Evolution of Pipe Smokers?

[fredvegas]

Slightly off-topic: Lagavulin, do you watch Parks and Rec? One of my favorite characters of all time, Ron Swanson, discussed going to a steakhouse and enjoying Lagavulin. I've got a bottle in my cabinet right now, awaiting the celebration for the birth of my first child.
Back on topic: I don't see myself getting to any particular flavor and staying there. I base this on the variety of beers that I consume. I'm pretty familiar with all of the different flavor groups, and I like them all. I imagine I'll be the same way with tobacco. I imagine I'll take them all on a case-by-case basis.

 

[cornguy]

Hauntedmyst, what a splendid idea.

Bacon in baccy!

Bacon is my favorite food group.

A day without bacon is a wasted opportunity.

Pork rules.

I envision all sorts of new bacon blends:

MacBaren's Golden Bacon.

Half & Half (Bacon and eggs)

Shortcut to Bacon

CAO's Bacon Bomb

Orlik's Bacon slices...

 

[lagavulin92]

@fredvegas I don't know the series as I live in Austria but I may check it out. It's awsome that you chose Lagavulin to celebrate that occasion. The spirit Lagavulin makes is rich and of the highest quality, so it is just perfect. Dilute it a bit and you get the proof. It is my favourite distillery because the first single malt I ever tasted was the Laga 16 on my 17th birthday. That was when I fell in love with whisky.

 

[admin]

@cornguy

MacBaren's Golden Bacon.

Half & Half (Bacon and eggs)

Shortcut to Bacon

CAO's Bacon Bomb

Orlik's Bacon slices...

:rofl:
My comments that I posted on the article (which you guys should do - post on the article, please) ...
This is a great article Bob. Cortezattic and Tripjoker’s comments make a lot of sense, and I agree with them on the point that people’s tastes can and do change. My tastes have changed over the years in food, wine and tobacco.
However, this does not negate the unacceptable snobbery being added to the mix.
There are aromatic blends that are crap. There are English blends that are crap.
And vice versa. There are aromatics that exist that are excellent quality tobacco.
IMO, Trout Stream from PipesAndCigars.com is an excellent aromatic and I smoked 5 bowls of it this week after discovering it at the St. Louis show last weekend.
Guys - the point of the article is that it is NOT TRUE, and NOT MANDATORY that every pipe smoker must evolve from aromatics to English / Latakia blends, and if he doesn’t then he isn’t a real pipe smoker … and it doesn't mean that he hasn't "evolved" either.
Lastly, I wholeheartedly live my life by the old cliche that "variety is the spice of life".
I frequently appreciate a 5-star gourmet meal, especially when I am traveling. I also ate at Waffle House on the same trip. You bet your ass I know what damn good food and wine is, and you might just see me in line at the drive-through at McDonald's too.
Snobbery, in any form, is a sign that the person needs psychological help. Seriously.

 

[marmal4de]

But in all seriousness, I think tastes do change, I know growing up I hated brussels sprouts, and now I eat them in heaps around the holidays.

 

[cortezattic]

I have to thank Bob for a really interesting and controversial article.

I hope my post didn't convey a sense of snobbery toward aromatics smokers. The facts of the matter are:

(1) my personal evolution in smoking has taken me toward English blends, and away from them;

(2) I sense a growing appetite for blends that feature top dressings and flavors; and

(3) any delusions of sophistication I may suffer get a reality check twice a day -- when I reach for my P.A. (the "Big Mac" of pipe tobaccos).
...now, cobs are an entirely different matter! :nana:

 

[seakayak]

It seems that, whatever simple pleasure I pursue, some level of snobbery finds it's way into the community. After 40 years with pipe tobacco I still enjoy blends with sweet-smelling black cavendish and burly as well as "more sophisticated" English blends. Truth be told, on any given day any of my blends can offer a glorious experience or leave me flat. That's the magic that keeps me coming back.

 

[romeowood]

Truth be told, on any given day any of my blends can offer a glorious experience or leave me flat. That's the magic that keeps me coming back.

That sums it up in a big way, seakayak. Aren't we all really only on the constant search for that elusive 'perfect smoke'?

 

[sparroa]

Those are very true words. I've found immense pleasure and absolute indifference from the same blends, it's amazing how variable it can be. Most everything else I enjoy - beer, wine, tea, coffee, all kinds of food satisfy me consistently but never bring me to the same peak that pipe smoking does. I find it is more like music; sometimes it's just background noise and other times it is centre stage and totally uplifting.
Perhaps the true evolution of a pipe smoker is gauged by how much enjoyment you derive from the simple art of smoking your pipe and savouring the experience, no matter what blend is in the bowl.

 

[mjtannen]

Bump: There are two simultaneous threads at this time. Evolution of the pipe and of the smoke. I just posted on the Pipe evolution thread before I saw this one. Perhaps they should be combined somehow. My comments covered both on the other thread.