Suggested Mild Tobaccos to Start With?

[PipesNTweeds]

Hello:

I'm new to the forums here and to pipe smoking in general. Since I'm just beginning, I hoped to get some advice regarding a few tobaccos with which to start.

Now, no offense to cigarette smokers, but I have a terrible time with cigarette smoke: can't tolerate the smell and it seems to really irritate my nasal passages and throat. Pipe smoke, on the other hand, seems to have little effect on me (in terms of irritation) and I rather enjoy the smell (reminds me of my grandfather and his Half and Half).

Now, I understand that if I am especially irritated by cig. smoke that I may not be able to handle pipe smoke either, unless it's from afar. But I'd really like to find out, if for nothing else than to just sate my curiosity about it.

So, my question is, are there any particularly mild pipe tobaccos that are recommended for people who are irritated/troubled by cigarettes? I suppose I am looking for as mild and pure a tobacco (with as few additives as possible).

Any and all recommendations for tobacco are welcome.

Thanks and all the best,

Michael

 

[Anonymous]

Somebody here with a range of stuff send this guy a little Virginia, a little English and a little Burley to try.

When you taste (& smell), you know. Until then, there is only imagination. Which never squares up with experience, so bypass that part (usual as it is).

:face:

 

[petertschantz]

Michael, PM me your address info and I'll send you a couple of things to try. That's the only way to find out.

Pee

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Mildness, is secondary to quality. There's some pretty stout tobaccos that are quite mild, sometimes even in nicotine content. Quality means you have more good leaf, but at least you're not subject to the chemicals put into cigarette tobacco...that's the stuff that gives me headaches and makes my eyes water. If I'm in a room full of cigar smokers or pipe smokers, I'm usually okay, though certain things make me clear a room (see example: "Acid Cigars.") :lol:

Glad some brothers might get you a few things to try...it's the best way rather than choosing blind. I doubt these guys will send you crappy tobacco, either.

Obviously, smoke outside if you suspect smoke might irritate you, or at least make sure you're in a well-ventilated room. It's about flavor and relaxation after all, no sense in worrying or putting yourself in a position to be put off by your new found curiosity.

 

[Hawker]

I'm the same way, can't stand cig smoke anymore (even though i smoked them 30 years ago).

Give Boswell's Christmas Cookie a try.

 

[Anonymous]

GLP laid this whole matter out well, years ago. It's probably still on his blog somewhere.

The assumption that a beginner wants (needs) something mild is setting him up for failure. What he's best served by is a tobacco with a lot of flavor he can learn to smoke properly. Not something "mild" he'll suck like a demon trying to get some taste out of, annihilating his tongue in the process.

FWIW

:face:

 

[petertschantz]

I agree Yak!! I like to send a mixed bag to folks who are just starting, since one never know what will work.

 

[deepbass9]

GLP laid this whole matter out well, years ago. It's probably still on his blog somewhere.

The assumption that a beginner wants (needs) something mild is setting him up for failure. What he's best served by is a tobacco with a lot of flavor he can learn to smoke properly. Not something "mild" he'll suck like a demon trying to get some taste out of, annihilating his tongue in the process.

FWIW

:face:

read & agreed


I might watch the straight VA's, too. They can have that kinda flavor memory.

 

[Briar Spirit]

What ever ya do, don't send the poor chap any bloody Clan. :affraid:

 

[petertschantz]

Don't worry Kirk, we are all saving our Clan to send to you!

:face:

 

[Briar Spirit]

Don't worry Kirk, we are all saving our Clan to send to you!

:face:

Ha-ha, such a threat falls on deaf ears my friend , right now I'd smoke the Briar dust in my shed mate, go right on ahead and send me tons of the stuff, I'll smoke that shit, no worries there buddy.

 

[PipesNTweeds]

Hello,

First of all, thanks to everyone who has replied to my question. Second, a good point has been raised. Not being very knowledgeable about tobaccos (yet), I perhaps chose the wrong word when I said "mild." I think I was trying to express the desire for a cool, dry smoke with little to no tongue bite (if possible). I didn't mean that the tobacco shouldn't have flavor. And I agree that I might be tempted, especially with a subtler, more complex blend, to try to compensate for a perceived lack of flavor with more aggressive puffing/sipping. So, if there are any stronger/more flavorful tobaccos out there that are "well-behaved" (for lack of a better term), please let me know.

I will be sure to check out the recommendations that have been made. It may take me a while, since I doubt that pipes will become a daily or even weekly habit with me, but something that I can turn to for a contemplative hour or so every now and again (the kind of balm for the soul that my grandfather had). But I am in no rush - I'm interested in pipes more for the ritual, the learning curve/challenge, and the comfort. Pipes, to me, seem to require/demand a much more meditative attitude than other forms of smoking (no offense intended).

