Pipe tobacco is entirely about taste, and personal taste is subjective. With hundreds of blends available from around the world, I find it difficult to believe any man has smoked such a wide variety to the point they could rate the very best pipe tobacco on the market. Even independent tobacconists tend to develop their own blends of tobacco. Let’s be frank: this article is not about the top pipe tobacco in the world. It’s about our personal favorites and ones we believe are worthy of your attention.
If you don’t have a pipe yet, you definitely want to check out our Guide To Tobacco Pipes & Pipe Smoking.
Nostalgic images of the suburban pipe smoker
Types of Pipe Tobacco
There are two primary categories that all tobacco falls into. Aromatics and Non-Aromatics. The difference between the two is rather straightforward: aromatics have flavoring or scent imparted on them whereas non-aromatics do not. Almost all tobacco is technically an aromatic as a genuine and authentic non-aromatic would be tough for most men to smoke with pleasure. A good rule of thumb is that most men who claim to prefer a non-aromatic tobacco just mean they want something that’s less flavored and doesn’t have strong notes of flavoring. However, this doesn’t mean that the tobacco they’re smoking is completely raw. It almost never is.
Burley Tobacco
In most cases, burley tobacco is actually used in cigarettes. It’s air-cured and light which makes it ideal for cigarette smokers, but it is used as a base layer in pipe tobacco or to enhance the burning of it. It’s exceptionally high in nicotine and offers little sweetness and a very slow burn. Burley tobacco is grown around the world and has the unique ability to hide its subtle flavor in almost any blend.
Oriental Tobacco
Also referred to as Turkish tobacco, Oriental tobaccos are spicy and prominently nutty with a nice oiliness and a sweet, yet sour flavor. Even though Latakia is technically an Oriental, the average Oriental brands try to label each separately due to their different profiles. It’s a very predominant tobacco found in English blends, and it’s very fragrant.
Pipe tobacco close up
Virginia Tobacco
Do not allow yourself to be fooled that Virginia tobacco is only grown in the United States. It actually comes from many different regions around the world but is known for being very sweet. Primarily used as a base, it’s the reason so many tobacco blends are referred to as ‘Virginian blends’. In many cases, you can also buy a tin of it to smoke straight. The reason Virginia tobacco is so revered is it has some of the most complex flavor profiles of any tobacco. It’s relatively light when compared to other tobaccos like Latakia, but it offers a more elegant smoke in many cases. In most instances, the tobacco is only as good as the blend and a sign of poorly made Virginia tobacco is excessive tongue-bite. If you do experience this, it’s generally a good indication you’re not smoking the right stuff and that it’s time to find a new purveyor.
Cavendish Tobacco
Cavendish is an interesting topic because many pipe smokers consider it a type of tobacco when in reality it’s just a method that’s used to enhance the sweetness of another kind of tobacco through a unique cutting and curing technique. In fact, Cavendish is often just burley tobacco that is treated to mellow its flavor and enhance the aroma.
It comes in many different colors and flavor profiles that often have strong notes of black cherry, whisky, spiced rum, vanilla bean and others. In most cases, Cavendish pipe tobacco is very mild and delicate but with sweeter flavors and more fragrant aromas.
Perique Tobacco
Grown only in St. James Parish, Perique is a spiced tobacco that is fermented and cured together. Often found in Virginia blends, it’s very oily with strong notes of dried fruit and black pepper.
There is a huge range of pipe tobaccos availabe
Yenidji Tobacco
A Greek-style pipe tobacco, it’s known for its spice but also it’s smoothness and complex taste. It’s not the best-known tobacco in the world, but it’s followers are fiercely loyal to it.
Turkish Tobacco
Often used to impart a sweet and spicy flavor, it’s used as a relatively predominant flavoring in many different blends.
Latakia Tobacco
One of my favorite styles of pipe tobacco, Latakia is a far more intense tobacco with smoky flavors and a spicy bite. It’s almost always sold in a blend since it’s such an intense smoke and is predominantly found in classic English tobaccos and some American ones as well. Many people believe that Latakia is cured over camel feces, but it’s simply a myth and nothing more than that.
A vintage pipe tobacco advert
Tobacco Cuts
Tobacco comes in a wide range of cuts, and each cut is really based on preference. While many prefer to buy flake tobacco, others enjoy the ribbon cut or shag cut tobacco. In other cases, some men opt to purchase plug and bar tobacco as it stores far better since it’s compressed. They will then cut the tobacco themselves whenever they are ready to enjoy it. I highly recommend starting with a rubbed out flake tobacco as they’re the easiest to work with out of the tin.
