ertrand Russell once insisted that “He who lives without tobacco is not fit to live!”  I can’t say that I agree with him, but I’m certain that my life would be poorer for the want of this noble weed.  Besides, what would I do with my pipes?

Here’s a list of my favorite blends, with a short description of each.  If any of them pique your interest, availability information can be found here.

Cornell & Diehl’s Virginia Dare:   This incomparable blend combines Red and Bright Virginia leaf in just the right proportions.  The result is smooth and sweet, with a wonderful room-filling aroma.  Although Virginia-based, it is an extremely cool smoke.

The Connoisseur Pipe Shop’s Scottish Ribbon:  A mild, lightly aromatic Virginia flake mixture that makes an excellent all-day companion.  A blend of Red and Stoved Virginias, Scottish Ribbon offers a rich, enjoyable smoke without even a hint of harshness.

Mac Baren’s Virginia No. 1:  This ready-rubbed Virginia blend provides the sweet, “woodsy” taste that Virginias are known for.  Lightly cased to enhance the tobacco’s flavor and aroma, it may not be the first choice of those who dislike aromatic blends.

Pipeworks & Wilke’s Dummerston:  A cool, dry-smoking matured Virginia.  A dash of flue-cured leaf adds a subtle undertone to this delicious blend.

Butera Royal Vintage Golden Cake:  A very high quality Golden Virginia blend, aged in cakes. The zesty qualities of the leaf are enhanced by flue-curing once it has matured.  Although less “spicy” than Butera’s Matured Ribbon, it offers the smoker the same graceful complexity.

McCranie’s Pipe Shop Red Ribbon:  One of the finest matured tobaccos available, Red Ribbon is selected from choice 1983 Red North Carolina leaf.  With a rich, mellow flavor reminiscent of McClelland’s Deep Hollow, this “blend” is especially rewarding for those who enjoy matured Virginias.

The Connoisseur Pipe Shop’s Natural Cavendish:  This is the only Cavendish I currently smoke. High quality Virginia leaf is lightly brushed with a sugar and water mixture before being pressed and aged in cakes.  Rubbed and crosscut, it burns smoothly and evenly to the bottom of the bowl, and has a subtlety that traditional vanilla or rum-cured Cavendishes cannot match.

McClelland’s No. 27 Virginia: An excellent matured Virginia blend.  The label reads: “This beautiful, orange-red, shag-cut cake has a mellow flavor and a light, subtle aroma.” I’ve found that No. 27 offers a delicate spiciness in addition to the sweet, earthy undertones typical of Virginia leaf. Although delicious now, I recommend aging this blend for four or more years for a truly superior taste.

And now for a special treat . . . my own recipe (expertly prepared by Craig Tarler at Cornell & Diehl). This blend combines the deep richness of the best Red Virginias with the brisk notes of flake-cut lemon leaf.  The addition of tangy Turkish leaf (that was Craig’s suggestion—I can’t take all of the credit) tops off this well-balanced blend.  I’ve taken to calling it Ashokan Flake. It’s excellent with a hefeweisen!

Here's another. I call it Fireside Chat, after the radio addresses of the inimitable FDR. A blend of ribbon-cut Brights and Reds with black Cavendish added to cool things down. Nothing pungent about this one; just a sweet, natural tobacco taste: A blend you can enjoy in public without attracting a lynch mob!