Noob Here. . .

[thirdeagle]

Hello, folks! I bought my first pipe recently and finally got a chance to light up. I bought a meerschaum lined briar by La Rocca; I heard the meerschaum would give me some versatility in the blends that I could smoke out of the same pipe without the dreaded mixing of flavors. I don't know if La Rocca makes quality pipes, but I can tell you that the construction and fit are good, the grain of the briar is pleasing, but the finish gives the look of a drug-store quality pipe. Oh. . .the bowl is tiny! The meerschaum lining takes up more room than I thought.

Anyway, I decided to give the Mac Baren HH Mature Virginia a try since I read so many good reviews. Needless to say I was a little disappointed. The blend was too mild, almost to the point of being tasteless. There was no bite at all which is surprising since I was drawing the gusto!

I've read many posts on this board and have a better feel for pipe tobacco. However, I could still use some help selecting nice blends that are flavorful, medium-bodied (maybe even strong blends, too), and blends that won't harass my wife's delicate sensibilities. . .she scoffs at my cigars.

. . .to make up for my mis-adventures in pipe-land I'm drinking a couple of fingers of 4 Roses Single Barrel!

I'm up for suggestions. . .I think the HH Mature Virginia needs to rest - McClelland's Backwoods Flake is up next.

Cheers!

 

[oknewb]

I really enjoy the HH Mature Virginia. Even though it isn't a flake, I let it sit out to dry quite a bit. Just keep trying new tobaccos and you will find some that you love. Also, tobacco usually tastes like crap out of a new pipe(not too sure if this is true with Meer). By the way, congrats on the new pipe.

 

[thirdeagle]

In time, I'll probably like the HH Mature Va, too. I always keep some good mild cigars in my weekly rotation - they were acquired, as I'm sure mild pipe tobaccos will also be acquired. I probably should have started with the aromatics, since that is what I know best - in a second hand kind of way. The Mac Baren will rest for a while. . .the McClelland that smells of ketchup is up next.

Cheers. .

 

[LilBastage]

Read as much as you can and keep trying new blends. Sooner or later you'll hit that sweet spot. There are a lot of places online that offer samplers and if you have a local shop you can usually sample quite inexpensively there. Once you find a blend you like, try to find others with similar tobaccos and have at it.

That's what I've been doing, anyway.

 

[hoshnasi]

Contact Boswell. Whoever answers ask them what they recommend for a nice medium bodied blend. The samples are very inexpensive.