Lack of Flavour and Satisfaction

[slinkywizardbob]

Evening All
Recently I have been suffering from tasteless unsatisfying smokes. Tried my go to tobaccos and pipes and they are just meh. A bit disheartening. I love Blatter and Blatter Navigator in my Jeantet Jumbo. It just smokes bland now. Even 965 seems flavourless. Am i broken?

 

[bluto]

Could be the air , try cooler nights .

 

[seanv]

Don’t over analyze it, not every smoke will be a religious experience. Keep your pipes clean and keep a good cadence.

 

[prairiedruid]

No tastes change with time and season. One of the reasons I have 10-12 blends in my rotation just to keep my taste buds interested.
Current Rotation:

5100 Red Cake

PS Proper English

John Cotton Smyrna

PS Cube Cut

PS LNF

Triple Play

Haddo's Delight

Crooner

Angler's Dream

1-Q

Autumn Evening

Chatham Manor
Just lets me open my tobacco cabinet and grab what catches my fancy.

 

[bluto]

Take a break and do a reset
This works for practically everything we do in life

 

[mso489]

I agree, a few days off might do a restart. Sometimes mixing some condiment tobaccos with each other or your blends helps refocus taste. A change is as good as a rest, as the Dutch say. Change time of day, maybe include a beverage, or a different beverage. Go a little stronger or milder on the blends. See what works.

 

[timt]

The right beverage along with the pipe sometimes makes a big difference to me. Usually something sweet, cold and bubbly but sometimes it's just water or coffee. Escudo with iced coffee and sweetened flavored creamer is one of my favorites.
Edit: I see mso mentioned the beverage thing while I was typing. He's smart you know... ::

 

[techie]

I'm curious to know how long you've been smoking, and if other experienced pipers go through this. I've been smoking pipes for about 5 weeks now, and up until recently, pretty much everything just tasted like, well, smoke! I wasn't getting all these flavors others write about. But just this past week I've started to pick up on subtle differences.

 

[bluto]

A lot of people suggest to not drink alcohol while smoking , probably sound advice
.. but in between pipes and good palate cleanser maybe
Hey , it can’t hurt

 

[mikethompson]

Water is the general go to for a palate cleanser between pipes, but I generally go with coffee.
You could just be trying to hard to get flavors from your pipes. Honestly some of the best smokes I've had is when I've paid no attention to the pipe or my cadence. Sounds counter-initiative but there you go.
Best advice when I was starting out was to slow down and relax. Good things come to those who wait.

 

[timt]

Breath smoking. The answer is always breath smoking. Right? Oh, and lots and lots of snorking.

 

[slinkywizardbob]

Returned to pipe smoking about a year ago. Been enjoying 965 and early morning pipe. Found B&B Navigator and its goood. May take a small break and jump back into it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

You may be suffering from Latakia burn out. I can't smoke it in any great volume anymore after exclusively enjoying lat forward blends for nearly twenty years. I'm now a primarily Virginia/Oriental smoker now.

 

[sablebrush52]

You may be suffering from Latakia burn out.

Quite possibly this.^^^ Try something new. Familiarity can breed contempt. Palate cleansers, like cold water or a slice of apple, can help, but if you're getting bored through repetition, a little variety may be just what's needed.

 

[woodsroad]

Clean your pipes out with hot water, scrub the bowl out with a twisted up paper towel. Take a sharp turn out of your tobacco comfort zone and try something very different. A clean slate and a new box of chalk may be just the ticket.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Brilliant idea! I would have written same, but feared I've beaten the drum over this method too often.... Bob- That dude knows a thing or two. Good luck and happy smoking!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Doesn't sound like the pipe needs a cleaning. No sour taste, just no taste at all. Sounds like he's ready to expand his palate.

 

[woodsroad]

I would beg to differ. Pipes can get an aroma that I call The Wall Of Bland. A smothering blanket of stale smoke. Non-offensive and unobtrusive, it serves as a palate-coating equivalent of static on an AM radio. Clean it out and the full orchestra of flavor returns.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Hmmm. Haven't run into that one yet, thanks for the heads up. From the OP's description though, I would guess need for variety.

 

[woodsroad]

I agree.