Tobacco Recommendation - for Bachelor Party

So - going to the races (ponies) this weekend for my bachelor party. There are a couple of casual cigar smokers in the crowd. They are far from afficionados, but was thinking of buying a couple of cobs and sharing some pipe tobacco with them as my thank you for coming to join me. If they don't like it, fair enough, if they dig it, great!

I'm looking for a recommendation that is NOT an aromatic so they are able to experience a nice, true tobacco that will also be dry enough out of the tin, or with just a few minutes of air to pack, light, and not be babysat besides the occasional tamping and an even less frequent relight.

I have a few tins that I was thinking of already - Dunhill Early Morning Pipe, Dunhill London Mixture, maybe Dunhill 965. (I know - Dunhill theme going here, right?)

In review - looking for something that is NOT an aromatic, and will work well straight from the tin to the pipe. Audience is not new to smoking, but would be new to pipes. So any recommendations for me/us?

Thank you in advance.

I do love Dunhill EM and 965, but they are both rather Englishy English blends. Not everyone likes them. You may want to choose something more mild, like a VA/Burley blend or something along those lines.

Also, learning to pack, light, and smoke a pipe can take some time. I wouldn't want to rain on your parade, but why not just go with cigars?

I see your point about the heavy blends. What about Three Friars? VA/Burley/Perique? I just figure that they have all had cigars, why not introduce them to pipes. I'd pack for them, and tamping isn't easy, but it isn't exactly rocket science either. May still go with a box of cigars. Was just looking for some feedback from other perspectives to see if I was just bananas for thinking of such a thing, or if I was onto something. In any event - thatnk you for the thoughts, and I'll add this info to my pros/cons list. I need the occasional voice of reason sounding loudly in my ear.

I guess I would say that pipe smoking is a lot like straight shaving. Nobody can get it right out of the gate.

I'd recommend a box of cigars. A good, very high quality yet inexpensive cigar would be the Oliva Serie O Natural. They
smoke great, stay lighted well and are not too strong for beginners yet offer a seasoned cigar smoker a good experience.

I would say, when I think "bachelor party" I don't think "learning to smoke a pipe." :) That's something I would associate more with a relaxed atmosphere. If you want to do it though, I would go with whatever VA or VA Burley blends you have around. Maybe some perique. Just make sure it's dried properly before you leave for the party. Personally though, I would say a couple of Padrons or Fuentes would be my first choice.

If they're patient enough to learn, air downhill 965 is amazing. I keep a baggie in my trunk at all times. Some carter hall us also an easy to smoke stuff. Doesn't need to be babysat and it burns pretty quick which can help folks new to a pipe or those without much time/patience.

Point taken gents. Like I said - I tend to need the occasional voice of reason. Cigars it is! Thanks for all the input. Didn't really think that one through all the way. ;)

If you really want to introduce them to the flavor of good burley you could always pick up some unflavored blunt wrappers and roll your own. Carter Hall and Captain Black should burn well enough and you could sprinkle in some Dunhill 965 for added burley awesomeness.

Dunhill night cap is my favorite...

C&D habana daydreams has cigar leaf in it's blend. Could be a great crossover.

You know what's coming...wait for it...wait for it...C&D Old Joe Krantz and/or Billy Budd. In either case they're plenty stout and would totally appeal to cigar smokers. You could do much worse than C&D Epiphany. It is full bodied and has a light latakia presence as well. All that said, I agree that pipe smoking especially pipe smoking 101 may not be compatible with a bachelor party. IMHO, cigars would work better for such a venue. Although a noob to the dog rockets (cigars) a couple I have smoked and enjoyed very much are the La Aroma de Cuba (New Blend) and Rocky Patel vintage 1990 Churchill.

Haha! GI... I knew you'd be good for you beloved Old Joe Krantz or Billy Bud.

Thanks for all who have "piped" up on the topic, but I have bad news. The track does not allow smoking except for in designated areas outside. Such a shame. What happened to the America that I was born into where we could decide for ourselves if we wanted to partake in the enjoyable, albeit moderately unhealthy habit of smoking?

In any event... thanks for the input gentlemen.