tobacco questions

I find Frog Morton on the Town has a pleasant aroma ( at least to me). It is on the sweet side and the Basma leaf contributes to that. If the shop has Rattray Bagpiper's Dream it is a very worthy smoke. Cognac topping and a wonderful room note. Iy you're interested I can send you some to try. Just PM me your name and address. I've given a lot of BD to folks to try and everyone has liked it enough to buy it.
Peterson offers some nice aromatics like University Flake which has a berry topping and their Nutty Cut which has nuts and rum and also a nice room note.
I'm sure others in your group can, and will, suggest things for you to try.

If you're like the rest of us you'll find about 200 favorites over time. Go slow and have fun.

It's been a while but I don't ever recall anybody minding me firing up Peterson's Connoisseur's Choice or Sunset Breeze. Both are very mild. If you can't find anything there which suits your tastes, I'd recommend Boswell aromatics which can now be ordered on-line.

Like John said, there's many available. You might want to try several to see what works before stocking up on any.

The peterson sunset and sweet killinary are nice aromatics... i love frog anything...sterling tobacco has some great aromatics..the cube cut burleywith vanillia is WONDERFUL!

Those Dunhill blends are wonderful but I think not for a beginner. They are latakia blends; so f you like a campfire smell they may sit you. Both are strong blends. If you interested in latakia blends then start slow with the Frogs and move on to others, of which there are thousands. A good beginner's bend would be John Cotto #1. Tame and complex at the same time.

Yep, something you are going to want to try at some point, but best to give yourself a little time before you take that leap.

G'day,
PS. B. E. Goldman gave this review on www.tobaccoreviews.com ...
Reading some of the other reviews of this well-known tobacco, I am reminded of the collegiate of up-nosed avant-gardes who populate the pipe-smoking community. It's no wonder that when many peope imagine a pipe-smoking chap they envision an snobbish demeanored 18th century English wasp textile-baron archetype.

"Lovey, I shall dine in three quarters of one hour, alert the staff!" "Yes, dear!" "Hmmmhmmm...yes, yes... and then after our dinner of baby seal snouts and braised elephant ivory I shall retire to a puff of smoke in the drawing room to plan the company budgets and sign yet another stack of dead-peasant filings... then perhaps murder an orphan child for sport."

Yes, Captain Black Regular or "White" IS an aromatic tobacco. Yes, it IS a "pharmacy-blend". It's also what half of our fathers, grandfathers, and uncles smoked. And for good reason. Captain Black Regular is smooth, mellow, and satisfying. This coming from someone who has tried many tobaccos, from your Prince Alberts and Carter Halls to your Reserve 1928s and your Revelations. The Captain packs quite nicely, lights without a fuss, and then ALWAYS burns down to the quick producing a fine white ash. It's also extremely easy to find, is faily priced, has absolutely NO tongue bite, and comes in a rather air-tight canister that makes for a consistent smoke.

The room-note is, in my humble opinion, unmatched in any tobacco out there. My significant other is quite fond of the smell as well. Trust me, it's hauntingly good. It's the kind of smell that, when smelled, reminds you of things past. Personally, I think of puttering around the yard raking leaves, mowing the lawn, roofing the garage, and detailing the GTO.

As for the taste... heh. Well, it's all a matter of taste isn't it? To me, the taste is light and airy with some more brutal undertones at certain times throughout the bowl. It tastes of sweet vanilla with a nutty undercurrent at times (especially at first), and then evolves (or devolves if you wish) into more of a toasty marshmallowy taste. It is best sipped with something sweet to accent it (such as a diet mountain dew or sweet tea) and not such a "coffee-paired" tobacco like say... Hal'o the Wynd. Certainly an all-day tobacco though, never wearing on my taste and forming the backbone of my rotation of favorites.

One caution though... DO NOT BUY THE POUCHES. The tobacco inside is dry and flavorless. ONLY BUY THE CANISTERS. You probably won't regret it.

So, this is MY opinion on the famous old pirate. Take it or leave it, but certainly consider it.

G'day,just to add my opinion on starting pipe smoking, without over simplifying or being complicated, like all new hobbies a little occasionally in a pleasant agreeable environment helps creating a balanced habit listening to music doing a craft, watching TV or reading, not forcing it.
To some there is an "art & science & ritual" filling a bow! , but it is best to start simply carefully filling the bowl and tamping to the correct compactness comes from experience if it is to loose or tight it will inhibit burning, depending on the size of bowl & material & design of pipe, & blend of tobacco.  One thing about popular OTC blend is they are popular because they are usually a good basic smoke that all can enjoy. Even experienced pipers have to relight the bowl and tamper with the tamper tool & poke with the tool & clear the stem with a pipe cleaner, because you are having problems it is best not to blame a budget pipe, a quality Dunhill can be as problematic when you and your breath are not in "harmony" with the piping. Enjoy and find the contentment of the smoke rings, and the online forums & YouTube piping community & local clubs if you lucky with one available.
Bye for now 👋

G'day, PS, as regards health , if you lead a healthy lifestyle then moderate pipe smoking, if you use filters & you may only puff into the mouth without swallowing as some people teach can help, unlike inhaling cigarettes and should not be a problem. It is like the occasional glass of tonic wine for health it can be beneficial, running & jogging to excess can be bad for leg joints for example. I find smoking a pipe relaxes me, like a meditative experience, without being fanciful. I am in my 60's & I have smoke a pipe moderately for over 30 years, like a lot of good folks on this forum, sometimes I may have a break from smoking & enjoy a pipe even more when I resume. I often fill a few bowls with different blends & mixes & occasionally have a few puffs on one or two, through the days. Enjoy .

G'day, I am sorry to hear of your husbands  arthritis, from my understanding , walking is the best exercise especially for inactive people, often people sit all day in an office or car or at home, and go running or cycling or weightlifting or yoga,  without the basic foundations of walking & put their bodies under unnatural stress , but modern exercise "gurus"  cannot see the woods for the trees sometimes. These days I walk with a Nordic  walking stick , whether walking the dog or on business or walking for exercise, it helps co  ordination & balance , also it is helpful to have a pipe in the mouth, I find , whether lit or unlit, when walking ( known as lunting) it helps focus the grip of your jaw, especially amongst busy traffic & other distractions. Have a Good day.

G' day, I find that pharmacy medications are very good but are even better when supplemented with natural herbal medications, advice can be found online or in books or from qualified herbal doctors, but buyer beware , there are a lot of sharks out there. For example you could live off processed bread & vitamin tablets, but fruit & salad & vegetables are far better, with the bread & tablets, similarly natural herbs complement the processed tablets. Bye for now.