A Little Lesson in Comparative Evaluation...

[marlinspike]

This weekend, I went out for a hike with an old buddy of mine who never gave up pipe smoking like I did. I brought along a Missouri Meerschaum Pride cob, and he offered to bring along a baccy pouch or two. When we had arrived at a good resting place, he brought out a pouch of the venerable old Carter Hall. I knew the stuff, having smoked a bit years ago, but it never really tripped my trigger all that much. And you know what? It didn't really trip it this time around. But the stuff can be packed into a pipe chamber quite well, lights well, and I smoked right down to the bottom without the slightest problem. I guess I need to find a more tasty equivalent of CH with its same easy-to-use properties (I'm not there yet!).

Anyway, it's a reminder that a good experience need not be precious at all, or expensive. A MM Missouri Pride is around 5 bucks, and a pouch of CH around 4. Not a bad way for any newbie to learn the basics of the hobby. I know that's nothing earthshaking to state, but a reminder of the essentials is a good thing, now and then!

 

[Dallas Wynn]

This weekend, I went out for a hike with an old buddy of mine who never gave up pipe smoking like I did. I brought along a Missouri Meerschaum Pride cob, and he offered to bring along a baccy pouch or two. When we had arrived at a good resting place, he brought out a pouch of the venerable old Carter Hall. I knew the stuff, having smoked a bit years ago, but it never really tripped my trigger all that much. And you know what? It didn't really trip it this time around. But the stuff can be packed into a pipe chamber quite well, lights well, and I smoked right down to the bottom without the slightest problem. I guess I need to find a more tasty equivalent of CH with its same easy-to-use properties (I'm not there yet!).

Anyway, it's a reminder that a good experience need not be precious at all, or expensive. A MM Missouri Pride is around 5 bucks, and a pouch of CH around 4. Not a bad way for any newbie to learn the basics of the hobby. I know that's nothing earthshaking to state, but a reminder of the essentials is a good thing, now and then!

I once became fixated on latakia heavy blends and bought an excessive amount expressed through a variety of different blends and brands. I had such an abundance of tobacco blended with latakia as the major component that I experienced palate fatigue. On the advice of my dear friend, the late Matches860 (John Harden), I reacquainted myself with the basics and bought some Half & Half. I was delighted at my renewed experience and discovered nuances that previously eluded me. I learned that sometimes in order to progress, one must go back and begin again. Just as in your illustration, the tobacco wasn't sumptuous or elegant and the pipe wasn't of heirloom quality but, the experience embodied the essence of an exciting first smoke.

 

[brandaves]

I haven't been pipe smoking for terribly long but the sentiments above are all the more reason why a shake my head when a lot of people describe themselves as a (specific blend type) pipe smoker. For instance, "I'm an aromatic pipe smoker" or "I'm an English blend pipe smoker". I smoke aromatics, non-aromatics and English blends and it all depends on my mood as to what I grab for the particular bowl I'm packing. Occasionally I'll find that my palate gravitates toward a specific style for a while but it usually only takes me one bowl of a different blend type to renew my appreciation of the endless possibilities to be found in pipe tobacco. The more I smoke the more I appreciate this hobby.

 

[marlinspike]

I once became fixated on latakia heavy blends and bought an excessive amount expressed through a variety of different blends and brands. I had such an abundance of tobacco blended with latakia as the major component that I experienced palate fatigue. On the advice of my dear friend, the late Matches860 (John Harden), I reacquainted myself with the basics and bought some Half & Half. I was delighted at my renewed experience and discovered nuances that previously eluded me. I learned that sometimes in order to progress, one must go back and begin again. Just as in your illustration, the tobacco wasn't sumptuous or elegant and the pipe wasn't of heirloom quality but, the experience embodied the essence of an exciting first smoke.

Absolutely. Since getting back into puffing, I've shown more restraint than I would have when I was into pipes years ago, and a lot of that is the perspective one gets with some time passing. When I get a little bleary with something, a break from it, or a small change in routine will almost always give me a different perspective.

Appreciating latakia or stronger blends is probably not something I will ever cordially enjoy. My last experience with a latakia blend happened just as I came down with horrible food poisoning. For years, I associated the distinctive aroma with crushing nausea and stomach cramps, and almost couldn't bear the scent.

 

[Dallas Wynn]

Absolutely. Since getting back into puffing, I've shown more restraint than I would have when I was into pipes years ago, and a lot of that is the perspective one gets with some time passing. When I get a little bleary with something, a break from it, or a small change in routine will almost always give me a different perspective.

Appreciating latakia or stronger blends is probably not something I will ever cordially enjoy. My last experience with a latakia blend happened just as I came down with horrible food poisoning. For years, I associated the distinctive aroma with crushing nausea and stomach cramps, and almost couldn't bear the scent.

Indeed; I have a habit of becoming rigid in my routine and neglect spontaneity or variance at times but that experience enlightened me to the rewards of maintaining an eclectic tobacco rotation.
I too became ill with food poisoning after eating cheesecake when I was in high school. I was in my adulthood before I was ever able to eat cheesecake again without becoming nauseated. ?

 

[Old School 3319]

This weekend, I went out for a hike with an old buddy of mine who never gave up pipe smoking like I did. I brought along a Missouri Meerschaum Pride cob, and he offered to bring along a baccy pouch or two. When we had arrived at a good resting place, he brought out a pouch of the venerable old Carter Hall. I knew the stuff, having smoked a bit years ago, but it never really tripped my trigger all that much. And you know what? It didn't really trip it this time around. But the stuff can be packed into a pipe chamber quite well, lights well, and I smoked right down to the bottom without the slightest problem. I guess I need to find a more tasty equivalent of CH with its same easy-to-use properties (I'm not there yet!).

