How Dry Is Too Dry

[Professor Moriarty]

I have done a 180 regarding preferred tobacco dryness.
Formerly, I threw away tobacco that had gone dry in my pouch.
Now, my motto is "The dryer, the better"
(Tobacco gone to "shit dust" is the obvious limit.)

For this change in perception, I am grateful for the "current wisdom" found on pipe sites such as this one.
And I find this true of all tobacco blends.
Some say the flavor profile is compromised if too dry. There may truth to this. What do YOU think?

 

[Sigmund]

I prefer it not to feel very damp/cool to the touch but remain flexible. When I get around to it Im going to push it a little more towards the dry side. There is nothing helpful about steam.

I think you have to just try drying a few bowls at different degrees of dryness. It will likely vary between blends. Especially between cuts. Dry ribbon might be too dry compared to dry ready rubbed.

However, I agree...wet is just asking for bite and off flavors.

 

[dingdong]

Agree with textures and combustability (ease of burn)..ambient temperature also comes into play...for instance hot humid area in Jakarta.. vs cold and dry ambience in northern hemisphere...for me dry tobacco leads to sore throat.
Unless washed with Dry Martini , that is

 

[JOHN72]

There is a determining factor. And that would be the age of the tobacco. I love tobacco with a moist touch. But how is a tobacco that is 20 years old, or older? I started buying tobacco in 2019 I seem to remember. So I have a young cellar. So what about a tobacco that is 15, 20 years old, or older? I mean, for those of us who started buying tobacco late, we are used to smoking young, fresh tobacco, with little or no degradation of its oils.

 

[BingBong]

It depends on the blend and the maker's style, I'm beginning to think. Fresh Germain's Brown Flake, yum yum, but dry, less so. However, fresh Rattray's Marlin Flake, yuck cloying sweetness, but dried out after 2 years in the tin, not bad at all (I just finally finished my one and only tin).

 

[thebriarbear]

I find that you want a bit of “felt” moisture in your straight VAs…otherwise they go flat and tasteless.

If the reason for drying tobacco better is less relights, then just forget it. If you’re trying to maximize flavor and sipping as slow as possible, you’ll need to 1: have some moisture in there, and 2: relight more often.

Just my two cents, of course. I’d rather not sacrifice flavor for burn characteristics.

 

[K.E. Powell]

I think it is one of many things we as pipe tobacco smokers tend to greatly overthink. If I have tobacco so wet that it won't take a good charring light, then I will dry it out enough so it burns a little more readily. Otherwise, I leave my tobacco alone. Some tobacco requires more care and relights than others, and I would rather do a quick relight than overly dry tobacco and sap it of its flavor.

 

[Auxsender]

For me, there is no “too dry” but there is definitely “too wet”. The only issue I’ve encountered with too dry tobacco is super fast burning which can be alleviated by slower smoking but that makes more relights. It’s a balance I don’t care to think too deeply about.
Every bowl seems to have its own characteristics and I like that about pipe smoking. As Iris DeMent says, “I’ll let the mystery be”.

 

[xrundog]

Tobacco should be stored as it comes to preserve flavor. How dry you like to smoke it is entirely subjective.

 

[dottlejockey]

Just ask Vincent Manil. Semois was my first bowl today. No jarring needed on that stuff. Just cram into the largest bowl with all thee might and puff away. Amazingly crispy and delicious!

 

[kcghost]

Some guys like tobacco that is completely devoid of water wear others prefer some water in the bowl. AS long as the water doesn't impinge lighting the pipe I'm good.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

When it crumbles into dust it's too dry, if it hold's it shape but it's crispy, FOR ME it's just right.

Some people like to smoke wet tobacco, it does give others flavors. Personally I don't see those flavors as better.

 

[warren]

For me it's entirely dependent on the blend/blender. Too dry may cause flavor loss to my palate. Too moist means a change in the taste also. One of the reasons I stick to tried and true blends. I only smoke blends I find enjoyable so, no need experiment. Well, unless Mr. Inks writes something enticing.

 

[KruegerFlap]

I also think it is blend/location/personal preference dependant. I experiment with each blend in a few different pipes to figure out which works best for my wants. Then there are the stubborn blends that seem to resist and defy all logic and physics and are just a pain in the ass

 

[didimauw]

Crumbling into dust is what I like. I don't even attempt it without drying it out for hours to days.

 

[JohnnyBeach]

I found that my favorite tobacco comes too moist in the pouch, so I have experimented with air drying and, now, microwaving it. I could not believe how much steam rose from a pile I put on a paper towel in the microwave for 30 seconds. The result, still not too dry but I also leave the pouch open to ensure it is dried to suit my tastes.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Most tobaccos have been dried to almost crunchy several times before it gets to the blenders. It can be kept at bone dry until the cells start to break and release the natural essential oils of the leaf. Once the oils are gone, I'd say that it has reached the "Too Dry" stage.

As to where I like to dry mine to... depends on the blend. Plus, I don't always do the same thing each and every time I smoke. So, you just have to try drying for each of the blends that you like, till you start to develop a sense of where your preferred levels are, and you'll start to anticipate on new blends. It is more Art and Less Science when it comes to preferences.

 

[Hillcrest]

I prefer my tobacco as it is right out of the package it came in. I don't cellar but probably should start. Sutliff Sweet Virginia 707 was too wet for me to light comfortably. I used to use a plate or bowl and leave tobacco out to dry. I recently switched to an old La Flor Dominicana cigar box which has 1.5 inch cedar side walls. It works perfectly so far to dry the tobacco enough but still leave it somewhat 'fresh'. Its working out well. Time will tell.

 

[Danimal92sport]

I prefer my tobacco as it is right out of the package it came in. I don't cellar but probably should start. Sutliff Sweet Virginia 707 was too wet for me to light comfortably. I used to use a plate or bowl and leave tobacco out to dry. I recently switched to an old La Flor Dominicana cigar box which has 1.5 inch cedar side walls. It works perfectly so far to dry the tobacco enough but still leave it somewhat 'fresh'. Its working out well. Time will tell.

I’m generally the same, but I find that the occasional blend just doesn’t have the correct moisture. To the point where the blender surely didn’t intend for a tobacco to be so wet or dry.

Today I got a couple of oz of bulk C&D and it was incredibly dry - which probably happens to bulk tobaccos. I’m rehydrating as we speak, it’s a ‘turn to dust when you lightly touch it’ kind of dry.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

I was given 2 tins of tobacco today... Dunhill Aperitif and Mixture 965. Both are full open tins, not the first pinch removed that I can tell. Also dry as a cracker. I mean dusty dry. I'm going to make an attempt at rehydration before messing with them too much or I'll be trying to smoke broken crumbs.