I’m relatively new to the pipe, having started years ago, but only now smoking on a regular basis. I tend to smoke fast, and my greatest challenge right now is to learn to slow down (and keep the pipe lit). I’ve progressed to the point where I can keep my pipe going, and I don’t experience bite too often, but then I smoke mild tobaccos. I have yet to enjoy a bowl of anything that smoked dry to the bottom of the bowl, but it may be I need to let it dry out a bit more. I’m a bit confounded by the oft-heard advice to smoke it to the bottom of the bowl to build cake, as the dottle I typically experience is not only wet, but biting, and hard to keep lit. If that’s the price to form cake, I can live without it.

Being a newby, I look for milder blends, but avoid aromatics. I’m pretty sure my local tobacco shop carries Lane blends but gives them local names, which I think is a disservice to customers. I’ve been smoking what I think is 1-Q. As I begin to explore the world of tobaccos, I’m starting with some OTC’s, figuring they got to be popular for a reason. I’m currently enjoying Carter Hall, and about to try Captain Black (white). I’ve tried Borkum Riff, Walter Raleigh, and Half & Half in years past, but didn’t enjoy them. As the day progresses, I’m beginning to desire a stronger taste, so I’ll be stepping up to “medium” blends soon. My goal is to learn to really experience the flavor of the tobacco, and sample new blends slowly.

I was thrilled to finds this site, as finding tobacco I liked seemed like a random process that too often ends badly. When I got my first pipe, I tried a wide variety of tobacco, including Dunhill My Mixture, but this was a waste, as my excitement outpaced my immature taste. I know enough now to let my taste evolve and let that drive my choices. This site seems a perfect way to develop a more systematic approach.