My Birthday Treat Finally Arrived

[EveningSmoke03]

My actual birthday was over a month ago, but I was waiting until I had more spare cash. Picked up the pair for $86 including shipping on P&C during a sale.

Baraccini Filo Rosso Bent Rhodesian and Stanwell Beechwood.

I'm especially excited for my first Stanwell since I've heard very good things about them.

Now for the hard question Which one am I smoking tonight?

Votes?


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[Eireprof]

Happy belated birthday. I do like that Stanwell!

 

[EveningSmoke03]

Happy belated birthday. I do like that Stanwell!

Thank you.

 

[Brad H]

I vote you smoke Mac Baren plumcake if you have some.

Otherwise I generally smoke some old fashion Half and Half on a fresh bowl.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

I vote you smoke Mac Baren plumcake if you have some.

Otherwise I generally smoke some old fashion Half and Half on a fresh bowl.

I unfortunately don't have any Plumcake, though I actually do have Half and Half on hand.

For reference of the votes, the blends I currently possess are below (in no particular order).

Peterson Sherlock Holmes
Amphora English Blend
St. Bruno Ready-Rubbed
Half and Half
Five Brothers
Sir Walter Raleigh Original
Lane Veri-Cherry
Captain Black Cherry
C'est LaVie Vanilla Cavendish
Casey Jones Beyond Brave

 

[tbradsim1]

Glad you’re getting nice pipes for your Birthday!

 

[Brad H]

+1 vote on half and half then.
Good easy smoke. I tend to find it allows me to season the bowl or get rid of any potential coating in the bowl.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

+1 vote on half and half then.
Good easy smoke. I tend to find it allows me to season the bowl or get rid of any potential coating in the bowl.

I do actually like the Half and Half. I usually prefer Sir Walter but the smoke and flavor is definitely more mild in H&H so I can see how it'd be good for this.

Probably my most regularly smoked blends (generally, not just for seasoning) are usually the St. Bruno, the Amphora English, and Sir Walter or H&H in no particular order.

The other blends I like ok but mostly they were bought to try on sale and their results were varied (with the exception of the Peterson tin, which I haven't tried yet).

 

[EveningSmoke03]

I do actually like the Half and Half. I usually prefer Sir Walter but the smoke and flavor is definitely more mild in H&H so I can see how it'd be good for this.

Probably my most regularly smoked blends (generally, not just for seasoning) are usually the St. Bruno, the Amphora English, and Sir Walter or H&H in no particular order.

The other blends I like ok but mostly they were bought to try on sale and their results were varied (with the exception of the Peterson tin, which I haven't tried yet).

I do also really like the Cap. Black Cherry, but I have to be in a really specific mood to reach for it.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

+1 vote on half and half then.
Good easy smoke. I tend to find it allows me to season the bowl or get rid of any potential coating in the bowl.

Update: It being a treat and all, I smoked the Baraccini in the afternoon and then the Stanwell in the evening. I smoked a bowl of St. Bruno in the Rhodesian and it smoked well for a first go. First impression of the pipe is that it's very handsome but the finish is a bit slick in the hand for my liking (rather unusually so for a rusticated, almost plasticky). I think I'll get used to that with time perhaps. Plus it's alot lighter in the hand than I would expect for it's appearance. I'm also still deciding if I like the stem, it's decently thin but a bit thicker than I normally like (I usually smoke while going on my walk and am a bit of a clencher). I think I I'll also get used to that though too though, and if not I might eventually trade it in for something once I'm sure.



The Stanwell though was a real standout. I followed your advice and put it through its paces with a bowl of H&H and it was actually the best bowl of H&H I've had (which is weird for a pipe I'm just breaking in). The stem was perfect and had a lovely draw, it was a good long smooth smoke. Overall the Stanwell is certainly living up to the hype. The rim is beginning to get a bit of a deeper color now, but the box and everything I've seen on it say that the beechwood gets a deeper color the more it's smoked and handled so that's expected and in my eyes actually desirable. That pipe is definitely earning its place in my weekly rotation if it keeps it up.

 

[Brad H]

I use half n half because it’s a solid baseline blend that I know what I’m getting. Lets me see what if anything is in the chamber. Even if it’s a green bowl not charred, it helps me start the process and I don’t care if I taste the inside of the bowl first few times. Also know how hot it should burn. Just the knows of the tobacco and let the subtle things influence your thoughts about the pipe. YMMV

 

[JOHN72]

Beautiful pipes. Happy birthday.............

 

[JoeW]

Happy belated birthday! Those are some nice gifts!

I unfortunately don't have any Plumcake, though I actually do have Half and Half on hand.

For reference of the votes, the blends I currently possess are below (in no particular order).

What? No Wild Bill's tobacco at $15/pouch?? You're missing out!

 

[orlandofurioso]

Many happy returns of the day; wonderful pipes !

 

[Sig]

Great set of pipes!!

The smoking pipes, I have never heard you sing.
That Stanwell is going to patina nicely.