My first purchase... tobacco & first briar...

[GregNJ]

I've been smoking cigars for ten years. I prefer heavier smokes; Nicaraguan & Cuban. After considering pipe smoking on a few occasions and backing off, I've decided to finally give it a whirl. So after doing some reading here and watching about four hours of YouTube clips, I picked up a pair of cobs and some tobacco from a local guy who had it loose in jars (<- is there a correct term for this?); a 965 and an aromatic. Enjoyed both to varying degrees, but as you would expect, had some issues keeping it lit. Anyway... given my love of the leaf (cigars) and my first solid pipe experience, I've decided to step it up a bit and was hoping to get some feedback. Here's what I'm considering purchasing...

Peterson's Killarney (03) Fishtail
Mac Baren - Navy Flake
Mac Baren - Vanilla Cream
A & C Peterson - Escudo Navy Deluxe

I would only smoke non-aromatics in the new pipe.

Thoughts on the pipe itself?

As for these tobaccos... is there any special trick to breaking these up... preparing them for smoking?

Again, thanks in advance.

Cheers...

Greg

[IrishCamel81]

That is a great order. Enjoy.

[keenween]

as an inexperienced piper, macb vanilla cream has been the best smoking and one of the best tasting aros i've tried.

i like the pete 03 killarneys, sharp looking

[SailorJack]

Greg you might want to try some Cornell & Diehl Habana Daydream. It has a good bit of strength and some cigar tobacco in it. Also look at John Patton's blends at 4noggins he uses a lot of cigar tobacco in his stuff.

[rrb]

Congratulations on turning away from the dark side!
That's an excelent pipe.
As for tobac I'd be very careful with the mac barens. They tend to burn hot and bite you.
And of course I love the 965, so I'd stick with it.

[Hot Stuff x]

I'm a noob so someone please step up here and correct me if I'm wrong....replies in red text...

Originally Posted by GregNJ

I picked up a pair of cobs and some tobacco from a local guy who had it loose in jars (<- is there a correct term for this?); Bulk tobacco

Enjoyed both to varying degrees, but as you would expect, had some issues keeping it lit. Two things that help keep your tobacco lit--properly packing your pipe, and drying your tobacco prior to smoking. Look through the threads here for some tips on drying your tobacco prior to smoking. Proper drying will help it burn better and also reduce gurgling /moisture buildup in your pipe



Again, thanks in advance.

Cheers...

Greg

[Damicom3]

Originally Posted by SailorJack

Greg you might want to try some Cornell & Diehl Habana Daydream. It has a good bit of strength and some cigar tobacco in it. Also look at John Patton's blends at 4noggins he uses a lot of cigar tobacco in his stuff.

I second this, unless you've had your fill of cigars a tobac with some cigar leaf in it might be right up your alley. To add to this Cornell & Diehl makes a blend with some cigar leaf in it called Billy Budd, it is very full smoke and you may enjoy it. Burley, 50% Latakia and a good amount of cigar leaf in there makes a good heavy smoke when i'm in the mood for one.

[GregNJ]

@ IrishCamel81 and keenween... thank you.
@ rrb... am I wrong to be unconcerned about tongue bite, given that I've smoked cigars for ten years? I would have thought if tobacco was going to impact my tongue in some adverse way, it would have at some point over those years. Or is it completely different?
@ SailorJack and Damicom3... thanks for the Cornell & Diehl reco, I'll add it to my order.
@ Hot Stuff x... tried leaving some tobacco out for a four hours. Smoking it right now, I'll see if helps.

Thanks again.

Greg

[basko]

I want to thank you for starting this thread. I too am a long time cigar smoker, wanting to try out a pipe. I've ordered a few corns and a sampler pack of non-aromatics. A friend recommended a meerschaum as my first non-cheapo pipe.

I've been reading here for a few days and am anxiously awaiting my new pipes. It took me about 5 years to figure out which cigar brands I like and what types.....but I have to say...the pipe world seems a bit more overwhelming!

[Anthony]

MacBaren Vanilla cream was the first pipe tobacco I tried a few years ago, and have always kept some around. I recently started smoking the pipe more often, and even through the other varieties I've been trying, I still the the MacB Vanilla.