With rare fine tobaccos as with the finest vintage wines or single malt Scotch, etc., I think it requires some clearing of the mind and reining in the expectations. Otherwise, you might taste what you hope to taste, or not taste much at all. Good experiences tend to slip in the side door. Some of the better alcohol buzz I've had has been with totally ordinary beverages, but the company was prime. I've had some great smokes with improvised mixes of premium but not extraordinary pipe tobacco. If you were planning to taste a blend you thought was extraordinarily good, other than packing the pipe and lighting it, would you prepare yourself in any way. Clear your mind, or focus it?
