Dedicated pipes and flavor

[samuelgawith01]

I have only one pipe that I've been smoking the Warped Cloud Hopper in from the first day that the pipe arrived. The LJ Peretti 150th anniversary pipe.It seems to enhance the flavor experience. Aside from that I'm not super disciplined on pipe dedication. I think it was pure chance that I did this with rhe Cloud Hopper. I am also pretty undisciplined about rotating pipes, unless I'm out at work,and only have eight or nine pipes along with me.

 

[Grangerous]

Dedicate a pipe to a blend much?

That’s cute. Lol

kidding aside. I water rinse my briars. Even my cobs. But I’ve been inspired by a certain Mod’s photo of his well caked Cob. So I’ve dedicated one MM Country Gentleman Cob to Pegasus and I must say, unlike my Briars, which can taste pretty awful to me if unclean— the cob has a great aroma post smoke and I’m allowing a cake to build. Could be my imagination but I’ve been enjoying each successful bowl in that Cob. Time will tell.

 

[judcole]

if I dedicate a pipe to a certain blend, it;s because I have discovered, usually by chance, that the pipe and tobacco go together beautifully.

 

[Gavrin]

When I first started smoking a pipe I only had one. I rotated between improperly prepared Captain Black, Half & Half and some quasi English blend I got my hands on. I never gave it any thought as I watched my grandfather smoke the same way, although primarily with SWR.

As my knowledge, skill and collection grew I began using certain blend families in certain pipes. I've only got a couple pipes that have ever only had one particular blend in them.

I never would have thought of it either. So, knowing what you know now, what would you tell a newbie who is just starting out to discover what "blend families" they prefer? What would you suggest? I would like to hear from those that have posted in this thread as it is quite educational. Also those that flush the pipes out with water, never would have thought we should do that. I have a lot to learn. Hope you don't mind the questions.

 

[Chasing Embers]

what would you tell a newbie who is just starting out to discover what "blend families" they prefer?

Try all genres. In all likelihood, a new palate isn't going to enjoy aromatics. That comes after you've got a good understanding of packing, lighting, and smoking technique.

What would you suggest?

English and Burley blends. Like aromatics, Virginias and Orientals are mostly still too subtle until good technique is learned.

 

[Gavrin]

Try all genres. In all likelihood, a new palate isn't going to enjoy aromatics. That comes after you've got a good understanding of packing, lighting, and smoking technique.



English and Burley blends. Like aromatics, Virginias and Orientals are mostly still too subtle until good technique is learned.

I appreciate your info. However in looking back I did not write my sentence well. What I was looking for was: For the new pipe smoker what would you suggest they do about pipes as they are trying to discover what tobaccos they want to smoke. IE "don't bother dedicating a pipe ever you will never know the difference" OR "buy a bunch of inexpensive pipes to start and use those pipes to smoke. Then once you find what you like dedicate them to a pipe" etc. That sort of thing was what I was wondering about. Cuz at this point I am almost exhausted with all the study that seems to go into just wanting to smoke a good tobacco and enjoy a pipe hahahaha . Perhaps I am giving myself to big a dose of information overload!

 

[Chasing Embers]

For the new pipe smoker what would you suggest they do about pipes as they are trying to discover what tobaccos they want to smoke.

Pick a pipe you like and a tobacco you like. Some swear by certain chamber shapes for certain tobacco genres, some don't. For me, one blend tastes exactly the same in any unghosted pipe. Any tobacco/pipe pairings I make are entirely based on whimsy and what the image of a particular pipe reminds me of. There are zero set rules, the entire experience is subjective to the individual.

 

[jewman22]

I have 3 pipes dedicated to blends.
- 2010 Peterson St.Patricks Day for Captain Black Cherry
- BC Brazilia for Stonehenge
- Peterson Rocky Donegal for Frog on a Log
These all just happened to be unsmoked pipes before filling with these blends, and just kept it that way.

 

[Streeper541]

If you're new and still experimenting, Missouri Meershaum corn cobs are fantastic for learning new tobaccos. #1, they are forgiving with smoking habits & moisture. #2, they don't ghost that bad. #3, which should probably be first, they're relatively cheap.

Some would recommend a pipe for each blend family, and several for different aromatic flavors. Again, if you're starting out, maybe try Mr. Brog or Dr. Grabow pipes for this before venturing into spending more for your pipes.

I, much like Chasing Embers, don’t have any hard & fast rules about things. I smoke what I want, when I want, from whatever pipe I want. I try to keep some pipes aligned for certain types of tobacco, but rarely does that ever last for ever.

You might find that you set aside one pipe for VaPers and your favorite blend has become an English, or even an Aromatic. You might really like that particular pipe and favor it over others for a number of reasons. What will you do?

We have a saying around here... YMMV, your mileage may vary. Take advice for what its worth but keep in mind, your experience will be different and unique from anyone elses entirely.

Good luck and happy smokes.

 

[OzPiper]

I appreciate your info. However in looking back I did not write my sentence well. What I was looking for was: For the new pipe smoker what would you suggest they do about pipes as they are trying to discover what tobaccos they want to smoke. IE "don't bother dedicating a pipe ever you will never know the difference" OR "buy a bunch of inexpensive pipes to start and use those pipes to smoke. Then once you find what you like dedicate them to a pipe" etc. That sort of thing was what I was wondering about. Cuz at this point I am almost exhausted with all the study that seems to go into just wanting to smoke a good tobacco and enjoy a pipe hahahaha . Perhaps I am giving myself to big a dose of information overload!

A lot of members swear by the water flush to clean their pipes after a smoke.

I've found that flushing or not, Latakia blends and aromatics will leave a ghost. I'm fortunate in having enough pipes to dedicate to different genres ie aromatic pipes or Latakia/Balkan pipes. I don't have a specific pipe for a particular blend though.

It really depends on how sensitive you are to ghosts. If a ghost doesn't bother, or as some members say that ghosts just adds another level of flavour to the smoke, then smoke whatever you like in your pipe.

 

[mso489]

The only blends that would make me designate a pipe are Lakeland aromatics with rose geranium, and I don't smoke them. Since I have scores of pipes, none gets immersed in one blend or genre. Moreover, I do not build cake. I scoop out the ash and wipe out the bowl with an abrasive paper towel thus maintaining just a thin layer of carbon, and the diameter of the chamber. Also, with no cake there is substantially less chance of carrying over flavor. This isn't everyone's way of going, but it's been my way, and various pipes that I bought new thirty or forty years ago are still going strong with no invasive flavors.