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  1. sparroa

    Intimidated by Flake

    The uniform European flakes are the best for cube cutting, IMO. Orlik, Dunhill, MacBaren, etc. (Wessex Burley Slices - perfectly suited for it) I have also had great success with more irregular flakes such as Samuel Gawith or Peter Heinrichs. In truth, though, any full flake can be cubed...
  2. sparroa

    Peterson Irish Flake

    I am, to some degree, but I can smoke small bowls of 1792 and large bowls of Jackknife Plug sparingly... I presume that Irish Flake isn't much more than either of these. (JKP being the mildest of the lot) On the whole, though, I prefer blends that are more moderate. I tend to avoid any side...
  3. sparroa

    Having Taste Issues

    There are a lot of "high quality" blends out there that are not even remotely palatable to me. Something can be made of fine ingredients and yet it does not have to suit your tastes... Here are my recommendations. First, seek out more "recognized" brands that offer "touchstone" blends that are...
  4. sparroa

    Peterson Irish Flake

    I have heard a few people mention Erinmore Flake and University Flake in the same sentence. For that reason, and due to the supposed plum or blueberry or whatever kind of fruity casing is on there, I am going to have to pass... Irish Flake on the other hand sounds more appealing than ever. I may...
  5. sparroa

    What Tobacco to Look Out For?

    I was going to let this slide without a mention, but what the hell... mctrav, that tone is not going to do you any favours. That is how you respond to someone who is antagonizing you, not to someone who just provided you with multiple helpful leads. No hard feelings, it just came off as rather...
  6. sparroa

    Erinmore Mixture

    I've seen it in pictures. It's still in production, but the Murray's version is probably better. Crack it open and see what its like after all of these years. Maybe the casing has faded to a whisper and its just a subtle blend now.
  7. sparroa

    Peterson Irish Flake

    flyguy, thanks for the review. I like the taste of 1792 but it is a terrible pain to smoke. I have been wanting to try ODF but it is very difficult to find. Anyway, this one sounds like a good compromise in the meantime. I have been worried about its strength but I'm thinking I could handle it...
  8. sparroa

    Pipe Rotation Question

    Here here Josh. Cobs are perfect for rounding out a small rotation and testing new or infrequently smoked blends/styles of tobacco. There is no reason to wear out a small collection of briars if you enjoy smoking cobs, because they are much hardier than briar and less in need of constant rest.
  9. sparroa

    Intimidated by Flake

    It's as simple as this. Pick up a flake, cut it across the grain with a scissors reserved for that purpose(NOT with the grain, ie. the long side of the flake) and then fluff up the cut pieces with your hands. You will have plenty of small cubes ready to be dried to your taste. Also, you can...
  10. sparroa

    Ammo vs Tobacco (Not Political)

    As an outside observer, I think one is more likely to face increased taxes in the next 12 months+ and the other is more likely to face greater restrictions in the next 12 months+. Act accordingly...
  11. sparroa

    Smoking Less

    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.
  12. sparroa

    Ounces and Grams

    It is good to have a coherent system in place for your own personal purposes. It is definitely a smart idea to have your general investments "in order" as well... I just don't think that there will be a structured market for pipe tobacco in the way that you think there will be. If anything, it...
  13. sparroa

    Shop Etiquette

    If you are going to hang around there for a while, most definitely buy something. If a tin of tobacco runs anywhere from $10-20 it probably won't break the bank for most of us. It just shows courtesy and appreciation for the shop. (If you are just browsing, that's one thing - but if you are...
  14. sparroa

    Changed Up My Coffee Drinking

    Uber, I have never had Starbucks Instant Coffee so I can't comment. One thing is for sure, though, I think that their negative nickname - Charbucks - is right on the money. Starbucks roasts some of their blends into oblivion and I do not enjoy the burnt result. They are hugely popular so...
  15. sparroa

    Changed Up My Coffee Drinking

    Black coffee is best for me. Some people may find it puritanical, but I think it is a waste to soil a good brew with loads of milk and sugar. Instant coffee pretty much requires a generous helping of both to offset the intense bitterness, but I generally treat that as an option of last resort...
  16. sparroa

    Tea Tins vs. Mason Jars

    It is easier to find a solution for the humidity/mason jar problem than to find a usable tea tin... If you absolutely refuse to try mason jars, then glass bail-top jars with a sound seal would be superior to the tea tins.
  17. sparroa

    Smoking Less

    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)
  18. sparroa

    Smoking Less

    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...
  19. sparroa

    Smoking Less

    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...
  20. sparroa

    Ounces and Grams

    Grams offer nice even increments allowing for greater precision - plus most of the world is using the metric system so that's not a bad plan... I do think, though, that you may be overstating the international market for aged tobacco in the future. In many countries it is illegal to sell tobacco...
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