Where is the flavor?

skunk · Oct 21, 2012

Hi all. I've just started smoking pipes a few weeks ago and so far mostly everything, thanks to YouTube and forum lurking, is going fine. However, my problem is this:
Every once in a while I get a pretty good draw and my mouth is full of flavor, but I can't seem to keep it consistent. What am I doing wrong? As well, whereabouts in my mouth should the flavor be the strongest?

gnatjulio · Oct 21, 2012

Have you tried to retro-hale? Seems to work consistent for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba5rz_eTFPA&list=PL-NfJjlGOSLtirDt_rhIVi6rRts-vFtY1&index=3&feature=plpp_video

sixmp · Oct 21, 2012

Try smoking as cool as you can, really light puffs. I find if you draw as light as possible you get more flavor.

hawk60ce · Oct 21, 2012

good video. I agree with expelling some through the mouth first as depending on how big your draws are, it burns the hell out of my nose if i take a big draw and exhale it all through my nose.

hawk60ce · Oct 21, 2012

Oh yea...and welcome aboard. TIme to quit lurking and do some posting with some pics!

skunk · Oct 21, 2012

Retro-haling and light puffs...hmmmm. Thanks for the help guys, I'll give it a go.

captainprophesy · Oct 21, 2012

Slow draws help tremendously with flavor... and welcome Skunk, nice of you to come out of lurking

gwtwdbss · Oct 21, 2012

Welcome aboard skunk!

papipeguy · Oct 21, 2012

Welcome. Dave asks a good question. what are you smoking and what type/brand of pipe? Could be key to a more knowledgible answer.

bcirka · Oct 21, 2012

It has seemed to me that the longer I have been smoking (not very long mind you), and the more blends I try, the more flavor I recognize(?) (for lack of a better word). The oral palette develops a sensitivity to the depth of flavors. Be patient, keep trying new things.

skunk · Oct 21, 2012

Thanks again for all the helpful replies guys. Light puffs are already a huge improvement. Trying to co-ordinate retro-haling is a bit more challenging, but practice makes perfect.
I'm smoking a $30 Capri pipe that the tobacco guy gave me. I got pretty lucky (for a Canuck) and got a good discount on some Frog Morton on the Town and Old Church tins. Can't wait to branch out.

photoman13 · Oct 21, 2012

Welcome to the forum! You will taste more with experience. You really start to gain a palate eventually. Dave has given some good advice. If you need any technical help or need to know how to post a picture feel free to shoot me a PM any time.

cortezattic · Oct 21, 2012

Welcome to the forums, Skunk. :clap:

You'll find lots of useful articles and videos to help you along.

As was mentioned, the smoker's palate will improve with experience.

pitchfork · Oct 21, 2012

Echoing what was said already, proper packing is essential. A year and a half into pipe smoking and I'm still learning how to pack -- lighter packing is always better, less tamping is always better.
Also, I've noticed that my palate is much more sensitive to flavors now than it was a year ago. Again, though, better packing and slower puffing will help bring out different flavors. Even now, although I love Virginias, if I rush a smoke and let it get too hot, good tobacco can just taste like hot, smokey air.
Welcome and hang in there. Froggy on the Town is a good, easy-to-smoke blend. If you're losing the flavor, you're probably packing too tightly. FMOTT also tends to stay damp, so try drying it out a little on a paper towel for half an hour or so before yuo pack the pipe. A wet smoke isn't usually a flavorful, enjoyable smoke.

fnord · Oct 22, 2012

Jeezo-Pete, Skunk. You're getting some some great advice here.
Packing a pipe becomes a personal thing and you'll find your stride sooner or later. In the meantime, go with Dave's suggestion on the "gravity" fill and do your best to learn how to smoke slowly: one puff every 30 seconds.
And, once I've mastered that technique after all these years, I'll let you know how it works out.
Welcome aboard, friend.
Fnord

rlunderhill · Oct 22, 2012

Learn to pack your pipe right first. Then you'll discover the draw gets consistent. Then you'll learn what works best for you. If you have a bite, you probable are drawing to hard. Relax and sip it. You'll learn how to draw, that will give the best flavor of the tobacco. :puffpipe:

thesmokindragon · Oct 22, 2012

Welcome-welcome..Mr. Pease just did a great article on packing,

and how important it is to take your time with that to really get

a primo smoke, also make sure you give the bacci enough air-time,

as well...without the bacci being dry enough you will get too

much moisture / steaming and it goes to a blah smoke and a

bull-whip cracked mouth ;-)

mick · Oct 22, 2012

Trying to co-ordinate retro-haling is a bit more challenging, but practice makes perfect.

Personally, I haven't found this technique actually enhances the "flavours" of a smoke. Try it, sure, but it's not something that I think is necessary to do with each puff or even each smoke.
From on Canadian to another, welcome to the forum and the hobby!

barkar · Oct 22, 2012

WElcome to the forum Skunk. Where abouts in Canada are u? There are a few of us canucks on here.

dnietosi · Oct 22, 2012

Awesome video! I m going to try some retro-haling tonight!

Where is the flavor?

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