Briar brother Beginner

[briarbrother]

Everyone has been so welcoming and informative with their knowledge. It is highly appreciated. In what order should tobacco categories/blends be smoked? Cavendish--Virginia--oriential--latakia-balkans (from mildest-to-strongest) ? How do i set up a daily rotation if I want to smoke from morning to night?

 

[ontario]

I start light and end strong....not very helpful.

 

[judcole]

I like a latakia blend in the morning. (Remember that latakia blends may have the fullest flavor, but may not be the strongest - most nicotine. (I like using the mild/strong continuum for nic level. I will say full or rich or complex for flavors, as opposed to simple or subtle.)) Usually - although not always - it is Syrian latakia, which has a different flavor profile than Cyprian. (Most latakia blends use Cyprian.)

In the middle of the day - after lunch - I smoke a Virginia or a burley blend. Then in the evening it's back to latakia. I save fuller, richer blends for the evening, as a rule - Penzance, Larry's Blend, full Balkans - but that pipe may be something less rich, too, like Old Dublin.

If I smoke anything in between, it's grab bag. ::

And remember - there are no rules for this stuff. It's all about the palate, and what works for you.

 

[pstlpkr]

I like a latakia blend in the morning. (Remember that latakia blends may have the fullest flavor, but may not be the strongest - most nicotine.

I'm with you Jud.

Not on the latakia blend in the morning thing, but the most nicotine thing.

I often have a large mug o' Josephus Daniels and a bowl of G.L. Pease Haddo's Delight...

Buh-leeeeave you me, I'm pushing the edge on an empty stomach. :crazy:

But, It'll open your eyes. 8O

::

 

[judcole]

I'll bet it will, Lawrence! I like MacBaren's HH Vintage Syrian or The Solent Mixture in the morning - got that sweet/spicy thing going. But after breakfast. :D

 

[riverchaopraya]

Just wanna say, I am new to the hobby as well. I don't like aromatics generally, but absolutely love latakia and english blends. I don't find that these blends are heavier or harder to smoke. for me, they taste better and easier to smoke. Aromatics smoke a little hot and tend to give tongue bites. The first time I went to tobacconist, he insisted that aromatics are "lighter" than latakia blends. I found out on my own that the difference between aromatics and english or latakia blends has to do with the taste and not the nicotine. It took me months to build up the courage to try latakia, because of the misconception that new smokers should start with aromatics. I am now a big latakia fan.

 

[judcole]

It took me months to build up the courage to try latakia, because of the misconception that new smokers should start with aromatics.

I personally wouldn't encourage anybody to start with American style aromatics. If they had been a cigar smoker, I would encourage some of the fuller latakia blends; a cigarette smoker, burleys. If they hadn't smoked at all, I would try to find out what sort of tastes they enjoyed. ::

 

[briarbrother]

Thank you soo much everyone ...your advice and knowledge has helped me alot. I especially welcome the "new" Briar Brothers input as well, as they are expieriencing the same trials and tribulations that every new (BBro's) pipe smokers go through. For the seasoned BBro's.. your wisdom is legendary

As a new pipe smoker.. i'm still getting used to packing a pipe. I have learned to slow down my cadence/puffing since I started smoking a pipe (a couple of weeks), but I still get a slight tongue bite (I use biotene). I have tried various methods, frank, 3 step (various versions). Which is the best way to consistently pack a pipe and avoid tongue burn.? Should there be some resistance when pulling/drawing through the pipe when it is not lit or should there be a "whooshing air sound??? What are some good ways to break in a pipe? I really enjoy smoking a pipe but it is becoming fustrating as a new Briar Brother!!

 

[mluyckx]

Stick with it !
Newbie myself and I'm still trying to figure things out. But here's some of my experiences
1) packing: I use the frank method. Seems to work for me. Draw on the pipe when it's empty, then pack, then draw before lighting. It should feel roughly the same. A little more resistance, but if it feels like sucking a milkshake, dump and start over. This will sound stupid, but I actually practiced just packing another pipe while smoking a bowl.

