Well, in my quest to continue learning and experimenting, I’ve learned a valuable lesson today.
Yesterday, I recived a tin of the famed Black Frigate. I was very excited to try it and loaded it up into one of my well broken in Stanwells used only for English blends.
Tin note was very pleasant and very rummy as you all know. Unfortunately my first bowl was a huge disappointment... Definitely a stronger tasting blend but it was very ashy and biting like crazy. I slowed way down to tiny sips and was able to start getting a feel for the different components. Guessing it’s mostly Virginia up front as I could barely make out the Latakia. Rum topping was definitely present and in just the right amount but the rest was just a mess. Anyway, overall I was really disappointed. I did finish the bowl... barely.
Then tonight. I was really bothered by the first bowl experience so I gave it another try but this time in a lightly used MM cob. WOW! What the heck? This was a completely different experience and it was a beautiful thing. I just can’t fathom what a difference it made from one pipe to another. It was a much cooler and smoother experience and the flavors were all there. Now I understand why this blend is so popular. Consider me hooked.
Guess I need to try Escudo again in a different pipe as my first bowl was terrible also.
P.S. I’m very meticulous about cleaning and rotating my briars. I keep aromatic pipes separate from the English pipes also. Anyway, the learning continues. Thanks for reading.
Yesterday, I recived a tin of the famed Black Frigate. I was very excited to try it and loaded it up into one of my well broken in Stanwells used only for English blends.
Tin note was very pleasant and very rummy as you all know. Unfortunately my first bowl was a huge disappointment... Definitely a stronger tasting blend but it was very ashy and biting like crazy. I slowed way down to tiny sips and was able to start getting a feel for the different components. Guessing it’s mostly Virginia up front as I could barely make out the Latakia. Rum topping was definitely present and in just the right amount but the rest was just a mess. Anyway, overall I was really disappointed. I did finish the bowl... barely.
Then tonight. I was really bothered by the first bowl experience so I gave it another try but this time in a lightly used MM cob. WOW! What the heck? This was a completely different experience and it was a beautiful thing. I just can’t fathom what a difference it made from one pipe to another. It was a much cooler and smoother experience and the flavors were all there. Now I understand why this blend is so popular. Consider me hooked.
Guess I need to try Escudo again in a different pipe as my first bowl was terrible also.
P.S. I’m very meticulous about cleaning and rotating my briars. I keep aromatic pipes separate from the English pipes also. Anyway, the learning continues. Thanks for reading.