Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

rlaliberty · 07-06-2008, 10:06 PM

i need a fresh start.

i just ordered some squadron leader and some mac baren vanilla creme. though i did get the macb, i am kinda sick of aromatics (iheard good reviews so i figured id try it). they all eventually taste the same, it seems. any recommendations for some stuff to pick up? i like burley blends and cavendish. i enjoy the english blends ive tried (not many). never tried virginia. lay it on me!

Spongy · 07-06-2008, 10:18 PM

http://agingfaq.nocturne.org/touchstones.php

uncballzer · 07-06-2008, 10:24 PM

I've not really tried any brand name burleys, but those that I've had have all been from local blenders and have been pretty good. So if you have a tobacconist around that does some of their own blends, I'd try theirs.

For virginia wise, everyone here will say Full Virginia Flake (FVF). I've not really sat down with it enough to be able to give a rave review on it yet.

English blends, SL is a good one. Penzance is another to try, and a lot of the dunhill blends (965, early morning pipe, nightcap). Also, GL Pease makes some good english blends (westminster, odyssey).

There's a couple threads floating around that have other people's top five Va/Per and another with the Latakia that may help you out some more as well.

OldCode · 07-06-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncballzer

...if you have a tobacconist around that does some of their own blends, I'd try theirs...

If you are lucky enought to have a good B&M that blends or sells in bulk start Haunting it. You'll learn tons and most bulk you can buy by the oz. So you can try a little before spending money on a whole tin. Plus house blends are cheap.

I havn't done this my self but everyone seems to really learn a great deal when they start noobie trading.

rlaliberty · 07-06-2008, 10:58 PM

thanks spongy, but i was more looking for nice convo as well!

yeah...no local tobacconist. closest one is in vt and for me that is far (i bike). i def need to try the fvf. ive never smoked a flake before.

Mad Hatter · 07-06-2008, 11:33 PM

Well definitely check into the newbie sampler trade. Someone will surely hook you up. When I was learning about tobaccos earlier on it was as important to find a company I could rely on as well as good blends. For me it just makes things more simple. SG rules!

hunter1127 · 07-06-2008, 11:52 PM

C+D Three Friars or Habana Daydream. Can get both in bulk; my go to smokes these days. Also Peretti VA/Pers are very good ( Park Square and Dundee)

Blaylock · 07-07-2008, 01:34 AM

pipesandcigars has a nice selection of bulk tobacco that you can purchase in 1 oz quantities, which will give you a few bowls each to sample and decide what typed of tobacco you like before purchasing larger, more expensive quanties. This is what I did when first starting out...and I currently favor Virginias and Va/Pers.

Here are some of the ones that I would try from this site:

Scotty’s Butternut Burley…a “must try” in my book.

H&H Rolando’s Own…Va/Per
H&H Anniversary Kake…nice, sweet Virginia taste with just the right amount of Perique.

McClelland 5100 Red Cake…citrusy and sugary…a nice straight Virginia.
McClellands 2010 Clasic Virginia

Gawith & Hoggarth Bulk Bobs Flake Chocolate…an English and a favorite around here.

Gawith & Hoggarth Bulk Brown Flake Unscented…Virginia/Burley.

Cornell & Diehl "Haunted Bookshop"…a good Burley.

Dunhill #965 and Nightcap…a couple of English blends to try.

These are just a few of the many different bulk brands available. The above just gives you a variey sampler to get you started.

Also the "touchstones" site that Spongy gave you is a great reference for choosing different tobaccos by category, as well a useful source for learning about the hobby, IMO.

tzilt · 07-07-2008, 02:08 AM

I keep recommending McClelland Matured Cake (bulk #2020). For me it delivers on what I had in mind when I started smoking a pipe, in a way that straight up aromatics don't. Its sweet, has an awesome flavor, decent all around. Its mostly Virginias along with some Orientals and I think maybe some Latakia but I am not sure.

Alyks · 07-07-2008, 04:38 AM

SG Firedance, Grousemoor, chocolate flake, Full virginia flake, Best brown, Perfection, Med. virginia flake
H&H Anni Kake
Any McClelland virginia (I'm partial to 5100)