Going through my humble cellar, perusing my tobacco jars and tins, I began to ponder. What tobacco has captured my attention from the first light of the first bowl and continues to be exceptionally enjoyable?
This may be a little different for everyone because your preferences change over time; as do mine. For example, Northwoods was one of my favorites when I first tied it, and I still love it. Having said that, recently the sweetness in it has been a little too much for me and I sometimes choose other Latakia blends over it. EMP is probably my favorite "English" tobacco now and will always have that in my cellar. But I didn't feel that way when I lit my first bowl of it.
The blends that have made it into my "Love at first light" group are the following:
Holger Danske Royal Navy Flake- From the first time I fired up a bowl of this stuff, I knew it was special. I'll never forget that first time
I was driving home from Sendai and had just smoked a bowl of OGS. I wanted to pack one for the road because it's a 3 hr drive. I filled my Alexander Briar Poker and let the flame dance It was wonderful VA heaven and I stopped my car after the first bowl was done and packed another one right after that. I've been through a few tins now and have two just waiting to be enjoyed. My only complaint is that I can't get it in bulk 
Solani ABF I was very excited to try this as I noticed I tended to like blends with Burleys. My first bowl of it was in my Stanwell De Luxe freehand and I was on a trip through Aomori Prefecture. It was just so wonderfully smooth and nutty with some earthy notes as well. Been through a couple of tins of this and am excited for the next time I buy one. It's the ultimate Burley IMO.
Carter Hall- I've been on somewhat of a quest to find The greatest OTC blend. Not only to save money, but rather to have an old faithful tobacco to enjoy that is readily available. I had heard so much about this tobacco and almost couldn't believe that something like this would be so wonderful. I was sitting in my car on a lunch break and packed my Savinelli 320 with this. It was so easy to pack and when lit, it was just pure pipe smoking bliss. It's so nice to smoke a simple blend like this when it seems so many people are pleased with nothing less than Latakia bombs. Since then I've smoked PA, SWR and Half n Half. CH takes the cake easily every time.
I know I listed the places and pipes that I used but it's not necessary. I just have such vivid memories because it was so lovely right from the start. But what about you? What blends have been your .....
Love at first light
This may be a little different for everyone because your preferences change over time; as do mine. For example, Northwoods was one of my favorites when I first tied it, and I still love it. Having said that, recently the sweetness in it has been a little too much for me and I sometimes choose other Latakia blends over it. EMP is probably my favorite "English" tobacco now and will always have that in my cellar. But I didn't feel that way when I lit my first bowl of it.
The blends that have made it into my "Love at first light" group are the following:
Holger Danske Royal Navy Flake- From the first time I fired up a bowl of this stuff, I knew it was special. I'll never forget that first time
I was driving home from Sendai and had just smoked a bowl of OGS. I wanted to pack one for the road because it's a 3 hr drive. I filled my Alexander Briar Poker and let the flame dance It was wonderful VA heaven and I stopped my car after the first bowl was done and packed another one right after that. I've been through a few tins now and have two just waiting to be enjoyed. My only complaint is that I can't get it in bulk Solani ABF I was very excited to try this as I noticed I tended to like blends with Burleys. My first bowl of it was in my Stanwell De Luxe freehand and I was on a trip through Aomori Prefecture. It was just so wonderfully smooth and nutty with some earthy notes as well. Been through a couple of tins of this and am excited for the next time I buy one. It's the ultimate Burley IMO.
Carter Hall- I've been on somewhat of a quest to find The greatest OTC blend. Not only to save money, but rather to have an old faithful tobacco to enjoy that is readily available. I had heard so much about this tobacco and almost couldn't believe that something like this would be so wonderful. I was sitting in my car on a lunch break and packed my Savinelli 320 with this. It was so easy to pack and when lit, it was just pure pipe smoking bliss. It's so nice to smoke a simple blend like this when it seems so many people are pleased with nothing less than Latakia bombs. Since then I've smoked PA, SWR and Half n Half. CH takes the cake easily every time.
I know I listed the places and pipes that I used but it's not necessary. I just have such vivid memories because it was so lovely right from the start. But what about you? What blends have been your .....
Love at first light
