Wow, where to begin?

[FrayAdjacent]

Noob here... I did post in the introductions thread up at the top.

I've been looking around in a few places for different tobaccos... hoping to find some sort of 'variety' or 'sampler' packs, but not having too much luck.

I'm not even sure what I'll like. I like more aromatic scents, and wouldn't mind flavors like vanilla or raspberry... but there appears to be a dizzying array of tobaccos out there!

I have a briar pipe on the way. A couple zippos are the only 'equipment' I have so far. Maybe I'll stop by a tobacco shop tomorrow and look around, maybe find some tobacco to try, and a few odds and ends I could use.

I'm open to suggestions and hints.

[indigosmoke]

Hi Matt,

I'm new to pipe smoking and these forums but I can tell already from my own experience here that you will soon receive helpful replies from the more experienced forum members.

One suggestion I have is to check with some of the online vendors who often offer sample packs with different themes...aromatics, english blends, etc. While lots of stuff I read at first seemed to direct all new smokers to aromatics, a nice variety pack that contained maybe some aromatics, as well as a mild english blend or crossover blend might be a good place to start.

I randomly sampled some bulk blends from a local shop (more of a cigar shop really) and didn't find anything I liked. Then, based on online reviews I ordered a tin of Squadron Leader (mild to med english blend) and Grey Havens (what I have learned here is a unusual VA/burley/perique mix) and lucked out with both although I have really developed a fondness for Grey Havens which is not a tobacco for everyone (see my post on Grey Havens).

I've got a briar churchwarden but mostly smoke straight apple lattice meerschaum that I enjoy.

Anyway, I'll be interested to see what the others recommend for you.

John

[Dzrtrat]

I would suggest hitting your local B&M and buy a few cobs, cobs are cheap and are great to learn on...if you screw it up then you're only out a couple of bucks...If your B&M has some bulk blends, then build a sampler...if you're lucky the shop owner will know something a bit about pipe tobacco's (and not just trying to make a sale) and can turn you on to a few you may like, and you can try a few bowls till you find what you like.

[Alyks]

TobaccoReviews.com can be helpful. Do a browse by rating and check out the 4 star ratings. Look around, read what other people thought about different tobaccos. See if something sounds like what you might be looking for.

There are several 'types' of tobaccos. English, Virginia, Vaper, Oriental etc. are all very different from each other. Some people don't actually taste any difference between them right away, but I think everyone has an "ah ha" moment. Anyway, to get around to my long winded point: try to get at least one tobacco that represents its genre.

http://agingfaq.nocturne.org/ <---- this is usually an excellent site for newbies because it breaks down the different categories and give suggestions base on popularity. Seems like it's down at the moment. If I could make a couple of suggestions based on what I like:

Aromatics: Samuel Gawith Firedance Flake, Boswell's Best, Samuel Gawith chocolate flake, and if you feel brave 1792 (actually you might want to get a sample of this one before you invest in it)

Virginia: Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake; Mclelland 5100; Dan tobacco Hamborger Veermaster... too many to name

Vaper: Samuel Gawith St. James flake, Gawith Hoggarth Louisiana Perique Flake, Hearth and Home Anniversary kake.

Oriental: Samuel Gawith Sam's flake

English: Hearth and Home Namaste, JF Germain King Charles

I do have a lot of Gawith there, but they do make some fine tobacco. They don't make a tobacco I don't like. Yeah, there's a lot of stuff out there. But it's not a race take your time. Puff slow and enjoy yourself. Welcome to the pipe world.

[SidRox7]

I'm pretty new as well and don't have the luxury of buying all the name brands online since I live in Washington (cry) but have been asking the shops what their top 2 best sellers are and purchasing 1oz. bags of each.... I have around 10 different types/flavors now and some I like and some not so much. Good luck my friend and happy smoking.

[SidRox7]

You can also get a free pouch of sample tobacco online it looks like they used to give out like 16 sample pouches a few years ago but now just 1 per household but hey 1 free pouch is better than none I cant post links yet cuz im a noob on this forum as well but pm me or ask another for the addy.

[Mister Moo]

This is helpful: Peterson Pipes - How to smoke a pipe

[dmkerr]

GREAT moniker! Welcome!

