View Full Version : Recommendations on Pipe Tobacco
TimmyBoston
10-24-2006, 10:39 PM
I'm on the prowl for some pipe tobacco to try for my new little hobby. I'm lookin' for some recommendations on what I should purchase. One thing though, please keep rec's to items that can be purchased online or in stores. I hate getting my hopes by hearing great things about discontinued products. Thanks so much, I appreciate it.
So what should I try?
Penzance, Penzance, and more Penzance.
MasonM
10-25-2006, 04:41 AM
As pipe tobacco preferences are so personal, I'd just sample a wide variety until you decide which ones you prefer.
I am especially fond of mild vanilla casings and have several vanilla varieties. I am not really all that fond of the aromatics in general though.
If you have a good tobacconist near you, you should visit them and pick up some small amounts of whatever varieties they have on hand to get an idea of where your preferences lie. I would also try the different ones at different times of the day as well. I like an English blend in the mornings, something with a bit of vanilla in the evenings, and often just plain burley/Virginia blend during the day.
Make sure to try the tobacconist's house blends if he has any. My favorite blend is a house blend from Strauss Tobacconist in Florence, KY called Losantiville.
rikrdo
10-25-2006, 04:48 AM
www.smokingpipes.com
www.jrcigars.com
2 of my favorite places to shop.
I would echo Mason's advise...find a local B&M and talk to the proprietor.
They will start you in the right direction. :wink:
MacBaren London Burley Blend is very mild, easy going and tasty.
Rattray's Marlin Flake is an excellent example of a Virginia.
I would echo the recommendation of Penzance, with the added caveat that it is prone to drying out to the point of detriment more than any other tobacco I've ever tried. When you pop a fresh tin, though, it is sublime.
I don't have much open right now (as opposed to the 30-50 I would usually keep open), but I'll send you a few samples.
fatt_tony
10-25-2006, 06:00 AM
Not to hijack but what about recommendations on a good starter pipe, not too pricey but smokeable quality.
Can't go wrong with a Butz-Choquin, Stanwell, or Savinelli.
Scotto
10-25-2006, 07:53 AM
Dr. Grabow :lol:
rikrdo
10-25-2006, 08:07 AM
Dr. Grabow :lol:
.................Dont ! :eek:
kozulich
10-25-2006, 11:33 AM
Can't go wrong with a Butz-Choquin, Stanwell, or Savinelli.
I'll second the recommendation for BC (that's Butz-Choquin). Both of mine are stellar, pretty too. I also got them for a great price on closeout at our local briar shop. Sometimes a longer stem pipe helps avoid over-hot smoke, a common novice blunder, and I would recommend a small to medium bowl, since purists say that you should smoke it all the way to the bottom. Oh, also, a pre-charred bowl is an advantage for shortening the break in period.
boboakalfb
10-25-2006, 01:57 PM
I am especially fond of mild vanilla casings and have several vanilla varieties. I am not really all that fond of the aromatics in general though.
If you have a good tobacconist near you, you should visit them and pick up some small amounts of whatever varieties they have on hand to get an idea of where your preferences lie. I would also try the different ones at different times of the day as well. I like an English blend in the mornings, something with a bit of vanilla in the evenings, and often just plain burley/Virginia blend during the day.
Hey Mason,
My knowledge of pipe tobacco is very limited. What Vanilla varieties would you suggest?
My experience with aromatics always seemed to be a tradeoff between scent and taste. I would like a couple to have on hand when my wife will be outside with me so she wouldn't mind the smell of the smoke.
Unfortunately I don't have a knowledgable B&M store nearby to offer advice. I would appreciate it if others chimed in as well with suggestions.
So, today I bought a pipe - I blame all of you! :wink:
I keep hearing (reading) you talk about this blend and that blend and it sounds so great... that and the photos you post (pipes, tins, etc). I quit cigarettes several months ago (late June - with only one relapse) but have continued to enjoy an occasional cigar (less than one per week - on average)... I think that moving to an occasional cigar has made me appreciate a finer smoke-able (as opposed to a cigarette). This newfound appreciation of a better smoke has made me more curious about pipes, I guess.
I stopped at a little news stand earlier to get a pack of gum and noticed a case of pipes that looked like they had been sitting there for quite a while (dusty case). The guy behind the counter didn't seem to know anything about pipes (that made 2 of us!)... Still, I decided to buy one The pipe appears to be a Brigham (http://www.brighampipes.com) System Pipe (shape 23 - I think). Now what do I do? Please help.
