Recommendations

[Piper Fonzerelli]

I'd like to piggy back on this thread and ask for a few suggestions. I, too, am a primarily aromatic piper. I keep it simple with mild blends and cob most of the time. However, I'd like to expand my horizons with some good crossover blends. I tried jumping directly to an English or Balkan and I was not so successful (I think it was H&H Blackhouse).
Anyway, if you have a recommendation on blends that could help me ease into the world beyond aromatics, please let me know! Right now I am eying Wessix campaign dark flake, Smokers Haven Exotique, and Plum Pudding (all the while enjoing Boswell's Piper's Pleasure and PA Dutch Treat :0) ).

(moderator note: split this out of https://pipesmokersdens.com/threads/my-first-english-blend.10230/)

 

[JRobert]

Start here: https://pipesmokersdens.com/threads/gold-standard-blends.1117/

Then use the search box to search for threads with "recommendations" in the title.

Here's one: https://pipesmokersdens.com/threads/recommendations-for-newbie.5523/

Or just wait for people to pile on to this thread. (-:

 

[Arkie]

Esoterica's Pembrook is a good cross over mixture. It is an English mixture with a bit of cognac topping. Sam Gawith's Firedance is a rich tasting flake with blackberry brandy topping. Unfortunately, they both are presently hard to find.

 

[PKT]

Wilke Lizzie Blood Red English

 

[Ray Mackessy]

Lane Limited is a favorite crossover blend for me.
Lane Limited - HGL - Tobacco Reviews

 

[blackmouth210]

Lane Limited is a favorite crossover blend for me.
Lane Limited - HGL - Tobacco Reviews

I'll second this recommendation.
HGL is a perfect crossover blend; a well balanced aromatic/english.
It is easy to find and budget friendly, too.

 

[Some_Mook]

Boswell's Titus, or The Country Squire's Baker Street are a couple of English-style blends you might enjoy. Both tobacconists have sample packages of their products for reasonable prices. I really enjoy TCS's Middle Earth series of blends, and Boswell's Premium Burley and Majestic 586 are pretty tasty too.

 

[BlueMaxx]

I would try SG Skiff Mixture or Squadron Leader (may pat answer for the most part) and if you find a tin Cabbie’s Mixture grab that one (even though it is a Virginia/Perique)
Wilke Lizzie Blood Red English and Lizzie Blood Red Virgina.
Watch City's "Deluxe Crumb Cut” for a try at a burley and Ahab’s Comfort come to mind also Persian Slipper for a nice introduction to orientals.
Another option is that places like Boswell, Wilke, CountrySquire, Watch City, Peretti have a sample packs that includes several of the blends you are interested without having to spend money on a tin you may not like.
Might give you a better spread of the differences between each in a specific blend type.

Just my 2 cents..that came from a lot of trial and error and a lot of samples of different blends I received, I am a relatively new smoker.

 

[KAM52]

John Bull is a mild English, not as much latakia as Black House sweeter,and not expensive.

 

[Piper Fonzerelli]

Thanks all for the suggestions! I have quite a list going now. As a small token of appreciation, I’ll throw in one more recommendation from the aromatic-ish world.
A blender in Colorado sells a great blend called Shadow Mountain. Not sure if you can order online, but worth giving them a call if interested.
http://www.stagtobacconist.com/selections/pipes-tobacco/

 

[BootCampBob]

I think one of the things basic to crossing over successfully is eliminating “expectations” from non-aromatic blends. Blending with less casing or topping creates flavors that are much more subtle than what’s used in aromatic blends.
Someone suggested smoking individual condimental tobaccos to get a real feel for what each one does to a blend. I think that’s a very solid idea. You have to understand what they do to a blend to really appreciate their use. You can’t “spray on” Latakia, Perique, Izmir, Virginia, Burley, Dark Fired Kentucky or Cavendish. They’re all different and bring different flavors to a blend.
Virginia’s tend to be sweet and grassy or citrusy. Burleys tend to be more nutty and savory, while Latakia are smoky and cool..... and so on. Perique can be peppery or impart stone fruit flavors, depending on the type. But these flavors aren’t as intense as the vanilla, orange or cherry casing sprayed on some aromatics. You have to spend time with the types to understand their subtleties.

Cadence is also important - more so with some types than others. Chuff too hard and you can easily get tongue bite and numb your buds to the real taste in the tobacco.
Try to smoke slowly enough to just keep the bowl lit, then retrohale what’s in your mouth through your nose. I’ll bet you find a world of flavors you were missing before you slowed it all down.
There’s no rush in this journey. Enjoy experimenting as you go. You’ll be surprised at what you find.

And the blends you’re eyeing are HTF. Follow some of the recommendations and you’ll have more options - and some change left in your pocket.

 

[Bach6032]

@Piper Fonzerelli I'll concur with @Some_Mook and his recommendation of The Country Squire's Baker Street. The only caveat I'd offer is that--at least for me--it contains a near head-spinning level of vitamin N. The one with which I've totally fallen in love that would fit your bill is The Country Squire's Cornishman. It's billed as a non-aromatic full English but the bag note is intoxicating like an aromatic and I'd describe the flavor as English-meets-Aromatic. Just received another half pound of Cornishman yesterday.

 

[Sir Saartan]

Someone suggested smoking individual condimental tobaccos to get a real feel for what each one does to a blend.

That‘s me.

I really Never liked aros that much, but finding what you like By reading a review is pointless Most of the times.

 

[Piper Fonzerelli]

Thanks all for the suggestions! I have quite a list going now. As a small token of appreciation, I’ll throw in one more recommendation from the aromatic-ish world.
A blender in Colorado sells a great blend called Shadow Mountain. Not sure if you can order online, but worth giving them a call if interested.
http://www.stagtobacconist.com/selections/pipes-tobacco/

Wrong link. Here ya go
https://wynbrier.com/collections/hand-blended-pipe-tobacco

 

[ClintonvilleLeather]

Edgar G Robinson Blend might suit you. Also Match Revelation or Match Country Doctor. All are aromatic, Burley based with a hint of Latakia. All are also readily available and reasonably priced.

 

[Piper Fonzerelli]

Edgar G Robinson Blend might suit you. Also Match Revelation or Match Country Doctor. All are aromatic, Burley based with a hint of Latakia. All are also readily available and reasonably priced.

Thanks CL, these look great and all are new to me. I appreciate the recommendations.