My First Meerschaum Experience...

[Cyxelsid]

So, I have only been smoking for a few months and have smoked a couple of hardwoods, a cob, and a new Savinelli, and an estate Nordine.

Last week my cousin gave me a meerschaum for my birthday, and today was the inaugural smoke. In it, I am also trying a new tobacco blend, Country Squire 50th Anniversary.

My first impressions of the Meer, before I had even packed it, was that it smaller and much lighter than my Brian's. It is an eagles Claw, so it looks pretty cool too.

I am just finishing my first bowl, and I noted a couple of things. I am having a hard time keeping it lit, much harder than with my Brian's. For some reason I am also salivating a lot more. Now both of those issues are, I am assuming, more related to the new tobacco than the Meer. I also got my first "sour" taste.

I have noticed that the Meer does seem to smoke much cooler, and due to the weight is more comfortable to clench.

So far, so good!

 

[Cyxelsid]

Super quick update... I got a full 1 hour smoke out of this Meer! Which is pretty great, because it is a smaller bowl than y briars, hence less tobacco.

 

[Chasing Embers]

After you get it broke in it'll be a bit more flavorful as well. Meeeschaum will mute flavors until it starts to saturate with oils from the tobacco.

 

[WerewolfOfLondon]

After you get it broke in it'll be a bit more flavorful as well. Meeeschaum will mute flavors until it starts to saturate with oils from the tobacco.

How long would you say that takes? How many smokes? I am smoking a meer now, my 39 smoke. Am I close?

 

[Chasing Embers]

How long would you say that takes? How many smokes? I am smoking a meer now, my 39 smoke. Am I close?

I would say 10 to 20. If the chamber is blackened it should be fine.

 

[WerewolfOfLondon]

I would say 10 to 20. If the chamber is blackened it should be fine.

Oh yes, well blackened now mate. I have to say, it is smoking so much better now, first few bowls very unpleasant, now its a delight.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

A lovely pipe and a thoughtful gift. As @Chasing Embers said the first few smokes in a new meer can be muted or even taste bad. It’ll clear up and come around in no time though. I find my new meers usually wake up after about 5-6 smokes but YMMV.

 

[Cyxelsid]

After you get it broke in it'll be a bit more flavorful as well. Meeeschaum will mute flavors until it starts to saturate with oils from the tobacco.

Thanks for the information, I was wondering. I have a hard time tasting individual flavors in my smokes (or even in my food) unless they are very pronounced. But the aroma out of the tins are fabulous.

I was trying a new pipe with a new tobacco, which was probably not the best idea.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

Nice pipe. I predict you two will be good friends in no time.

 

[AJL67]

As everyone else said and as far as keeping it lit that's purely based on the tobacco from load to drying meer isn't any harder to keep lit than any other pipe that i've found.

As soon as the sour milk chalk taste is gone they are brilliant.

 

[Cyxelsid]

As everyone else said and as far as keeping it lit that's purely based on the tobacco from load to drying meer isn't any harder to keep lit than any other pipe that i've found.

As soon as the sour milk chalk taste is gone they are brilliant.

Oh! So maybe that sour note WAS the Meer! Thanks!

 

[Chasing Embers]

So maybe that sour note WAS the Meer!

Very likely.

 

[renfield]

The White Goddess claims another.

So what’s your next meer going to be?

 

[Cyxelsid]

Not sure.... let me get a few bowls in this one first!

The White Goddess claims another.

So what’s your next meer going to be?

 

[TN Jed]

my Brian's.

Brian's bite..in all seriousness meerschaums are awesome.

 

[Cyxelsid]

Brian's bite..in all seriousness meerschaums are awesome.View attachment 244329

Lol autocorrect.

 

[mso489]

I have quite a few pipes, mostly briars, quite a few cobs, two MM maple hardwoods, a few Mountain Laurels, one cocobolo, and a clay. My one Meerschaum was gifted to me by the late great fish'n'banjo, and I would say you simply can't beat a Meer for clarity and definition of flavors.

I'm something of a burley devotee, so cobs and briars serve that genre pretty well, but I thoroughly enjoy a good Virginia, Va/Per, and variations of English blends including burley based and with burley as a condiment.

Enjoy your Meer!

 

[didimauw]

How long would you say that takes? How many smokes? I am smoking a meer now, my 39 smoke. Am I close?

My last meet took 12 bowls to get rid of the chalk taste.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have a hard time tasting individual flavors in my smokes

I never try, too tedious. I just enjoy the overall composition.

 

[Sobrbiker]

My last meet took 12 bowls to get rid of the chalk taste.

Should’ve gotten an old estate…

@Cyxelsid-
Nice pipe.
I’ve noticed in my short tenure that many affordable meers have small bowls, I seek out .75/.8” chambers 1.2-1.4” deep.
In the <1yr I’ve gotten a couple meers, and a couple meer lined briars. As long as they draw well, they smoke great.