Brown Clunee in an Altinay this afternoon.
***What Are You Smoking, July 2025?***
- Thread starter JimInks
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MB HH Pure Virginia in an Altinay after dinner.
Presently enjoying 9/18 CVP in a Howell.
Thank you for your impressions! I really appreciate the details on strength, moisture, and flavor balance. It sounds like Palmetto Balkan could indeed be an all-day smoke — even for those who don’t usually seek out Balkan blends. By the way, I also really enjoy C&D Rajah’s Court — it’s an English/Balkan mix with a bright, floral-spicy start from Turkish Orientals, a smoky Latakia heart, and a sweet Virginia base. Wonderfully balanced for all-day enjoyment. Can’t wait to try Palmetto Balkan myself and see how it smokes in my pipes. Thanks again!
HU Dark Moor in the mini meer, great little windy day pipe for a half hour smoke.
Peterson Christmas 2012 + Peterson Gold Blend
Originally, Peterson & Co. (Galway) released Gold Blend in the classic 50 g round tins—an iconic look that many of us remember fondly. After STG Tobacco (the Orlik/Tomasko group) took over production under license, they kept that round-tin format for several years. More recently, the packaging shifted to rectangular tins with plastic lids. The blend itself hasn’t changed, but if you’re chasing that vintage “tin clink,” the satisfying stackable round cans, and yes, the good old days when a pipe smoker felt like a gentleman just pulling one of those out of his coat pocket—you’ll want to hunt down the old round cans.
Originally, Peterson & Co. (Galway) released Gold Blend in the classic 50 g round tins—an iconic look that many of us remember fondly. After STG Tobacco (the Orlik/Tomasko group) took over production under license, they kept that round-tin format for several years. More recently, the packaging shifted to rectangular tins with plastic lids. The blend itself hasn’t changed, but if you’re chasing that vintage “tin clink,” the satisfying stackable round cans, and yes, the good old days when a pipe smoker felt like a gentleman just pulling one of those out of his coat pocket—you’ll want to hunt down the old round cans.
Just finishing this bowl of C&D Palmetto Balkan 2024 (Small Batch) in a brown medium bend 2002 Ser Jacopo Delecta Fatta A Mano R1 sandblast Rhodesian with a smooth extension at the shank with a military mount and a tapered black acrylic stem.
One of my favorite pipes was a Savinelli I bought years ago (and also long ago sold it); it was lightweight and a nice shape so I bought it despite the neon orange color. To my astonishment, the patina that developed with smoking was like these beautiful blood red streaks coming through the grain. That dark red swirled in the orange was incredible. I hope to see that stain come out again sometime.
Half way through this bowl of year 2014 Edgeworth Ready Rubbed Match in a 1984 medium bend black grain etched Savinelli Non Pareil 9310 pokerish dublin with a horn ferrule and a black vulcanite flared stem. Watching a season one episode of Burke's Law. I wish they'd have put the second season on DVD. All the ferals ate except for the absent Abner the Eager, and are at various places around the den.
1st smoke in 3 weeks because of nasty bronchitis
A couple of Danish Bulldogs
1st is a squat Carsten Idskov
With a bowl of GLP Stonehenge Flake
A couple of Danish Bulldogs
1st is a squat Carsten Idskov
With a bowl of GLP Stonehenge Flake
Recently purchased a 3-pouch sampler of John Bull English tobaccos, called Royal, Fragrant, and True English. I'm trying out the John Bull True English tonight in an unbranded Meer. So far I like it alright. I'm not an experienced assessor, but I can definitely notice the Latakia. Seems well balanced and is burning well.
Drink is Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen.
Drink is Tucher Helles Hefe Weizen.
That sounds like a stunning transformation! Savinelli has a real talent for finishes that age in unexpected and beautiful ways. Their bold stains and themed series always stand out. These days, I tend to gravitate more toward pipes from small, family-run Italian workshops—handmade pieces with a more personal touch. But I still appreciate how Savinelli keeps experimenting with colors and concepts. That streaked red-orange effect you described must’ve been a real showpiece. Hope you find another gem like that again!
OJK in a small Stanwell Freehand.
The next pipe is a new arrival - a Stanwell Shape 11R Anne Julie designed Bulldog.
The antithesis of the preceding Idskov - tall bowl, elongated, sinuous, sweeping curved diamond shank and stem.
