The New Pipe Smoker's Buying Guide

The New Pipe Smoker's Buying Guide at Smokingpipes.com

At Smokingpipes we know how overwhelming it can be for a new pipe smoker. With hundreds of tobaccos, thousands of pipes, and a plethora of accessories, the pipe-smoking hobby can be daunting to enter. To help, we've designed this list as a guide to some of the essentials needed when beginning our beloved pastime.

Revised for 2025 from an article published in February 2024, this post has been updated to reflect product availability.

Good Pipes for Beginners

Missouri Meerschaum Pipes

Missouri Meerschaum Tobacco Pipes

Missouri Meerschaum was founded in 1869 by Henry Tibbe, a Dutch woodworker who immigrated to Washington, Missouri. To this day, Missouri Meerschaum remains the largest maker of corn cob pipes and offers an easy, iconic, affordable, sweet-smoking pipe perfect for beginners and seasoned smokers alike. Available with both bent and straight stems.

Price: $5 to $50

Brigham Pipes: Voyageur Series

Brigham Voyageur Tobacco Pipes

Brigham pipes began in Toronto, Canada, in 1906 when Roy Brigham opened his famous smoke shop. Every modern Brigham pipe has a rock maple insert that fits securely in the stem's long, nylon tenon to absorb moisture while smoking. Available in a variety of shapes, finishes, and stems, Brigham pipes are affordable, reliable, and comfortable smoke after smoke.

We recommend the Voyageur series, a celebration of the natural wonders of the Canadian wilderness. These pipes feature organic rustication, dressing the pipes in a rich dark stain and rugged texture. Consisting of 12 iconic shapes and offered at an affordable price, the Voyageur series is ideal for those getting into pipe smoking or wanting to explore Brigham's catalog.

Price: $65

Nørding Pipes

Erik The Red Series

Nørding Erik The Red Tobacco Pipes

Price: Partial Rusticated: $73 | Smooth: $83

Erik Nørding took up pipe carving as a part-time hobby during the 1950s. By the mid-1960s, he began professionally carving handmade pipes in Slangerup, Denmark. Along with a number of other carvers during the 1960s, Erik Nørding helped pioneer the Danish Fancy Freehand style that emphasizes organic flowing shapes and aesthetically unified stems and bowls. Available in a variety of shapes, finishes, and styles, Nørding pipes are great pipes for both new and established smokers interested in an individual and avant-garde aesthetic.

The Erik the Red series offers more classic shaping from Nørding, with a range of traditional pipe-chart standards presented at affordable prices. Nørding's Abstract series showcases the Danish carver's floral shaping style with stimulating finishing work with a variety of creative Freehand shapes. Each piece in this series is dressed in a partial rustication that offers a tactile experience in hand and fosters a truly unique aesthetic.

Abstract Series

Nørding Abstract Tobacco Pipes

Price: $125

Peterson Aran Pipes

Peterson Aran Tobacco Pipes

The oldest continuously operating briar pipe factory in the world, Peterson produces some of the most recognizable and iconic pipes on the market. Charles Peterson's patented System pipe isn't just a novelty offered by Peterson; Its iconic engineering and overall design are intertwined with the marque's foundation and raison d'être.

One of Peterson's most traditional finishes, the Aran presents a color palette of chocolate-like stain with a jet-black stem. Available in both smooth and rusticated iterations. The Smooth Aran highlights the briar's natural grain pattern with handsome reservation, offering enough definition and detail to remain intriguing and individual while not distracting from the form's shape. The Rusticated Aran offers an extra-craggy application that presents raised peaks and dimpled grooves for a stimulating texture in hand, reminiscent of Peterson's rustications of old, offering a no-nonsense aesthetic that's perfect for everyday use.

