Beginner, very beginner here, and tried to smoke for my first time a flake of Erinmore without rubbing it. I left it on my desk for a couple of hours to get dried a bit, folded it and stuffed it in the bowl of my pipe. Slowly burning and with an overwhelming taste, it has been of my best smoking experiences so far. I liked it so much that I smoked it almost at the very end leaving just a little black dottle at the bottom of the bowl. It lasted just about a whopping more than a hour and I enjoyed even the somewhat bitter but yet with evident the initial notes flavour at the end of it. But, getting off my book it felt dizzy. How come? It has been my first time feeling like this. It went away less than an hour later, but it felt awkward. Am I doing something wrong, or this is how it should be?
Erinmore Flake, dizzy after more than 1 hour of smoke
- Thread starter zanxion
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That's exactly as it should be. The burley component delivers the nic by the end; if you try Peterson University Flake, you'd have a parallel experience with a bigger hit on the finish. It's a feature, not a bug.
Edit: St. Bruno Flake, same but even more.
just more nicotine then you're used too that's all.
I wonder if it would suit better then as a night smoke. Since I am somewhat insomniac, could that dizziness help any? Does it fare well as a night smoke?
In any case I enjoyed it and nothing else of what I smoked so far (aromatics only, Davidoff, Mac Baren, and Captain Black).
In any case I enjoyed it and nothing else of what I smoked so far (aromatics only, Davidoff, Mac Baren, and Captain Black).
I like that one a lot. It's aromatic but still taste redolent of tobacco.
Indeed it has a different, more refined taste than the other aromatics. It became so far my favourite.
This was true for me, too, with both Erinmore and University Flake, on one occasion over twenty years ago, when I believe both may have been manufactured by the same house. It was not altogether unpleasant, but I did have to lie down for several minutes! Has not happened since.
To my manner of thinking, that sort of impact is a very pleasant bonus feature when it occurs. For me it is akin to full body relaxation. Though after 45+ years of enjoying pipes and pipe tobaccos this sort of impact is now regrettably rare and very infrequent….. I always enjoyed that “bonus” if and when it would occur. These days, I can sometimes muster up a bit of that feeling if I have had a beer or two prior to indulging in a pipe….. and I enjoy it fully.
Smoking on an empty stomach can increase the effects of a nicotine hit; eating something sweet, like a piece of chocolate, will almost immediately reduce any dizziness from nicotine.
One of my favorites along with University Flake, as others have mentioned. A few thoughts:
- Smoking after a meal helps dampen the nicotine effect
- Relax your cadence a bit. Puffing slower gives better results overall but will also slow down the nicotine intake. Depending on what size pipe you’re using, 1 whole flake can last a loooong time.
- Nicotine concentrates over the smoking period AND as you get to the bottom. You can take a break and also leave a bit more unsmoked if the nicotine bothers you
- I’m definitely more relaxed after I smoke, but I’m not sure if it helps me sleep
- Enjoy!!!
Take it slowly, your tolerance will build as you go.
You are doing fine. You are at the beginning and I want you to enjoy your journey. Get some samples of the 3 major blending groups - aromatic, non - aromatic and English. Get them from a B & M if you can. Get some advice from local pipe smokers if you can. Flakes are more dense than ribbons. I have trouble with those myself though I love Virginia flake. I usually fold and roll 1/2 of a flake per bowl. It lasts a good amount of time if you are going slow.
You've gotten some great advice from this blog string already.
Let the good times roll!
You've gotten some great advice from this blog string already.
Let the good times roll!
Rotation of my tobaccos will bring it front again in four days (I am just now building my stock). Definitely I will take it slowly and in the afternoon rather in the morning where I just have a black coffee and nothing else. I liked it so much that I might have it in rotation twice as frequent as the others.
Nicotine is a stimulant and for me personally I can’t smoke before bed. It keeps me awake.
I’d pull all-nighters in college with the help of caffeine and nicotine.
Don’t forget the slippy flippies, do dads, stinging Willard’s with or without the whistle chasers.
Vitamin N hits hard when you're a beginner or you just have a low tolerance for it to begin with. No shame in it. My first bowl of OJK gets me dizzy in the morning but after that I can smoke it the rest of the day without being dizzy.
This was true for me, before STG took over the production of Erinmore. Now, there’s less toping (which is good), and way less nicotine.
If the STG Erinmore is kicking your ass, then you need to increase your nicotine tolerance. IMO.
But, glad you’re enjoying it.
If the STG Erinmore is kicking your ass, then you need to increase your nicotine tolerance. IMO.
But, glad you’re enjoying it.
I purchased a piece of a cellar this winter and one jar was Erinmore a blend I’ve always wanted to try, but never got around to, too many! First it’s a classic for a reason and definitely a fantastic tobacco, and I was surprised by the nic kick, more than I expected. I enjoy that feeling tho and one big reason I smoke, but after a tolerance it’s more a glow, than a sickness…. Probably my favourite blend is Gawith Ennerdale, not really a match, but sort of in the same genre if you like Erinmore.
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I've been smoking a pipe for decades and I've noticed most all of my tobacco has no nicotine
