OK, Pipe Guys, I want to take the plunge so I need some advice. I understand a corn cob pipe is a cheap way to start. Any hints on a good one to buy?
Here's what I would like in a tobacco...something that tastes like a good maduro cigar. I want depth, body, and a dark, sweet taste as close to a Nicaraguan maduro as I can get.
Now, given those parameters, what do you suggest?
Careful that you don't get TOO in this new pipe fad of yours, or we'll be making fun of your new smoking jacket. :biggrin:
Why not just smoke a maduro cigar then?
As far as a corncob pipe Missouri Meerschaum is proubably the best.
http://store.pipesandcigars.com/micocobme.html
IMO cigar tobacco and pipe tobacco are extremely different in character.
However G.L. Pease has a blend that has some maduro cigar leaf in it that really tastes great.
G.L. Pease Robusto
http://store.pipesandcigars.com/glpease.html
It's hard to determin what to reccomend beyond that because I find that my cigar tastes differ from
what I like in a pipe.
I don't smoke very many aromatic (infused) tobaccos because IMO eventhough they smell great they don't have
much taste.
Once you start buying pipe tobacco it gets almost as bad as buying cigars. There is always something new
to try and different versions of blends to experiance. :shamebag:
As far as pipes, I recommned the American Patriot, Country Gentleman, or Great Dane. Never tried the MM hardwood pipes, so don't know about them, but I don't like the cheap(er) Legend or Pony series as they are of a lesser quality and require a break in. For just a buck or two more you get a much better pipe in the first three lines I mentioned.
There are a few Maduro blends out there. These two are recommended:
Altadis Aged Maduro Cavendish
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend_detail.cfm?ALPHA=A&TID=3321
McClelland Dominican Glory Maduro
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend_detail.cfm?ALPHA=D&TID=767
Also, take a look at this site for reviews and info on various pipe tobaccos-- a great resource:
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/index.cfm
I won't pretend to know very much about pipes and pipe tobacco as I only indulge very very infrequently. I will however say that pipesandcigars.com is a great company to deal with and the 3 or 4 times I've ordered things from them they've been spot on. Their website is a little clunky but it's worth it to deal with them in my opinion. I've got a couple Missouri Meerchaums that I let rattle around in the glove box of old red (my truck) and they do quite well. One of 'em I've had since I was a young warthog of 17 or 18. :confused:
QuoteBob Cordell - 1/5/2011 9:24 AM
Why not just smoke a maduro cigar then?
Well, I hate to fire up a cigar when I'm wandering around the settlement taking care of bidness because I have to put it down while I do so and it goes out. Then when I light it up again it gets that nasty taste, even when you cut off the burnt end and purge it, not to mention the waste of the tobacco you cut off. The pipe bubbas tell me you can relight a pipe and it doesn't get funky. Maybe I'm wrong. That's why I asked for the advice. I do that once in awhile. Don't let my wife find out though.
I've always wanted to smoke a pipe since I was young boy. I remember going into the tobacco/gift/knife shop in the mall when I was younger and just loved the smell of the tobacco. That sweet tobacco smell was such a pleasing aroma that every time we went to the mall I would go into the shop and look around at the non-tobacco products of course. One of these days I'll buy a pipe and learn to smoke it.
We hate newbies around these parts.
Ken, Les and Kyle provide some great advice here. I'd suggest that if you have a good tobacconist nearby, you might pay them a visit. A good shop offers a variety of bulk mixtures that you can purchase in small quantities and often can recommend "samples" for you to try. Also, if you're serious about giving pipe smoking a shot, you might want to consider buying two pipes as I think it helps to rest each as you swap off.
QuoteROTHNH - 1/5/2011 7:36 PM
Ken, Les and Kyle provide some great advice here. I'd suggest that if you have a good tobacconist nearby, you might pay them a visit. A good shop offers a variety of bulk mixtures that you can purchase in small quantities and often can recommend "samples" for you to try. Also, if you're serious about giving pipe smoking a shot, you might want to consider buying two pipes as I think it helps to rest each as you swap off.
Yeah, I appreciate the feedback and thanks to everybody...except lowpro75. He's an a-hole. Well, I guess I could thank him for being an a-hole...because he's really good at it! So...thanks for being a good a-hole, Rich! :biggrin:
I know that the pipe smokers might disagree, but in my limited experience, you have to have a lot of patience for a pipe. Honestly, I think that good pipe tobacco tastes better than cigars, but I got aggravated at constantly lighting, tampering, etc. Just my .02.
Quotenwb - 1/6/2011 11:33 AM
I know that the pipe smokers might disagree, but in my limited experience, you have to have a lot of patience for a pipe. Honestly, I think that good pipe tobacco tastes better than cigars, but I got aggravated at constantly lighting, tampering, etc. Just my .02.