Lots of good suggestions here. But I have to ask - are you a noob to tobacco or are you a former cigarette or cigar smoker? I've found that those who have never tasted tobacco before do better starting out with aromatics while those whose palates are somewhat used to tobacco do better with natural burleys or virginias. Let us know and I think we can better assist you.

[AcworthAl]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

GREAT moniker! Welcome!

Lots of good suggestions here. But I have to ask - are you a noob to tobacco or are you a former cigarette or cigar smoker? I've found that those who have never tasted tobacco before do better starting out with aromatics while those whose palates are somewhat used to tobacco do better with natural burleys or virginias. Let us know and I think we can better assist you.

GREAT suggestion and question.

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

GREAT moniker! Welcome!

Lots of good suggestions here. But I have to ask - are you a noob to tobacco or are you a former cigarette or cigar smoker? I've found that those who have never tasted tobacco before do better starting out with aromatics while those whose palates are somewhat used to tobacco do better with natural burleys or virginias. Let us know and I think we can better assist you.

I'm pretty new to both. I have never smoked cigarettes habitually. Once in a while when out drinking, I'll bum a cig, but that happens so infrequently. The same with cigars. So I'd guess that I'm pretty much a noob to tobacco as well.

I do like the suggestion of trying a store's top 2 sellers. I may swing by The Gas Pipe on the way to the office later today, and try that, as well as picking up a couple corn cob pipes to start with.

[FrayAdjacent]

Oh, and a quick question... I know it varies somewhat, but about how many bowls do you get out of 1oz of tobacco?

A friend at work sent me over to justforhim.com, and they have a ton of tobaccos, and it looks like you can order many of them by the oz, but they do have some in tins. I figured maybe getting an oz or two of the ones that sound interesting.

[Roddy]

Dzrtrat gave some very good advise about getting yourself some cobs first. If you end up getting something that's really nasty and gunks up your pipe you can always just toss it.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by FrayAdjacent

Oh, and a quick question... I know it varies somewhat, but about how many bowls do you get out of 1oz of tobacco?

About 8-10 depending on bowl size.

[FrayAdjacent]

Ok, I stopped by a pipe shop earlier today and picked up a cob pipe, a pipe tool, some pipe cleaners, fluid for my Zippo and a couple ounces of a couple blends they had in jars.

Loaded up a bowl when I got home, and was able to smoke it pretty well. I must have done a good job packing the pipe, because after relighting once or twice and a little tamping, I was able to keep it burning through the whole bowl. I take it that's a good sign - my technique is starting out pretty good.

I'm going to try the other blend this evening and see how it tastes and smells. A coworker is supposed to bring me a small portion of some of his favorite tobacco as well, but I'm working from home today, so I'll have to get that tomorrow.

I do think I should get a pipe specific lighter. The Zippo insert would be nice, so I think I'll get one of those and put it in my sentimental Zippo and leave that one at home. Then get an inexpensive butane unit for travel.

[Dzrtrat]

Originally Posted by FrayAdjacent

Ok, I stopped by a pipe shop earlier today and picked up a cob pipe, a pipe tool, some pipe cleaners, fluid for my Zippo and a couple ounces of a couple blends they had in jars.

Loaded up a bowl when I got home, and was able to smoke it pretty well. I must have done a good job packing the pipe, because after relighting once or twice and a little tamping, I was able to keep it burning through the whole bowl. I take it that's a good sign - my technique is starting out pretty good.

I'm going to try the other blend this evening and see how it tastes and smells. A coworker is supposed to bring me a small portion of some of his favorite tobacco as well, but I'm working from home today, so I'll have to get that tomorrow.

I do think I should get a pipe specific lighter. The Zippo insert would be nice, so I think I'll get one of those and put it in my sentimental Zippo and leave that one at home. Then get an inexpensive butane unit for travel.

Sounds as though you're off to a good start...however, keep in mind that when you fill (Dan would be proud) you're pipe, there are other aspects that can and usually will determine the smoke-ability of the bowl, such as, the dryness of the tobacco. Aromatics tend to be wet and generally need to air a bit 10, 20, 30, min before the fill. Also, the type of fluid you use makes a difference in taste.