Law of Dimishing Quality of Pipe Smoking

[danish]

Sometimes I look forward to a smoke and am a little disappointed. Sometimes it's a blend that has blown my mind in the past. Just depends on the pallet at any given time I think

Same here. That is exactly why I have a problem with quick first impression reviews. Especially my own impressions. It takes some time to get to know a blend and I have often found it difficult to recognize the flavors that more competent tasters find in a blend. Same with wines. Depends on the food, mood and how the stars are aligned. But smoking less and a long pause sure helps.

 

[fightnhampster]

Sometimes I look forward to a smoke and am a little disappointed. Sometimes it's a blend that has blown my mind in the past. Just depends on the pallet at any given time I think

Same here

 

[telescopes]

Sex before smoking seems to help improve the taste of pipe tobacco.

 

[anotherbob]

This will change when I retire, but right now I only smoke on the weekends and apparently too much. I'm finding my quality of enjoyment decreases with additional bowl. I might be doing something wrong that my more experienced fellow members may know, but for me right now, one or maybe two bowls would probably keep the quality constant.

Part of the problem is getting another pipe which I want to try out. So, I am not getting more in the short term. I've actually settled on three that I prefer anyway.

Anyone have a similar experience?

that's most things. The mind and person needs variety.

 

[wolflarsen]

I've been meaning to start a thread about this.
All of my most satisfying smokes have been after at least a few days off from the pipe.
I've experienced this phenomenon time and time again. I have also intentionally repeated the experiment with identical results. At this point I fully expect that every bowl after my first one of the day is likely to be a disappointment and I know that if I want a really really good one that the way to make it happen is to abstain for a while. As someone who smokes primarily for flavor I have no problem doing this regularly. I'd much rather smoke 2 fantastic bowls a week than 20 mediocre ones.

 

[karam]

Been working from the office this week, first time in 6 months, so my pipe smoking changed from basically having a pipe hang from my mouth all day from 7 am to midnight to having a quick bowl in the morning, one more quick bowl around 7 PM, and a large bowl after 9-10 PM. Massive difference, really massive difference in the taste I am getting.

 

[pip01]

Never more than one bowl per day a few times a week. Keeps it more fresh and interesting for me. I believe everything in moderation works best.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I’m primarily into it for flavor and pipe history/shape. If I’m only going to have a few, I need to learn how to maximize the experience.

 

[Mr.Mike]

I hope you think about my suggestion in another thread. Try Frosty Mint Mixtures to make smoking life a little more interesting.

Can't, BROBS bought out all the frosty mint.

 

[OlJawBone]

I agree with the diminishing returns thing, but usually some food in my belly restarts my urge to smoke