Pipe Tobacco: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
no edit summary
No edit summary
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
----
----
[[Image:leaf.jpg|right|300px]]
[[Image:leaf.jpg|right|300px]]
[[Image:SobranieWeb.jpg|thumb|300px|Vintage Tin of Balkan Sobranie, Courtesy G.L.Pease]]New to pipe smoking? See also [http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Pipe_Packing_and_Smoking_techniques#Selecting_your_first_tobacco Selecting Your First Tobacco]
[[Image:SobranieWeb.jpg|thumb|300px|Vintage Tin of Balkan Sobranie, Courtesy G.L.Pease]][[File:WilliamSKimball-PeerlessTobacco-1876Ad.jpg|thumb|1876 Peerless Tobacco Ad, courtesy [https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e3-d994-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 NY Public Libray Digital Collections]]]New to pipe smoking? See also [http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Pipe_Packing_and_Smoking_techniques#Selecting_your_first_tobacco Selecting Your First Tobacco]


'''The best pipe tobacco may be ahead of us!''' "While some may bemoan the passing of the great blends of yesteryear, or the changing of the hallowed, ancient formula, I personally believe that modern pipe smokers are just now entering a renaissance in pipe tobacco blending, one that promises great things for all fans of the leaf, whether they be active or passive participants in that renaissance." -- Jon Tillman. Read Jon's entire article called, [[Pipe Tobacco Today]]
'''The best pipe tobacco may be ahead of us!''' "While some may bemoan the passing of the great blends of yesteryear, or the changing of the hallowed, ancient formula, I personally believe that modern pipe smokers are just now entering a renaissance in pipe tobacco blending, one that promises great things for all fans of the leaf, whether they be active or passive participants in that renaissance." -- Jon Tillman. Read Jon's entire article called, [[Pipe Tobacco Today]]
Line 12: Line 12:
== Broad Categories ==  
== Broad Categories ==  
=== Good Pipe Tobaccos ===
=== Good Pipe Tobaccos ===
[[File:C&D PipediaUnderwriter.jpg|thumb|Many thanks to our friends at [http://www.smokingpipes.com/tobacco/by-maker/cornell-diehl/index.cfm C&D], for their generous underwriting support]]The best place to purchase pipe tobacco is from a tobacconist, regardless of the smoker's experience level. Genuine tobacconists tend to offer a selection of high quality brands from around the world, packaged in vacuum-sealed tins and cans that keep the product fresh and allows it to age for the better over decades. Tobacconists also usually offer their own "house blends" of quality name brands, stored in sealed glass jars that often contain various forms of small humidifiers that keep them fresh and moist.   
[[File:C&D PipediaUnderwriter.jpg|link=http://www.smokingpipes.com/tobacco/by-maker/cornell-diehl/index.cfm|thumb|Many thanks to our friends at [http://www.smokingpipes.com/tobacco/by-maker/cornell-diehl/index.cfm C&D], for their generous underwriting support]]The best place to purchase pipe tobacco is from a tobacconist, regardless of the smoker's experience level. Genuine tobacconists tend to offer a selection of high quality brands from around the world, packaged in vacuum-sealed tins and cans that keep the product fresh and allows it to age for the better over decades. Tobacconists also usually offer their own "house blends" of quality name brands, stored in sealed glass jars that often contain various forms of small humidifiers that keep them fresh and moist.   


The alternatives include discount tobacco stores, drugstores and convenience stores as well as  some supermarkets, gas stations and truck stops, all of them selling cigarettes as their main tobacco product. For the most part, these alternative sources sell limited pipe tobacco brands -- packaged in loose envelopes allowing the tobacco inside to be exposed to air and therefore dry out -- made from inferior tobaccos, some of which are even mixed with shredded cardboard for filler, and all of which contain many artificial additives for preservation and  flavoring. The combination of low-grade, often dried out tobacco and additives leads to an unpleasant pipe smoking experience and a greater chance of developing health problems.
The alternatives include discount tobacco stores, drugstores and convenience stores as well as  some supermarkets, gas stations and truck stops, all of them selling cigarettes as their main tobacco product. For the most part, these alternative sources sell limited pipe tobacco brands -- packaged in loose envelopes allowing the tobacco inside to be exposed to air and therefore dry out -- made from inferior tobaccos, some of which are even mixed with shredded cardboard for filler, and all of which contain many artificial additives for preservation and  flavoring. The combination of low-grade, often dried out tobacco and additives leads to an unpleasant pipe smoking experience and a greater chance of developing health problems.
Line 148: Line 148:
Oriental, or Turkish, is a spice tobacco known for its nutty, somewhat "sweet and sour" flavor. It's a main component in English blends, along with Latakia (which is itself an Oriental that's been flavored with smoke).
Oriental, or Turkish, is a spice tobacco known for its nutty, somewhat "sweet and sour" flavor. It's a main component in English blends, along with Latakia (which is itself an Oriental that's been flavored with smoke).


This tobacco derives its name from the area in which it's grown: the Eastern Mediterranean. Each of the varietals, in fact, are named after the towns or regions they come from. Thus Yenidje and Smyrna are Greek, Samsun and Izmir are Turkish, Drama is from Greece also, and Xanthe is from the region of Thrace, which is also in Greece. For all intents and purposes this is all one region, united for many years under Ottoman rule (hence the interchangeable terms "Oriental" and "Turkish".)
This tobacco derives its name from the area in which it's grown: the Eastern Mediterranean. Each of the varietals, in fact, are named after the towns or regions they come from. Thus Yenidje is Greek, Samsun and Izmir are Turkish, Drama is from Greece also, and Xanthe is from the region of Thrace, which is also in Greece. For all intents and purposes this is all one region, united for many years under Ottoman rule (hence the interchangeable terms "Oriental" and "Turkish".)


Oriental tobacco plants characteristically have a great deal of small leaves. The finished product ranges in color from yellow to brown, and is strongly aromatic. Its smell is reminiscent of used horse bedding, which could possibly explain why it's often mixed with Latakia.
Oriental tobacco plants characteristically have a great deal of small leaves. The finished product ranges in color from yellow to brown, and is strongly aromatic. Its smell is reminiscent of used horse bedding, which could possibly explain why it's often mixed with Latakia.

Navigation menu