Price: Rusticated: $90 | Smooth: Between $106 to $114

Tobacco Starting Points

English Blends

English mixtures are among the oldest pipe tobacco blends. As the name suggests, these blends originated in England and Scotland centuries ago, and are characterized by their use of Oriental and Latakia tobaccos. The late 1800s would see English blends feature heavy bases of Virginia mixed with the likes of Orientals, Latakia, and Perique, offering a full-bodied smoke with an easily identifiable taste and aroma.

Peterson: Early Morning Pipe

Peterson Early Morning Pipe Tobacco

One of the most popular English blends on the market, Early Morning Pipe, or EMP, is a former Dunhill blend. It's a hearty blend of earthy Orientals, a touch of Latakia, and sweet Bright and Red Virginia tobaccos, lightly stoved for a well-balanced blend that's perfect for the first smoke of the day or anytime throughout the day.

Price: 50g: $14

Peter Stokkebye: PS52 Proper English

Peter Stokkebye PS52 Proper English Pipe Tobacco

A classic no-nonsense proper English blend, PS52 Proper English is an aptly named mixture of fine ribbon-cut Virginias, Latakia, and Orientals. It's a full-bodied smoke, perfect for an introduction into what this family of tobaccos can offer.

Price: Bulk: Starts at $4

Two Friends: English Chocolate

Two Friends English Chocolate Pipe Tobacco

A unique English with Aromatic qualities, English Chocolate is a luxurious blend of the finest Red and Bright Virginias and Turkish Latakia, pressed to marry the flavors and tumbled into a broken flake for easy packing. Subtle notes of creamy cocoa balance this decadent smoke with a delightful aroma.

Price: 2oz: $14 | 8oz: $45

Aromatics

Aromatics are blends that have been cased (soaked) or topped (a light spray added at the end of a blend) with a certain aroma like maple syrup, cherry, or vanilla, presenting itself in the flavor and room note. Aromatics are defined by the noticeable presence of these added casings or toppings, so they can comprise myriad tobacco components. For a more detailed look into Aromatics, check out Chuck Stanion's article on them.

Cornell & Diehl: Autumn Evening

Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening Pipe Tobacco

Autumn Evening is one of the most popular Aromatic tobaccos on the market. It's composed of C&D's proprietary Red Virginia Cavendish lightly cased with a delicate maple flavor. You'll be able to appreciate fine Virginias with a warm, inviting maple fragrance.

Price: 2oz: $13 | 8oz: $39 | 16oz: $64 | Bulk: Starts at $4

G. L. Pease: The Virginia Cream

G. L. Pease: The Virginia Cream

G.L. Pease seasons fine Red and Golden flue-cured Virginia tobaccos with rare condimental leaf, enhancing the result with a subtle vanilla and bourbon topping that is never overbearing.

Price:starts at $14

Half and Half

Half and Half Pipe Tobacco

Among one of the oldest tobaccos still available, Half and Half is what many call a Codger or over-the-counter blend. You could often find these types of blends at drugstores and smoke shops around the world. Originally concocted back in the 19th century by American Tobacco, Half and Half remains one of the most widely popular blends in the United States, as well as seeing considerable export to more than a dozen other nations. Enjoy this classic, ribbon-cut Aromatic mixture, comprising Burley and Virginias flavored with hints of anise and other spices. You can't go wrong with the classics.

Price: 2oz: $5 | 7oz: $19

Burley

The cousin of Virginia tobacco, Burley is an air-cured tobacco that's popular for its bold flavor and robust body. Burley's air-cured process results in a light red to dark brown leaf with a rich nutty, cocoa flavor. It is the second most popular pipe tobacco in the world due its even burning, cool smoking, forgiving lack of bite, and ready absorption of flavorings and casings.

Cornell & Diehl: Haunted Bookshop

Cornell & Diehl Haunted Bookshop Pipe Tobacco

Named in honor of the famous novel Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley, C&D's Haunted Bookshop is a Burley-and-Virginia blend with just a touch of Perique. It's a classic Burley blend with nutty, woody, and earthy notes and a hearty nicotine punch.

