It finally came!!!

[monstermash51]

The McLelland 5100 I ordered a week ago finally came! I ordered it from P&C and know them they threw in a sample of "Hearth and Hom - Louisiana Red." Does any one have any special tips or methods on how to prepare both tobaccos? For the hell of it i"ll post pics of them and my Savinelli 101 I'm really super excited.
The MC5100 on the left, Loui on the right

if you want more pics of the pipe I have some but are really blurry.

 

[zanthal]

Opening my P&C orders is a little like Christmas to me too.
Nice color on the Sav

 

[tokerpipes]

I would probably set a bowl of the bacci for about 30 min to dry out a bit as the fresh bacci can have quite a bit of moisture. Nice pipe by the way.

 

[olderthandirt]

Does any one have any special tips or methods on how to prepare both tobaccos?

My own preference is to dry the 5100 so it's just North of crispy.

The Louisiana Red I've gotten in the past has been perfect as it arrived. I enjoy that one when it is just moist enough that it barely holds together when compressed with your fingers.

 

[bigvan]

Sorry Toker and OTD, I gotta disagree with you both on drying out 5100. With such high natural sugar content it's going to burn a little warm... but to dry it out until it's almost "crispy" would make for an overly hot, puff-and-it's-gone smoking experience.
Just my opinion. With 5100, I just pack it normally and smoke it slowly and smoothly.

 

[olderthandirt]

No need to apologize BV, we are after all only expressing opinions and preferences! (-:
FWIW, I think of crispy as tobacco that crumbles in a brittle fashion when compressed.

So my preference for the 5100 at "North of crispy" is that there is enough moisture for the bits to remain pliant but when compressed they don't stick together at all.
Fine line but there-in be some o' the joy in this passion o' the pipe!

 

[nsfisher]

Yup. Agreed OTD, just on the borderline is the best smoke for sure. BTW 14 days after ordering, and I still haven't recieved my latest order of baccy yet

 

[smokenscotch]

Congrats on the arrivals. They look delicious. You'll have to let us know how they smoke. Enjoy.

 

[briarbird]

Great looking pipe. I really want to try that Louisiana Red, it looks mighty tasty!

 

[uberam3rica]

They're nice people. After all my expenses, I may make an order with them once payday comes around. They're good People

 

[jcsoldit]

Now not to agree or disagree with anyone that has commented before me but IMAO and based on the order of 5100 I just received today from Pipes & Cigars I'd say it's ready to smoke as is. My order feels a little drier than usual. Regarding the H&H Louisiana Red, most of Russ's blends tend to be a little on the dry side, which I believe is the way he prefers them to be so it is probably okay to smoke as well. Now IMO most of Russ's blend tend to be a little green and are good but always better after allowed to age a month or two.
Either way you have chosen two very nice VA blends and I hope you enjoy them both. ::

 

[spartan]

Enjoy that Red Cake. She's tasty for sure.
Haven't gotten around to trying much of the H&H series but hopefully that will change soon!

 

[monstermash51]

Ok so I finally got around to smoking the Red Cake and Damn, It was tounge bite city. I was doing everything by the book too: slow draws at slow intervals and it wasn't packed too tight. What am I doing wrong?

 

[olderthandirt]

Other than pack or draw, different levels of moisture would be the about the only thing left to try.

As I mentioned earlier in here in your thread:

So my preference for the 5100 at "North of crispy" is that there is enough moisture for the bits to remain pliant but when compressed they don't stick together at all

That's what works for me with the 5100.