Matching Pipe to Tobacco

[pianopuffer]

As a relatively new piper, I've been fascinated by this phenomenon as I'm trying as many blends and leaves as I can to discern where my palate lies.
My PAD has gotten the best of me, so I'm trying to save most of my acquisitions until I get my technique down, sticking to a wide and deep dublin, a smallish bulldog, and a poker.
That being said, some members here have chimed in on this, suggesting that the pipe will "tell you" what it likes to smoke. Amazing!
My million dollar question is this: as someone who is exploring english and aros, VA, and burleys, flakes etc. are there thoughts on a suggested "order" in which to try out different blends to see which the pipe prefers without ghosting the pipe? For instance, I know that Latakia is one culprit as are cased aromatics...
My fear is that I end up trying a blend I end up not liking and flavoring the pipe.

Many thanks!

 

[alexnorth]

I suppose you could always do a salt treatment if you feel a pipe has been ghosted but that is sure to take awhile and a lot of smokes..
I have made an observation. Frog Morton across the pond, which was very tasteful in an MM cob, was very bland in my dagner stubby Rhodesian. The dagner has a considerably smaller bowl...

That same Rhodesian does very well with bayou night from C&D ::

 

[jaytex1969]

I have formulated a few theories in my short 3 month pipe endeavor.
For instance, the dry and fast burning D&R Cockstrong benefits from the tall and narrow chamber of my poker. It incinerates in moments in a wider bowl.
My conical Viking Classic Dublin is perfect for a 30 minute ride when stuffing a folded flake and the big ass Stanwell 185 will take an hour plus with 2 flakes. Stanwell also does perique duty currently but my foggymountain panel is likely to assume that.
My 2 Savinelli KS pipes, a 111 and a 606, handle Latakia duties. The 606 presents full flavors. If the lat seems a bit much, I go to the 111, which tends to mute it a bit.
My $10 Baracinni estate billiard is my starting point for new blends before designating a "forever" home. If it gets trashed, I wouldn't cry.
I can see both sides of the shape and size argument. You COULD load a fireplace and a wood stove the same way, but selecting properly sized fuel for each would be beneficial.
Every once in a while, I begin wondering what my fat ass would look like in skinny jeans and an ascot. Then, I put on a pretentious hat and jam the churchyard full of a neutral blend. Too much info? OK. I yield the remainder of my time... ::

 

[jaytex1969]

*churchwarden
Damn you, autocorrect and 8 minute editing window!

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've been smoking too long, I really don't notice much difference from pipe to pipe anymore.

 

[saltedplug]

Ive never experienced any pairing between pipe and tobacco. When I've asked those who say they do to describe this they've been unable to speak to the how and why. I think it's a load of hooey, but I will not invalidate anyone's experience, even if subjective.
What I do find is the variation in my palate. I'm always doing something when I smoke, and in so doing I have a bad habit of turning tasting off. Sometimes the first few puffs are glorious, but by 10 minutes in I'm tasting half, and by 20 minutes the taste is gone.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I can see both sides of the shape and size argument. You COULD load a fireplace and a wood stove the same way, but selecting properly sized fuel for each would be beneficial."
A very pertinent analogy :clap:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mso489]

American-English blends that include Virginia, burley, and Cavendish really sing in a cob. That's an arbitrary statement, but is sure works for me. PC/Russ O.'s Log Cabin, for one of a number of examples.

 

[Chasing Embers]

American-English blends that include Virginia, burley, and Cavendish really sing in a cob. That's an arbitrary statement, but is sure works for me. PC/Russ O.'s Log Cabin, for one of a number of examples.

Okay, this is where I have to ammend my above statement. Codger style blends are great in cobs.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Okay, this is where I have to ammend my above statement."
Duane, you might like to amend your ammend whilst you're at it :lol:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It's the moonshine Jay. :mrgreen:

 

[mawnansmiff]

Must be good stuff Duane, best you send me a sample :wink:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[Chasing Embers]

:clap:

:rofl:

 

[jaytex1969]

No moonshine here, but breaking in foggymountain's Hilson panel pipe with the D&R Picayune than just arrived while enjoying multiple Sam Adams Octoberfest brews and smoking a pork shoulder (on the Weber, not in a pipe).
Sorry for the run-on sentence, Jay, you grammar Nazi... :nana:
Inebriated and happy!

 

[uperepik]

I have one of those bamboo Road Town pipes with skinny tall bowl. For some reason dark Virginia Flakes just burst in that thing. The taste difference from it and my other pipes are crazy. And there's nothing special about it, I don't know if it's a mental thing or what.