A bowl of Rattray’s Marlin Flake
The antithesis of the preceding Idskov - tall bowl, elongated, sinuous, sweeping curved diamond shank and stem.
A bowl of Rattray’s Marlin Flake
Enjoyed a tasty golden delicious apple, and have about a quarter of a bowl left of year 2016 Newminister 400 Superior Navy Flake in a straight smooth brown year 1948 Parker Super Bruyere patent 23 88/F bulldog with a tapered black vulcanite stem. Watching the Orioles-Marlins game that I recorded earlier. Getting ready to clean a few pipes. Sleepy Suzy is by my side. Molly Danger is snoozin' in the bedroom. Daisy the Feral Princess is snoozin' by my feet. The other ferals are outside.
Upper Rhine River. Wolsdorff Orange in a HCA Churchwarden.
A Tale of Two Brogs
A few weeks ago, I bought my Mr. Brog Olivewood "Old Army Limited", and posted it in its inaugural smoke at my new picnic table. It's a wonderful pipe, but for me expensive, and frankly, even though it was great outdoors, it's a bit on the delicate side for a using travel pipe. But I sure loved the windcap.
So I began to search, and lo and behold, I came up with another Brog, the "Kaiser", which is a totally different kettle of fish. Robust, windcap, and the perfect picnic, outdoor and shooting range pipe. And, best of all, it was only $20 US plus $6 shipping right to my door all the way from Poland, just about a week ago.
Pearwood, it requires a careful break in with a progressively stronger series of Dark Cavendish tobaccos, and has had four Captain Black Dark break-in smokes. Upcoming will be the sturdier Borkum Riff Black, probably two smokes, then a couple of SWR hits. At that point I'll be making it my go-to outdoor travel pipe, biased for the English Breed, which are my favoured afternoon hits, and most of them smoke very cool anyways.
Here's the shot of my inaugural smoke, followed by the new toy which has now had 4 passes of Captain Black Dark, last one tonight, just about an hour ago.
And yes, it's a great smoking pipe, a true bargoon! Here it is - been posted elsewhere but not in this thread. And may even clench this one at the range, too, lol.
See ya tomorrow. Taking the day off to play with my toys. 
A few weeks ago, I bought my Mr. Brog Olivewood "Old Army Limited", and posted it in its inaugural smoke at my new picnic table. It's a wonderful pipe, but for me expensive, and frankly, even though it was great outdoors, it's a bit on the delicate side for a using travel pipe. But I sure loved the windcap.
So I began to search, and lo and behold, I came up with another Brog, the "Kaiser", which is a totally different kettle of fish. Robust, windcap, and the perfect picnic, outdoor and shooting range pipe. And, best of all, it was only $20 US plus $6 shipping right to my door all the way from Poland, just about a week ago.
Pearwood, it requires a careful break in with a progressively stronger series of Dark Cavendish tobaccos, and has had four Captain Black Dark break-in smokes. Upcoming will be the sturdier Borkum Riff Black, probably two smokes, then a couple of SWR hits. At that point I'll be making it my go-to outdoor travel pipe, biased for the English Breed, which are my favoured afternoon hits, and most of them smoke very cool anyways.
Here's the shot of my inaugural smoke, followed by the new toy which has now had 4 passes of Captain Black Dark, last one tonight, just about an hour ago.
And yes, it's a great smoking pipe, a true bargoon! Here it is - been posted elsewhere but not in this thread. And may even clench this one at the range, too, lol.
See ya tomorrow. Taking the day off to play with my toys.
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Now smoking year 2020 H&H Chatham Manor in a straight black sandblasted, smooth dark brown top bowl 2021 Jim Brown stack Rhodesian with a tapered black vulcanite stem. Daisy the Feral Princess just went out. The Orioles announcers showed what they are eating, and I'm hungry from seeing that, durn it! They do this every game to promote the food places at the home park. The Braves do that, too. Oh well... back to cleaning pipes.
Had a bowl of Haunted Bookshop in this Savinelli Roma.
Then a bowl of Rattray's Hal o the Wynd in this Parker Golden.
Then a bowl of Rattray's Hal o the Wynd in this Parker Golden.
Going here next month:
www.cromfordmills.org.uk
Jason the blacksmith will be there, he'll be lighting my clay pipe with an ember from his forge
The Vikings of Middle England - Cromford Mills
www.cromfordmills.org.uk
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