While I doubt that this happens frequently with a pipe, I don't ever want to become dependent on it. I see so many of the people with whom I work, utterly consumed by their cigarette habit: to the extent that they stand in the freezing cold - obviously uncomfortable - and seemingly try to keep warm by puffing ever harder on their cigs. The entrances to the building where I work are frequently shrouded in a haze of smoke, which makes getting to and going from work less than pleasant. There is one gentleman, whom I haven't met yet that smokes a pipe and, oddly enough, I can always tell the difference between the cig. smoke and his pipe. I need to introduce myself one of these days.

Anyway, if anyone else wishes to comment and provide advice, you are more than welcome.

All the best,

Michael

 

[Kyle Weiss]

You'll be happy to know that pipes and cigarettes are alike the same way pop music and classical scores are similar.

Cigarettes are designed for quick-fix, habitual, frequent and neurotic consumption.

Pipes (with their tobacco) are designed for relaxation, method and enjoyment.

While there are cigarette smokers who are occasional and contemplative, there are those who take the pipe on as a regular nicotine delivery system. I feel bad for both, as they're both missing some important points.

Some people smoke once a week, others are four-times-daily. Most can go for weeks without a pipe without problems, because pipes and the tobacco are not a "system" designed to keep you coming back for more. It's a mentality, and also, chemical (as in chemical additives in the case of cigarettes). It is a ritual, one of patience and spending good time with yourself, or others. For that reason, I avoid smoking around cigarette smokers--in the time I have one pipe bowl, I could talk to a dozen nervous, hurried smokers. Not much content in that for me.

Cigarettes have made a demon out of the venerable tobacco leaf, like Budweiser has made a demon out of alcohol, classifying them as irresponsible, drunk drivers and inebriates. So, I drink the occasional scotch. Quality over quantity.

How you proceed is up to you...it isn't about control. It's about enjoyment. Guilt or fear are useless.

That said, get yourself a few tobaccos and try them out. Some will make your head spin, some will taste awful, only you will know the right one, which should make you say, "This is nice." That's all there is to it.

Enjoy the journey!

 

[KevinM]

OTOH, there are tobaks that generally fit your request. Pipeworks and Wilke 191, for example -- mild, aromatic with a tobacco taste, nice room aroma. P&W has a sampler offer that would likely keep an occasional smoker occupied for quite some time. Heed the advice to "sip," not huff and puff. Happy hunting

 

[Briar Spirit]

You know what Kyle, when you put your mind to it you are quite the speaker, you continue to impress me with your insights into life.


Michael, I would recommend some of the Rattrays blends, Marlin Flake, Old Gowrie (god I love this tobacco), Hal O'The Wynd (this stuff is heavenly), they're all quite simple blends but they are absolutely wonderful smokes, if you are feeling minted, I would recommend G.L.Pease blends, especially Fillmore or Haddos Delight, absolutely divine tobacco.

 

[beetlejazz]

You're absolutely right about cigarrette smoke. I'm a former cig-smoker, and think too that the difference is huge. I was just thinking about this the other day when smoking my pipe indoors (gasp!) and thinking how that amount of smoke in a small room would make me sick, if it was cig smoke.

Michael, I would recommend some of the Rattrays blends, Marlin Flake, Old Gowrie (god I love this tobacco), Hal O'The Wynd (this stuff is heavenly), they're all quite simple blends but they are absolutely wonderful smokes, if you are feeling minted, I would recommend G.L.Pease blends, especially Fillmore or Haddos Delight, absolutely divine tobacco.

Boldfaced for the obvious reasons.

 

[Briar Spirit]

Boldfaced for the obvious reasons.

If you ever fancy a real treat BJ, get a tub of Haddos Delight, mix it up with HOTW at a ratio of 1 part HD to 2 parts HOTW, I was sent a small sample of the two already mixed at that ratio, it was an astounding smoke, highly recommend it.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Don't give me too much credit until you're completely sure I didn't steal my notion from the side of a coffee mug... "Cigarettes are to pipes what Britney Spears is to Mozart." Or something like that. Real product, saw it somewhere recently. :lol: Mix it with a little life experience and it almost seems original, don't it?

:lol:

8)
(hack)

 

[Briar Spirit]

Don't give me too much credit until you're completely sure I didn't steal my notion from the side of a coffee mug... "Cigarettes are to pipes what Britney Spears is to Mozart." Or something like that. Real product, saw it somewhere recently. :lol: Mix it with a little life experience and it almost seems original, don't it?

:lol:

8)
(hack)

Negating your own self-worth makes as much sense as cutting off your own feet Kyle!!!

 

[Kyle Weiss]

:lol: But it's true! The only difference between me and other guys that ramble on is I admit my sources and inspiration. :lol: None of us are original! :mrgreen:

I really did steal that bit about pop/classical music.

Good writers borrow, great writers steal.

Which was aptly stolen from...

Good artists borrow, great artists steal.

"There's nothing creatively new...only new people that haven't experienced it yet." (I'd quote that to myself, but someone HAS to have said it already... )

8)