Key to good smoke

[trouttimes]

What does the hive think? What is the most important key to a good smoke...packing, tabacco, pipe choice, puffing cadence, frame of mind, all of the above? I am always surprised when I grab my favorite pipe, my favorite blend and seemly do everything the same way and I get a crappy smoke. Fortunately it doesn't happen often but it does happen so I wonder where I went wrong.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I think that all of the above, plus frame of mind, mood, stress levels, the alignment of Jupiter with Uranus... time of day, time of year... etc... lots of stuff can affect the smoke.

 

[crashthegrey]

All of the above. Slowing down. Being at peace. Forgetting about all of the above.

 

[wasnsfisher]

D all of the above

 

[Chasing Embers]

Key to good smoke

Not overthinking it.

 

[warren]

I restate, we all look for a decent smoke in different ways. For me, the evening pipes are special only if I can ignore the pipe in my mouth as I read. That, for me is a great smoke. Embers and Cosmic have it right I think.

 

[leafsmoker]

All you mentioned.Most importantly,I do my sayonce then it comes to relaxing and smoking slow.My only disappointing smokes are grabbing a TobaccoI haven't smoked MUCH,and realizing why I do not smoke it much,because it is not as good as the others I smoke.ha!Enjoy

 

[onestrangeone]

All of the above plus some, I’m not sure it’s possible to get a ‘perfect’ smoke every time there’s just too many variables involved, even the humidity can change things up. I agree about not over thinking it but I find I do have too constantly make adjustments based on the above.

 

[spartacus]

The same for me. Sometimes when I'm mowing the lawn and jacking with the bag and such my smoke isn't as enjoyable. The same day I can be talking a walk along the canal with the wife and it's a great smoke. Frame of mind.

 

[davet]

Not overthinking it.

I believe this is the most overlooked or ignored part of pipe smoking :crazy:

 

[workman]

A good smoke is when it works out the way it is supposed to. It normally does, otherwise it wouldn't be very rewarding. Sometimes it happens to be better than normal, but that can happen with everything. A glass of water can also be extremely satisfying sometimes.

 

[sablebrush52]

Not overthinking it for sure. Then again, I worked a lot out through practice and experimentation over the years so I don't have to think about it. Assuming you're into flavor, the one key thing not mentioned in the OP's post is moisture content.

 

[ashdigger]

I have nothing extra to add, but I agree about not overthinking it.