Where to Buy Pipe Tobacco
In my opinion, the only place worthy of your business is a reputable tobacconist. There truly is no exception, and a relationship with your tobacconist is akin to the relationship a gentleman should have with his barber or tailor. It’s worth it to find a tobacconist who knows your tastes and carries a wide selection of blends to choose from. In fact, many tobacconists have house blends and some will even custom blend a batch for loyal customers.
Custom house blends from a tobacconist
If you happen to live in a place without a reputable tobacconist, and you’re not a frequent traveler, the next best option is to purchase pipe tobacco online. There are many online merchants that specialize exclusively in the sale of pipe tobacco, and they are well worth buying from. One of the added benefits of buying online is that often the price is far less than you would find at a brick and mortar tobacconist. Of course the drawback is not being able to sample, smell or see the tobacco before you buy it.
Tobacco is very much like wine in that there are so many varieties available, and no two from the same tobacco type will taste the same. If you try one Latakia, it might be entirely different from the next. The best way to find the tobacco that you enjoy best is to simply try as many as possible and keep notes of what you liked and disliked about each blend. Once you do find the tobacco that you enjoy the most, you can then buy it in bulk or ask that your tobacconist maintain a stock for you based on your smoking habits and needs. I personally enjoy many different tobaccos, but my daily selection is Davidoff Scottish Mixture. Unfortunately, it’s not available at my tobacconist, so I have to ensure I give them plenty of time to order it in or arrange for an out-of-town friend or relative to send it by post.
Recommended Pipe Tobacco
The incredible Scottish Mixture by Davidoff
Davidoff Scottish Mixture
My personal favorite and the blend I always keep well stocked, Davidoff’s Scottish Mixture is a testament to the brand’s pursuit of perfection. It’s mild and yet complex with floral aromas and a refined flavor. Blended from hand-selected grades of Burley, Oriental, Virginia and Kentucky tobaccos, it’s enhanced with a touch of smoke from single malt Scotch whisky. It is a consistently resplendent blend worth trying.
McClelland Best of Show
I really love this blend of Cavendish, Virginia, burley and black cavendish tobaccos. It’s rich and satisfying with hints of sherry cream and peaty whisky. It’s a coarse cut that needs to be rubbed out but is truly a member of the holy trinity of aromatic tobaccos. The burst of nougat is a very nice twist that McClelland has managed to perfect. You’ll enjoy this one.
Escudo Navy De Luxe
Escudo Navy Deluxe
A blend of Virginia and Perique tobacco, it’s a masterpiece of a blend that has a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. It is absolutely remarkable in its complexity and quality of smoke, and it is one you are certain to love, or at the very least, admire for its elegance and refinement.
Craftsbury: Frog Morton’s Cellar
A part of the Craftsbury series from McClelland, Frog Morton’s Cellar is a tribute to JRR Tolkien and one that has deep whisky flavors from its blend of Latakia and Virginia tobaccos. If you really enjoy English tobaccos, this is a great choice. It’s slightly sweet but has that old-age refinement one often seeks in new blends. Known for its whisky flavor, I actually notice as much rum in it as I do whisky. It’s slightly creamy and has great notes of vanilla and cinnamon on the finish with very little bite.
7 Seas Royal Blend
7 Seas Royal Blend
This ribbon cut tobacco pays homage to the high seas and the days when sailors were king. A blend of Black Cavendish, Virginia, and Burley, it’s a great pick for new pipe smokers. It’s a very fruity flavor with hints of dried fruits and a bit of bite. It’s a pleasant and easy-to-enjoy aromatic that is a great way of introducing yourself to your new pipe.
Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Sweet Maple Twist
I’ve never tried a GH & Co tobacco that I didn’t eventually become friends with. The fact is that these tobaccos aren’t for everyone, and it takes someone with a taste for strong tobaccos to be able to appreciate this excellent brand. However, if you do enjoy a hearty smoke, the Sweet Maple Twist is one you’ve probably never tried. It’s a Virginia tobacco cut into ropes that has this undertone of maple that’s not too sweet but manages to waft over your palate like a light breeze. This isn’t the best choice for new smokers, but it is one worth trying if you already have a fairly in-depth collection. I was very hesitant to try this blend based on the name (I’m not a fan of overly sweet tobacco), but since it’s a Gawith & Hoggarth blend I gave in. I’m very glad I did.
