There are some blends, likte Motzek Strang, that I smoke to savor, and others that I like as an undemandingly mindless smoke to enjoy while I'm doing something else. Both have their place in my universe.
Critical vs Non-critical Smoking
- Thread starter dcicero
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The more complex or captivating blends demand more mental attention, I am beggining to appreciate simpler blends as they allow my mind to wander and focus on other things than the flavour of the tobacco.
I definitely am a critical smoker. Always analysing the flavours. Especially if I have read reviews and go into the experience expecting something. It is true that certain blends can lend themselves better to exploring, but you can get in depth with anything. I love intriguing complexity, but I enjoy the subtle nuances of simplicity too.
The thing is that there isn't really many tobaccos that I don't like, I can appreciate any kind of blend. It helps that I have grown tobacco and ordered whole leaf, and know what tobacco tastes like in different stages of processing. So I don't really enjoy a pipe more or less because I am critical, but I guess I don't get as critical as some, by taking notes or worrying about what I'm doing. First and foremost is just enjoying the smoke. Sometimes that means picking it apart, sometimes not.
I definitely am a critical smoker. Always analysing the flavours. Especially if I have read reviews and go into the experience expecting something. It is true that certain blends can lend themselves better to exploring, but you can get in depth with anything. I love intriguing complexity, but I enjoy the subtle nuances of simplicity too.
The thing is that there isn't really many tobaccos that I don't like, I can appreciate any kind of blend. It helps that I have grown tobacco and ordered whole leaf, and know what tobacco tastes like in different stages of processing. So I don't really enjoy a pipe more or less because I am critical, but I guess I don't get as critical as some, by taking notes or worrying about what I'm doing. First and foremost is just enjoying the smoke. Sometimes that means picking it apart, sometimes not.
There's a bit of a curve in there that kind of works itself out over time, for me.
When I first smoke a blend, I'm more attentive to get a feel for it. Not sure if I'd call it critical so much as being mindful.
Sometimes, I load a blend, hoping it will recede into the background and become mindless enjoyment as I do other things. Other times, I hope for an experience upon which I can focus.
Often, the pipe and tobacco do as they wish and I adapt, being more or less mindful as dictated.
Rarely, the smoke will become distracting or not enjoyable and I will sit it down, but that's definitely the exception.
I think I subconsciously choose more or less intricate blends to match my mood.
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When I first smoke a blend, I'm more attentive to get a feel for it. Not sure if I'd call it critical so much as being mindful.
Sometimes, I load a blend, hoping it will recede into the background and become mindless enjoyment as I do other things. Other times, I hope for an experience upon which I can focus.
Often, the pipe and tobacco do as they wish and I adapt, being more or less mindful as dictated.
Rarely, the smoke will become distracting or not enjoyable and I will sit it down, but that's definitely the exception.
I think I subconsciously choose more or less intricate blends to match my mood.
View attachment 17635
After 7 years of just smoking 3 mediocre blends [choice of blends here is woeful], I discovered on-line tobacconists.
So for the last 3 years I've got a variety from which to choose.
Now I'm able to choose a blend depending on my mood. What do I feel like smoking?
There's only been one blend that I disliked; Firedance. Once the disgusting topping dissipated over several months I found that it wasn't too bad.
There's a few blends that I tend to savour when I'm down to my last ounce or two. Formers Birds Eye Flake & a gifted sample of McClellands Christmas Cheer for e.g. Those I will smoke in a smaller bowl like my Dr Plumb Dinky or Dr Grabow Duke.
Those I will savour & enjoy once a week when I'm in the mood because once gone I wont see them again. - I learnt the hard way by smoking a tin of the Formers BEF in under a week.
Apart from those scarce blends I appreciate everyday blends for what they are, decent tasty tobacco. Not much thought is required really.
So for the last 3 years I've got a variety from which to choose.
Now I'm able to choose a blend depending on my mood. What do I feel like smoking?
There's only been one blend that I disliked; Firedance. Once the disgusting topping dissipated over several months I found that it wasn't too bad.
There's a few blends that I tend to savour when I'm down to my last ounce or two. Formers Birds Eye Flake & a gifted sample of McClellands Christmas Cheer for e.g. Those I will smoke in a smaller bowl like my Dr Plumb Dinky or Dr Grabow Duke.
Those I will savour & enjoy once a week when I'm in the mood because once gone I wont see them again. - I learnt the hard way by smoking a tin of the Formers BEF in under a week.
Apart from those scarce blends I appreciate everyday blends for what they are, decent tasty tobacco. Not much thought is required really.
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