Personally I have a few favorites right now for pipes that have made up most of my recent acquisitions: Castello, Ser Jacopo, Viprati & Dunhill. I tend to like classic shapes but I love how the Italians manage to give them a neat twist.
As for what I put in them, well I've several I like. Most of the time, for the all day puffing, it's Yale Mixture from Cornell & Diehl. It has a really pleasing room note that actually gets people asking me to start up a new bowl as soon as one is finished.
But I also tend towards heavier blends. I love Harkness Mixture from the Owl Shop in New Haven. Excellent blend that is almost black as pitch and that's mainly from the Latakia but there is a touch of Orientals & a healthy bit of Perique. There's some kind of base but I can't tell from the leaf color and the taste what it might be. I'm in heaven with it, and almost everyone around me is wondering just why I'm such a sadist. I like Latakia, what can I say? I even keep a tin of pure Syrian Latakia around for those days when my mouth just wants a true zing of flavor.
I also quite like Ashton's Celebrated Sovereign.
When I want something more interesting than Yale Mixture but not as heavy as my English & Balkan tendencies I allow myself Corniel & Diehls Comfort. It's got Latakia, Virginias, Orientals, and then a surprising touch of Burley and a bit of Black Cavendish. Might seem almost like too many flavors but it really manages to be more of a complex symphony that relaxes and succeeds as well as Pachelbel's Canon. The only thing I dislike about this one is the Cavendish seems particularly sticky and leaves my fingers feeling icky after packing a bowl and makes for a cleaning nightmare afterwards.
I also love the Strathspey from Corniel & Diehl. A good Scottish Blend is always a treat.
There are others that I dabble in on occassion and I frequently have several tins as well as large humidors of bulk blends available at all times.
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