Orlik Golden Sliced
Orlik Golden Sliced
There is something nostalgic about Orlik Golden Sliced tobacco. It’s got a very 1950s suburban appeal that draw up images of a suburban father smoking his pipe in a cardigan on his easy-chair. Perhaps it’s this, coupled with the citrus tang that is utterly breathtaking. This is a masterful flake tobacco, and its delicate flavor profile is still so magnificent that even strong tobacco lovers will appreciate it. This makes for a very appealing daily tobacco and one I would recommend to any pipe smoker.
Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls
A quintessential blend of Virginia and perique tobaccos, Dunhill has once again crafted a delightfully endearing blend. At first glance, I must admit I was a tad put off by a warm tomato ketchup aroma, but once lit it wasn’t overly sweet or fruit-forward as I initially expected it to be. It has a very light touch of spice but isn’t overpowering in the least. The natural flavors from the Louisiana perique are still present, and the beauty of the Virginia tobacco is clear but without the bite. Overall, this is a great Dunhill tobacco that’s worth trying, but it takes a refined palate to be able to appreciate its intricate flavor profile.
Peterson Holiday Season 2015 Pipe Tobacco
Peterson Holiday Season
I became a pipe smoker for two reasons. First, it’s a lot less expensive and less time consuming than smoking cigars. Secondly, there’s something charming about smoking my pipe on Christmas as the children are sitting around the tree, and Alastair Sim is on the TV. For those cold December nights – especially around the holidays – I really enjoy Peterson’s Holiday Season 2014. It’s an enticing aromatic blended from Burley, Virginia and Cavendish tobaccos. It has an intoxicating chocolate flavor that’s swirled perfectly with ripe vanilla bean, candied fruit, and almonds. The buttery elegance of this blend is perfect for an evening smoke in front of the fireplace, and there’s something overwhelmingly relaxing about this blend that should be exceptionally sweet, but somehow isn’t at all. This is a limited release so considering buying up as much as possible while you still can.
Of course, also make sure to check out our lighter guide here and our Tobacco Guides.
Tobacco Brand
1776 Tobacco Co
2 Daughters
2 Guys Smoke Shop
310 Pipe & Tobacco
4 Aces
4noggins
A & C Petersen
Abenaki Tobacco Co.
Admiral's Choice
Affordable Pipes
Alfie Turmeaus
Alois Dallmayr
Alsbo
Alt Smokers Pipes
American Snuff Company
American Spirit
American Tobacco Co
Amphora
Andrea's
Anthony Cranswick
Arango
Argento
Ark Royal
Ascorti
Ash & Ember
Ashton
Astley's
Austria Tobak GmbH
B & D tobaccos
B&B Tobacconists
Backwoods
Balkan
Balkan Sasieni
Barbarino
Barclay-Rex
Barling
Batavia 1628
BBB
BC
Beehive
Bell's
Bengal Slices
Benjamin Hartwell
Bennington Tobacconist
Benson & Hedges
Bentley
Bergerac
Big Lou's Back Room
Big Star Cigar
Billow
Bjarne
Bjarne Viking
Black & Elegant
Black Anchor
Black Man Tobacco Company
Black River Cigar Company
Blatter & Blatter
Blender's Gold
Borkum Riff
Boswell Pipes & Tobacco
Brebbia
Briar & Bean
Briar Patch
Brigadier Black
Brigham Enterprises Inc.
Brobergs Tobakshandel AB
Brookfield
Brookline News and Gifts
Brown & Williamson
Buchanan's Tobacco Shop
Bufflehead
Bugler
Bull Dog
Bulwark
Buoy
Burlington on Whyte Tobacconist
Butera
Buza's
C.B. Møller & Co. A/S
Calume
Caminetto
Campbell's Smoke Shop
Candido Giovanella
CAO
Capstan
Captain Black
Captain Earle's
Carmel Pipe Shop
Carolina Rose
Carroll P. J. & Co. Ltd.
Cascade Cigar & Tobbaco
Castello
Cellini
Century
C'est La Vie
Charatan
Charles Fairmorn
Charutaria Alvorada Ind. e Com. Ltda.
Charutaria Cruzeiro Ltda.
