Ashy Taste

[ravkesef]

+1 on floridaboy. Boswell tobaccos are top quality, an I've never had a problem with any of them. If the pipe is clean, perhaps the tobacco is just too dry, although that's a really far out possibility. There are many smokers who let their tobacco dry to just before the crumble into dust point. Another possibility--you're pulling too hard and/or smoking too fast. Clean your pipe well, including running a folded over pipe cleaner on the inside of the bowl. Let your pipes sit for at least two days between smokes. I suspect that this problem is mainly one of technique and you should be able to fix the issue fairly quickly.
By the way, speaking of getting an ashy taste, Caol Ila, one of my favorite scotches, has a long finish that tastes of wood ash. Love it! Highly recommended for those who like the taste of ash.

 

[floridaboy]

Follow-up to my last post: My suspicions were confirmed. I just smoked another bowl of the same 1Q as yesterday in one of the same pipes used before but this time I packed it straight out of the jar--no drying time at all. It smoked just fine with no ashy taste. As before, the ONLY variable was the drying time.
So given my last post, I've confirmed that it is possible for some blends to be too dry and create an ashy taste.
One of those interesting lessons learned along the way.

 

[ravkesef]

Thanks, Floridaboy--that's good info.

 

[floridaboy]

sparks - Yes, that was what I was beginning to conclude as well. Although it smoked fine, I did notice the taste was pretty flat. So either this batch may not have aged well or 1Q just doesn't age well (first time I've ever had 1Q).

 

[condorlover1]

This is just a fascinating series of posts. I don't think I have ever experienced the 'ashy taste' thing myself but the logic and thinking employed in the deductive reasoning of getting Lane 1Q to smoke well is just fascinating. Thank you everyone for making my Sunday morning something akin to a science class.

 

[floridaboy]

sparks - Yeah, I'd put 1Q in that category of "popular blends you have to try once." When it was fresher it was not disagreeable but neither was it something I'd rush out to refill.
Looking forward travelling the VA road for a bit: I've got tins of Hal O' the Wynd and Orlick I'll be cracking soon.