Price: 2oz: $13 | 8oz: $39 | Bulk: Starts at $4 | Cake 2oz: $13

Sir Walter Raleigh: Regular

Sir Walter Raleigh Regular Pipe Tobacco

Sir Walter Raleigh pipe tobacco was first introduced in 1927 and is currently produced in the United States. Sir Walter himself was introduced quite a bit earlier — the 1500s, in fact, and became known for many deeds of valor and courage, as well as the man who popularized smoking in Europe. A Burley blend with hints of anise and molasses, Sir Walter Raleigh Regular has been a popular favorite of countless smokers for generations.

Price: 1.5oz: $5 | 7oz: $25

Cornell & Diehl: Burley Flake #3

Cornell & Diehl Burley Flake #3 Pipe Tobacco

Part of the Burley Flake series, Burley Flake #3 is a blend of cool-burning Burley, Virginias, Perique, and rich, Dark-Fired Kentucky to create a mixture that offers natural sweetness and an alluring, nuanced fragrance.

Price: 2oz: $13

Virginias

Virginia is a wide encompassing family of flue-cured tobacco, and there are a few categories of Virginia blends. The first is Straight Virginias, which are tobacco blends composed of only Virginia leaves. The second is Virginia/Perique, or Va/Per, which pair Virginias with Perique.

Straight Virginias

Ashton: Gold Rush

Ashton: Gold Rush

Ashton's Gold Rush is a pure Virginia blend made of only the most outstanding Virginia tobaccos. Medium-bodied and smooth, this mixture burns beautifully and renders a natural aroma accented by traces of lemon and honey.

Price: $14

Low Country: Edisto

Low Country: Edisto

Low Country's Edisto pays tribute to the largest river system completely contained within South Carolina with a relaxing blend of naturally sweet Red Virginias, pressed and sliced into delicate flakes for the perfect all-day, everyday pipe tobacco.

Price: $13

Peter Stokkebye's Luxury Twist Flake

Peter Stokkebye's Luxury Twist Flake Pipe Tobacco

Peter Stokkebye's Luxury Twist Flake is a pure Virginia blend from the best fields of Zimbabwe and the eastern United States. These leaves are hand-rolled into a spun cake, which are then pressed and sliced.

Price: Bulk: Starts at $5

Virginia/Perique

Orlik: Golden Sliced

Orlik Golden Sliced Pipe Tobacco

Among the most iconic Va/Pers and "smoked by all shrewd judges" — including many pipe collectors and pipe makers alike — Orlik's Golden Sliced is a flake-cut blend of Virginias with a touch of Perique, offering a delightfully natural flavor profile marked by a touch of sweet citrus.

Price: 50g: $12 | 100g: $20

A & C Petersen: Escudo Navy Deluxe

A & C Petersen Escudo Navy Deluxe Pipe Tobacco

One of the all-time greats, Escudo Navy Deluxe is a classic and extremely popular Virginia/Perique composed of full-bodied Virginia tobacco from North Carolina and Virginia mixed with Louisiana Perique. The tobaccos are then pressed and given time to mature before being sliced into coins.

Price: 50g: $17

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Fathers, Friends & Fire: Batch 002 Virginia Perique Flake

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Fathers, Friends & Fire: Batch 002 Virginia Perique Flake

Fathers, Friends & Fire Batch 002: Virginia Perique Flake comprises a flake-cut combination of Black Cavendish, Burley, Old Belt Red Virginias, and an ample portion of St. James Perique: offering a well-rounded, naturally sweet smoke with subtle notes of stone fruit.

Price: $16

Starting Accessories

You're going to need more than a pipe and tobacco to get started, but that doesn't mean going out and buying hundred-dollar lighters, leather carrying cases, and ornate tobacco jars. To begin, you'll just need some cleaners, some form of a tamper, a lighter, and maybe a tobacco pouch. Here are a few of our favorite pipe accessories for a beginner.

Pipe Nail

Tampers & Tools: Pipe Nail

A classic tool in the pipe smoker's arsenal: One side offers a tamper, and the other a small scoop. No nonsense, effective, cheap, and fits in a pocket. I'd buy that for a dollar.

