In his 1965 book The Pleasures of Pipe Smoking, Carl Weber dedicates a chapter to the etiquette of pipe smoking, which is introduced with the following quotation:
“Too often, the word tact is used to designate what is mere diplomacy. In simple truth, tact means the practice of thoughtfulness in all relationships. All good manners derive from basic kindness and so there are, or should be, a few rules for social smoking—rules that no gentlemen, or even men, will choose to flout” (Weber, 145).
Weber's lesson is more relevant than ever considering the attitude toward smoking today. It's necessary that pipe smokers distinguish themselves as courteous and respectful. One way is to be mindful of what we're smoking in the presence of others. Assuming others have given their blessing to smoking in their company, we can answer their obliging kindness with a delightful aroma.
To many, smoking is simply smoking, and until they catch the ambrosial scent of a heavenly, smoldering mixture, every wisp may as well be the acrid eminence of burning paper left from cigarettes. Many others already distinguish between the mediums of smoking, having a nostalgic romance connected to sweet pipe tobaccos—to the cherry or vanilla notes that arose from a grandpa or other respected figure's pipe.
Beyond the call to be courteous, the sweet fragrance you send to the air may even make you friends. And quite simply, that fragrance is just part of the experience.
For all these reasons, let's look at some of the best smelling pipe tobaccos.
This list will be looking at aromatic pipe tobaccos , which embraces the more civilian and universally appreciated aromas of the candy aisle or bakery. That said, there are certainly non-aromatics that will delight many noses in and outside of the hobby.
Cult Blood Red Moon
Room Note
We'll start with a modern classic with a reputation for being one of the best smelling pipe tobaccos. With Cult Blood Red Moon you get a great cherry aroma that matches the taste. If you want to give off that captivating fragrance that draws folks in, this may be the one—hopefully you're good at taking compliments. The room note will have you harkening back to grandpa's cherry blend, but Blood Red Moon is a modern tobacco of its own.
Smoking Characteristics
There's a good reason this is one of the most popular Aromatic tobacco mixtures out there and is a common exception to the Aromatic discriminating palate. The cherry and chocolate top notes offer a rich and creamy fullness of flavor that doesn't obstruct the nuances of the abutting tobacco. Sometimes with artificial cherry flavoring, the taste can lean toward that medicinal quality—a tart sharpness like cough syrup. That's not what we have here.
Cult Blood Red Moon is not your grandpa's cherry blend, but it's not sticking its nose up at it either. It's tradition and modernity in a delightful mixture.
Sutliff Vanilla Custard
Room Note
There's a reason that this is Sutliff's top selling Aromatic blend. Vanilla Custard delivers a tasty smoking experience for sure, but the smoker is not the only one reaping the benefits. I don't think I've smoked this blend in others' company without receiving some appreciative feedback. A warmth of caramelized, creamy sweetness permeates around the pipe smoker puffing at this blend.
Smoking Characteristics
Vanilla Custard is one of those unapologetic aromatics—a leader among the popular vanilla pipe tobaccos. If you're only a fan of Aromatics whose flavorings feature subtly atop nuanced varietals, that's not this blend to be quite honest. But if the sweet tooth in you enjoys even the occasional indulgence of redolent vanilla and toasty baking notes, Sutliff Vanilla Custard is the archetype.
Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening
Room Note
If you think your roommates would like to wake up to the aroma of sweet pancakes and maple syrup but you're all out of batter, do I have the blend for you. Just remember there may be some bitter feelings when there are in fact no pancakes.
It's Autumn Evening, a Cornell & Diehl best seller, lauded for its delightful room note. Especially one of the best smelling tobaccos to light up during the fall season.
That maple scent is undeniable, but once acclimated, you'll likely get a little vanilla and caramel from the room note as well.
Smoking Characteristics
This offering from Cornell & Diehl is another for the adventurous, dynamic Aromatic lover. Autumn Evening is a flavored blend wherein the top flavorings, while bold, doesn't hold dominion over the whole profile. It is its own mixture of complementing, mingling notes.
This blend isn't going to give you a huge nic-hit, but it's not your standard light Aromatic either. It has a good medium dose of nicotine, something I think goes quite well in keeping one up and at 'em in the chilly months, which these flavors so wonderfully complement.
It should come as no surprise, this Aromatic with a rich aroma is full in taste as well—in no way a subtle blend. Maple and vanilla are ahead, with rum and other playful flavors peeking through. Tangy Red Virginias have their say as well.
Peterson Connoisseur's Choice
Room Note
The best smelling tobaccos will often have a singular, easy to identify scent. However, many are more dynamic. You'll hear all sorts of notes thrown out there when placing Peterson Connoisseur's Choice's aroma—caramel, vanilla, tropical, chocolate...
It's a real kaleidoscope of scents and the result is lively, indistinct, and alluring. Basking in the room note is all part of enjoying a good aromatic, and this blend is a staunch reminder of that. The room note completes the experience.
