos which are not covered in sweet-smelling gunk, they usually taste even better than they smell.
-What you'll enjoy is subjective, and will probably change over time, but you must let your own tastes dictate what you smoke. As you can no doubt ascertain, I abhor the sweet casings of aromatics, but many others do enjoy them. Since I enjoy stronger flavours like single malt scotch and spicy foods, I tend to prefer blends high in Latikia, but as always, YMMV.

[rtaylor61]

I suggest skip the smoking and put it into brushes, razors, soaps and creams. You'll be healthier, smell better and look fabulous.

Randy

[JohnP]

I smoked a pipe for about a year,
and I will tell you this. You are probably better off buying the creams, and getting a friend who smokes a pipe. While smoking a pipe is decidedly more enjoyable than a (nasty) cigarette, and most cigars (personal opinion of course), they NEVER taste as good as they smell. Also a pipe, or in that matter, cigars as well as cigarettes, will leave a nasty aftertaste in your mouth. They are great while you smoke them...but let that thing cool and YECCCCH. The only form of tobacco smoking I've had that tastes as good as it smells (and doesn't leave an aftertaste or smell on your clothes) is a hookah. Hookahs are able to do this because the tobacco is wet and never actually burns, but is heated with charcoal. A long story.
Unfortunately if you are already addicted (cigarettes or pipes or whatever) a Hookah is not likely to satisfy your urges. It is large, unwieldy, takes time to set up, and is simply not convenient for the typical smoke break.
So....I am rambling again, but if you are considering a pipe, perhaps buy a cheap corncob pipe first, and a small bag of tobacco. Corncobs smoke decently, but are not necessarily a long-term investment like some of the nicer pipes...if you are going to smoke something, it might as well not be something that smells bad to others. At least a pipe gives you some latitude in what tobacco you smoke. I used to like the (somewhat cheap) Captain Black tobacco in a blue pouch. There are much better offerings out there, but I liked its "chocolatey" taste. Still, again, never as good as it smells, and it ALWAYS left a taste afterward.
John P.

[Phog Allen]

Ah, the wonderful Hobbit leaf. Indeed, though there is truly no safe way to smoke any tobacco, the pipe is the weapon of choice for me. No cigarette or cigar will ever touch the pipe for gentleness and variety, nor economy for that matter. That said, you must learn to sip the pipe. Huffing away is a SURE way to burn your tongue and get a very acrid, bitter taste in your mouth. Do not expect billows of whitest smoke every puff. You are trying to keep your pipe smoldering, not burning. This releases the best flavours. As has been mentioned, a simple rule of thumb is that what smells good burning is does not taste as good. The "casing"(or flavouring)that is used to flavour the tobacco is usually quite moist and sometimes bitter. Natural tobacco blends to look for are Virginias(highest sugar content and can get HOT in a hurry if huffed), Latakia, and Burley's. The Latakia is a major component in English blends, Balkans, and Oriental mixtures. Those last three listings are styles of tobacco blends. Check out the pipe forum at knoxcigar.com. GREAT place and tons of experienced hands there. One warning, you know the SCAD acronym we see here? It was lifted from boards like that one that have PAD and TAD. You guessed it, PIPE and TOBACCO aquisition disorder. It's just as bad as grooming stuff so don't say you weren't warned.

[JohnP]

David,
I just re-read your post, and wanted to add that I've smoked some of those very same cigars (pretty good ones, IMHO) but you know EXACTLY the taste I meant....a pipe (to me) tastes a good deal better than most cigars, but the taste afterwards, as well as the smell on your clothes? The same. If you can deal with it, and want to smoke, a pipe is still probably the best way to go IMHO. It's a little more dignified than cigarettes, and like choosing a shaving cream, there is a huge amount of choices out there, for everyone's tastes. For a short time I smoked Cherry cavendish, and my friends liked the smell of it so much they didn't even want me to go outside to smoke (I did anyway). I only wish it tasted as good as it smelled. It was good, don't get me wrong, but never as good as it smells.
John P.

[JohnP]

Ah, the wonderful Hobbit leaf. Indeed, though there is truly no safe way to smoke any tobacco, the pipe is the weapon of choice for me. No cigarette or cigar will ever touch the pipe for gentleness and variety, nor economy for that matter. That said, you must learn to sip the pipe. Huffing away is a SURE way to burn your tongue and get a very acrid, bitter taste in your mouth. Do not expect billows of whitest smoke every puff. You are trying to keep your pipe smoldering, not burning. This releases the best flavours. As has been mentioned, a simple rule of thumb is that what smells good burning is does not taste as good. The "casing"(or flavouring)that is used to flavour the tobacco is usually quite moist and sometimes bitter. Natural tobacco blends to look for are Virginias(highest sugar content and can get HOT in a hurry if huffed), Latakia, and Burley's. The Latakia is a major component in English blends, Balkans, and Oriental mixtures. Those last three listings are styles of tobacco blends. Check out the pipe forum at knoxcigar.com. GREAT place and tons of experienced hands there. One warning, you know the SCAD acronym we see here? It was lifted from boards like that one that have PAD and TAD. You guessed it, PIPE and TOBACCO aquisition disorder. It's just as bad as grooming stuff so don't say you weren't warned.

what he said, what he said!
John P.