Anyway, it's a reminder that a good experience need not be precious at all, or expensive. A MM Missouri Pride is around 5 bucks, and a pouch of CH around 4. Not a bad way for any newbie to learn the basics of the hobby. I know that's nothing earthshaking to state, but a reminder of the essentials is a good thing, now and then!

As a fairly new guy after 2yrs I am finally starting to venture into the finer blends.

 

[marlinspike]

And there's something also to be said for finding a combination of pipe and tobacco that works for you on a regular basis!

 

[Dallas Wynn]

As a fairly new guy after 2yrs I am finally starting to venture into the finer blends.

Congrats!! If I may, I reccomend keeping a pouch of Half & Half or some neutral tobacco in your rotation to fall back on as a palate cleanser. When researching tobaccos and blends, it is easy to succumb to palate fatigue caused when you become numb to the nuances offered by the tobacco and they begin to taste one dimentional or palate confusion caused when trying to review too great a variety and you begin to detect phantom nuances due to hyperstimulation. I review tobacco in pairs interrupted by the Half & Half after determining my preference, then review a new pair. Happy piping

 

[BROBS]

half and half is far from a palate cleanser!
you smoke too much Latakia, my friend.

I despise Latakia... I've smelled enough campfires in my day, thank you.

 

[marlinspike]

Congrats!! If I may, I reccomend keeping a pouch of Half & Half or some neutral tobacco in your rotation to fall back on as a palate cleanser. When researching tobaccos and blends, it is easy to succumb to palate fatigue caused when you become numb to the nuances offered by the tobacco and they begin to taste one dimentional or palate confusion caused when trying to review too great a variety and you begin to detect phantom nuances due to hyperstimulation. I review tobacco in pairs interrupted by the Half & Half after determining my preference, then review a new pair. Happy piping

Damned good advice. And most of all - take your time. I used to rush through every new tobacco I bought, without sitting with the stuff, eager to jump to the next experience.

 

[marlinspike]

half and half is far from a palate cleanser!
you smoke too much Latakia, my friend.

I despise Latakia... I've smelled enough campfires in my day, thank you.

A little dab will certainly do ya!

 

[Dallas Wynn]

half and half is far from a palate cleanser!
you smoke too much Latakia, my friend.

I despise Latakia... I've smelled enough campfires in my day, thank you.

That's funny! I find Half & Half to be relatively one dimensional and mild. It doesn't overburden my palate like stronger tobaccos, nor does it distract my attention from the subtleties of more complex varietals. But you are right, I am a bit accustomed to latakia which creates a more aggressive tolerance. What is your review of Half & Half?

 

[BROBS]

That's funny! I find Half & Half to be relatively one dimensional and mild. It doesn't overburden my palate like stronger tobaccos, nor does it distract my attention from the subtleties of more complex varietals. But you are right, I am a bit accustomed to latakia which creates a more aggressive tolerance. What is your review of Half & Half?

It's nutty but has an off chemical flavor that won't leave a pipe or your palate afterwards from the "licorice/cherry" or whatever flavor is supposed to be on it. I liked it for the period of about a week or two until one day I just couldn't stand its smell.

I can see how people like it but it's heavily flavored. I would consider a palate cleanser a straight VA or burley etc maybe.

 

[Dallas Wynn]

It's nutty but has an off chemical flavor that won't leave a pipe or your palate afterwards from the "licorice/cherry" or whatever flavor is supposed to be on it. I liked it for the period of about a week or two until one day I just couldn't stand its smell.

Interesting, I'm going to have to smoke a bowl of H&H in light of your perspective. I appreciate the alternate interpretation. Do you have any recommendations for a mild one dimensional "palate cleansing" tobacco?

 

[BROBS]

Interesting, I'm going to have to smoke a bowl of H&H in light of your perspective. I appreciate the alternate interpretation. Do you have any recommendations for a mild one dimensional "palate cleansing" tobacco?

My main recommendation would be Orlik Golden Sliced.. the classic standby.
I would also recommend like H&H pure VA... or Newminster Navy Flake... etc?
I would even consider stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake more flavor neutral even though it has a bit of coconut.

but if you are more into an OTC burley as a palate cleanser my absolute favorite is Granger.

otherwise Stokkebye sells mixing tobacco in bulk so there are fairly pure VA's and burleys there, too.

 

[Dallas Wynn]

My main recommendation would be Orlik Golden Sliced.. the classic standby.
I would also recommend like H&H pure VA... or Newminster Navy Flake... etc?
I would even consider stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake more flavor neutral even though it has a bit of coconut.

but if you are more into an OTC burley as a palate cleanser my absolute favorite is Granger.

otherwise Stokkebye sells mixing tobacco in bulk so there are fairly pure VA's and burleys there, too.

Thanks a million Brobs! I will certainly review these recommendations to improve my methodology!

 

[BROBS]

Hey no worries man! I just see H&H as an aromatic rather than something flavor neutral.
even better than another tobacco might be just smelling coffee beans.

 

[marlinspike]

Newminster No. 400 is my usual smoke. I've never tried the Orlik Golden Sliced. @BROBS , do you find them to be pretty similar?

 

[BROBS]

Newminster No. 400 is my usual smoke. I've never tried the Orlik Golden Sliced. @BROBS , do you find them to be pretty similar?

I consider newminster closer to capstan blue/yellow.
the golden sliced is more bready and does have perique though a very small amount.

 

[Dallas Wynn]

Hey no worries man! I just see H&H as an aromatic rather than something flavor neutral.
even better than another tobacco might be just smelling coffee beans.

Mmmmmmmmmmm coffee ?