AH HA!!

[hawk60ce]

I've been smoking a pipe for about 6 months now and mostly started as a way to get away from cigars to something a little more pleasant. While watch the series Hatfields & McCoys, it pushed me over the edge. I went to my local tobacconist, Timba Cigar and Pipe to see what I could come up with. He set me up with a nice new slight bent briar that was just stamped 'Israel' on the shank and some house blend which i came to learn was something by Lane Limited (not sure which one). This started into a long journey of TAD & PAD. In that time ive had some decent smokes, and some not so good ones, but never that ah ha moment that everyone talks about. Well tonight, I was craving some latakia and some nicotine. After this weekend of meeting with some guys at Timba, I walked away with a bunch of samples of different things to try. One of these samples was Dunhill Nightcap from Dave (dhizzy). I figured this would meet my need for both latakia and lady N. So i loaded up a CAO meer, one which I haven't particularly enjoyed but has a nice big bowl, a set out to the garage. Its a very nice 60 degree night in Columbus which is rare for these parts in early December. Some might even call it a heat wave!! I grabbed a glass of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, my laptop, and my dog, and turned on Breaking Bad on Netflix. Fired up the bowl and was amazed immediately. This was my first go with any Dunhill blend, and one of my few with english blends. It took to a great charring and true light and away I went. Smoked wonderfully throughout (still smoking as I type) with a few relights here and there. I found that i could not pull the pipe away from my lips. Was just a great cool smoke. It was amazing. I know now what everyone talks about when they say they have the 'ah ha' moment. This one moment is enough to keep me going for a while to come, only in search for that moment again. Thanks to everyone for the help and information that helps keep this hobby alive. I cant give a good review as i feel my palette is still new, but this one hit the spot. Im typically very nic friendly having chewed skoal and copenhagen for quite sometime. although ive quit, i still grab a pinch every now and then. I didn't get the sick to my stomach, just a bit a dizziness letting me know its there. Its just what i needed to go along with the glass of bourbon. keep the comments and info and pics coming guys. You are all what makes this world great. Now, back to my meer!!

 

[weezell]

:clap:

 

[pstlpkr]

That made me feel good.

:worship: Great post!

Smokin' a bowl of Penzance to your health and success.

::

 

[hawk60ce]

smoked it all the way to the bottom too. Never done that before. I like this meer and will be adding more to my collection. Maybe tonight.

 

[gnatjulio]

Nice. Nightcap was one of my early favorites. Have you tried EMP?

 

[hawk60ce]

nope but I've got two tins in the cellar

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for the write-up, and I wish you many more of those ineffable moments in the near future. :clap:

 

[gwtwdbss]

Woo hoo! Excellent Hawk! :clap:

 

[guitarguy86]

Nightcap is on my next TAD list.

 

[dhizzy]

Glad you liked it bro! Looks like you finally got that pipe to sing as well and that is a good thing because it is a beutiful pipe. I like nightcap as well, on occasion; It definitely has its place. BTW, I'm not sure what the date was on that tin but I've had it for almost a year so it has been aged a bit.

 

[hawk60ce]

All i can say to the ones that are newer than me is hang in there. It will come one of these days when you least expect it. Never thought it would come with an english lat bomb but you just never know. For some reason i was craving a lat and nic hit so this is what i went with. keep on puffin'

 

[captainprophesy]

:clap: good for you... Nightcap is an old favorite.
Now the fun really starts :lol: ... As the old saying goes.... Once you go Lat ya never go back!

 

[zanthal]

That's what it's all about right there
I can pretty safely say the best smoke I've ever had is SHCP Great Hiatus in my Yanik meerschaum.
But I could be wrong, I better go make sure. ::

 

[mthanded]

Good write up! Night cap is now on my list thanks to you, along with the Woodford. How would you compare Woodford against Makers Mark? Just curious.

 

[topd]

Good on you hawk! I don't know what it is that makes that happen sometimes... The pipe/tobacco combination,

what you had to eat before or just what's in the air. But those times come and go with me. The last perfect

smoke I remember was with some of Butera's Pelican some weeks ago smoked in a brier. I must remember what I

ate beforehand next time....

 

[hawk60ce]

@mthanded- makers mark is one of my favorites. I would not say its better than Makers mark, but different. It's not one I keep on the shelf all the time but when I do it doesn't last long.
@top- I had pulled pork and lemonade before the smoke.

 

[simnettpratt]

@mthanded I would also put Makers and Woodford as kinda equal, just different. Both I would put as excellent everyday bourbons. For me, Woodford is paler and tastes thinner, while Makers is a bit more robust, but both are smooth and well-rounded. While both are top-shelf, neither are very expensive, either. If I had to pick one, I would go with Makers, but that's just me. It would be the difference between mild (Woodford) and medium (Makers).
PS I've never met a whiskey that lasted long

 

[hawk60ce]

@simnett- the only reason they last Lon at my house is I have. 1.75 of crown, 1.75 of crown black, 750 ml of makers, templet on rye, JD single barrel, Jameson, JD, Jim Beam, and I'm sure I'm missing one or two. A few guys on here can attest toy selection

 

[shawn622]

Great post Hawk. I wish I would have made it to the gathering Saturday, but I had sick kids and no sitter. I had that AH HA moment back in September. I relive it often. There is a relaxation that comes with a properly packed bowl of your favorite blend that parallels nothing. I too love my meer. Thanks for sharing brother!!!

 

[twangthang]

Nice write up. I am at about the same point. I am finding the same sort of thing for Virginias. I haven't smoked much else for the past couple of weeks.

This morning I dashed out the door with a cob and didn't realize I had left a half bowl unsmoked in it.

I figured what the hell and lit it up for the ride... Turns out it was Dan's London mix that is heavy on Lats.

Enjoyed it all the way to the train station...

Guess I will be smoking that again and again.

I love it when a plan comes from nowhere! ;-)

Also love some bourbon... Especially Knob Creek which I think is made by Makers.

Jim