Queen of Blades
10-25-2006, 02:44 PM
Put some liquid soap and some water in it, and blow! :biggrin:
Queen of Blades
10-25-2006, 02:46 PM
Bubbles! Yeah! :em2100: :a14: :a14: :a14:
Did you blow Bubbles when you were a kid?
Well, he's back in town, and he wants to look you up. :tongue_sm
Did you blow Bubbles when you were a kid?
Well, he's back in town, and he wants to look you up. :tongue_sm
Zing! :lol: :lol:
Queen of Blades
10-25-2006, 03:21 PM
Naughty, naughty Ouch!
Jenna made me post the bubbles thing. She said if I didn't she would make the whole house smell like your wife's kitchen. :001_tongu
boboakalfb
10-25-2006, 03:22 PM
Did you blow Bubbles when you were a kid?
Well, he's back in town, and he wants to look you up. :tongue_sm
Ha Ha...Michael Jackson was caught pleasuring Bubbles as well...
mikey
10-25-2006, 06:57 PM
escudo (petersen) and nightcap (dunhill)
Dinder1
10-25-2006, 07:07 PM
I only have one pipe.. a BC, but I enjoy it very much.
escudo (petersen) and nightcap (dunhill)
Nightcap is a bit of a heady recommendation for a newbie, and Escudo (along with Three Nun's, Haddo's Delight, and any other Virgina/perique blend) is also an acquired taste. Perique is the most problematic tobacco of all, and is seldom (some would argue if ever) properly integrated into the blend.
I only have one pipe.. a BC, but I enjoy it very much.
Another photo to increase my interest? I only wish that I understood all of this (types os pipes, blends, etc...).
MasonM
10-25-2006, 07:42 PM
Hey Mason,
My knowledge of pipe tobacco is very limited. What Vanilla varieties would you suggest?
My experience with aromatics always seemed to be a tradeoff between scent and taste. I would like a couple to have on hand when my wife will be outside with me so she wouldn't mind the smell of the smoke.
Unfortunately I don't have a knowledgable B&M store nearby to offer advice. I would appreciate it if others chimed in as well with suggestions.
Honestly, the best are local tobacconists. If you just want to check out the casing and don't have one nearby, try looking fot Middelton tobaccos. Hardly top notch but not too bad either.
Queen of Blades
10-25-2006, 07:46 PM
I don't know anything about pipe smoking, Michael. So I found you a link.
http://www.seattlepipeclub.org/sherlock/beginners.html
I don't know anything about pipe smoking, Michael. So I found you a link.
http://www.seattlepipeclub.org/sherlock/beginners.html
Thanks - It looks like it should give me at least a basic knowledge of all of this...
rikrdo
10-25-2006, 11:08 PM
Check out www.pipes.org.
More info than you could absorb in a lifetime.
The FAQ's are really pretty good as well.:thumbup:
boboakalfb
10-26-2006, 08:38 AM
Thanks guys...I have been perusing pipes.org. Anything good or bad to say about Gawith Perfection or Peterson's Connoiseur's Choice?
rikrdo
10-26-2006, 08:41 AM
Hey BobO...
Dont know em but check out
www.tobaccoreviews.com
.....maybe LoisKelly will have a posted opinion on 1 of them :wink:
galopede
10-26-2006, 09:44 AM
Thanks guys...I have been perusing pipes.org. Anything good or bad to say about Gawith Perfection or Peterson's Connoiseur's Choice?
Tried them both. The Sam Gawith's Perfection is rather nice, not so keen on the Peterson's Connoiseur's Choice as it's very sweet. The Sam's is sweetish but not over the top. Both have some vanilla casing but it seems to fit in better in the Sam's.
Also the Sam's has a nice touch of Latakia in the mix which I like, again, not too much.
Gareth
boboakalfb
10-26-2006, 09:47 AM
Tried them both. The Sam Gawith's Perfection is rather nice, not so keen on the Peterson's Connoiseur's Choice as it's very sweet. The Sam's is sweetish but not over the top. Both have some vanilla casing but it seems to fit in better in the Sam's.
Also the Sam's has a nice touch of Latakia in the mix which I like, again, not too much.
Gareth
Thanks Gareth.
PalmettoB
10-26-2006, 10:01 AM
Another photo to increase my interest? I only wish that I understood all of this (types os pipes, blends, etc...).
