If at First…

[Ryan]

Since I took up a pipe almost two years ago, I have found many blends that I enjoy. I have tried a ton of different blends finding what I like.

I have noticed something over time. Some of the blends I like the best didn’t impress me upon my first bowl.

Lately I have been smoking a lot of Elizabethan Mixture, which I didn’t think much of after the first bowl. Yet for some reason I wanted to try it some more. Each bowl was better than the last and I am loving the stuff now.

The first time I tried Sutliff Ready Rubbed Match I was unimpressed but still wanted some more, at this point there is probably no blend I have smoked more. To a lesser degree, I have experienced this with several blends.

I’m not sure why it often takes me a few bowls to really start getting the flavor, but sometimes it does.

Other blends I thought were super on the first bowl sometimes just seem ok after several bowls.

I have definitely leaned to revisit everything I have tried because sometimes the blends “improve” for me over time. Sometimes that first impression is not correct, just like in life.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

With the exception of HGL, I didn't think to much of most of my now favorite blends the first time I smoked em.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

I find that it is wise to smoke at least 2 ounces before trying to form an opinion on a blend.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Heck, I’ve had something I liked straight off that I didn’t at a later time! (Rare, but it’s happened). Usually works the other way, but seems like I know if something is good or pretty close right from the start.

 

[bullet08]

That's why you want to leave a blend in a jar for a bit. Some call it letting it breath. The blend will settle down and there will be some changes.

 

[sardonicus87]

It could also be the case that over time (especially if you're revisiting things from when you first started), with experiencing different blends, you start to become more attuned to the nuances and things you hadn't noticed before.

Sometimes it could also be comparative tasting. Like you taste something bitter and it doesn't seem that bitter, you taste something sweet, then you re-taste the bitter thing and it seems even more bitter after having had the sweet thing.

It's definitely worth even a third revisit. Some blends seem to hit the same almost every time. Other blends you have to "be in the mood for it", and others just sometimes maybe you're a little "off" one day.

 

[anotherbob]

The more important then the question why is knowing it works this way. I think it is a few things including the peeps effect. Where in small doses or samples blunt flavors appeal but with larger servings more subtle tastes win. Or how when i could only get peeps around easter loved them but when they where available all year i hated them.

 

[rsshreck32]

A few months back, I smoked through 1 oz. of a blend and really enjoyed it. I ordered 4 more oz. recently and wasn't too impressed. Then I realized the blend had just come back in stock when I ordered more. I think I'll give it a few months and I'm sure it will improve! I do agree that tastes can change, but I don't think I'll ever stop smoking Burley Blends.

 

[kcghost]

Usually, I know right away if a brand is for me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Usually, I know right away if a brand is for me.

I'm in the same camp.

 

[vosBghos]

Definitely in the letting it breathe camp, a few months out the tin and in the jar does wonders.
That's how I rediscovered Pegasus, at first I was all Meh , and still am on a fresh batch , gotta let em breathe.

 

[AcesAndEights]

I recently experienced this trying Plum Pudding for the first time. Popped a tin that I’d had stashed for two years and fired up a bowl. It was just ok. Tried it again, and it was much better, even after just a few days