Do You Smoke Primarily with Nose or Mouth or Both?

[edger]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

While I would guess that most would say both, I tend to enjoy my va flakes with my nose. The mouth taste of a blend is not very important so long it isn’t outright offensive. The wisps and tendrils off the bowl are what I’m after. This could be why the OTC burleys seem boring to me. I also don’t inhale so perhaps my tastebuds at the back of my mouth aren’t stimulated. I would be interested in what others say.

 

[Jwebb90]

Learning to retrohale pipe tobacco was like going from watching tv in black and white to 4K. For me, the nose makes all the difference, since we are really talking more about “smells” than we are “taste.”

 

[mso489]

Intentionally with my mouth only. I don't retrohale. But I think I probably pick up a lot of the flavor from the scent through my nose, as with food.

 

[STP]

I never really thought about it, but I’d have to say both...

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I retrohale, but not on every release of the smoke. Just intermittently.

 

[Kozeman]

I find smoking with my nose really stretches out my nostrils.

 

[workman]

Both. It's not a conscious thing, I just chase those flavors.

 

[NomadOrb]

Both, it's not a complete experience for me if I don't retro-hale.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Nose

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Those puffs of smoke that go up your nose while smoking have an amazing flavor.. especially with burley blends. Not great for the lungs, though.

 

[edger]

Thanks,all
I tried the retrohale but it just irritates my sinuses and dulls my ability to recognize the subtleties. Perhaps it works better with burley and lat blends. I appreciate the insights,however.

 

[bullet08]

Both. There definitely is distinct taste to smoke. And retrohale. Funny thing is, for longest time I didn't get anything out of retrohale. Now, I'm noticing specific notes from it. Rather interesting.

 

[sablebrush52]

Keeping the tobacco simmering, just at the edge of going out, while snorking, and you'll get the most defined flavors from the blend you're smoking. There's no substitute.

 

[edger]

I just realized that I like those wisps and tendrils off the bowl going UP my nose not smokecoming out my nose! I guess the retrohale is not for me. Also, the retrohale gives me more nicotine than I want.

 

[3rdguy]

Nose

 

[Scottishgaucho]

Been smoking a pipe for over 40 years and hadn't even heard of retrohale until I saw it mentioned on a pipe forim a couple of years ago....still not sure what it means.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Been smoking a pipe for over 40 years and hadn't even heard of retrohale until I saw it mentioned on a pipe forim a couple of years ago....still not sure what it means.

Yeah, I had never heard the term before reading it here, either. Eventually I figured out they were talking about something I’ve always done. ?‍

 

[Tommy Boy]

I retrohale like every other puff. I like the taste and sensation plus it looks totally cool.

 

[spicy_boiii]

If I don't like the retrohale, I don't like the blend.

 

[renfield]

Both nose and tongue but retrohaling is a big part of getting all the flavors.

Another technique is to roll the smoke around your mouth before expelling it. It exposes more of your taste buds and gives them time to perceive the flavor. Just taking a draw and expelling it only lets you get the strongest flavor notes.