Blend Recommendations for Newbie
12 September 2001

Decker's ASP
Extracts

GregoryD

Okay, I read the pipes.org faq, and will have to purchase the proper materials for pipe care and maintenance soon, but while I'm at it, I may as well purchase some tobacco too (makes sense, you think?)  As I stated in an earlier post, I bought 3 Stanwells (M15A, M15B, M15E from www.iwanries.com (NADA)).  Now, I've assumed that because of the flavor differences of the tobacco and since the pipes would probably take on some of the flavor characteristics of the tobacco, I should dedicate a pipe to each one.  Are there any recommendations for the type of tobacco according to bowl size?  Also, can anyone recommend to me about 10-20 different blends to start off with that can be gotten off the web?  I have a high flavor tolerance (I'm a Cajun, after all) and nicotine tolerance (I chainsmoke powerful cigars), so those wouldn't necessarily be a concern, although moisture content might.

Paul Campbell

It is good to dedicate a pipe to a particular tobacco to fully appreciate its nuances, but that assumes you have enough pipes for this to be a realistic option. A first step could be to dedicate a pipe to a particular type of tobacco, for example English (with Latakia), Va, and aromatics etc. And I would try to sample a few blends of each type. You will get lots of recommendations, and based on what is available here in the UK my choice would include the following...

English: Dunhill 965, EMP, Nightcap. Esoterica Penzance (all widely available I think).

VA: Gawith Hogarth and Co Coniston Cut Plug, Dark Birds Eye, Dark Flake, and the twists (or "rope"). You can get these from http://www.sigmundsfinecigars.com/ and a sampler pack might be the best option.  Samuel Gawith, Full Virginia Flake and Best Brown. Freddy Vegas stocks these I think.

VA + Perique: 3 Nuns and Escudo/Dunhill Navy Rolls (if you can find them), Dunhill Elizabethan, Peterson Irish Oak.

All these are based on a moderate to full nicotine strength. In addition, though outside my experience, is the full range of GLP tobaccos such as Haddos Delight, Barbary Coast and Cairo. The GLP website will give you a good description and they are almost universally praised on ASP.

The main thing is to get a feel for the type of blend that suits you best and explore further from there.

dugoutdog

I agree with Gregory on the pipes to an extent.  One for aromatics one for English or non-aromatics.  These Stanwells won't be your only pipes (if you're like the rest of us).  Maybe even a year from now they will be in your rack as only a remembrance that they were your first (if only I had pictures of all my firsts...sorry...I digress).  I started smoking pipes after being an avid cigar smoker (I still am).  This will give you an edge on those who start from scratch or cigarettes as you should already be familiar with the nuances (flavor profiles) of Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan, and maybe even Cuban.  You know when a cigar has a lot of liguero or if the wrapper is sun or shade grown (not just the looks).  A big plus.  Sample packs are great.  You get 1-2oz (usually at a very good price since the retailer-if it's a house blend-want you to fall in love with one of their blends).

For English Dunhill 965, Penzanse, (even try to beg a sample of Schurch Onyx from Bear) are great choices

Paul, if it is a big nicotine kick you want try , Samuel Gawaith1792 or their Brown rope #4 IN A SMALL PIPE (and don't forget to fasten your seatbelt at all times).

Escodu is my favorite VA-Parique mix right now (this may be available as Escudo or Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls as Gregory said-they're going through a name/distributor change).

Might I ad for an English blend with a casing of liquor, cognac in this case Pembroke is excellent.  I also enjoy GL Pease Mephisto (cased lightly with rum).  And his new Caravan is an excellent example of a Balkan blend.

I visited Bear last night and was given a bowl of this year's McClellan's Christmas Cheer.  It was quite good and to use a cigar metaphor, "I could tell it was young but had great potential for aging.  In a few years this will be killer."

Trying different blends of pipe tobacco is going to be just like it was (and as new stuff comes out still is) with cigars.  Try as many as you can. Enjoy a gifted bowl of something new all the time.  There will be many blends out there that are calling your name.  Now go find them.
 

Christopher Byers:

I'll take a shot.

Okay, okay, that's 11.  But these are MY major categories.  I would've stuck in McClelland's #22 for favorite bright Virginia, but this might be a bit hot for a newbie!

 

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