Don't underestimate the power of the Dark Side (Latakia, that is).

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romeowood

Lifer
Jan 1, 2011
1,942
155
The Interwebs
I spent a good deal of time this summer with my neighbor in his back yard; after-work evenings when I could enjoy a pipe while we chatted, while I watched him do yard work, and while he would smoke his American Spirits. Last night he finally succumbed to the wonderful aromas I always produce and said, "I should get a pipe and try it out sometime." Well that's all the invitation I needed, so I went out this afternoon and picked up a cob for him, and had him come over to pick out an estate pipe of his liking from my pile that is yet to be restored. He selected a nice little Medico Casino bent billiard, about a group 3--not what I'd figured him for at all; I'm glad I had him pick it out. Then we went through a selection of my open rotation, which is a decent range of some good examples of all the major styles--aromatics, burleys, Virginias, VaPers, condiments and of course English and Balkans. Again, to my surprise he chose a medium-body Balkan, the prototype of the NYPC signature blend we've been tweaking; I'd thought he'd be more intrigued by the VaPerO blend that was of a similar ilk to the tobacco in his cigarettes. I could tell by the rise of his eyebrows and the glimmer of a fond recognition in his eyes, though, that this tobacco had chosen him as much as he'd chosen it. We retired to his back yard, I gave him a brief primer on packing, tamping, and lighting, and off he was on his voyage of discovery. He thoroughly enjoyed his first bowl, and managed to smoke it down to ash in so doing. He leaves in a couple days for a short vacation, during which time he can enjoy the tobacco I packed up for him at his own pace. I'll restore the Casino and have it ready to start his collection when he returns, and another will join the brotherhood of the briar.

It was a good day.

 

harrier52

Can't Leave
Aug 7, 2011
352
0
Hehe the latakia will pull you in every time. Awesome that you showed someone just how enjoyable a pipe is.

 

juni

Lifer
Mar 9, 2010
1,184
11
Good story. :)
(No, latakia doesn't rock, Uncle, it is foul and stinky and taste like burning hair :wink: )

 

baronsamedi

Lifer
May 4, 2011
5,688
5
Dallas
:rofl: I admittedly like strong tastes and eat some stuff people find foul (like kimchi) so I'm probably a bad example. As soon as I tried a Balkan, I was like yeahyeahyeah!

 

bigvan

Lifer
Mar 22, 2011
2,192
12
"latakia...is foul and stinky"...

Sorry Juni, but we can't all smoke double-chocolate, tutti-fruiti, candy-@ss caramel delight. :puffy:
Baron, I also picked up a tin of 3 Oaks Syrian the other day and I really enjoy it. So far it doesn't seem that hard to find, but I'm thinking I better stock up now before it becomes too popular.

 

spartan

Lifer
Aug 14, 2011
2,963
7
Seriously, a LOT of members seem to be talking about this 3 oaks syrian stuff... Looks like it will be my first dive into latakia :twisted:
Congrats on the conversion Romeowood. I hope to turn all of my fellow cigarette smokers over to the pipe-side soon. I'll be needing about 10 cobs for starters >.

 

menckenite

Part of the Furniture Now
Jun 21, 2010
867
3
Alabama
romeowood,
That's a great story. I look forward to hearing more about your friend's new adventure in the world of pipe smoking.

 

ace57

Lifer
Jun 21, 2011
2,145
1
Great story, I hope You and Your friend have good times puffing pipes in the back yard, I wish I had a friend by Me that could and would enjoy a good smoke with Me. :puffy:

 

romeowood

Lifer
Jan 1, 2011
1,942
155
The Interwebs
Well the moral of the story, I guess, is that it was a good illustration of how subjective & personal pipe smoking is--I've known this guy for a dozen years, and yet I was way off the mark with what he would choose for pipe & tobacco. I am happy, however, that I was afforded the chance to introduce him to it and give him the 'training wheels', if you will, that I never had. And I'm definitely looking forward to the day that we retire to the back yard and he brings out a new blend for us to try together.

 

markw4mms

Lifer
Jun 16, 2011
2,176
2
Bremen,GA
I love English blends, what can I say, latakia is the bomb!
Come over to the dark side, we have great tobby, and cookies.. :nana:

 

damien83

Might Stick Around
Aug 2, 2011
73
0
Ireally wish I could get into this stuff. Hearing all the great experiences people have with it and all the LOADS of different english blends out there, but its just not for everyone. Now I have tried my best to like it and just failed, the smell just makes me shiver just thinking about it lol. But its good to hear of those that do enjoy it though, good on you!!!!

 

tslex

Lifer
Jun 23, 2011
1,482
13
I smoke some very latakia-laden tobacco about 4 bowls out of 5.
Simply love the stuff.

 

juni

Lifer
Mar 9, 2010
1,184
11
I'll have my tutti-fruiti, candy-@ss Irish Flake or Irish Oak every day over anything with that camel dung thing you call latakia. :lol:

 
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