DO:

  • Get an inexpensive corn cob pipe ~10 USD. The trusted famous brand is Missouri Meerschaum.
  • get a well loved “codger blend” like Carter Hall or Prince Albert
  • watch some YouTube videos on packing and lighting; keep it simple (3 step packing)

DON’T

  • buy an expensive pipe to start with
  • get frustrated with learning curve - patience

Tobacco Types

  • wealth of info at tobaccoreviews.com
  • aromatics (broadly, smell good but no taste)
  • virginia / burley: core tobacco leaf types (notes of bread, hay, leather)
  • latakia: smoke cured (campfire smokey smells)

Try them all. See what you like. (But va/burley is the best!)

Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/miguellopezmallach/15365251481/in/photostream