2) smoking: if it gets too hot, tamp it down a little. The tamper and gravity are my best friend ;-) another stupid thing I've done is look at the clock at the top of my iPad while I'm reading and smoking. Draw, sip, get some smoke. Look at the clock. Wait at least a minute or two before getting the next draw, sip. It helped me slow down and get in a rhythm. I know... It's dumb

I also have a cold drink around. I like dark beers or Dr.Pepper, which goes well with a vanilla aromatic like MacBaren Vanilla Cream ;-) a cold drink will help cool you're mouth and avoid the dreaded tongue burn. ( not the same as bite)

3) tobacco: I'm a cigarette smoker trying to switch, so I need the nicotine kick in the morning. Burleys seems to work best for that. Sterling tobacco will send you a free sample of their Double eagle if you send them an email. You can find how on their website. I then usually smoke Lane 1-q during the day (or similar) and an aromatic at night. My advice, buy something mainstream like Lane 1-Q or Prince Albert. Then one or two aromatics. The first year, when i smoked the pipe maybe once a week or less,I think I smoked nothing but Burley mild.

4) the pipe: I started of with a cheap "basket" pipe with no markings but the word "Czech" on it. And I still have it, carry it around and smoke out of it. But what pushed me over the edge was my wife who, on a bit of a whim, bought me a Peterson. The difference was remarkable and it's what really made me explore pipe smoking more. There is a difference in the pipes. Spend the money on one or two decent pipes. It helped me get better and I actually have less trouble now smoking my trusted little Czech. Less hot, goes out less, better flavor of the tobaccos. In the beginning, yeah it gaveme some trouble and frustrations. But I'm getting better each day.
But above everything I've learned you do what feels right to you. Experiment, stick around and don't give up. It'll come to you. If it does for a dumb#&$ like me, anyone can ;-)
And never hesitate to ask questions around here. These guys are great !

 

[philip]

the same trials and tribulations that every new (BBro's) pipe smokers go through.

It seems to be a sort of rite of passage. It does get easier.

I have learned to slow down my cadence/puffing since I started...

Go even slower, and don't worry about occasionally letting it go out. Sip a little water when it does. When I first started I might smoke a bowl in half an hour; now it takes well over an hour and it's more than twice as enjoyable.

Should there be some resistance when pulling/drawing through the pipe when it is not lit or should there be a "whooshing air sound?

I prefer to pack lightly enough that there is little or no resistance. Puff barely hard enough to pull the air through.

What are some good ways to break in a pipe?

You'll get lots of contrary opinions on that one.

 

[briarbrother]

What are some of the best "bent clencher Pipes"? I am a new brair brother and getting used to the whole smoking process(tobacco,packing,cadence.etc) but I seem to prefer "clenching" a bent pipe in my mouth and "breath smoking technique" (seems to work well for me so far)instead of holding the pipe. I find that the pipe burns better,cooler and is more flavorful,,what does everyone else think? I have numerous pipes for a beginner, such as:
Peterson Flame grain 68 (my first pipe

Peterson Killarney (338) (P-Lip)

Peterson: Sherlock Holmes Smooth Brown Baskerville Fishtail

Peterson: Aran (B5) Fishtail

Savinelli Sandblasted "Collection 1999" (6mm)

Savinelli: Hercules Rusticated (320 EX) (smoke is hotter with balkan blends,..why is that?)

Savinelli Hercules Smooth (604 EX)
I really enjoy the Savinelli Hercules Smooth (604 EX) (OOM Paul) ,it is very comfortable in the mouth,smokes cool and has a large bowl..it is a little heavy, but is comfortable in the mouth. I am looking to add more pipes to my collection that are light in weight bent pipes (clenchers)..top 5 pipes??..I welcome all suggestions,tips,and recommendations???

 

[briarbrother]

I spent many hours last night from being sick from burley/virginia blend (I heard burley/virginia blends are best for breaking in new pipes?) I dont know if I inhaled any smoke unintentionally or the blend had a higher than normal nicotine level?! I was dizzy, nausea, shortness of breath etc.. Is there anything that helps you feel better quicker,when you have had to much nicotine? How can i tell if im inhaling smoke while puffing? Are there any tricks to prevent me from inhaling? Improving my puffing (long slow draws? Short more frequent sips/puffs?) cadence? Thank you very much everyone for welcoming me into the briar brotherhood, I enjoy pipe smokng for the enjoyment and inner peace it gives me, it is a form of meditation or reflection which forces me to slow down and relax.

 

[judcole]

I spent many hours last night from being sick from burley/virginia blend

Sounds to me like you had a high nic blend and were puffing too fast. Slow smoking is key - don't be afraid to let it go out and have to relight it. Sip on a glass of water, too - that might help.
And what were you smoking? Inquiring minds want to know. ::