The new 320s were finally delivered today, and I just finished the maiden smoke in the Noce. As I've said before, I'm not a fan of rustication, but was intrigued by the "walnut" look of the Noce. In hand it's very nice, and feels very good in the hand. As usual, first smoke in the Noce 320 was much like that of my other 320s. I loaded it up with some Blend For Cary Grant and it smoked it like a well seasoned champ... two relights due to literally letting the burn go out. A third relight only confirmed there was no tobacco left to burn.
My only complaint, (which isn't entirely a complaint) is that the pipes received are not the ones from the photo even though they state, "The pipe you are going to purchase is a unique item, the picture shows you the real item you are buying, that is because once you have purchased it,it will be removed from the catalogue." My photos above are again being displayed for pipes in stock. However, I'm happy with the pipes I received, and the rustication seems better developed on mine than the one in the photo, so I win either way. And I was too quick to light it up before looking at my photos and noticing the difference anyway, haha! However, if I had been ordering a smooth, and I often choose by grain, I would have been unhappy. That being said, I'm not displeased with the smooth Grezza (smooth unfinished) I received and the cost on those is too low to worry about returning anyway. Just something to think about next time I order from them, and it could have been an honest mistake.
Regardless. The Noce, in particular, once again is quite lovely, and smokes like a dream in true 320 fashion, fresh out of the box.
