Dark Star

[aquadoc]

I love Dark Star but like many find it temperamental. This evening, I had about half a flakes worth and decided to combine it with a flake of FVF. Wow, this is a great smoke. I did microwave the DS before combining the 2. Very smooth and Burns well.

 

[beefeater33]

When its good, it's real good, but yes, it's temperamental. I remember an old post about it from forum member Cobguy........

(I miss that dude).......... Good stuff, that. I have a mid 1990's tin I've been saving.......... one of these days!

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/ode-to-dark-star

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yeh, my last tin reminded me that I really love this one mixed with other Virginias. I cube cut it and mixed it in with some Christmas Cheer. It is still amazing by itself, but the stars have to be in perfect alignment for me.

 

[mackeson]

It is still amazing by itself, but the stars have to be in perfect alignment for me.

I feel exactly the same way. I don't find Darkstar as difficult as some, but it's either a blah smoke or amazing. There isn't a middle ground with this one for me

 

[drrock]

Dark Star is really delicious but for me it's like trying to keep asbestos lit. I've tried every sort of prep - extra drying, fine cube cut, coffee grinder, smaller pipe, larger pipe etc. - and the darn stuff just won't burn well for me so I lose interest in a hurry. Combining it with another more user-friendly tobacco that burns well might be a better option.

 

[hawky454]

Yeh, my last tin reminded me that I really love this one mixed with other Virginias. I cube cut it and mixed it in with some Christmas Cheer. It is still amazing by itself, but the stars have to be in perfect alignment for me.

You are basically describing their Red & Black Flake

 

[perdurabo]

Try it with dried perique. Wonderful smoke. Start out with a pinch.

 

[leacha]

Is there anything Perique doesn't go with?

 

[mso489]

My unopened Dark Star tin keeps getting passed over for tobacco that may be less demanding, Haddo's Delight, Potlatch, and Riverboat Gambler ... and a couple dozen others. I think I can handle it -- dry it, microwave it, mix it with Perique. But summoning the patience may take some presence of mind. Some days, Prince Albert is about right.

 

[cigrmaster]

I remember trying to smoke DS back in the day and getting frustrated with it's burning qualities. If I were going to try smoking it today I would treat it like I do Samuel Gawith Full Virginia in bulk form which is also a bitch. I dry it some, cube cut it into small cubes, and then smoke it in a group 4 Dublin. I pack the tobacco firmly so there is some resistance and I have had great results with this combo.

 

[mso489]

cigr', maybe I'll print off your post and tape it to the tin, as a reminder. I won't start out in a total void. I certainly have a platoon of group 4 Dublins. Tks!

 

[btwes7]

I've never tried it but have a couple of tins put away for someday.