Pipe Smoking Tobacco

McClelland #2020 Matured Cake

How Does one find his or her favorite tobacco? We are talking about one of the ultimate goals of enjoyment in pipesmoking--simply because there is in fact, so many choices of tobaccos--and way too many confusing issues related to your quest for the perfect smoke. I have discovered that throughout my 32 years of experience in the trade--(I'm still discovering and learning and studying new things about pipe tobaccos and the people who enjoy them), we have to sit down and think objectively and honestly about what's available, agreeable, affordable and accurate, within the world of pipe tobaccos.
1.) Available--If I like it, can I get a steady supply, easily?
2.) Agreeable--I know what I like, can I find it, duplicate it, or modify an existing blend or mixture to GET what I like. Or, as a lot of pipesmokers have done, I'm not too sure WHAT I like, I'll try different ones until I find something I like.
3.) Affordable--Can I really afford what I like, or to look for what I like?
4.) Accurate--Consistency in the tobacco that you enjoy, is the most important quality you can enjoy. If the tobacco is not consistent in quality, taste, proportions of various leaf, and how it's made--you won't be smoking the same tobacco today, as you enjoyed yesterday.

How do you know the tobacco you enjoy the most, is really the right blend or mixture in your choices of tobacco? Fact--most people enjoy several different blends or mixtures--instead of just one. People's taste change with their body chemistry, also. Variety is also a factor.
One of the biggest problems is the root of confusion of pipe tobaccos caused by the marketing departments of the pipe tobacco companies themselves--the marketing departments don't know anything about what goes into the blends--and some marketing "genius" (who is not a pipesmoker, ignorant of the various tobaccos used, and the basic characteristics of the different types of tobaccos)tries to convey to the smoker "A mild blend that smokes great..." or some other non-decript drivel or babble--to maximize sales of the tobacco, at the trouble, expense and confusion of the consumer of the tobacco. This false advertising infuriates me--because I have taken the time, the training, and obtained the experience, to help educate pipe smoking friends and customers to understand the world's best tobaccos and how best to enjoy them--if asked to do so. The are so many people these days, involved in the sales of retail products--and sadly, they don't know very much about what they try to sell.
Following, are a few items that will help you on your discoveries and enjoyment, in finding your own conclusions on your quest for your favorite pipe tobacco(s).
1.) Learn the differences of individual types of tobaccos, by smoking
samples of unblended or un-mixed tobacco. We refer to them as component tobaccos.
2.) Decide which ones appeal to you, by taste.
3.) Learn what affects different components have on a mixture or a blend.
4.) Learn what kind of blend or mixture you are trying to achieve, using a backgound knowledge of classic blends or mixtures-and their basic proportions.
This might be an overwhelming proposition to you--the best way is to use your own sense of taste--and find a tobacconist who is willing to work with you--because the knowledgeable tobacconist has the training, experience and resources to accomodate your individual taste and desire. Or, you can read up on the subject, and get a head start. I highly recommend a book authored by Mr. Carl Ehwa, THE PIPE, which covers quite a few aspects of pipe tobacco, pipes, and enjoying them, including historical information and excellent photographs. Mr. Ehwa has left us with his excellent legacies of information, and the McClelland Tobacco company, of Kansas City, Missouri, and their excellent products. The book is out of print, but copies can still by found. I had to have mine re-bound by a nice librarian, as I referenced it so much!
Overall, you know if you have found your favorite tobacco if you enjoy it so much, that you have tested it by the 4 "A's" noted above, and you think the tobacco is worth "cellaring" in quantity, to age and mellow, to ensure a ready supply, to guard your supply against government interference and rising taxes. Yes--there are people out there that just want to say--NO, YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY MORE FUN! I believe otherwise.
--You CAN have FUN on your quest--and always remember--no matter what
the anti-tobacco people say, The fact is, tobacco helped make the United States of America an independent country from the tyranny of oppression. America produces and enjoys the best tobaccos in the world.
The favorite tobacco you are looking for may well simply be made in the good old U.S.A.! I enjoy McClelland's #2020 Matured Cake the most.
The 4 "A's" are there, and it combines the great Virginia tobaccos grown in the USA with some refreshing Xanthi and spicy Latakia from the East.
I tried many others, but I always go back to the 2020.

-Best Wishes, and smoke the best that you can find! -Eric
A full selection of McClelland tobaccos is at
www.OutWesttobacco.com