Each pipers ritual is as unique and personal as their Sunday morning. The ever subjective pipe, light, tamp, blend, cadence... repeat: When it comes to unlocking pure magic, the endless tumblers in a desired combination seem endless.
Take my most recent tobacco choice, as an example. Mellow Monk calls itself a burley blend, however, in my opinion, its smoking characteristics are more akin to a mild English — and during this cool November — it isn't providing my taste with that earthy walk through the forest that I crave.
It's moments like these, that I employ some habits I've gathered over the years as a spirits advocate. When enjoying a nice bourbon, I sip the elixir over my tongue, allowing a bit of air to mingle, further vaporizing the aroma. As I gently swirl the fluid over my taste buds, I allow the scent to saturate my palate and nasal cavities. For me, this intensifies the flavors, and thus, my personal enjoyment.
On occasion, I do something similar during my pipe smoking.
This morning, as I patiently sat with the Mellow Monk, he needed something a bit stronger than my coffee to wake him and finally get him to groove.
I started by breath-smoking, using my tongue to aid in drawing the smoke into my mouth every couple of breaths. After slightly exhaling a bit of vapor back into the stem, I would again sip the saved smoke into my mouth, but this time, bring a bit of air with it.
And sip, of course, is the key word.
With the pipe stem's opening placed against the left side of my bottom lip, the sipping allowed me to slightly part my mouth, inviting in fresh air. I then swirled the mixture, allowing it to invade my senses, before exhaling, and starting the entire process again.
Finally! ... my elusive burely, and all the familiar promises of fall that it brings.
I imagine many of these quirks become benign routine while learning to unlock contentment; mastering the Art of the Unthink.
So, I'm curious — if willing to share — what are some behaviors you've gained through the trails, when trying to domesticate briar and blend?
Take my most recent tobacco choice, as an example. Mellow Monk calls itself a burley blend, however, in my opinion, its smoking characteristics are more akin to a mild English — and during this cool November — it isn't providing my taste with that earthy walk through the forest that I crave.
It's moments like these, that I employ some habits I've gathered over the years as a spirits advocate. When enjoying a nice bourbon, I sip the elixir over my tongue, allowing a bit of air to mingle, further vaporizing the aroma. As I gently swirl the fluid over my taste buds, I allow the scent to saturate my palate and nasal cavities. For me, this intensifies the flavors, and thus, my personal enjoyment.
On occasion, I do something similar during my pipe smoking.
This morning, as I patiently sat with the Mellow Monk, he needed something a bit stronger than my coffee to wake him and finally get him to groove.
I started by breath-smoking, using my tongue to aid in drawing the smoke into my mouth every couple of breaths. After slightly exhaling a bit of vapor back into the stem, I would again sip the saved smoke into my mouth, but this time, bring a bit of air with it.
And sip, of course, is the key word.
With the pipe stem's opening placed against the left side of my bottom lip, the sipping allowed me to slightly part my mouth, inviting in fresh air. I then swirled the mixture, allowing it to invade my senses, before exhaling, and starting the entire process again.
Finally! ... my elusive burely, and all the familiar promises of fall that it brings.
I imagine many of these quirks become benign routine while learning to unlock contentment; mastering the Art of the Unthink.
So, I'm curious — if willing to share — what are some behaviors you've gained through the trails, when trying to domesticate briar and blend?