Pipe Tobacco

Ah, pipe tobacco—the ultimate answer to the question, “How can I make my living room smell like a Victorian gentleman’s study?” Welcome to our humble tobacconist shop here in sunny Scarborough, where we stock everything from mild blends that won’t scare the cat to robust concoctions that’ll have your neighbours wondering if you’ve taken up alchemy.

If you’re new to the world of pipe tobacco, don’t worry—we’re not here to judge your inevitable coughing fit as you overpack your first bowl. We’ve got mellow aromatics that are perfect for beginners or anyone who just wants to smell like a walking dessert tray. For the seasoned veterans who’ve made peace with the fact that their jacket will forever smell like a smouldering forest, we’ve got rich, full-bodied blends that practically demand a leather armchair and a scowl.

Our selection ranges from traditional English blends that would make your great-grandfather proud, to more exotic mixtures that’ll have you contemplating the mysteries of life—or at least why your pipe keeps going out. So, grab a pouch, pack a bowl, and let the smoke do what it does best—give you an excuse to sit in silence and look sophisticated. Or at least smell like you are.

About Pipe Tobacco

Pipe tobacco can offer a more authentic and original smoking experience. Compared to regular and hand-rolled cigarettes, pipe tobacco tends to be richer, thicker cut and more moist, which provides a deeper, more complex, full flavour with every puff. The unique richness and moisture of pipe tobacco also allow for a deeper, more flavourful smoke that often includes fewer additives and chemicals than other forms of tobacco. The smoking characteristic and flavour from pipe tobacco is more defined by the quality of the leaf itself than the flavourings added to it.

There are a lot of different kinds of pipe tobacco available, all of which possess unique textural and aromatic qualities worth exploring. Like a buffet at a fine dining restaurant, our range of pipe tobacco ensures you can find one that perfectly suits your needs and flavour preferences. We stock smoking pipe tobacco from some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including Ashton, Bells Three Nuns, Capstan, Charatan, Gawith & Hoggarth, Kohlhase and Kopp, and Wilsons of Sharrow.

Some of the most common pipe tobacco types you can find at our shop include:

Ready rubbed pipe tobacco

This is perhaps the most common type of pipe tobacco, and it’s a favourite of beginners and experienced smokers. It comes in a loosely packed form with a measured cut for an easy burn rate. It is easily tamped into your pipe and much more user friendly than Flakes and Plugs. 

Flake pipe tobacco 

Flake pipe tobacco is much denser than other types and comes from a dense blend of leaves that have been cooked and pressed into a cake before being sliced into flakes of equal thickness. It is known for its concentrated, molasses-like flavour and slow-burning nature. Delicious and less dependent on burn ratio, this tobacco delivers a premium smoking experience. Preparing Flake takes more skill and experience than ready rubbed, but the rewards come in leaps and bounds as you can customise your whole smoking experience. The ritual of preparing Flake for smoking on its own is enough to bring an air of contentment to the end of a stressful day.

Blended pipe tobacco or Mixtures

The majority of pipe tobaccos on our shelves are blends that have been created using carefully calculated proportions of tobacco leaves which have been sourced from all corners of the world and processed using different methods and selected for the unique characteristics that they provide to the smoker. 

Many of the best known blends are still made using secret recipes created by master blenders from over 100 years ago that are often mimicked but never quite replicated. The raw tobacco flavour can be exciting enough, but in most cases the blend is further enhanced with a top dressing, or infused with a flavour to add even more character.

Blending pipe tobacco

Blending Tobacco is a term used to describe pure single origin tobaccos, such as Burley or Virginia that can in turn, have been processed in different ways such as cooking into a Cavendish or smokey Latakia. Blending tobaccos are the raw ingredients like the flour to a cake, which gives the entire blend its foundation. Where possible, we source blending tobacco for the pipe smoker so they can tweak blends to their desire or have a go at creating their own blend and give the master blenders a run for their money.

Packet pipe tobacco 

Packet tobacco is a very popular form of pipe tobacco that simply comes in a familiar packet. This makes it easy to transport and tuck into pockets or backpacks as needed. All you need to do is open the packet, take out a pinch or two, and pop it in your pipe. 

Understanding different gradients of pipe tobacco

Our pipe tobacco comes in a veritable rainbow of different colours, tastes, and textures. Blonde varieties are lighter and tend to have a more mellow flavour, producing banana, caramel, and sweet grass aromas. 

Brown pipe tobacco, on the other hand, has a much deeper, richer flavour profile, similar to that of dark chocolate, coffee, and rye. 

The main difference between blonde and brown pipe tobacco is that blonde tobacco has been rinsed after harvest, which impacts the final flavour and hue. Aside from that, their quality is indistinguishable. 

Experience the world through pipe tobacco

We have a very unique tobacco market in the UK, which in some ways has been a result of regulations and global market changes such as Brexit, but also due to the UK’s roots as one of the most notable countries in the world for discerning smokers who demand the finest tobacco. The UK was once the epicentre for pipe smoking and this reputation still holds weight as manufacturers strive to please the UK pallet. We also have our own unique styles of tobacco, with many overseas markets desperate to source. We are blessed to have two of the most desirable Tobacco manufacturers in the UK with Gawith & Hoggarth (who are also Samuel Gawith) and Germains, with packets going on the overseas markets for ridiculous sums.

Pipe Tobacco FAQs

How does pipe tobacco differ from other kinds of tobacco?

Pipe tobacco is generally denser and more moist than cigarette and hand rolling tobacco. Because you place it at the base of the pipe, it can smoke well despite its bulkier texture. 

Is pipe tobacco healthier to smoke? 

Pipe tobacco is not necessarily better or worse for you than any other type of tobacco. However, it does tend to contain fewer additives, ensuring a cleaner, more pure tobacco flavour and is not generally inhaled. 

What does pipe tobacco taste like? 

The flavour of pipe tobacco varies drastically depending on where the original leaves have been grown, how it has been aged, and how it has been processed. Overall, pipe tobacco is known for its uniquely rich, flavoursome and cooler smoking properties. 

Can you smoke pipe tobacco in any kind of pipe? 

Technically speaking, yes. As long as your pipe is functional and designed for tobacco smoking, you should be able to smoke tobacco in any kind of pipe. That said, the design of a pipe can make a dramatic difference to the experience. In general, the larger the pipe and longer the stem the better it will smoke. The quality of the wood it is made from is also very important. You should aim to get a decent sized Briar pipe from a reputable brand. If this is out of your price range, then we would recommend getting a second hand pipe as it is much better to get a broken in quality pipe than a cheap pipe that will provide a bitter smoke from the beginning and likely put you off.