I can't disagree with the patience thing. Pipes must be "sipped" to avoid tongue burn. Don't expect a ton of smoke with every puff. And yes, it does take some tending.
For me I enjoy having a cigar with friends, but the pipe is nice when smoking alone as I can give it my full attention.
One other thing Ken... a roll of electrical tape makes a good pipe rest if you need to set your pipe down.
The flat bottom cobs will sit pretty well on their own, but sometimes the bit will rest on your workbench, which I try to avoid (especially if you have a lot of sawdust or other debris on your work surface).
QuoteHot Stuff x - 1/5/2011 11:50 PM
One other thing Ken... a roll of electrical tape makes a good pipe rest if you need to set your pipe down.
The flat bottom cobs will sit pretty well on their own, but sometimes the bit will rest on your workbench, which I try to avoid (especially if you have a lot of sawdust or other debris on your work surface).
Good tip! I've accidentally knocked more than one cigar off the bench and have had some roll away on their own. That's one reason I'm partial to box pressed stogies for shop use. A pipe might be better for the shop anyway for this and several other reasons. :biggrin:
QuoteAlphairon - 1/5/2011 8:04 PM
QuoteROTHNH - 1/5/2011 7:36 PM
Ken, Les and Kyle provide some great advice here. I'd suggest that if you have a good tobacconist nearby, you might pay them a visit. A good shop offers a variety of bulk mixtures that you can purchase in small quantities and often can recommend "samples" for you to try. Also, if you're serious about giving pipe smoking a shot, you might want to consider buying two pipes as I think it helps to rest each as you swap off.
Yeah, I appreciate the feedback and thanks to everybody...except lowpro75. He's an a-hole. Well, I guess I could thank him for being an a-hole...because he's really good at it! So...thanks for being a good a-hole, Rich! :biggrin:
You're too kind. Would I be the Tiger Woods of A-holes or more like the Phil Mickelson? Because being the #1 A-hole in the world would be pretty special.
Quotelowpro75 - 1/6/2011 8:54 AM
QuoteAlphairon - 1/5/2011 8:04 PM
QuoteROTHNH - 1/5/2011 7:36 PM
Ken, Les and Kyle provide some great advice here. I'd suggest that if you have a good tobacconist nearby, you might pay them a visit. A good shop offers a variety of bulk mixtures that you can purchase in small quantities and often can recommend "samples" for you to try. Also, if you're serious about giving pipe smoking a shot, you might want to consider buying two pipes as I think it helps to rest each as you swap off.
Yeah, I appreciate the feedback and thanks to everybody...except lowpro75. He's an a-hole. Well, I guess I could thank him for being an a-hole...because he's really good at it! So...thanks for being a good a-hole, Rich! :biggrin:
You're too kind. Would I be the Tiger Woods of A-holes or more like the Phil Mickelson? Because being the #1 A-hole in the world would be pretty special.
I was thinking along more classical lines. I'm thinking more of an enduring quality of a**holeishness in the spirit of Michelangelo or Leonardo de Vinci. Sports figures and politicians have a certain cheap sensationalistic quality but it's short lived. The classics inspire awe for much longer. Their names are familiar to most everybody. I want to be able to just say the name "Rich" and have people's eyes light up while they say, "Yeah! Rich! What an a**hole! But he's a GOOD a**hole!" :biggrin:
QuoteAlphairon - 1/6/2011 9:20 AM
I was thinking along more classical lines. I'm thinking more of an enduring quality of a**holeishness in the spirit of Michelangelo or Leonardo de Vinci. Sports figures and politicians have a certain cheap sensationalistic quality but it's short lived. The classics inspire awe for much longer. Their names are familiar to most everybody. I want to be able to just say the name "Rich" and have people's eyes light up while they say, "Yeah! Rich! What an a**hole! But he's a GOOD a**hole!" :biggrin:
:lmao:
Quotenwb - 1/6/2011 9:31 AM
QuoteAlphairon - 1/6/2011 9:20 AM
I was thinking along more classical lines. I'm thinking more of an enduring quality of a**holeishness in the spirit of Michelangelo or Leonardo de Vinci. Sports figures and politicians have a certain cheap sensationalistic quality but it's short lived. The classics inspire awe for much longer. Their names are familiar to most everybody. I want to be able to just say the name "Rich" and have people's eyes light up while they say, "Yeah! Rich! What an a**hole! But he's a GOOD a**hole!" :biggrin:
:lmao:
:lmao: :lmao:
I can now recomend Cornell & Diehl's "Billy Budd".
I smoked through 5 bowls of this stuff and I am impressed.
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/codibubibu.html