I am drawn to sandblasts finishes and strawberry wood seems to take to them kindly as visibly demonstrated in that fine Eric Heberling! I find that strawberry wood tastes best with virginia blends from my experience with strawberry wood Beckers. Now that I am smoking primarily virginias, I'll have to keep an eye out for these brothers of briar. When smoking English blends, I didn't particularly like the taste for some reason. It marries perfect with virginias IMHO. Congratulations on your exquisite looking pipe, it is truly one I would have snatched up in a second had I come across it! I am glad you find it to be a pleasurable smoke.