Cherokee
Chesapeake Bay Trading Co
Chief Catoonah Tobacconist
Chonowitsch
Cienfuegos
Cigar Connoisseur
City Cigar Company
Clan Shaw
Cliff's Smoke Shop
Comoy's of London
Compton's of Galashiels
Connoisseur
Consolidated
Cornell & Diehl
Cousin's Cigar Custom Blends
Craftsman
Craven
Criss Cross
Crofts
Cruise Line
Cult
Cup O' Joes
D & R Tobacco
Dan Tobacco
Danish Import
Danneman
Danske Club
David P. Ehrlich Company
Davidoff
David's Blend
Davis and Son Tobacconists
Day's Work
De La Concha
Dean's
Diamond Crown
Distribution GVA
Dobie's
Doc James
Doctor Xious Blends
Douwe Egberts
Dream Castle Tobacco Company
Drew Estate
Dunhill
Dutch Blend
E. A. Carey
E. A. Carey (Europe)
E. Hoffman Company
East India Trading Co.
Echte Friesche Heerenbaai
Edgeworth
Edward's
El Rincon de la Pipa
Elephant & Castle
Emersons
Erik Stokkebye
Erin Go Bragh
Erinmore
Esoterica Tobacciana
Estrela
Exclusiv
F & K
F.J. Burrus S.A.
Fader's
Faerch
Farmer's Gold
Ferndown
Finck's Cigar Company
Five Brothers
Flandria
Foggy Fox
Former
Frederick Tranter
Fribourg & Treyer
Friedman & Pease
Fumos Geróss Indústria e Comércio Exportação Ltda
G. L. Pease
G. Smith & Sons
Gallaher
Gallaher Limited
Gambler
Garfinkel's
Gatlin-Burlier
Gauloises
Gauntleys Of Nottingham
Gawith, Hoggarth & Co.
GBD
George's Smoke Shop
Georgetown Tobacco
Golden Blend Tobacco Co.
Golden Harvest
Golden Leaf Tobacco
Good Smoke
Good Stuff
GQ Tobaccos
Grand Croupier
Grant's Tobacconist
Grupo Cone Sul Indústria e Comércio de Cigarrilhas
H. Simmons
Half & Half
Harrods
Hausmarken
Havana Connections
Havanezas
HBI
Hearth & Home
Hermes
Hermit
Herter's
Hiland's Cigars
Hill & Hill Tobacconists
Holger Danske
Holland House
Holt's Cigar Company
Honore
House of Calabash
House of Smoke
House of Windsor
Houston Pipe Club
HU Tobacco
Ilsted
Imigrantes Ind. e Com. de Fumos Ltda
Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC
Indian Summer
Intertabak
Iwan Ries
J. F. Germain & Son
J. Paul Tucker's Oxmoor Smoke Shoppe
J.J. Moll Tabaksfabriek
J.P. Couvert
Jack Lee Blend
Jack Schwartz Importer
Jack's Tobacco
James and Sons Tobacconists
James B. Russell
James Fox
James Norman Ltd
Japan Tobacco
Jenney Station
Jewel of St James
John Aylesbury
John B. Hayes Tobacconist
John Cotton
John Dengler
John Middleton, Inc
John Patton
John Sinclair
Joseph Martin
Julius Vesz
Just For Him
KaDeWe
Kane's of New Zealand
Kapt'n Bester
Kapt'n Brammers
Karl Erik
Kensington Pipe Tobacco
Kentucky Club
Kinnickinnick
Kirsten Pipe Company
Kleinlagel
Kohlhase, Kopp und Co. KG
Lane Limited
Larus & Brother Company, Inc
Leavitt & Peirce
Leonard Dingler LTD
Levin Pipes International
London Blend
Low Country Pipe & Cigar
Mac Baren
Magne Falkum
Manchester Tobacco
Manifatture Sigaro Toscano
Marcovitch & Co.
Mars cigars & pipes
Masterpiece
Mastro de Paja
Match
Mazatec Garden
McClelland
McCranie's
McGahey The Tobacconist
McLintock
Meng Tobacco
Michael Apitz' Private Blend
Mick McQuaid
Middle Earth Tobacco
Milan Tobacconists
Missouri Meerschaum
Mister D's Pipes and Tobacco
Monte's
Moonshine Pipe Co.
Mostex
Motzek
Mountain Village
Mr. B's
Mullingar
Mullins&Westley LTD
Murray Sons & Co, Ltd
My Smoking Shop
Nat Sherman
National Tobacco
New York Pipe Club
Newminster
Nobleza Piccardo
Nording
Ocean Liner
Ogden
OHM
Olaf Poulsson
Old Morris
Old Virginia Tobacco Co.
