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For us all-day pipe smokers, choosing which tobaccos to smoke can sometimes be a daunting and slightly overwhelming task. We have certain blends we prefer in the morning, some we save for after lunch, and those specifically reserved for the wee evening and late night hours. Think of it as a batting line-up. But who steps up to the plate first? Everyone's tastes and preferences differ, but for me, this is how it goes.
Much like a strong cup of coffee, a full-bodied, yet not overly complex blend really gets the day going. For that, I prefer to hit the ropes. Happy Brown Bogie, for example, has become my leadoff hitter. Slicing it into a fine shag using a cigar cutter, it often knocks my palette (and sometimes my head) out of the park with a rich smoke and a generous dose of Vitamin N.
Once I've smoked my first, usually full-bodied blend of the day, I'll often turn to one of my Virginia pipes and a bit of neatly folded Capstan Blue flake. It's not a power hitter, strength-wise, but the smooth, slightly grassy bright Virginias are great at getting the bases loaded and paving the way for a grand slam.
So Capstan Blue and a few other straight, bright Virginias get the bases loaded, but around lunch time I start to crave something a little more complex, with a bit more strength. These two Cellar Series blends are great at cleaning the bases, with the Perique component really shining through in both Oak Alley and Bourbon Bleu.
McConnell Mature is one of my favorite blends, and also quite a versatile one as well. Able to hit from both sides of the plate, it's my switch hitter — consistently delivering plenty of flavor and just the right amount of strength no matter what time of day or night I decide to smoke it. It makes for a great afternoon smoke, with the dark Virginias playing well to the sweet, star anise topping.
I don't often smoke Latakia-laced blends, but Samuel Gawith's Navy Flake has been a mainstay in my rotation for a while now. The small percentage of Latakia used perfectly suits the sweet Virginas, adding a touch of smokiness and a whole lot of strength to this gap hitter. The moisture level of the flakes can be a bit frustrating at times, so you can't always count on a home run. But for an after dinner smoke, it's just what's called for.
It's the bottom of the ninth, just before bed, and I want one last smoke. I'm not looking for strength, but a nuanced, yet mild blend that I can sip, enjoy, and savor. Something that allows me to reflect on the events of the day and plan for those in store for me tomorrow. For that circumstance, there's one hitter that comes to mind: Balkan Sasieni. Smoky and peppery, yet still quite smooth and creamy, it's a mild and flavorful Balkan-style blend with an exotic aroma. It can be a touch bitey though, so I find it pairs best with a long, cool-smoking churchwarden.
Of course I smoke other blends regularly, but I find I keep coming back to these six tobaccos. Each one has earned its place in my daily tobacco batting line-up, but I'm not at all opposed to doing a little recruiting — I'm still missing three batters, after all. So what's your line-up look like? Feel free to share in the comment section below.
Tagged in: Capstan Cornell and Diehl Gawith and Hoggarth McConnell Samuel Gawith
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Comments
First pipe PASTRY..It doesn't change.After breakfast,starting the day with pastry's creamy,sweet taste is wonderful
Afternoon,when working,I'm trying Burley mixes..Crooner or Nutty Irishman feels good..And enough nicotine for all day.
At night,of course Latakia(s)...:) Red Odessa or F&K Balkan Sterling are my favorites these days..But I can't forget the taste of Pirate cake..It was perfect.
Happy Bogie is a big hitter. I do enjoy vitamin N in my first pipe, Royal Yacht or Navigator.
Mid day Hal O' The Wynd
After dinner Jack Knife Plug or Bothy Flake
Before bed Nightcap or Ashton's Artisan's Blend
Are the contents of SG Navy flake the Sam as their Bothy flake, just scotch instead of rum topping?
@Parabellum, great question. The components are pretty similar from what I understand, but the proportions and treatment of each blend as a whole differ considerably--not just the topping. Thanks for commenting! Hope that helps!
IMO, only 1 tobacco is needed: Peter Stokkebye #23 (B&B).
Whether I'm having morning coffee, an afternoon west coast IPA, a 2nd glass of shiraz after dinner or a Black Bush nitecap, PS 23 pairs perfectly. I've been smoking it morning, noon & night for 35 years; ever since 'settling in' from my initial quest for the perfect combination of flavor and aroma when my son gave me a pipe and I began smoking in my early 30's.
For the first 30 years, I knew it as Black Bart (e.g the lady-killing pirate); the shop name given it by the 3rd generation Dutch tobacconist & pipe-maker who continued to supply me by clandestine meetings in the mountains after his pipe shop was destabilized & closed in the infamous '89 earthquake centered in those same Santa Cruz, CA mountains.
It was an appropriate pseudonym. I can't count the ladies who - recalling fond memories of a pipe-smoking Grandfather or some such - have been smitten by 'his' charming aroma and many have gone so far as accept my offer to 'sip' a bit of 'his' beguiling, elixir-like smoke. Narry a one has ever complained! Neither is it unusual for young men to reminisce nostalgically and deign to 'join in' when confronted by 'his' presence. In fact - outside of the most austere health nazis - I've never had a complaint when Black Bart was my companion.
One GOOD friend is all a man really needs!
Lately my morning smoke has been about 75% equal amounts burley ribbon cut andDark birds eye, 25% equal amounts kendal dark and chocolate truffle. Work day smoke 50/50 guaith hogarth black and brown and burly ribbon cut. No regular for evening.
80% of my rotation is Saint James Woods and Blackwoods Flake by McC's. I like the rich aged red virginia flavor. I round it out with Navy Cavendish, Dark Star, Blockade Runner, and Telegraph Hill. I also blend my own concoction of aged red cake with dark stoved and sometimes soak in a little good california craft brandy.
How does Brown Bogie change with age? What's the most significant difference in aged Bigie vs fresh?
@Parabellum I think you'll find that it'll round out a little more, with deeper, chocolate notes.
I keep 16 blends ready at hand. Corniel & Diehl is my most frequented tobacco house; they've got everything. My morning strong cup of coffee is usually their Junkyard Dog. I'll move on to Escudo or Dobie's Foursquare Circles later in the afternoon. In the evening I do something like Rajah's Court or Don Carlos. For my nightly Balkan fix, I like the Super Balkan.
@David Rengers Sounds like you've got this well in hand, David!