Sunday 20 January 2013

Tobacconist Review: JN. Barber. Otley.

 Recently, a fellow pipe smoker from my Motorcycle Club recomended his local Tobacconist to me as well worth a visit. So me and a friend dedicated a cold saturday morning to venture over to Otley, Yorkshire. The shop in question was JN. Barber Ltd.

On arival at the shop my first impression was its size. Compared to other tobacconists, JN. Barber is spacious, unclutterd and well laid out. The selection of Pipes, Tobacco, Cigars and other goods is instantly distinguishable as wide and varied.

After some browsing at items ranging from Cut Throat razors to Walking Equipment, me and my friend Tony were aproached by a member of staff. On learning that we were new smokers, in search of pipes and tobacco, the nice lady pointed us in the right direction. Recomending different pipes, advising on Advantages and Disadvantages we were able to browse and discuss various options.

I purchased a Peterson System Ebony and a Barber B Line. Both which i will be reviewing later on.

Moving on from Pipes, our next aim was to get our hands on Tobacco. Again advice was plentifull and honest with no pressure to buy. Purchased was a tin of Peterson Nutty Cut, Black Cherry and Old Judge. Old Judge being the shop's own uniqe mix.

Again the service was top class, having never being into a shop with such a personel touch i was overwhelmed. I doubt i would have been treated any better if i had parked a Rolls Royce outside the shop door.

JN. Barber's website can be found Here.

Please take the time to have a browse and add them to your favourites.




Friday 11 January 2013

St. Bruno

Recently, my friend purchased a pouch of St. Bruno and split it with me, the Tobacco came in a neat little package with a tin foil wrapper. St. Bruno is a Flake Virginia and its tin description reads "Blend of Virginia and other selected tobaccos. Slow burning and cool with a pleasant aroma."

My first impression of St. Brunos was how lovely it smelt unsmoked, reminding me of Drum Hand Rolling Tobacco. Smoked it smells just as good. The Tobacco leaves no "Tounge Bite". However i found the taste bland, almost plastic with no natural taste. The tobacco burnt, too quickly and left me with no desire for another bowlfull.

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Black Cherry Cavendish

Black Cherry Cavendish. The name alone brings about thoughts of thick smoke and rich fruity taste. I purchased my  tobacco from Turmeaus Tobacconist Liverpool. This is the closest Specialist to my hometown. The shop lays claim to be the UK's second oldest Tobacconist. Service was good and the lady in the shop was helpful recommending different tobacco's for future smoking.

Turmeaus Tobacconist can be find online Here.

Now, onto the smoking. The first impression of the Tobacco was how different it looked from the previous samples i had tried. It was a thicker cut and darker than Clan and Kentucky. Its scent unsmoked is rich and fruity. A scent that is good enough to eat. It smells how it looks.

Lighting up leads me to the discovery that this tobacco is slow burning, first impressions are pleasant. Black Cherry tastes great, after a bowlful i was forming the idea that Black Cherry was Sweet but not sickly, a mix taste of fruit and rich tobacco.

I had no "tongue bite" from my Black Cherry. One bowlful lead to another and then another. 12g of Black Cherry soon disappeared and was replaced with 50g from a stall on Bury Market.




Saturday 5 January 2013

Kentucky Nougat

After Clan i decided than rather return to the Supermarket i would try visiting a specialist Tobacconist. I chosen to try C.Aston at Manchester. The shop has a wide variety of Cigars and Pipe Tobacco, including a large selection of pipes and other gadgets that may be of intrest to Gentlemen.

C.Astons website can be found Here.

I had chosen, unfortunately, to visit on the busiest shopping day of the year, the 23rd of December. The shop was rather busy but large enough to be comfortable.

Explaining to the shop assistant that i was new Smoker, he pointed me in the direction of  several Tobaccos, i decided to try Kentucky Nougat. Bought Loose. The shope assistant was very busy an i feel that if i had visited on another day, i would have had more time for discussion.

When home i couldnt wait to try Kentucky Nougat, the Aroma of this tobacco was fantastic in the packet and whilst beeing smoked. I found the smoke very thick and to my pleasure watched it swirling around in the room. The taste wasnt as intruding on my tounge as Clan and found i could smoke a whole bowl of the tobacco without putting my pipe down. I had no tounge bite from this tobacco and feel it suited me alot better. It did burn quickly but this wasnt a complaint.

In my oponion Kentucky Nougat was a mild tobacco with a variety of taste. I would buy more of this.

Clan Pipe Tobacco, Aromatic.

Clan Aromatic, 50g bought for around £10 at a local super market. A blend of 14 different tobaccos, my first impression was how superb the aroma is of the tobacco in the pouch and whilst being smoked.

The taste was okay, however it didnt blow me away as outstanding, my pipe burnt hot and fast and after a minute of smoking i had tounge burn. I put this down to the pipe being unsmoked. As the night progressed, a few more bowls familiarised my tounge with the taste.

The smoking was helped along by a Glen Moray Speyside Single Malt Whisky. A mellow spirit. I found the slower i smoked Clan in my new pipe, the better it tasted.


Thursday 3 January 2013

Maltese Boschetto Pipe

My first pipe smoked is a Maltese Boschetto pipe, it is made of olive wood and was a gift several years ago. I was told at the time that the pipe is hadmade. The stem i belive is reffered to as "Half Stem".

 I was told to break my bowl in using a small amount of honey, however after some internet research i decided to skip this and begin smoking. The pipe comes across as well made, astethicly pleasing compared to many i have seen and is instantly recoginisable as good quality.

The first tobacco i tried in this pipe was Clan Aromatic.

Sunday 30 December 2012

Why this blog?

At Twenty years old, taking up the art of pipe smoking is a new and uniqe experience. Having quit Cigarettes nearly a year ago, i found myself yearning for a replacement whilst in social circles. Recently the idea of a pipe became quite apealing for me.

After just several weeks, i have tried two seperate tobacconists, several tobaccos and one pipe.

In this blog i will try and attempt to make a diary of my smoking exploits. Discussing tobacco i have tried, pipes tested and any experiences on the way.

Please enjoy and take my blog as not so serious.