Ole Shenandoah
Organic Smoke Inc.
Orlik Tobacco Company A/S
Owl Shop
P. Lorillard
Paladin
Park-Lane Tobacconist
Partagas Cifuentes y Cia
Paul Olsen
Paul's Pipe Shop
PCCA
Pearl Tobacco Company
Peretti
Peter Heinrichs
Peter Stokkebye
Petersen & Sorensen
Peterson
Pfeifen Huber
Philip Morris
Pinkerton Tobacco Co.
Pipa
Pipe and Pint
Pipe Club
Pipes & Pleasures
pipesandcigars.com
PipesWorld
Pipetobacco.com
Pipeworks & Wilke
Planta
Planth
Player's
Port Williams
Porter House
Poschl Tabak
Poul Winslow
Prime Time International Co.
Prince Albert
Prince Philip's
PuffersPipes.com
Quintessence
R&R Tobacco
R.J. Reynolds
Racine & Laramie
Radfords
Randy's Tobacco Shop
Rattray
Red River
Redbreast
Reiner
Republic Tobacco Co.
Reymer & Brothers
Rich's
Robert Lewis
Robert McConnell
Rona
Rotary
Royal Cigar
Royal Collection
Royal Navy
Ruddell's
Rudolph
Sail
Samuel Gawith
Savinelli
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG)
Schermerhorn
Schneiderwind
Schürch
Seattle Pipe Club
Seita
Sentimiento Nacional
Shishki
Shockoe Valley Tobaccos
SHPC
Sillem's
Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir William
Skandinavik
Smoke Inn
Smoke King
Smoker Friendly
Smoker's Haven
Smoker's Outlet
Smoker's Paradise Clearwater
Smoker's Pride
Smokin' G Pipe Tobacco
smokinjoescigars.com
Sobranie of London
Solani
Sørensen
Spectre
Spednova
Stag Tobacconist
Standard Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania
Stanislaw
Stanwell
State Express
Stephen Mitchell & Son
Sterling Tobacco Co
Stone Pine Tobacco Company
Straus Tobacco
Sturk's Tobacconists
Sullivan & Powell
Super Value
Sutliff Tobacco Company
Svendborg
Swedish Match
Sweet Dublin
Synjeco
Tabac Manil
Tabac Turc
Tabacos Catarinenses Ltda.
Tabacos Wilder Finamore Ltda
Tabakhaus Buttner
Tabaquería Xian
Tambolaka Natural Tobaccos
Tavern Tobacco Co.
Ted's Pipe Shoppe
Telford's Pipes & Cigars
Tewksbury & Company
Texas Tobacco
The Briary
The Country Squire Tobacconist
The Danish Pipe Shop
The Eastern Company
The Grey Fox
The Malthouse
The Pipe Shop
The Seasons
The Smoke Shop
The Smoker
The Tobacco Barn
The Tobacco Cellar
The Tobacco Haus
The Tobacco Shop LLC
Theodorus Niemeyer
ThePipeRoom.com
Thomas Radford
Thompson Cigar Co.
Thomson & Porteous Limited
Timm
Tinder Box
Tobacco Lane
Tobacco Merchant
Tobacco Trader
Tobacco World
Tom Eltang
Torben Dansk
Tordenskjold
Traditab
Treasures of Ireland
Troost
Tsuge Premium Pipe Tobacco
Two Friends
Uhle's
Up Down
Upshall
Uptown's Smoke Shop
Van Eerkoms
Van Erkoms
Van Rossems
Vantas Tabak
Vauen
VCPÖ
VegasSmokes
Velvet
Villiger
Vincent Manil
Virginia Gold
Von Eicken
W. Curtis Draper
W.D. & H.O. Wills
W.O. Larsen
Walgreens
Watch City Cigar
Wattsons
Wellauer & Co
Wesley's
Wessex
Wessex Crown
Westgate
Windels
With Pipe and Book
World Tabac Ltd.
Conclusion
There are so many excellent blends available and far more tobacco types, styles and cuts than we’ve explored. However, this article was a focus on our favorite pipe tobaccos, not the tobacco itself. For more information about pipe smoking be sure to click here and read our in-depth guide to pipe tobacco.
What’s your favorite tobacco to smoke and what kind of pipe do you smoke it in?