Good transition?

BlueCollarBastard

 When i started smoking i started with aromatics.  I've had a dabble here and there of some English.  My question is what is a good transitioning blend to go to? I wound like to try the stronger more tobacco flavored varieties but don't want to dive in and get where I don't like it.  Want to start with a lighter blend get used to it,  or not like it,  then get into stuff like navy flake,  perique, etc. 

TaylorJDutton

I seem to remember a similar thread last week, my recommendation would be to try some english aromatics/hybrid blends.  i started with english blends, on accident, and i love them.  but i also love aromatics.  i suggest northwest trek or hunting creek from the country squire, i just tried both this week and was impressed.  slightly sweet, but you still get the latakia, i also love and recommend frog morton cellar all of the time, its an amazing blend with some slight sweetness from the whiskey.  great for getting into latakia blends.  or you could try an unflavored mild latakia blend, like dunhill early morning pipe, or cornishmen from the country squire, they also have a blend thats a scottish mixture called bag end.  i love all the aforementioned 

BlueCollarBastard

@TaylorJDutton thanks. Didnt realize that there was a discussion on this already

Woobie

I'm in the opposite camp. I'm a non-aro guy trying to find a few aromatics to enjoy on occasion. I only say that to give context to my recommendation. 

The Frog Morton Cellar is an excellent suggestion. One of my very favorite tobaccos of all is G.L. Pease Sixpence. It is a Va/Per with a bit of Dark Fired Kentucky. To round it all out is something Greg Pease calls a "special spirit". I have no idea what that would be, but it imparts a sort of wine flavor. Almost like the grape must that would be left over before making balsamic. I'm not doing it justice, but it's awesome stuff.

BlueCollarBastard

Gonna have to try the Frog Morton 

ghostsofpompeii

@Woobie If you're looking for a full on aromatic I'd suggest East India Trading Company "Officer's Club". They have two others, and one with Perique that might better suit you, But I find it to be a very enjoyable and tasty treat - almost like a rum custard.  

Woobie

Thanks @ghostsofpompeii, sounds delicious!

Woodsman

@BlueCollarBastard Boswell's Northwoods and Frogmorton are 2 good tasty and mild English Blends.

TaylorJDutton

@BlueCollarBastard i just saw, it was a different thread so no worries! Not that it would matter anyways, no harm in contributing twice. I’ve only tried one vaper blend so I’ll defer to everyone else’s judgement for that. 

thebadgerpiper

Although I haven't tried it yet, I would also recommend Frog Morton's Cellar. Any of the Frog Morton's are great choices, and I'm a big fan of On the Bayou, but try Cellar first.

When you're ready to try Navy Flakes, MacBaren makes my favorite Navy Flake. Sixpence is great, too as a VaPer blend. I'm smoking it right now actually. Another great VaPer is C&D's Exhausted Rooster.

motie2

VaPers? Escudo or Elizabethan Mixture would be my choices. Both are VaPers, but are quite different.

Charles

Elizabethan Mixture is a good relaxing smoke.  For me personally, I found it best to smoke it in the evening after dinner.

motie2

I dunno, when I smoked Elizabethan I missed the ... uh ... "grassiness?" of the Virginias in Escudo.

Woobie

@motie2 I agree. Escudo is no replacement for EM, and vice versa. There is more pleasant hay like flavor in Escudo, and more pepper and earthy tones in EM. Each great in their own right.

G.L. Pease Sixpence is awesome, but there is a bit of a casing. Not much, just be aware. I do love it though.

Exhausted Rooster is really good, but it isn't a straight Va/Per. There's a decent portion of Kentucky burley in there as well. It is my brother's desert island blend.

For straight VA Flake, I've never had anything that could touch McClelland Brindle Flake. Truly wonderful.

McClelland Dominican Glory is really good. Good VA flavor with a little cigar leaf condiment. I've only had the regular, not the Maduro. 

Seattle Pipe Club Mississippi River is really good. VA is the star, but It contains Latakia, Perique and Orientals in small amounts to really open up the flavor. Very good, and a commonly recommended "transition" blend.