Price: $1

Czech Pipe Tool

Tampers & Tools: Czech Pipe Tool

Another classic for both new and seasoned pipe smokers alike, the three-way Czech pipe tool, made in the Czech Republic, features a tamper, pick, and a little scoop made from heavy-gauge sheet steel with a brass brushing.

Price: $2

White Elephant Pipe Cleaners

White Elephant Pipe Cleaners

Standard for cleaning and maintaining a healthy pipe. They come in a variety of styles and sizes. Pick up a pack, and you'll be good for a while.

Price: Bristle: $5 | Tapered: $5

PocketJar

Tobacco Jars: PocketJar

An affordable way to carry around some pipe tobacco when on the move, the PocketJar fits in your, well, pocket, and holds several bowls' worth of your favorite blend. Plus, it's easy to clean and comes in an assortment of colorways.

Price: $11

Smoke Odor Exterminator Candle

Home Fragrance: Candles

A must have for the indoor smoker, Smoke Odor candles are specially formulated to help absorb smoke odors and leave a room smelling fresh and clean. Comes in a variety of aromas.

Price: $8

With this handy guide, you're now equipped with some basic starting points for your pipe-smoking journey. For more guides on how to pack a pipe, light a pipe, clean, and more invaluable knowledge to start your journey, check out the resources section on our Daily Reader. Good luck, and happy smokes!

Category:   Pipe Line
Tagged in:   Recommendations

Comments

  • Thornton on February 23, 2024

    Is there a field to sort by room note?

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  • Thornton on February 23, 2024

    Is there a way to sort by room note?

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  • Thornton on February 23, 2024

    Thornton On February, 23 2024 00:00:00Is there a way to sort by room note?

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  • Steve Mawby on February 23, 2024

    @Thornton, absolutely! You can find the Pipe Locator on our site by clicking the tobacco leaf icon in the top right corner, nested in the red banner. Then, under the Filters section, there is a filter for Room Note, among a number of other categories. From there you can refine your search however you wish. Hope this helps!

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  • The Bumble on January 31, 2025

    For what its worth - I reentered the pipe smoking community after many years away and had nothing to bring with me, so I started from scratch. Unfortunately I had a little more expendable income than last time, so I got to experiment a lot at the end of 2024. The choice you had here are good and I actually smoked through many of them. As a re-noob I wanted to throw in some other ideas.

    I highly recommend the Rossi pipe line. I was able to get a few of them right at the mid range of $50 to $70, if I remember correctly, and they were just outstanding. I wish I would have just bumped up my price range when I first got back into pipes and bought these, because I wouldn't have wasted so much money on pipes that were either poor quality low end or high priced disappointments ($100 range). When I went to the high priced mid-range ($100) the Savenelli's were just outstanding! I felt they were just outstanding quality and sturdier than any of the Petersons I bought.

    Tobacco's - I quickly moved away from "tasty" aromoatics and got into English. I really liked the Peterson's Early Morning Pipe, but quickly found two nice alternatives if you like things a little smokier than Early Morning Pipe. Arrango Bulkan Supreme and Presbyterian were just outstanding everyday alternatives to Early Morning Pipe. As a noob, I rotate those three all the time and never go wrong.

    As for Burley's, thats a bit of a struggle, the one I went to first and really like is no longer available - MacBarens Golden Extra. I mucked around and the one that I found, which is a good alternative to Haunted Book Shop, which is one I struggle with, is HU Makhuwa. HU Makhuwa is just a little less harsh than Haunted Bookshop, smoother, with the same ingredients from what I can tell, and for a renoob its an every day Burley Blend that I enjoy.

    Can't recommend any near straight Virginia's, I'm still not "getting" it. I get no enjoyment out of the flavour or aroma and they just give me a headache. Ironically, I do like Virginia's mixed with other things.

    Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in from a noob that spent to much money and time trying to figure things out.

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