Tobacco recommendations?

I'm quite new to pipes, but am enjoying the newly found time to focus on relaxation. I'm looking for your guys' help and recommendations in choosing another tobacco to try. I currently have about an ounce left of Tinderbox Wilshire. Very nice aromatic, not a lot of punch. It was good for a first shot, and I enjoy it still. I have really been enjoying my McClelland 5100 Red Cake - love it. The flavor is nice. It seems naturally sweet - which I have been told is normal with Virginias. Of what I have smelled an sampled so far, I'm not too big on traditional English blends - yet. I'm just wondering if anyone could steer me in the direction of something similar to the 5100, but unique enough to offer something new to my palette. Also with a nice enough room note that my fiancee won't change her ming about getting married. Might like to stick with a Virginia, but am open too suggestions - just nothing too harsh. Thanks for taking a moment to read and for any advice you can offer.

OK, from what you describe you're looking for a bit more punch than an aromatic but nothing too hardcore or cigary and nothing too heavy in latakia (that's the burned rubber/campfire kinda smell that comes out of traditional English and Balkan Blends. You don't say if you're a reformed cigarette smoker or not but since aromatics lacked zing for you, I'm guessing that somehow (either through dipping snuff or smoking cigarettes) you've developed at least a decent tolerance...nay need for nicotine (the blessed vitamin N). Based on all of the above, I would recommend the following:
1. Peterson's University Flake
2. MacBaren Navy Flake
3. Half and Half (or any of the Codger Burley genre such as Prince Albert, Kentucky Club, Granger, etc.)
4. Dunhill Early Morning Pipe (like you I'm not a big fan of English blends but this one is amazingly smooth and doesn't have a bad room note)
5. 4 Noggins Bald Headed Teacher
6. Cornell and Diehl Three Friars
7. Cornell and Diehl Penington Gap


That ought to keep you busy for a spell. Remember to keep the puffing slow in blends with a lot of Virginia or you will surely develop the dreaded cat tongue. The flakes will come in a can and the compressed tobacco will look like small pieces of beef jerky. Simply fold them in half a couple times and stuff them gently into a pipe. Apply flame and enjoy.

Thanks a ton for the recommendations. Was actually thinking of the Dunhill EMP already. I do indeed dip and don't necessarily need the nic hit. The pipe smoking has actually curtailed my dipping to some extent. A few of the 4noggins have caught my eye as well. While I like the aromatics that I have sampled and have bought, I am interested in graduating to other tobacco to sample the more natural aspect of various tobaccos. I'm headed to my local Tinderbox and maybe another B&M this weekend to expand my horizons. May investigate the MacBaren Navy or the Peterson's University as well. Thanks again. You've been most helpful. :)

smreno77,

+1 on EMP; one of my favourites :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Just out of curiousity what do you dip (i.e. brand)? EMP and/or Peterson University flake would both be great picks for times when a nice smell is desired as they both have a nice smell but at the same time are full bodied and have great smoking manners.

I also am a life long dipper as well as a pipe smoker and over the years the two have leap frogged each other and appeared in all combinations. For long periods of time I won't touch a pipe, then I'll become a dipper who occassionally smokes a pipe, then I'll become a pipe smoker who occassionally dips, then I'll become just a pipe smoker then I'll start all over. None of this is really planned it just seems to work out that way.

My routine is G.L. Pease Robusto, and Gawith & Hoggarth Rum Flake as my staples. I also smoke G.L. Pease Blackpoint, usually after meals. I used to by Dunhill 965 and Nightcap in bulk (5lb) bags and jar it up but that was a long time ago. They quit making it for a time. I've heard it is coming back but not sure how it will be. It has went through a number of iterations over the years.

You know me all too well. Started out with Skoal Cherry and occasionally Berry. I've been stuck on Wintergreen for years. Headed out in a few. Think I'm going to go for the MacBaren and Peterson University Flake... We'll see. Thanks for the recommendations.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

My routine is G.L. Pease Robusto, and Gawith & Hoggarth Rum Flake as my staples. I also smoke G.L. Pease Blackpoint, usually after meals. I used to by Dunhill 965 and Nightcap in bulk (5lb) bags and jar it up but that was a long time ago. They quit making it for a time. I've heard it is coming back but not sure how it will be. It has went through a number of iterations over the years.