Michael: It's kinda like the razor/brush thing. It takes awhile. It has all its own "buzzwords" and a vast variety of tobaccos and pipe styles to choose from (like shave creams, soaps, brushes, etc.). There is a bit of a learning curve to get a cool smoke that goes all the way to the bottom of the bowl. But like wetshaving, the journey is worth it. :thumbup1:
I never took up cigarettes, but have enjoyed smoking a pipe for about 15 years. I know what blends I like from the local shops, and I am starting to look more into getting tinned tobaccos. I have about 10-12 briar pipes. Another danged habit to spend money on! :biggrin:
prophet
10-26-2006, 01:49 PM
I would definitley go to a local tobacconist, the proprietor will have tons of good info. (And pipe smokers tend to be awesome anyway)
I have only tried two different blends myself, but so far, I am much more a fan of the non-aromatic...it just tastes better.
I have a question though, I seem to be getting alot of bite when i smoke fast enough to keep the pipe lit. I tried packing it more loosely, and even loosening it up with my pipe tool while burning, but I still seem to get either bite, or a pipe that goes out often.
I would definitley go to a local tobacconist, the proprietor will have tons of good info. (And pipe smokers tend to be awesome anyway)
I have only tried two different blends myself, but so far, I am much more a fan of the non-aromatic...it just tastes better.
I have a question though, I seem to be getting alot of bite when i smoke fast enough to keep the pipe lit. I tried packing it more loosely, and even loosening it up with my pipe tool while burning, but I still seem to get either bite, or a pipe that goes out often.
Not to be a PITA, but you didn't ask a question there... :smile:
Also, I'll have to find a local tobacconist and see if I can find anything good there (be it tobacco or information/advice).
kozulich
10-26-2006, 03:26 PM
I have a question though, I seem to be getting alot of bite when i smoke fast enough to keep the pipe lit. I tried packing it more loosely, and even loosening it up with my pipe tool while burning, but I still seem to get either bite, or a pipe that goes out often.
Lots of variables there. Moisture in the tobacco, length of stem, how many layers you use to pack the bowl, quality of the briar, thickness of the cake in the bowl, etc. You just have to experiment until you get it right. Personally, I find that if I pack the bowl tighter, it doesn't go out as easily, which means I don't have to smoke as fast, which means its a cooler smoke. But then again, this doesn't always hold true for every pipe or every blend.
TimmyBoston
10-27-2006, 12:39 AM
How should one store pipe tobacco?
How should one store pipe tobacco?
I was wondering the same thing (though, I admit that I don't have any pipe tobacco yet - maybe today will be the day!)
How should one store pipe tobacco?
The only way to store tobacco is in a good quality bail top glass jar with a rubber gasket. Keep it in a cool, dark place, and it will last for a long time. I've kept opened tins this way for up two two years.
Aging cigars is incredibly difficult. Aging pipe tobacco is the simplet thing in the world- don't pop the tin! :rolleyes: After you do, the aforementioned storage method works like a charm. I must have over five dozen jars laying around.
PalmettoB
10-27-2006, 05:25 AM
I must have over five dozen jars laying around.
We are not worthy! :biggrin: Nice stash. If the tobacco buyout tries to kill my habit, I'll know where to look.
Guess I finally broke down.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7970
...though, I admit that I don't have any pipe tobacco yet - maybe today will be the day!
Yup - I'm replying to my own post. Today was indeed the day.
I stopped at a little Tobacconist (Comerford and Sons) earlier today and spoke with the proprietor about pipe tobaccos. I told him that I was new to pipe smoking and wanted to pick up something (but that I didn't know what I wanted - other than not something "too sweet"). Well, the old guy told me that he thought that I should buy a half pouch (25g) of the "house blend" - which he said it "a little bit sweet", but is their best selling pipe tobacco (actually, I think that he said that it outsells all of the other pipe tobaccos about 10:1). He also said that since he was recommending something sweet, after I said that I didn't want something "too sweet", that if I don't like it then I should go back and "we can talk and work something out".
I guess I'll be giving this a try this evening if I have time (if I try it I'll be sure to add an IOTN post).
kozulich
10-28-2006, 07:27 AM
a couple of you guys recommended "penzance" earlier. This is not a tobacco I'm familiar with. Stopped at two local briar shops yesterday and neither one of them stocked it or knew what it was. I ended up buying a tin of Town Topic (because, like shaving soaps, you have to buy something!) instead which I intend to try a some point this weekend.
Could you give me a bit more information on the penzance? Ted's Tobaccos said they'd order me anything I want if I can give them the information.
Scotto
10-28-2006, 07:32 AM
a couple of you guys recommended "penzance" earlier. This is not a tobacco I'm familiar with. Stopped at two local briar shops yesterday and neither one of them stocked it or knew what it was. I ended up buying a tin of Town Topic (because, like shaving soaps, you have to buy something!) instead which I intend to try a some point this weekend.
