Smoking Less

undermidnight · Feb 7, 2013

So I have been smoking about 3 bowls a day on average since I discovered the wonderful world of English blends back in November. Before that, I would smoke about a bowl a week or less. I have discovered that I am getting pipe smoking burnout. I am not tasting the flavors of milder blends so I reach for the heartier blends to get it back. I think I am in saturation mode as the heartier blends are washed out as well. I think some use Virginia blends during these periods. However, I think I need to cut back in the amount of times I smoke so that pipe smoking doesn't become routine and dull. It needs to be savored like a good Scotch or steak. I think part of my increase is I want to try all these blends out there.
Anyone else go through this?
Jason

rmbittner · Feb 7, 2013

You don't say how many pipes you're using. . . If you're constantly smoking the same one or two pipes, that's likely to lead to very muddled flavors and, possibly, a sour pipe that will need some serious cleaning. If you haven't given your pipes a thorough cleaning lately (something I do -- using Bacardi 151, a pipe brush, and as many pipe cleaners as it takes -- about twice a year, since my smoking is spread out among a number of pipes), then it's time to do that; you'd be amazed how much the cleanliness of a pipe can affect the flavors you're getting in the bowl.
Also, it might be worth mentioning that I enjoy moving between blends throughout the day. I typically smoke 3-4 bowls a day, and some days I start off with a rich English or Balkan and then switch to a Virginia flake in the afternoon. Other days, I might start off with something quite mild and then build up to heartier blends later in the day.

dottle · Feb 7, 2013

I find that if I start out the day with stronger Latakia blends, that any lighter Lat blends smoked later in the day become rather bland tasting, so I try to start off light and go with the stronger or fuller blends later in the day. Give it a try, it may work for you.

crpntr1 · Feb 7, 2013

+1 dottle

I usually start with 1Q or some sort of burley

undermidnight · Feb 7, 2013

I am using about 16 different pipes so I have a rotation going. I usually do start of with something milder. I cleaned my pipes about 2 months ago but I do reach for the same ones a little more frequently. Maybe I just need a good cleaning again.
Jason

fitzy · Feb 7, 2013

Jason I had the same issue when trying Virginia's and not finding any flavor at all. Part of my problem is that I think my taste buds were dulled(partially from a burned tongue that never fully healed). I took a break for a week and man do things taste better.

sparroa · Feb 7, 2013

Jason,
I have gone through the same thing.
Take a break for as long as you can manage without discomfort - say 1 to 3 weeks.
During this time, put a lot of effort into cleaning your pipes. Make sure they are sweet and fresh and as clean as a pipe can be.
When you resume smoking, stick to 5-6 bowls a week with not more than 2 bowls in a single day.
Sometimes we just have to reboot.
If you are not heavily addicted to nicotine, a long break like the one listed above should recharge your enthusiasm for your pipes.
Some people don't need a break and can enjoy 5-10 bowls a day without any diminishing pleasure.
It sounds, though, like you would be happier with fewer, but more enjoyable bowls...
Give it a try.
(Just my opinion - latakia blends are far more taxing on the palate than Virginia or burley blends)

rmbittner · Feb 7, 2013

simenon wrote:

(Just my opinion - latakia blends are far more taxing on the palate than Virginia or burley blends)

I guess my experience differs from that. I find that burley blends tend to coat my tongue, while latakia has no impact on my taste buds whatsoever. And Virginia-forward blends, depending on the blend, can be a little irritating if not smoked carefully.

sparroa · Feb 7, 2013

I guess it all depends what we talk about when we talk about burley...
If its Prince Albert, then yes, I agree that it coats the mouth. (All of the codgers I've come across for that matter) My reference burley blend is Wessex Burley Slices and I find it is very different and much cleaner tasting.
VA blends - well that totally depends on your smoking style and body chemistry.
If done right, they are easily the mildest of them all.
There are always exceptions: some can't handle the reds, others find the whole works to be bitey.
Personally, I find latakia to impart a horrible ashy aftertaste at times and I find it to be more problematic in terms of all day smoking.

bentmike · Feb 7, 2013

It needs to be savored like a good Scotch or steak.

-This is my thinking exactly! One or two days up to weeks can go by between my smokes.

spartan · Feb 7, 2013

Drink plenty of water and brush yer tongues ya scallywags! : puffy

:

rmbittner · Feb 7, 2013

I guess it all depends what we talk about when we talk about burley...

Gotta ask: Is that a Raymond Carver reference? If so, kudos! Never thought I'd run across one of those here. (If not. . . well, um, never mind.)

sparroa · Feb 7, 2013

LOL - I didn't expect for it to be noticed, either, but you got me.
I have always been a fan of his stories.
(That particular construction is a favourite of headline writers everywhere, so its not THAT rare to see)

undecagon · Feb 8, 2013

It needs to be savored like a good Scotch or steak.

-This is my thinking exactly! One or two days up to weeks can go by between my smokes.

Not my thinking - I have one or two glasses of good scotch and a variable number of pipes every day. Thoroughly enjoy every bit of every one. And I don't notice any loss of flavors, nor do I notice a hidden surprise of flavors after a few terribly sad days when I'm forced to go without one, the other, or God forbid both!

flyguy · Feb 8, 2013

I am old enough to remember the old cigarette commercial question: "Are you smoking more and enjoying it less?"

Thought that this pertained to cigs only. Guess I was wrong.

ssjones · Feb 8, 2013

I smoke just enough to savor each time. In the winter, just about 8-10 bowls per week.

sparroa · Feb 8, 2013

undecagon,
How long have you been smoking? If you are a newcomer, I would wait a few years before I made such a declaration.
Smoking will likely impair you senses more and more with time. If you don't notice it, perhaps it has been working very subtly. In that case, enjoy your blessing.

ohin3 · Feb 8, 2013

I came to the same realization years ago and went from smoking 3 bowls a day to once a week and then to once a day and now I'm at about 4 or five times a week. I just get tired of anyone thing that I do too much of. moderation is a wonderful thing.

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