Making the leap from aromatics?

[daveinlax]

I'm curious how the others in your world will react to change away from aro's? I can get away with very light english blends but anything with med. to heavy lat is a "put that out now!". :shock:

 

[Tim in Ohio]

I'm curious how the others in your world will react to change away from aro's? I can get away with very light english blends but anything with med. to heavy lat is a "put that out now!". :shock:

Well, my wife is a cigarette smoker, so complaints about the smell of Lat would not be well received given the stinkiness of her cigs

Good news, we didn't have to test my mettle on that bold statement because I've been smoking it around her and she doesn't find the smell objectionable.

 

[Smokin' Blues]

I just want to say that I started out the same way with tobacco. I tried a few aromatics that I liked. My favorite is still Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic. After a while, I decided to make the move toward other types. I went to my local B&M and asked for some suggestions. I walked away with about 5 different blends, of all different kinds. I've been smoking a pipe for a few years now and I can't pin my preference to one type. If I had to pick one type it would be burley, but last I heard all pipe tobacco types were still being made by one company or the other. So if you find one that you like, then go for it. If you don't find one that you like, then keep a little bit of everything you can afford. Smoke whatever you like.

 

[Dock]

.....and pretty soon you'll wanna delve into the world of flakes too! When ya' do, may I heartily recommend MacBaren's "Navy Flake"? Ya'll knew that was coming eventually in this thread. Right?.. :roll:

 

[pipetongue1]

And when you grow up, you'll smoke G&H's Blends, Ken :tongue:
Pacem? en Puffing! :tongue:

 

[Tim in Ohio]

If you are reading this thread because you find yourself as an aromtics smoker who is wanting to branch out, I would like to encourage you to go for it. Here is my take on Aromatic vs English/Latakia blends vs predominantly Virginias that i have sampled so far. Other guys, chime in too!

Aromatics: An endless variety of smells... some delightful... some as overpowering as a cheap room freshner. For me, I think I will always want to have a little bit of an aromatic that I like on hand as a "crowd pleaser" for others around to enjoy the smell especially. Often not alot of taste here. Some exceptions. So far, I have found Hearth & Home Classic Burly Kake and Dan's Milonga to have a good tobacco taste underneath tying it all together, I am certain there are plenty of others. I also enjoy Blue Note.

English (w/Latakia): My first smell of latakia in a jar made me feel slightly nauseous. I stayed the course and fired up a bowl and immediately changed my mind. Latakia is not shy. From the first puff to the last, it jumps up and says, "I'm Latakia and I'm here to party." The flavor doesn't need to be coaxed. The smoke seems thick and creamy. If Latakia was a girl... it would be the hot party girl at the bar who upon first meeting you, lifts her shirt up and flashes you, then gives you a kiss and steals your chewing gum from your mouth with her tongue. It leaves me thinking, I am definitely not hating this.

VA- The mostly Virginia blends need a little more delicate treatment. I have found that I need to 'sip them' slowly, or they may bite. Puffing too vigorously will make the bowl get uncomfortably hot and harshen the taste. Be gentle with them and they are a smooth, rich, tastey smoke from beginning to end. The smoke seems more wispy. Virginia is the pretty girl who catches your eye but must be treated like a lady. Come on too strong and you'll get slapped. Coax her gently and she'll treat you right.

Does this sound about right to anybody else?

 

[mark]

I think the key to aros is a quality tobacco with a hint of casing that doesn't scream out, but instead hints that it's there while letting you enjoy the real tobacco. They're far and few between but I've found a couple. I wandered away from most aros by delving into the burley arena,,,then burley/VA blends,,,,on to light VA and VA/pers,,,then crossing over to flakes,VA, VA/bur, VA/per,,,,

I can't enjoy a lot of english blends, they taste soapy to me,,,brings back memories of being caught cussing by my mother,, :lol!:

 

[smokey422]

I"ve been smoking a pipe for over 40 years and have found I like all types of blends except goopy aromatics and overly strong Latakia blends. There are plenty of good aromatics on the market that I do enjoy, however. In your tobacco experimentation, you might want to give Cornell and Diehl a call at 1-800-433-0080 and ask about their sampler packs. Tell Craig you are a new smoker wanting to branch out and he will guide you in the right direction. C&D have more than 200 blends of all types.

You will probably eventually buy more pipes. I would suggest that you consider at least one meerschaum. Meers can stand more repetitive smoking than briars so you can get more use out of them. Corn cobs are nice, too, especially for burley blends.

Smokey