Could you give me a bit more information on the penzance? Ted's Tobaccos said they'd order me anything I want if I can give them the information.
It is made by Esoterica Tobacciana, my favorite tobacco blenders. It is a very rich English mixture formed into a block and then cut into slices. The slices fall apart easily, giving it its other name, Krumble Cake. One of the great tobaccos.
rikrdo
10-28-2006, 10:26 AM
a couple of you guys recommended "penzance" earlier. This is not a tobacco I'm familiar with. Stopped at two local briar shops yesterday and neither one of them stocked it or knew what it was. I ended up buying a tin of Town Topic (because, like shaving soaps, you have to buy something!) instead which I intend to try a some point this weekend.
Could you give me a bit more information on the penzance? Ted's Tobaccos said they'd order me anything I want if I can give them the information.
Tin Description: A wonderful complex secret recipe of the finest Virginia, choice Turkish and Orientals and Cyprian Latakia, all hand blended together, hard pressed and broad cut into thick flakes. Long matured and easily crumbled to facilitate pipe filling .
LoisKelly said this:
Penzance should be the very best tobacco in the world, but it isn't. On taste alone, it has few peers. One of my favorite thrills is the first bowl of a freshly popped tin. The wax wrapper oozes more oil the my old Triumph (shift with the right foot, thank you), and the first taste makes me utter "Oh, momma!" I can't think of another English blend that has such a strong underpinning of delicious Virginias. It's incredibly smokey and lush, and completely unique in the world of pipe tobacco.
The troubles arise from the cut. The crumble cake format, though novel and, at first, nifty, proves problematic. I know of no other blend that seems to lose its essential oils as quickly as Penzance. Even in tin form, I'll take the first few bowls, and you can have the rest. Bulk is far worse. Werner Heisenberg could have offered Penzance as proof of his uncertainty principle- just LOOKING at this stuff makes it fall apart. The lightest of hands are required to handle it, lest it crumble into oblivion. The ensuing increase in surface area only serves to accelerate the decline.
Penzance is like a flower that must be appreciated before it withers and dies. But what a flower it is.
An absolute must try"
Distributed by Esoterica Tobacciana......as previously stated by Scotto
a couple of you guys recommended "penzance" earlier. This is not a tobacco I'm familiar with. Stopped at two local briar shops yesterday and neither one of them stocked it or knew what it was. I ended up buying a tin of Town Topic (because, like shaving soaps, you have to buy something!) instead which I intend to try a some point this weekend.
Could you give me a bit more information on the penzance? Ted's Tobaccos said they'd order me anything I want if I can give them the information.
Here are 135 reviews of Penzance, which should give some indication of its popularity.:thumbup1:
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend_detail.cfm?ALPHA=P&TID=498
Upon rereading my review from 5/04, I still don't see how I managed to work a Werner Heisenberg reference into it.
PalmettoB
10-28-2006, 07:36 PM
Frog Morton on the Bayou by McClelland Tobacco. Good stuff. Found some today at The Smoking Lamp in Charleston, SC. If you like a touch of perique, this is one to try.
kozulich
10-28-2006, 08:17 PM
Frog Morton on the Bayou by McClelland Tobacco. Good stuff. Found some today at The Smoking Lamp in Charleston, SC. If you like a touch of perique, this is one to try.
Just a whiff of this stuff in the can made me shudder. I guess I haven't learned to like perique yet, even in small amounts.
kozulich
10-28-2006, 08:19 PM
Incidentally, I tried the Town Topic (another Mclelland blend) today. I have to say, I was quite impressed. A very good aromatic. Smoked cool, even though I was smoking it outdoors in a light breeze. Aroma was outstanding, and it burned quite well.
Mr. Anthony
11-30-2012, 12:06 PM
Try Escudo. I have been smoking it for 45 years and always come back to it. It is delicious. Comes in a tin, cut in coin shapes. Originally it was called Cope's Escudo.
http://pipesandcigars.com/acpeterson.html
Argonaut
11-30-2012, 03:58 PM
It's weird, this thread has been around for over six years, and BladeBoy hasn't posted in it. Wake up BB!
Bk124tt
12-01-2012, 04:39 PM
Okay, so Penzance and McClellend Town Topic are now at the top of my list to try. On a side note a friend of mine gave me some Peterson Irish Oak to check out and all I can say is OUTSTANDING!!!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.0 Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.