[ouch]

Pipes have long been one of my favorite hobbies, and I routinely receive packages from around the globe from people seeking my opinion on some arcane weed, even though I hardly ever smoke anymore. A good cigar can be a wonderful experience, but for sheer mystique, nothing beats the bewildering array of flavors available in the finer pipe tobaccos. As noted previously, marscigars is one of the finest establishment, although knox cigars has the added benefit of catering to the wetshaving world: Castle Forbes and Dunhill in one stop shopping.
I have posted tons of reviews on the tobaccoreviews site, which is one of the finest resources available for this subject.

[AJS]

I smoked a pipe for about a year,
and I will tell you this. You are probably better off buying the creams, and getting a friend who smokes a pipe. While smoking a pipe is decidedly more enjoyable than a (nasty) cigarette, and most cigars (personal opinion of course), they NEVER taste as good as they smell. Also a pipe, or in that matter, cigars as well as cigarettes, will leave a nasty aftertaste in your mouth. They are great while you smoke them...but let that thing cool and YECCCCH. The only form of tobacco smoking I've had that tastes as good as it smells (and doesn't leave an aftertaste or smell on your clothes) is a hookah. Hookahs are able to do this because the tobacco is wet and never actually burns, but is heated with charcoal. A long story.
.

Greetings from a fellow Hookah lover. Have you seen the High Life range of glass hookahs? They are marketed mainly for those who enjoy "alternative" combustibles, ahem, but to cover themselves legally they market a range of flavoured tobacco blends. Although their product smells a lot of better than it tastes, being made of glass with large diameter bowls they smoke very smoothly indeed. Their charcoal also burns very cleanly, not that that makes much difference but I'll take any advantage I can get in the war against smoking related diseases. Also have you ever tried putting a hookah in the fridge and then filling it with ice water, it is an incredibly pleasant sensation, even for someone like me who doesn't particularly enjoy smoking.
Warm regards,
Alex

[Scotto]

As a long-time pipe smoker, I can weigh in here.

First, needless to say, you are better off not smoking anything, especially if your health is poor. That being said, an occasional pipe or cigar can be an incredibly relaxing and rewarding experience, as long as it is done in moderation. The hobby is like anything else; it will consume your money and time with abandon if allowed to promulgate.

I'll defer to Jay on his breath of knowledge on tobacco; he is my personal guru. I would advise people who are interested in trying a pipe to avoid the "aromatic" blends which are cased with various noxious substances from liquers to licorice. The moisture content makes them very hard on tongue and pipe alike, and you are not really experiencing tobacco, only flavorings. There is a realm of all-tobacco scents and flavors analagous to shave products, from the deeply smoky latakia to pungent perique to the exotique orientals. Search around the web and you will find lots of information, or drop me a PM and I would be happy to expound further.

[ouch]

I'll defer to Jay on his breath of knowledge on tobacco;

Yeah, I gotta do something about that.:lol:

I second what Scotto said regarding heavily cased/topped blends. Straight Virginias can be just as lethal- read some of the reviews of MacBaren's Virginia #1 on tobaccoreivews.com. A free razor to anyone who can guess which post was mine.

[guenron]

After having stopped smoking the pipe, cigars, and cigarettes over 20 years ago I still miss the occassional bowl of latakia.. Ahhh!
:em2300: By the way Tobacco Breath, is MacBarens still marketed?

[ouch]

After having stopped smoking the pipe, cigars, and cigarettes over 20 yeqars ago I still miss the occassional bowl of latakia.. Ahhh!
:em2300: By the way Tobacco Breath, is MacBarens still marketed?

Sure is. MacBarens has a huge portfolio, and is a major player in Europe. If you want to duplicate the experience of smoking their Virginia #1 without having to deal with all the nastiness of nicotine and smoking, all you have to do is touch the tip of your tongue to the exhaust pipe of an idling motorcycle. Voila!:001_rolle

Hmmm. No takers on the free razor so far.:confused:

[guenron]

Sure is. MacBarens has a huge portfolio, and is a major player in Europe. If you want to duplicate the experience of smoking their Virginia #1 without having to deal with all the nastiness of nicotine and smoking, all you have to do is touch the tip of your tongue to the exhaust pipe of an idling motorcycle. Voila!:001_rolle

Hmmm. No takers on the free razor so far.:confused:
A bit of bite?
What free razor?
Thye had something called Plumcake that was a delightfully juicy blend.

