My first General post, after an intro in New Member. I must begin by thanking all for your recommendations and contributions this site, whether they match my experience or not. There is very useful stuff on this site.
I haven’t yet finished figuring out “what’s best for me,” but the process is all fun and here are some contemporary pipes and tobaccos that hold new curiosity after a 15 year hiatus.
To add to my old briars is a Chacom Volcano - I wanted to mix things up with something modern(?) and different. Another edge choice is a Strambach billiard. I have a traditional meerschaum that I like very much, but along with the advantages of meerschaum comes their weakness, a delicate material. As daily appliances, I am not good at protecting pipes so, while not meerschaum, “cultured” or otherwise, I am hoping that it has some or all of the good properties of meerschaum along with greater sturdiness. It’s a solid pipe.
To replace my old tobacco memories of Dunhill’s Light Flake and London Mixture, Royal Yacht, etc, I’m trying Pease’s Westminster (very good), Sextant (nice and different), and Union Square (warming to it), along with Escudo (nice), Doblone D’oro (light, nice), and Orlik Golden Slice (very good). Reading up on other similar Straight (or almost straight) Virginias, it looks like Capstan Blue and FVF are next on the list once the OGS gives out. This Scandinavian copy of English copies of Scandanavian Straight Virginias burns cooool to my delight and surprise.
Another new dimension are the 9mm filters in the Strambach and Volcano. So far, they seem to help with the hot Doblone D’oro (MacBaren for Savenelli) and Union Square. I’m trying to slow down, but I am a hardish puffer. They look to be a helpful prosthesis for my hot burners. (Why does tobacco make you use big words?). Also, FWIW, it looks like the Blitz filter that came with the Chacom is the same as the bulk Big Ben that I bought on Amazon.
Again, thanks to all for putting your thoughts on this site. They helped me get re-started.
Cheers,
- TD