Choosing a first pipe tobacco

When choosing your first pipe tobacco, it may seem like you are overwhelmed with choice. This is because, you are. There are many different factors to consider, and so very many brands and blends to choose from. No one can tell you what you will like unfortunately. An experienced smoker or tobacconist may be able to guess at some selections which you may enjoy, however as with the style of smoking, and packing your pipe, the choice of tobacco is yours to make based on preference, gained by experience. Telling you to get some experience does not however really help you in choosing your first tobacco. Instead of getting into varieties and blends, I will simply discuss the choice between an aromatic tobacco and what most people refer to as an “English blend”.

An aromatic tobacco is one which is produced in such a way, through a dipping and curing process that it has added flavors. Some of the common flavors found will be: cherry, caramel, vanilla etc. There are a wide range of flavors available, and this type of tobacco has less of an actual tobacco flavor and smell when it is burned and smoked. Generally it is recommended that beginners choose an aromatic blend when smoking their fist tobacco, similar in nature to the way most people add sugar and milk to their tea. When one becomes more familiar with pipe smoking, as with tea drinking, they may wish to experience more of the pure flavor, and choose to smoke an English blend, as one might switch to drinking tea black.

English blend tobacco is not flavored in any way to take away from the natural tobacco flavor. The tobacco will have characteristics of the region it is grown in (similar to cigars) and will often be blended with other tobaccos to provide unique flavor experiences. Some English blends may be spicy, while others more mild.

The choice in tobacco is yours, as always. I personally have been smoking a pipe for quite some time now, and still enjoy aromatics, however no two tobacco blends are the same. Some aromatics are very chemical tasting (especially “drugstore brands”) while others are smoother and more natural tasting. It all comes down to preference and no one can choose for you or tell you what you will like. I strongly encourage you to talk to your local tobacconist and ask about some of the aromatics. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have an enjoyable smoke, personally I still smoke captain black white from time to time. Once you have chosen a tobacco, smoke it any enjoy, if it is not an enjoyable experience, you may want to try another blend or brand before giving up. Many new pipe smokers quit trying because they don’t like their first tobacco, or they poorly pack their first few smokes, or they smoke too fast.

Take your time and enjoy. Pipe smoking is a relaxing pastime, not an addiction to be fed like cigarettes.

Happy smoking.