[Xert]

I'll take a shot at it and guess the Pipestud.

[ouch]

I'll take a shot at it and guess the Pipestud.

Nope. Guess again.:tongue_sm

[Scotto]

I know the answer, but I'll never tell. :wink:

[mrob]

Geez, just finished reading the thread on quitting cigarettes by NMMB and then hopped on here. . .I know that cigarettes and pipes are different beasts, but am having a tough time understanding how/why any kind of tobacco use is worth the risk.

And before anyone asks, yes, I do take the occasional drink and am aware of the health issues associated with alcohol. :redface:

[djr7572]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I think I'll just leave well enough alone ... I've never been a smoker ... not gonna start now. I'll remain content to smell the pipe tobacco but not smoke it. If I'm ever lucky enough find myself in close proximity to another pipe ....

- Dave

[EL Alamein]

Though not a pipe smoker I am an occasional cigar smoker. I don't know how it is with the pipe but the cigar is generally not to be inhaled. This practice negates pretty much most of the ill health effects of smoking, though not all. But all are significantly reduced. Everything, I mean everything carries risks. In moderation the vast majority of the population will suffer no ill effects from cigar smoking. And of course the second hand smoke argument is pretty much debunked so there's no risk to anyone else either. So don't be afraid to try something that can add a little joy to your life just because there are some hysterical people out there that despise it. Just my 2¢.

Chris

[djr7572]

[QUOTE=EL Alamein]Though not a pipe smoker I am an occasional cigar smoker. I don't know how it is with the pipe but the cigar is generally not to be inhaled. This practice negates pretty much most of the ill health effects of smoking, though not all. But all are significantly reduced. Everything, I mean everything carries risks. In moderation the vast majority of the population will suffer no ill effects from cigar smoking. And of course the second hand smoke argument is pretty much debunked so there's no risk to anyone else either. So don't be afraid to try something that can add a little joy to your life just because there are some hysterical people out there that despise it. Just my 2¢.

Chris[/QUOTE


This is true ...

[JohnP]

Greetings from a fellow Hookah lover. Have you seen the High Life range of glass hookahs? They are marketed mainly for those who enjoy "alternative" combustibles, ahem, but to cover themselves legally they market a range of flavoured tobacco blends. Although their product smells a lot of better than it tastes, being made of glass with large diameter bowls they smoke very smoothly indeed. Their charcoal also burns very cleanly, not that that makes much difference but I'll take any advantage I can get in the war against smoking related diseases. Also have you ever tried putting a hookah in the fridge and then filling it with ice water, it is an incredibly pleasant sensation, even for someone like me who doesn't particularly enjoy smoking.
Warm regards,
Alex
Alex,
I have seen those, but they are not my thing. I do have one of the mini-hookahs that I think are made in Japan or China, and they smoke surprisingly well. As well, in fact, as my standard sized hookahs, but are far more portable. I got the hookah bug at the beginning of the Iraq war, and my first hookahs were purchased from Iraqis while I was in Baghdad. (Yes, I used the plural version...I broke one, gave two away, and kept one...they are cheaper there than here. But the tobacco cost more). I like some of the more traditional flavors, strawberry, double apple/two apples, rasberry...but what is fun is mixing the flavors. Just a touch of banana tobacco and the rest full of strawberry...is very good. If you like refrigerating the base, try adding fruit juice or powdered "tang" to the water. I've heard of rich sultans using wine in the bottom, but they smoked some weird stuff like pearls in the top, as well....
But the tang works. I usually just have water, but sometimes that is a nice twist.
Also, I'm sure you already know this, but you can pay a myriad of different prices for what you want. Go to the trendy hookah clubs or smoke shops with the 19 year old kid with a nose ring, and the selection will be good, but it will be old, and well, it is like buying Disney stuff at Disneyland versus the outlets. I find the best selection and prices are at many of the local middle eastern markets (you know the ones, with perhaps 2 words in English on the sign, and the rest in Arabic) they are the best places to shop.
John P.

[JohnP]

Wow.
I hope I didn't kill the thread...it was just getting interesting, I thought...
I am always interested in learning new things to try (or spreading what I have enjoyed). If I knew, for instance about "sipping" the pipe when I had first started, perhaps I would still smoke one, but I learned too late, when I was already growing tired of the habit.
John P.

[ouch]

Okay- so the free razor goes to Rob L, a lurker who recognized me from another forum and emailed me. That may not be entirely fair, but since I didn't say members only, he gets it- a circa '48/'49 super speed in almost mint condition.
In retrospect, perhaps if I mentioned the razor, I might have received more responses.
I included a Feather, so don't cut yourself, Rob!:lol:

[HlSheppard]

My wife and family were on vacation in the Michigan Upper Peninsula last week. It was a great opportunity to pack a few pipes and a 4 year old tin of Frogmorton Accross the Pond.

