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With winter in full swing, it's time to kick back and light up a bowl of our favorite wintertime blend. With snow piling up, roads closing down and nothing moving, a great tobacco blend can be a delicious consolation. But just what constitutes a great wintertime blend? In this post the team at Paykoc Pipes have put their heads together and come up with the following list of blends and other tobaccos we feel will do your tobacco pipes proud when the snow is falling and the wind is blowing.
It's impossible for us to say authoritatively which of these blends are objectively better than the others, so don't put too much importance on how we order them. That said, they're all great wintertime blends that will infuse those cold, snowy nights with a timeless air.
“Temperature affects the perceived flavour of your favourite tobacco. Hot weather can make a strong blend unbearable and cold weather can render a delicately nuanced Virginia positively bland. In response, many outdoor pipe smokers select more stalwart tobaccos when the mercury dips...that bold Balkan blend that overpowered in June may be perfect during the Holidays, so now’s the time to bring out the big guns.”
—Dad's Pipes Repair & Restoration
We Three Kings: Cornell & Diehl
We Three Kings was first introduced by Cornell & Diehl in 2014 as their Christmas blend. Since then its availability has ebbed and flowed, so if you manage to find some at your favorite pipe shop we'd advise snapping it up and saving it for a snowy night. Sweet and tangy Oriental and Virginia tobacco notes mingle with allspice and vanilla to produce a wintertime favorite that's as comforting and satisfying as any homemade Christmas cookie.
Bourbon Barrel Aged: Seattle Pipe Club
More than a few pipe smokers swear they couldn't make it through the dark months without Seattle Pipe Club's Bourbon Barrel Aged variation of their Plum Pudding in the bowls of their briar pipes. BBA features a combination of Latakia and Perique infused with bourbon notes, a result of the aging process. The overall effect is a harmony of complex flavors that will put starch in your stride as you trudge through the knee-deep snow.
Three Nuns: Mac Baren
We've already had Three Kings so we might as well have Three Nuns. Three Nuns dates back to the 19th century and over time has found favor with both the average Joe and renowned authors including J.R.R. Tolkien. Three Nuns is a Pipe Tobacco Hall of Fame inductee. The most recent version of this time-tested favorite is manufactured by Mac Baren and features a Virginia/Burley blend with Brazilian Leaf, Perique, and Virginia forming the base. Expect tangy dark fruit and honey, with acidic citrus along with some wood and earthy undertones, buttressed by just a bit of sugar. Light it up late at night while the snow quietly piles up outside.
Linea Epoque Antique: Sillem's
Linea Epoque Antique from the German blender Sillem's features a blend of Black Cavendish, Burley and Virginia and exudes vanilla, cappuccino and mirabelle flavors. It's one of the best blends we know of and really rewards those who take the time to explore its virtues while settling back in a comfy chair. Which makes it an ideal choice for those long cold winter nights not fit for man nor beast. The kind of nights made for hand-carved meerschaum pipes.
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas: Cornell & Diehl
Who hasn't enjoyed one or more of Cornell & Diehl's Christmas blends over the years? They're always a treat destined to do your tobacco pipes proud and Jolly Old Saint Nicolas is no exception. With its irresistible blend of Cavendish, Perique and Virginias and its compelling topping of ginger and orange liqueur, it's a winter blend meant to be sipped patiently while you sit by the fireplace and await the arrival of the man in red himself.
Flake Blue: Capstan
This straight Virginia is not your typical wintertime tobacco as most of them tend to be a bit bolder, deeper and more quietly insistent. But for some reason, we all agree Flake Blue from Capstan has what it takes to carry you through the long cold nights with its distinct notes of hay and even a wee bit of sweetness to take the edge off. Flake Blue is no upstart having been first created over a century ago by W.D. & H.O. Wills. It's yet another tobacco favored by renowned pipe aficionado J.R.R. Tolkien.
La Brumeuse: Tabac De La Semois
La Brumeuse is an artisan tobacco and a descendant of Burley. This pure leaf tobacco is grown in Belgium and curated from seed by a gentleman named Vincent Manil. Some have equated smoking La Brumeuse to smoking a cigar. We wouldn't go that far but the flavor does become increasingly insistent as you move through the bowl. The rich, earthy flavors on display here go particularly well with a cup of stout coffee on a winter morning.
Quiet Nights: G. L. Pease
Quiet Nights features a full-bodied blend of Virginias, Orientals and Cyprus Latakia, with just a pinch of Perique tossed in for good measure. The subtle interplay of flavors and the slightly exotic aroma will carry you gently through those long, contemplative nights. Quiet Nights is a companion blend to the company's Chelsea Morning, but with more emphasis on the Orientals and less on the Perique.
Bankside: G. L. Pease
Reviewing Quiet Nights made us think of another G.L. Pease blend we'd love to spend a winter evening with: Bankside. This is from the company's Zeitgeist collection and features a compelling and unique take on the well-worn Virginia/Perique blend. A good word to describe Bankside might be "authoritative" because it's bold without even a hint of bite.
Other Blends You May Enjoy This Winter
- Cornell & Diehl - Autumn Evening
- Cult - Blood Red Moon
- Dunhill - My Mixture 965
- Frog Morton on the Town
- GL Pease - Westminster
- Lane Limited - 1-Q
- Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired
- McClelland - Holiday Spirit
- Orlik Golden Sliced
- Samuel Gawith - Full Virginia Flake
Remember, this list reflects our staff's opinions. You may agree or disagree with our choices and that's fine. Whatever blends you reach for when the sun is low and the temperatures lower we hope they provide compelling companionship.
Learn More About Your Tobacco Options
Review our previous tobacco guide to get to know your tobacco cuts and their primary differences.Preparing a Tobacco Bowl During Winter Weather
Enjoying a tobacco bowl in the winter can be a cozy and relaxing experience, but the cold weather requires a bit of preparation to make it enjoyable. Follow these steps to ensure your session goes smoothly, even in chilly conditions.
- Choose your spot: Opt for a sheltered area to avoid strong winds disrupting your session.
- Warm your hands: Use gloves or pocket warmers to maintain dexterity while handling your materials.
- Pack efficiently: Pack the tobacco tightly enough to prevent it from scattering in the wind, but not so tight that it restricts airflow.
- Light strategically: Use a windproof lighter or matches for an easier and consistent ignition.
With these tips, you’ll stay comfortable and make the most of your winter tobacco session. Remember to dress warmly, stay safe, and enjoy your bowl responsibly!
For the Best Selection of Wholesale Tobacco Pipes, Trust Paykoc Pipes
We hope you found the above list interesting and informative and that you take the time to explore a variety of winter tobacco blends so that you can get the most from your tobacco pipes.
And remember, a tobacco blend is only as good as the pipe you smoke it in. So for the best selection of wholesale tobacco pipes, meerschaum and briar pipes you'll find anywhere visit the Paykoc Pipes online store. To learn more write to us using our contact form or give us a call at (888) 313-7137.