Well, I'm thinking we need to do a run to Boswell's. I'm in State College, PA. Even my old tobacconist (besides several friends) in Philly recommended Boswell's.
I've smoked pipes since college and have several Meerschaums, Erik Nordings and an assortment of other pipes.
I stick mostly to the oriental blends as there's nothing added but the tobacco and water. I highly recommend the McLelland Oriental 14. Heck, any of the McClellands are great. Now, if you're into aromatics (cherry, vanilla, burley, Etc.) don't smoke them in the same pipe that you smoke your nonaromatics in. Their tar and flavoring will color the taste of future smokes. I keep different pipes for different tobaccos and I highly recommend this.
I tell everyone that's never tried a pipe to try it. And, smoke what you like! If you like a local tobacconist's blend called "fireside," smoke it. If you like the rarest Latakia sprinkled with a hint of the cheapest burley...smoke it. That's the joy of smoking a pipe, it's whatever you want it to be!
