2015 Smoking Hi-lights

[newfie]

I looked back at 2015 in regard to smoking and I had several hi-lights, and was wondering if anyone else thought the same.
Three points are:
1./ Did you have an "A-ha" moment when something minor about pipe smoking came clear?
2./ Did you learn or try something where the light went on and you said to yourself "THIS is what they've been talking about".
3./ Did you try a new blend, or blends, that will be in your regular rotation for 2016 onward?
For me, #1 was with FVF. While I always enjoyed it, I tended to smoke too fast, looking for clouds of smoke like a good cigar. I finally realized that sipping slow (with FVF anyway, and maybe some other flakes), just enough to keep an ember while ignoring the smoke quantity, will give an opportunity to just enjoy the enhanced flavours.
#2 I've mentioned before, and is kind of a double whammy (in a good way), was when I received my first cob and for some unknown reason started packing the bowls MUCH lighter. The cobs are now the major part of my smoking, with 5-6 bowls in a cob compared to 1 of everything else.
#3 for me is easy, with Best Brown #2 and PS Luxury Navy Flake now holding 2 of the top 5 spots of my favourites.
SO what say ye folks? Any "A-ha" moments in your year?

 

[ssjones]

My "ah-ha" moment was the New Orleans pipe show - sharing a bowl with old friend and new. Some from this forum, that I met for the first time.

 

[deathmetal]

1. Sure, several times, when I got a bowl perfectly packed and lit and was able to sip it distractedly at the right pace. Glorious. Set and setting mattered quite a bit too.
2. Several times I've smoked a blend that people here whose analysis I enjoyed have praised, and finally halfway through the tin/jar have been able to match their words to experience. Gratifying.
3. I've got to mention Former's Straight Grain Flake and Savinelli Doblone d'Oro here. Delicious. Probably a few others.

 

[didimauw]

My ah ha moment was when I went full time pipe smoker....best decision ever made

 

[mortonbriar]

Years ago I remember suddenly realising the pipe had gone out and when I looked in the bowl there was the elusive 'nothing but a fine white ash' I was very encouraged to know that it was possible to smoke a bowl without a million relights.
Isaac

 

[rodo]

My ah-ha moment was this past summer when I got to visit the Mastro de Paja factory. The Manager, Alberto, sat and smoked with me for an hour and during that time he noticed that I was not using my tamper properly. Indeed, decades of smoking and I never had the hang of it. He patiently showed me his method and admonished me to "always pay attention to the fire". Can't believe what a difference it made to the pleasure of smoking. (The technique is just to keep smoothing out the top of the tobacco as it burns down, not pressing, but just, well, tamping. Cooler and slower smoke.)
Also learned this lesson: when going to visit a pipe factory and meeting people who make delicious pipes for a living, don't bring along your worst, $30, travel pipe. Alberto asked to see my pipe. He turned it over in his hands, shrugged a bit, and handed it back without a word. Message received.

 

[tinsel]

My ah ha moment was when I went full time pipe smoker....best decision ever made

Ditto to that. And in the months following the "ah-ha" moments have continued pouring in!

 

[feloniousmonk]

Tried the pipe years ago but had no guidance, got frustrated & rage quit back to cigars. Now since finding this place, lurking & learning I realized it was a technique all along. And then seeing it as a "hobby" just put everything in a new & interesting context. Then seeing just how friendly, helpful & encouraging everyone seems to be, confirmed these are the kind of fellas that are worth getting to know.