Pipe Smokers

[Jon Foster]

Ok, a question for all you pipe smokers. What is a happy medium for aromatic pipe tobacco that tastes good? I've tried a couple of the cheap aromatics from the local pipe shops and they taste terrible. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Jon.

[chainshot]

As a pipe smoker for 15 years, most of my favorites have been hand blends from my favorite tobacconist.  Also as a general rule of thumb I tend to enjoy a blend thats a mixture of burley and cavendish, that way I get the aromatic scent without the bite.  Hope that helps.

PS: My tobacconist makes a really great blend called "Crunchy Frog", says that he named it after a bit from Monty Python.

[Bob of the Lake]

Although I'm a pipe smoker (since the 1970s), I can't help you much with aromatics, Jon. I pretty much stick to tinned Virginia blends, like McClelland's Virginia #24 or Dunhill's Light Flake, and English mixtures like Dunhill's Early Morning Pipe or Balkan Sasieni. A McClelland English blend that I think has some nice, light aromatic qualities while still tasting great is their 221b Arcadia--you might give it a shot. Most good tobacconists will carry these tinned tobaccos but if you're far from one (like I am) you can buy online from lots of sources.  Just google the names.

[Merlin]

A few things here.... cheap tobacco will taste exactly like that. Like scotch.... the difference in cheap stuff is HUGE.

Also... because I like something...in no way means that you would like it. I would just experiment with some of the more high end tobaccos.... a bit at a time. Get on good terms with your local supplier and request a free bowl to try.

I've even done it at faire and they have always supplied me with a bowl to try it out.

Different tobaccos for different times, as well. A bold tobacco isn't as good of choice if you are going to be eating soon. A sweet tobacco for an after dinner smoke is always nice.

[Jon Foster]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will try to locate a good local dealer and pay them a visit.

I guess that may even be another question to ask. How do you locate a good tobacco shop? As a side note, I found a semi local party store that seems to have the best cigars in the area. Hands down they are far better than any tobacco shops I've tried.

Jon.

[chainshot]

Ordinarily word of mouth usually works for me, in other words I would begin by asking some friends and family if they could recommend a good place.  If that isn't possible the tried and true method of walking into a few shops, talking to the proprietor in order to see how knowledgeable they are soon followed by sampling some of their inventory are some of the ways I've done it in the past.  Usually the shops lets you try a bowl or two before making a purchase.  So good luck, have fun and more importantly enjoy!

[Bob of the Lake]

Not having many pipe-smoking acquaintances, I generally use the trial and error method chainshot mentions. I check out a shop to see what they carry, and how knowledgeable and helpful the people are and choose my shops accordingly. I've also received good tips by just striking up conversations with pipe smokers that I happen to run across in the street. I've found that as a group, pipe smokers are generally quite friendly and very willing to share information.

Good luck with your  search!

[Toarmod]

If you are looking for a good online shop I would recommend J.M. Boswells

http://www.boswellpipes.com/

I have purchased a few of his tobacco blends and found his descriptions to be very accurate.

[Jon Foster]

We found a cigar bar fairly close to us that has of course cigars and pipe tobacco. Actually, they had lots of everything plus alcohol. Pretty nice place...

Jon.

[chainshot]

  We have a similar place here where I live, the decor of the place looks like a 1930's gentlemen's lounge with lots of wood, brass, leather and art deco artwork.  There is a well stocked bar and walk in humidor, where they sell some pretty high end stuff like cohiba, arturo fuente, and partagas for cigars and dunhill, petersen, coventry, and borkum riff for pipe tobacco.
  My friends and I like to go there every now and then to relax and hangout while listening to some nice jazz music they often play overhead.  Add to that the soft dim lights, and quiet conversations over a couple of billiard tables really gives the whole place a neat ambiance.

[Jon Foster]

  We have a similar place here where I live, the decor of the place looks like a 1930's gentlemen's lounge with lots of wood, brass, leather and art deco artwork.  There is a well stocked bar and walk in humidor, where they sell some pretty high end stuff like cohiba, arturo fuente, and partagas for cigars and dunhill, petersen, coventry, and borkum riff for pipe tobacco.
  My friends and I like to go there every now and then to relax and hangout while listening to some nice jazz music they often play overhead.  Add to that the soft dim lights, and quiet conversations over a couple of billiard tables really gives the whole place a neat ambiance.

Where do you live? It sounds like we're talking about the same place. I think the name was Churchill's. Located on Orchard Lake and 15 Mile. Not sure what the city is but I think it's West Bloomfield, MI.

Jon.

[DeadBishop]

I just bum a bit here and there from other pipe smokers until I find something I like...

[Bob of the Lake]

I just bum a bit here and there from other pipe smokers until I find something I like...

Yup. That works too. I've shared many a bowlful in my time!

[Jon Foster]

I just bum a bit here and there from other pipe smokers until I find something I like...

I like that idea but pipe smokers seem to be far and few between in these parts now. Even at faire there are only two or three smokers I see from time to time.

Jon.

[chainshot]

  We have a similar place here where I live, the decor of the place looks like a 1930's gentlemen's lounge with lots of wood, brass, leather and art deco artwork.  There is a well stocked bar and walk in humidor, where they sell some pretty high end stuff like cohiba, arturo fuente, and partagas for cigars and dunhill, petersen, coventry, and borkum riff for pipe tobacco.
  My friends and I like to go there every now and then to relax and hangout while listening to some nice jazz music they often play overhead.  Add to that the soft dim lights, and quiet conversations over a couple of billiard tables really gives the whole place a neat ambiance.

Where do you live? It sounds like we're talking about the same place. I think the name was Churchill's. Located on Orchard Lake and 15 Mile. Not sure what the city is but I think it's West Bloomfield, MI.



Jon.

I'm in California.  I guess it must be a universal thing among smoking lounges to have the same decor eh LOL!