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GL Pease Key Largo is also pretty darned good if your into English/Maduro Leaf Blends. Also Billy Budd

I like G.L. pease laurel heights for a virginia, but I mix it with peter stockeby black cavendish. to get the most out of it I mix one part gl to two parts ps and leave it in a canning jar for a month to blend flavors. just make sure the lid is tight to avoid letting it dry out. and cavendish's usualy have a nice room note as well.

I tried Key Largo and Maltese Falcon and liked both a lot. Anyone know of a GL Pease that is close to the old Dunhill 965 ? I started on Blackpoint because it was recommended to me as close to the old Nightcap. Dunno how close it is but I like it. If the darn stuff wasn't so pricey I'd try 'em all.

C & D Tuggle Hall is supposed to be pretty close to the old Dunhill 965
Tobacco Spotlight

Thanks for sharing this link-never seen before

So my smokes are getting better. Packed a sample bowl of MacBaren HH Matured Virginia which was delicious. Also - picked up a tin of University Flake which smells delightful in the tin, and can't wait to pack a bowl later tonight. Thanks for the tips on tobaccos gents. I'll be ordering or picking up some MacBaren Navy Flake later in the week. Just a quick thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions or seeking more recommendations soon enough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smreno77

So my smokes are getting better. Packed a sample bowl of MacBaren HH Matured Virginia which was delicious. Also - picked up a tin of University Flake which smells delightful in the tin, and can't wait to pack a bowl later tonight. Thanks for the tips on tobaccos gents. I'll be ordering or picking up some MacBaren Navy Flake later in the week. Just a quick thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions or seeking more recommendations soon enough.

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So have you set fire to any University Flake yet? Anxious to hear how you like it.

Where ARE my manners? haha. I just kind of spaced out in my excitement of trying new tobaccos and forgot to update you.

Three words for University Flake - Out. Freakin. Standing. It is taking me some time to get used to packing a flake and making sure it's aerated enough to burn without having to hoover too hard. No real bite as of yet, which I do get from Virginias, but I understand that this may possibly be a personal PH thing (compounded by my newbie efforts at pipe smoking and ending up getting the tobacco too hot while trying to keep the bowl from going out). What a great experience for my first tinned tobacco though. I'm not looking for the nic kick. Not much for inhaling - that's why I actually switched to dip in the first place. Do some french inhaling to get the nose of the tobacco, but that's about it. This is MUCH stronger than anything I have tried thus far, but what a great change of pace. The dressing comes through in waves. this also sits wonderfully on the palette. I had been leaning toward this tobacco for a while, but you definitely sold me on it.

I am awaiting some Three Friars, some EMP and some MacBaren Navy Flake as well. Definitely some variety there. I'll be sure to let you know my thoughts on those as well. Thanks again for the great advice/recommendations. :)

Glad to hear you're digging the UF. It's an immutable fact of the pipe smoking universe that Virginias are bitey. The only way I know to mitigate this in any fashion is to smoke them almost painfully slow. While I do enjoy Virginias, I prefer them toned down with a healthy spattering of good ole American burley. MacBaren Navy Flake is another example of such a tobacco (but it is a bit milder than UF.)

Even my beloved Old Joe Krantz, which I'm burning even as I type is 25% Virginia. It's not at all bitey although the addition of Dark burley and a healthy portion of perique make it very full, very cigary and almost borderline harsh. Even so, for my money this is probably the best pipe tobacco on the market. PS: Nicotine wimps need not apply this one is the vitamin N jack boot from hell.

I do enjoy some University Flake though. I think it is unique in the fact that it is almost an aromatic but has plenty of body, lots of substance and a healthy dose of vitamin N. All this in a package that is quite enjoyable for passers by. You really can't beat it for what it is. My daily fair however tends to be much rougher and much more cigary (i.e. OJK or Billy Budd, which is also pretty heavy in latakia but balanced out with Maduro cigar leaf so I don't get the latakia hangover.)

Now Early Morning Pipe, this is just damn good pipe tobacco! An easy all day smoker by far the most smokable English blend I've ever touched.

Oddly enough though, despite my taste for full, strong, cigary pipe tobacco, I never took the habit of cigars. Despite having grown up in the Cigar City (Tampa) I have a strict rule of two cigars a decade whether I need them or not. Pipe tobacco, besides being much, much better is also much cheaper. For the price of a single good cigar, a half pound or so of really good pipe tobacco can be had.