Wonderful to have a bowl in the middle of the woods with Lake Michigan just a few feet away.:001_smile

Sam Adams and a nice Latakia blend are the stuff of legend.... <sigh>

[ouch]

My wife and family were on vacation in the Michigan Upper Peninsula last week. It was a great opportunity to pack a few pipes and a 4 year old tin of Frogmorton Accross the Pond.

Wonderful to have a bowl in the middle of the woods the Lake Michigan just a few feet away.:001_smile

Sam Adams and a nice Latakia blend are the stuff of legend.... <sigh>

The three Frog Mortons are the only English blends I enjoy from McClelland. Their specialty is, of course, Virginias. I recently polished off some ten year old Blackwoods flake that was just starting to come into its own. It was quite a treat.

[HlSheppard]

You're absolutely right, Ouch. I have a few 10-12 year old flakes from McClelland (even some vintage Christmas cheer). I try not to touch them until the tins are bulging and the tobak has some nice 'sugar crystals' on it :tongue_sm . That's about the only way that I can really enjoy a Va tobacco.

The exception is a few of the Samual Gawith flakes that have some light topping on them (i.e. Kendall Cream flake). Those are very tasty and mild without much aging.

Most of my favorite Latakias have been from Pease and Smoker's Haven. Although I have SO damned many tins - cripes... I like em all!! :biggrin:

[Scotto]

You guys are making me drool.... I have been taking a pipe hiatus while I work through my Havana backlog from my recent trips, but methinks it is time to indulge in the briar again.

[ouch]

Pease??? I'm going to have to try some of that!:lol:



I have some old Xmas Cheer, too. I agree that McClellands usually show their best after a long time. There are so many great VA's to try, but I think the very best is Astley's No. 109. I see it as a slightly more sophisticated version of Rattray's Marlin Flake. Another unique one is Esoterica's Stonehaven- that stuff is off the charts.
Both S. Gawith and Gawith, Hoggarth, and Co. make some very interesting Virginias.

Do you post on tobaccoreviews.com?

[HlSheppard]

No - I've never posted. I was reviewing for alt.smokers.pipes a few years back - but that went "by the wayside" with the addition of my kids.

G.L. Pease makes some FANTABULOUS tobaccos!!

www.glpease.com

I know Greg personally (met him at more than a few pipe shows), and he is definitely following his 'calling.'

[Scotto]

Pease is "da man".

[ouch]

Just kidding about the Pease products- the "Dark Lord" rules. I posted on alt.smokers.pipes for years. What I enjoy about this site is the similar camaraderie. I used to trade packages of baccies with dozens of folks there. What a great bunch of guys.

[rikrdo]

David,
If you are serious about trying a pipe, PM me or send an email and I will send you a briar and some mild English baccy.
I have been smoking pipes and cigars for many years and I must say that the relaxing effects of pipe smoking alleviate much of the stress I am constantly surrounded with. And we ALL can agree that stress has been proven to cause numerous health related problems.
Please check this link for info as you start your journey.


http://www.pipes.org/how_to.html

PS. I have to agree about GLP. Barbary Coast is my desert island baccy !!

[pitbulls20]

I know this thread stopped a while back but I guess i'll put in my 2 cents.

I smelled a guys pipe at work one day and I loved the smell. I remember as a kid in the grocery store going down the isle with the pipe tobaccos and just stopping and sniffing the bags because the smell was just awesome.

So I figured I was old enough to try it out to see what I liked and I went to a pipe/cigar store and talked to the guys that worked there and they really were some super friendly people and very helpfull. I ended up buying a used but cleaned up pipe for like $15 or so, nothing fancy just a straight pipe. Bought some of the store tobacco from the jar, I think like 4 or 5 differnet flavors, and went home and tried to figure out how to work this thing ?!? lol

Anyway I ended up finding a tobacco that I really enjoyed which was Danish Black Vanilla in the tin. The smell I loved, taste was nice, and the smoke was cool. For me I thought it was just right.

I got to where I wanted to buy me a nicer pipe because I ended up just hating the straight pipe and wanted a new bent, but I just never got a chance (or money mainly) to get one so I just got rid of the ol straight.

I miss sitting on my porch looking at the stars and blowing smoke rings or well trying to but when that one ring that came out just perfect and slowly rolled away I thought that was sooo relaxing.

Thought about buying a new pipe after bootcamp, but I guess we will see what happens. I do miss it.


If you are thinking of smoking a pipe try to find a local store that will give you honest advise on how to do it, types of tobaccos, and see if they will sell you small amounts or possibly give samples of various tobaccos to try. If they have refurbs for cheap that might not be a bad route to go either but then again I only done it for like 2 months so I am definatly not a pro.