Advice...

[shakespeare]

O.K. Considering I have VERY limited access to pipe tobacco, I need some advice before trying to attempt an online purchase or trade.

I´m limited to cavendish or black cavendish. I finally "broke in" my pipe and learnt how to pack and light (Thanx to the 101 thread on CS!) so my smoking pleasure has DRASTICALLY improved!

Here´s the deal. Before I do think of expanding horizons, What are the general opinions on Holland House Tobaccos? I have been smoking either Danish Jacaranda Cavendish or Holland House Black Cavendish. I like them both but I wanted something with much more flavour and a MUCH FULLER billow of smoke. Something like the "habano" of pipe tobaccos. What´s everyones favourite for example, that alone would be a great help!

I have been advised to try out latakia tobacco but I can´t find it anywhere here and if I mention it they haven´t the foggiest what I´m talking about - All they ever put in front of me is CAVENDISH!!!!

[Scott M]

I'm a little puzzled by your post; are those blends all that's available to you in your area, i.e the only thing your local has in stock, or is this something else? From what I can find about those two blends, they're both aromatics, yes? You're probably better off NOT smoking straight latakia, but if you're looking for blends to start off with, a mild English blend, (Dunhills Standard Mixture Mild, for instance) might be something you'd ask your tobacconist for.

If you're looking for current favs, I'm in a latakia phase of Full English, (Dunhills Nightcap / 965, Schurch Azurite, Esotericas And So To Bed) and Balkan blends, (Balkan Sasinei, GLP Abingdon / Odyssey), and for a huge latakia fix,Esotericas Penzance, with a periodic, (and tentative), dip into the Virginia end of the pool, (McClelland Virginia #24, and Rattrays Marlin Flake). (All review links of tobaccos that I wouldn't smoke if I didn't like.)

Hope this is what you're asking for.


Scott"itmakessenseinmyhead"M

[shakespeare]

Originally Posted by Scott M

I'm a little puzzled by your post; are those blends all that's available to you in your area, i.e the only thing your local has in stock, or is this something else? From what I can find about those two blends, they're both aromatics, yes? You're probably better off NOT smoking straight latakia, but if you're looking for blends to start off with, a mild English blend, (Dunhills Standard Mixture Mild, for instance) might be something you'd ask your tobacconist for.

If you're looking for current favs, I'm in a latakia phase of Full English, (Dunhills Nightcap / 965, Schurch Azurite, Esotericas And So To Bed) and Balkan blends, (Balkan Sasinei, GLP Abingdon / Odyssey), and for a huge latakia fix,Esotericas Penzance, with a periodic, (and tentative), dip into the Virginia end of the pool, (McClelland Virginia #24, and Rattrays Marlin Flake). (All review links of tobaccos that I wouldn't smoke if I didn't like.)

Hope this is what you're asking for.

Scott"itmakessenseinmyhead"M

After reading these reviews I think it best for me to do a bit more research on pipe smoking. This is still way out of my league.
Nightcap, Odyssey and Rattray seem to catch my eye though. I think I´ll try give those a shot. Do you perhaps know of any online international suppliers?

[Scott M]

Originally Posted by shakespeare

After reading these reviews I think it best for me to do a bit more research on pipe smoking. This is still way out of my league. If your local has "house brands", you may be able to sample a bowl or two before you purchase anything. Bear in mind if you're using a pipe with an aromatic history, it'll taint a different blend. Otherwise, dive on in, the water's fine

Nightcap, Odyssey and Rattray seem to catch my eye though. I think I´ll try give those a shot. I found that, after smoking cigars for a while, that jumping right in toward the deeper end of the latakia pool wasn't as rough as it would have been otherwise. I'll warn you about VAs, though; they need to be smoked SLOWLY, unless you like your tounge extra crispy.

Do you perhaps know of any online international suppliers? A SOURCE!!!??!!?? YOU WANT A SOURCE???!!!??? Uhh.. no, I don't know of any off-hand. Sorry. Might give the stickys a shot.

(mindless filler to post the responses)

[MikeP]

I agree that smoking a pipe takes a little practice in order to get it to where it is a more enjoyable experience, packing the tobacco to the appropriate firmness, etc. I still find pipe tobacco a little bit on the "mysterious" side. I'm still not sure what is what. What is it about a particular blend that I like - that I can look for in a different blend.... I've never mail-ordered pipe tobacco, although I am sure it can be done. I've always had success going to my local tobacco shops that have their own blends of tobacco. Particularly as being a cigar smoker as well, I've found that the guys in the local shop are very helpful in pointing me in the direction of blends that I would like. If something like that is available to you locally, I'd look into it. If they don't carry a brand that you are looking for, they may have a blend of their own that is very similar.

I've been tempted to get back into the pipe a little bit more lately. I sometimes find that they tend to be a little bit more high maintainence compared to the old cigar. But there is something enjoyable and pleasant about enjoying the pipe.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by MikeP

I've been tempted to get back into the pipe a little bit more lately. I sometimes find that they tend to be a little bit more high maintainence compared to the old cigar. But there is something enjoyable and pleasant about enjoying the pipe.

I'm glad I've dived into the pipe world. Seems to be a bit cheaper than cigars, and the whole aging factor isn't as important. Plus, you don't need as much storage equipment. Having said all that, I don't see myself giving up cigars, ever.