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Contrary to the belief of my friends and family, I don't spend the winter months covered in blankets by the space heater in my office with my scalding hot coffee and pipe to warm my hands. I also spend time on my patio layered in both sweater and heavy jacket by the patio heater with my scalding hot coffee and pipe to warm my hands. Much like I rotate between these two locations, I tend to generate a preferred rotation of tobaccos every winter.
Every smoking rotation is different. Some are completely static, being defined once and never changed unless forced. Others change with the season, weather, hour of the day, or type of breakfast. There is no right or wrong, only what we enjoy. Smoking rotations contribute to the most popular conversations between pipe smokers, offering perspective into individual tastes. I'm always curious to hear my fellow smokers' rotations, always searching for inspiration for what I smoke next. I can't be alone in that and decided to share my winter smoking rotation for the benefit and inspiration of the world. Here's what I'm smoking religiously in these cold winter months.
Peterson Early Morning Pipe
When I picked up the pipe for the first time, the first blend I fell in love with was Dunhill Early Morning Pipe. It was cheap (back then you could buy it in bulk), it tasted good, it was friendly to the inexperienced smoker, and it didn't make my girlfriend's eyes water. When Dunhill's tobacco production closed, I lamented what I thought was lost but was glad to see Peterson carry the torch forward, even though I'm bitter that I can no longer buy it in bulk.
Early Morning Pipe presents an English blend of earthy Orientals, a bit of Latakia, and sweet Bright and Red Virginia tobaccos, lightly stoved for a well-balanced mixture that's ideal as a day's first smoke or as an all-day smoke.
Sutliff Mixture No. 79
I enjoy codger blends, and while I may drag my feet writing the next entry of Codger Country, I do keep several in my rotation. Among my favorites is Sutliff's Mixture No. 79, a polarizing choice to some, but I'm fond of its aroma, taste, and simplicity. To me, Mixture No. 79 is an extraordinary blend of toasted Burley cased with hints of anise, whisky, and natural vanilla.
Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation: Fathers, Friends & Fire Batch 002 Virginia Perique Flake
A recent addition to the world of pipe tobacco but a welcome one is Fathers, Friends & Fire Batch 002. This 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.
It's a very inviting blend, especially in these colder months. It reminds me of mulled wine both in taste and aroma, and it makes me feel incredibly festive smoke after smoke.
Toscano Concerto
I'm fond of cigars; they're an enjoyable diversion from the briar. Among my favorites is Toscano's line of cigars. They're perfect for coffee breaks and pack plenty of flavor and value in each pack. When Toscano entered the world of pipe tobacco, I was eager to try their offerings, and I was not disappointed.
Toscano's Maestro Concerto is a ribbon-cut English blend of Dark-Fired leaf sourced from Kentucky and Tennessee, piquant Perique, and woodsy Latakia. Concerto showcases Toscano's signature bold and spicy flavor, which is supplemented by zesty, peppery notes and a full-bodied profile. It's perfect for a zesty espresso break and really gets me jazzed for the day ahead.
Mac Baren HH Burley Flake
I love a good Burley; it's comforting and cozy, with a mellow richness that vibes well with the melancholy of winter. Among my favorites is Mac Baren's HH Burley Flake, which uses ripe Virginias and a touch of Dark-Fired Kentucky to complement its Burley base, making for a pleasant, mellow, woodsy taste.
Those are five blends I'm keeping stocked this winter, and now, my dear reader, I want to hear what's in yours. Leave a comment below with what you're smoking, and maybe you'll inspire me, or your fellow readers, to try something new this holiday season. Happy smokes!
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Comments
Have not tried the Early Morning Pipe but will add it to my list to purchase…
I don’t understand the taste you guys always talk about. I never taste anything in my different pipe tobacco and I use aromatic tobacco all the time So what am I missing here. All I get is smoke from my pipe
I agree In part but have recently found Mac Barren 7 Seas series. I can taste flavor and enjoy my smokes more.
I get you, especially when i first started. Do yourself a favor and check out the bulk tobaccos and search blending. Just get a 1oz sample of several main components and try each. To get some that vary maybe a bright virginia, kentucky, izmer oriental, perique, etc. I aslo would recommed the HH burley flake to try, and for a taste of english the aforementioned early morning pipe.
Overall goal the slower and cooler you can keep the pipe the more flaver you can get. Not easy, the real flaver profile comes from the tobacco being toasted, while quickly progressing to burning which is just smoke.
My pipe smoking rotation centers around my top 5 favorite tobaccos and that doesn't change through the year. Though I love to sample new tobacco regularly I don't get smitten easily with them. They have to be something really special.
1. Duke Albert from Sutliff. Long gone are the days of walking into my grandfather's house and smelling Prince Albert. The Duke is a match to this and from what I recall it's close and slightly sweeter. It's a great start to my day and an all day smoke if I want it. Simple, pleasant and tasty.
2. G and H Dark Birds Eye. It doesn't matter if it's the shag cut or the original cut, this smoke is satisfying on all fronts. Loaded with taste and easy to smoke. It's far more of an after dinner smoke but also one that I can enjoy at any hour.
3. C and D Old Joe Krants. A good all around tobacco. It's got the flavor of good strong burley tobacco and hints of Virginia. I like my smokes to be Simple and easy and this one pleases on both fronts.
4. G and H Bob's Chocolate Flake. What a ln amazing number this one is. A truly delightful smoke. Chocolate cake and nutty sweetness behind it. This is another that goes well in the evening but can be enjoyed at anytime.
5. C and D Night Train. This is the only tobacco that I keep in stock that I can not get in bulk. It's worth it though. It's strong and forward. The cake breaks apart easily and can be enjoyed anytime.
That's my main line up. Anytime of any day these are the ones I'm most likely to reach for. Happy smoking fellas.
Currently rotating...
Kringle's Delight (best thing ever from C&D imho)
Catp Black Gold (wife friendly)
Dreams of Kadath (little odd but interesting hvy OrnPer)
Perfection (light english)
My own blend(s)
Sutliff Black Cordial, laced with a small pinch of Sutliff Black Kathy… 365.
My current rotación:
For an English breakfast, Professional Mixture from Rattray's. The more you advance in the jar, the better it becomes.
In the middle of the morning, a tastier English: C&D's Orient Express.
For dessert, something aromatic, Bagpipers Dream from Rattrays or Bob Chocolate. Both different and each perfect with a roasted coffee.
If you want something old fashioned, Velvet. A good slightly softened burley. Let it dry a little and it will change for the better.
I smoke these blends all year round.
Virginia:
Rattray Hal O' the Wynd
Old Gowrie.
An occasional Dunhill (Peterson) Flake or Elizabethan Mixture.
Rattray 3 Noggins (full Virginia with Oriental)
In Fall/Winter only:
Robert Lewis 123 Mixture
Rattray Black Mallory, Accountant Mixture
GL Pease Samarra
For me Pipe smoking is a refined thing, and a luxury.
I like the classic British style blends and aging tins where possible. Always smoke with 9mm filters, which is a great improvement to the experience.
Ser Jacopo and Dunhill pipes, and a few Petersons.