I've been smoking pipes for a while now, and I still don't feel like I'm getting the flavor of the tobacco or the room note that I thought I'd get. I've got a tin of the Mac Baren vanilla cream and other local shop blends that are awesome. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong?
Getting the Most From Tobacco
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Practice, practice, practice!
It took me three months or more before I had what I considered a 'successful' smoke. And probably a couple weeks before I had another. Almost a year into this hobby, and I still get bowls that do not please me.
Pay attention when packing, puff slowly. Read what the old heads say and adapt those tricks to your technique. It's a journey. Happy smoking!
It took me three months or more before I had what I considered a 'successful' smoke. And probably a couple weeks before I had another. Almost a year into this hobby, and I still get bowls that do not please me.
Pay attention when packing, puff slowly. Read what the old heads say and adapt those tricks to your technique. It's a journey. Happy smoking!
Read up about the different types of tobaccos used in pipe tobacco blends, and then try some new ones.
I actually picked up a pipe 12 years ago but I didn't take to it because I thought the only pipe tobacco in the world was the few choices at my local tobacco shop. There are lots, many many choices out there, and you probably haven't found yourself a good blend yet.
I actually picked up a pipe 12 years ago but I didn't take to it because I thought the only pipe tobacco in the world was the few choices at my local tobacco shop. There are lots, many many choices out there, and you probably haven't found yourself a good blend yet.
In the words of Wm. H. Harrington, of the Cape Cod Harringtons,
"Every pipe smoker understands Don Quixote perfectly. Always searching for that perfect tobacco."
"Every pipe smoker understands Don Quixote perfectly. Always searching for that perfect tobacco."
I just want to comment on room note. . .
For some reason, a blend will always smell different to the smoker than it does to passersby, others in the room, etc. I'm sure there's some scientific explanation for this, but I don't what it is. Unfortunately, if you're primarily an aromatic smoker, I think you're more likely to be disappointed in the aroma. In my experience, the flavors of a straight Virginia or an English blend are far more likely to appear on the palate and in the nose.
Bob
For some reason, a blend will always smell different to the smoker than it does to passersby, others in the room, etc. I'm sure there's some scientific explanation for this, but I don't what it is. Unfortunately, if you're primarily an aromatic smoker, I think you're more likely to be disappointed in the aroma. In my experience, the flavors of a straight Virginia or an English blend are far more likely to appear on the palate and in the nose.
Bob
I agree with Zanthal, primarily, the others are correct as well.
However; if you read up on the basic tobacco types, and begin to understand their roll in the blend then the nuances will begin to emerge, and your enjoyment will begin to increase as well.
There are many different places to gain this information, but I recommend that you start by searching the basic types in Wikipedia. The information is rudimentary but it will put you on the right track.
Search for Cavendish, Virginia Tobaccos, Oriental tobacco, Latakia, and Burley and that will put on the path to enlightenment.
A little knowledge will take you a long way.
In My Humble Opionion... (IMHO)
Good luck and welcome aboard!
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I don't know how well you clean your pipes, but if they are not really clean all the time, then you will never get the most out of your tobacco. Also it could be the types of pipes you are smoking or the size of the pipe in comparison to the blend. There are many factors that contribute to getting the most out of your tobacco. Give us a description of some of your pipes, cleaning methods, size of pipes and blends smoked in them. We might be able to give you some ideas.
In regards to room note, the smoker can never experience room note like the person not smoking in the same room. You are smoking the pipe so your senses are geared to tasting the tobacco and cannot smell it like the non smoker.
In regards to room note, the smoker can never experience room note like the person not smoking in the same room. You are smoking the pipe so your senses are geared to tasting the tobacco and cannot smell it like the non smoker.
"I've got a tin of the Mac Baren vanilla cream and other local shop blends that are awesome."
Those particular blends just may not be to your taste. There are no blends that are objectively awesome - some people would probably dump vintage Balkan Sobranie on the ground while others would sell their soul to find it.
You'll just have to do a bit of reading and experiment with the different types of tobacco.
And definitely keep those pipes clean! Perhaps even OCD clean until you start having good smokes because it could very well be a factor. I have to clean mine much more than most smokers because I can't enjoy them otherwise - I can sense the difference like night and day...
Those particular blends just may not be to your taste. There are no blends that are objectively awesome - some people would probably dump vintage Balkan Sobranie on the ground while others would sell their soul to find it.
You'll just have to do a bit of reading and experiment with the different types of tobacco.
And definitely keep those pipes clean! Perhaps even OCD clean until you start having good smokes because it could very well be a factor. I have to clean mine much more than most smokers because I can't enjoy them otherwise - I can sense the difference like night and day...
It seems one of the major problems of people starting out is that they are used to experiencing the room note and not the tobacco. So when they start, they expect that same experience which is just not the case.
Especially with many aros where the room note can be better than the palate experience.
I agree with the others and say to be patient, keep trying and especially trying new and different types of tobacco.
I feel like trying the different types allowed me to expand my palette and over time when learning how to smoke them i come to appreciate many of the little things i couldn't pick up when i first started.
keep at it!
Especially with many aros where the room note can be better than the palate experience.
I agree with the others and say to be patient, keep trying and especially trying new and different types of tobacco.
I feel like trying the different types allowed me to expand my palette and over time when learning how to smoke them i come to appreciate many of the little things i couldn't pick up when i first started.
keep at it!
I try to keep my pipes clean, after each smoke I'll let them sit for a while. I'll clean the stem with some whiskey (recommended by local pipe shop). I haven't had and issue with any foul tasting tobacco. My pipes inlude a Peterson Emerald Rustic #68, a Bjarne Viking classic (bent), Mauro Armellini, Peterson Aran Bulldog (straight). You can see everything except the Aran on my profile album. As mentioned I have a tin of the Mac Baren Vanilla Cream, Dunhill Nightcap and various others from my local shop that I think smell beautiful in the jar. That might be where I'm going wrong, perhaps I expected the flavor would match the smell. When I smoke cigars I can really tell the difference between different cigars and I can pick out the flavors.
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