Before I get into this pipe, I am by no means a veteran pipe smoker. Over the last four or so years, I've smoked my fair share of MM cobs and basket briars. I bought my first good briar half a year ago and my collection currently consists of a Stanwell HCA, HIS Grande. few cobs, and now this Peterson. I didn't want to order online and wait for shipping so instead I went to Rich's Cigar Store here in Portland, OR. I wanted to get an Irish Harp, but they didn't have any in stock so I went with the Donegal Rocky 105 P-Lip.
First Impression- Beautiful rustication. My other briars are bent so I felt like adding a billiard to the collection since I find them a little easier to clench. I was a bit nervous to try the P-Lip, but also curious. Not a huge fan of the 105 shape, the bowl is a little small for my taste.
First Smoke- Instant regret. Smoked hot as hell and hated the P-Lip. As I smoked, I thought to myself "Why the hell would anyone pay for this?". Had to fight the urge to come here and blast this pipe, as I had a feeling it just needed to break in. Aside from the baskets which all smoked like shit, my HCA and HIS smoked decent right off the bat so I wasn't expecting such a rough break in.
Second smoke wasn't any better, but gradually got used to the P-Lip.
Third Smoke- Smoked amazing. I've been smoking exclusively Nightcap in my briars lately, and this pipe brought me to new realms with this tobacco. I could taste the complexity and rollercoaster of flavor so much better with this pipe. Smoked cool and long, just under 40 mins. I normally pack my pipes pretty light, so when using my other pipes. they smoke between 20-30 mins but this pipe feels like it was made exclusively for me. I got used to the P-Lip and actually like it, though I still do prefer fishtails. Every smoke after that just got better and better.
All in all, I am very pleased with my purchase. It's now my favorite pipe. While not my favorite shape, it makes up for it in how it smokes. I placed a big order of SPC blends which is supposed to come in today, and can't wait to try them out in this pipe. I want to get a Sav next. I'm looking at the Roma Lucite but let me know what Sav's you would recommend for under $200.
First Impression- Beautiful rustication. My other briars are bent so I felt like adding a billiard to the collection since I find them a little easier to clench. I was a bit nervous to try the P-Lip, but also curious. Not a huge fan of the 105 shape, the bowl is a little small for my taste.
First Smoke- Instant regret. Smoked hot as hell and hated the P-Lip. As I smoked, I thought to myself "Why the hell would anyone pay for this?". Had to fight the urge to come here and blast this pipe, as I had a feeling it just needed to break in. Aside from the baskets which all smoked like shit, my HCA and HIS smoked decent right off the bat so I wasn't expecting such a rough break in.
Second smoke wasn't any better, but gradually got used to the P-Lip.
Third Smoke- Smoked amazing. I've been smoking exclusively Nightcap in my briars lately, and this pipe brought me to new realms with this tobacco. I could taste the complexity and rollercoaster of flavor so much better with this pipe. Smoked cool and long, just under 40 mins. I normally pack my pipes pretty light, so when using my other pipes. they smoke between 20-30 mins but this pipe feels like it was made exclusively for me. I got used to the P-Lip and actually like it, though I still do prefer fishtails. Every smoke after that just got better and better.
All in all, I am very pleased with my purchase. It's now my favorite pipe. While not my favorite shape, it makes up for it in how it smokes. I placed a big order of SPC blends which is supposed to come in today, and can't wait to try them out in this pipe. I want to get a Sav next. I'm looking at the Roma Lucite but let me know what Sav's you would recommend for under $200.
