Thread: Expercizing the pipes!

I have smoked a pipe of and on for years. Mostly inexpensive pipes but I did splerge on one a few years ago and got a Savinelli dry system. I would like to start smoking them again and would like suggestions on pipe tobacco. I usually smoke the inexpensive stuff like Captain Black gold and Birkum Riff and I have tried a few others. I am going to my local shop this weekend and they know cigars but not much about the pipe tobaccos they carry. Any suggestions to try for someone out of practice at packing a bowl in a dusty pipe? I read the must try thread but not sure where to start? Thanks.

Most tobacco shops worth anything still treat pipe smokers like the crazy old uncle. My local one has an amazing humidor and a nice smoking lounge, but has jars of the common bulk tobaccos, no tins to speak of. They've given them special names and say they're mixed by the house tobacconist, which they clearly aren't. When I told the 'dude' behind the counter that I was looking for a non aromatic blend, he said 'Oh', like I was making conversation or something. Then to really set me off they had some 'artisanal' wooden pipes for $40, but they were (or looked just like) the cheap wooden pipes made by Missouri Meerschaum, which are $15. I tell ya, no respect. Check the place out carefully, but you'll probably have to order online for anything decent.

Yep. The shop I go to for cigars has the bulk stuff but they have a pretty good selection of tins as well but they (or at least the people I have talked to) have no idea about pipe tobacco. Its a little frustrating.

Here is a thread with a whole lot of info and recommendations. Enjoy your pipe, those Savinellis are real good IME.

Is there another tobacco shop near you? By me I have a "pipe and tobacco" store, and the guy who owns it (as well as the patrons) smokes both pipes and cigars. That being the case he's pretty knowledgeable about both and had a lot of recommendations for a new pipe smoker. So if you can find a place that's more "pipe friendly," it might be worth the trip.

Thanks Jimmy thats exactly the threads I have been looking for. I forget about the search feature. Thanks I will peruse them for recommendations.

Originally Posted by poppy926

I have smoked a pipe of and on for years. Mostly inexpensive pipes but I did splerge on one a few years ago and got a Savinelli dry system. I would like to start smoking them again and would like suggestions on pipe tobacco. I usually smoke the inexpensive stuff like Captain Black gold and Birkum Riff and I have tried a few others. I am going to my local shop this weekend and they know cigars but not much about the pipe tobaccos they carry. Any suggestions to try for someone out of practice at packing a bowl in a dusty pipe? I read the must try thread but not sure where to start? Thanks.

I had just mentioned in another thread that my tobacconist informed me when smoking pipe,the pipe should be dedicated either for aromatics or non aromatics.If you switch back and forth your pipe will get funky tasting. If you haven't smoked out of that Savinelli much yet then now might be a good time to decide which it will be for. On that note,my Tobacco shop I go to is very friendly.The guys are very helpful,knowledgeble,and they give me deals when I buy pipes and tobacco from'em. They are always willing to let me test tobacco when I'm there and the owner is equally friendly. No snobshop here,but I have been to some...nay fun aye !

Originally Posted by Nightblade

I had just mentioned in another thread that my tobacconist informed me when smoking pipe,the pipe should be dedicated either for aromatics or non aromatics.If you switch back and forth your pipe will get funky tasting.

+1
I would say that smoking different kind of tobaccos in a single pipe would make your pipe smell like, eh, not too good. Aromatics, although having a nice tin aroma, usually tend to make your pipes smell weird. If you later decide to try some pure tastes like VA only, it takes at least few times before the old ghosts fade away.
From my experience i think that smoking English blends (incl Latakia) in the same pipe as heavily aromatics is a bad mistake.
Nowadays i don't want to experience too much new tastes; i'm happy with few English blends and few Va/pers, so i could get along with 2-4 pipes (and that is exactly how my rotation goes).

I wouldn't be caught dead smoking an aromatic ..... YMMV.

I was worried about what this thread would be based on the title....

/something about mary