Smoking Characteristics
The forward flavors of Connoisseur's Choice are just about as difficult to neatly distinguish by taste as by smell, but once again, we can justly say it's something grand. Rum, vanilla, and some fruity notes all intermingle as a forward taste for this blend. A smooth and easy burn, Connoisseur's Choice is mostly defined by its Aromatic flavorings, but you will notice those Virginias peek through.
My personal suggestion, if you're a coffee drinker, Connoisseur's Choice is a great companion.
Borkum Riff Bourbon Whiskey
Room Note
This one has been a best-seller for a long time for good reason. The ripe, sweet Virginias and Black Cavendish are finished with a warm and tangy eight-year-aged Kentucky bourbon whisky. You'll instantly get an aroma of the fresh blend of tobaccos, with strong notes of the bourbon in the top flavor, and possibly vanilla and sherry cask sweetness.
Smoking Characteristics
The captivating aroma may leave many with high expectations for the taste of this blend, so it's a good thing it lives up to them. You'll get some of the bourbon flavor, along with a sweet, yet tangy edge. Complemented by a touch of citrus as well, there's a lot to love about what the Virginias and Black Cavendish provide in this blend.
CAO Eileen's Dream
Room Note
Eileen's Dream is a unique Aromatic from CAO, a brand that is noted for producing some of the best smelling pipe tobaccos. This mixture can't be summed up as simply a vanilla or cherry blend or some other classic pipe tobacco flavor. You'll get a creamy vanilla room note with abutting hints of chocolate and mint.
Smoking Characteristics
Eileen's Dream is another blend that's truly its own. Which should come as little surprise being inspired by the popular Eileen's Dream flavored cigar . As you can probably tell from the bouquet of top flavors, this is not a one note mixture. Eileen's Dream also garners the honor of being an exception among Aromatics.
The Virginias and Black Cavendish provide a base that adeptly carries the mingling nutty, sweet, and whiskey flavours, delivered in a notably smooth smoke.
Peter Stokkebye 303 Peaches & Cream
Room Note
Peter Stokkebye's Peaches & Creme is a real modern Aromatic—a sweet and straight-forward flavored blend that embraces a niche beyond the more traditional vanilla, cherry, and the like. Don't be surprised to get compliments on this room note, and even a little surprise at the source of the velvety rich aroma.
Smoking Characteristics
Room notes can often believe the actual smoking experience, but not with this blend. Black Cavendish offers a foundation for the well-balanced top flavorings, offering butter, nectar, and light citrus notes. Burley and Virginia also play their role in the base with hay and nutty notes, allowing the top flavors to vibrance while softening any cloying edges.
Captain Black Gold
Room Note
From the infamous line of highly regarded Aromatics, Captain Black Gold is another that is notorious for its delightful aroma. It's light and smooth, perfectly mellow for everyone who happens to walk by and catch a whiff of one of your clouds. This Golden Cavendish blend will live up to the value of its name.
Smoking Characteristics
One of the most popular offerings among the Captain Black brand, Gold offers distinguished vanilla flavor and sweet honey that are sure to delight the smoker as much as those fortunate passersby. The golden Cavendish delivers a delicate base that mingles with the top flavorings for an exceptional smoking experience.
Lane Limited 1Q
Room Note
If any blend is a no-brainer among the best smelling pipe tobaccos, it's Lane Limited 1Q.
If English blends are the campfire of pipe tobacco aromas, then 1Q must be the roasting, golden marshmallows. This is the quintessential vanilla pipe tobacco with the quintessential vanilla room note. Rich and warm with the faint lingering of caramel that the company is sure to appreciate.
Smoking Characteristics
Despite the permeating, heavenly aroma, Lane 1Q isn't a flavor bomb. It's a bouquet of vanilla and caramel to be sure, but not a goopy, aggressive, cloying taste.
This one you are mostly smoking for the top note. There is a slight Virginia grassiness underneath but for the most part, there's a little tobacco taste.
Cascadia Pipe Co. - Downwind
Room Note
This is the only Aromatic from the Cascadia lineup, offering a rare Aromatic plug for lovers of the densely pressed format. This one offers a moderate room note, a bit more straddling the scent of natural tobacco. It's a robust blend; The aroma might even remind you of the great outdoors with some of its grassy-sweet notes.
Smoking Characteristics
The top note smooths the flavor out of the richly fermented, earthy, spicy Burleys and sweet Virginia that have been hot pressed to develop depth and flavor. This is an outlier in our list, in that with Downwind, you're getting the satisfying taste and aroma of a fine Aromatic, but that doesn't compromise on the body, as a particularly stout blend. Notes of fig, chocolate, dried fruit, and a bit of spice have been noticed by reviewers from the P&C Faithful.
Put the best smelling tobacco pipe to the test
Hopefully we've given you a decent place to get started with this list of some of the best smelling pipe tobaccos. There is a world of great smelling blends out there to enjoy, you may find our Find Your Perfect Puff Tool handy in deciding on what fits you best.
