I can't see any way that this isn't psychological. Try a blind tasting and you'll see how it really is?
Sandblasted pipe taste different?
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Sometimes, there are things we can't or don't know how to measure. When I played competitive darts, I used special polymer flights. The pigment of the black versions must've been heavier than the clear, as my darts consistently dipped in the back when using them, even though, the shape and dimensions were identical to the clear. There could be something going on with your black sandblasted pipes, however unlikely that might be. Or you could just be crazy like many of us here.
Are you smoking the same blend in each pipe (even your non-sandblasts) and getting different flavors? Are you smoking a blend in a sandblast, and then smoking it in a smooth (or vice versa) back-to-back?
Or are you just experiencing that the flavor of all your blends is more muted in your sandblasted pipes?
I highly doubt it's the finish of the pipes. The dye used doesn't even penetrate the wood more than a millimeter or two, so it wouldn't reach the inside of the chamber. And the fact that they are sandblasted would have almost no effect on the flavor.
It's more likely that on those particular occasions, your pallet is more subdued for one reason or another. Could be the weather, what you ate/drank, your current mood. Literally anything can change your perception of flavor.
Or, you just have some pipes that don't taste as good as some of your others, and they just happen to be all black sandblasts. It could happen.
But I doubt it's because they are all black sandblasts.
Or are you just experiencing that the flavor of all your blends is more muted in your sandblasted pipes?
I highly doubt it's the finish of the pipes. The dye used doesn't even penetrate the wood more than a millimeter or two, so it wouldn't reach the inside of the chamber. And the fact that they are sandblasted would have almost no effect on the flavor.
It's more likely that on those particular occasions, your pallet is more subdued for one reason or another. Could be the weather, what you ate/drank, your current mood. Literally anything can change your perception of flavor.
Or, you just have some pipes that don't taste as good as some of your others, and they just happen to be all black sandblasts. It could happen.
But I doubt it's because they are all black sandblasts.
I'd try a completely different size and shape of briar and see what happens.
Have you narrowed your pipes down to straight billiard, or is that all you've had?
Did you try and subsequently decide you didn't like meers and briars, or just never tried them?
Maybe you've been participating in the same tobacco family for too long and need to change it up.
Have you narrowed your pipes down to straight billiard, or is that all you've had?
Did you try and subsequently decide you didn't like meers and briars, or just never tried them?
Maybe you've been participating in the same tobacco family for too long and need to change it up.
I'm not a very refined smoker as a lot of peope here. I usually lit the pipe and smoke it without thinking much about it.
I don't think the thing has to do with the wheater or my palate since some of this pipes i have them from about 5 years and occasionaly i come back to them, but then i leave them to take dust because they are very dull.
Regarding the flavour they don't change it in any way, but they only reduce the intensity.
Usually i smoke the same blend all day long for months, so I really detect a change if it's the pipe.
Then I just think it happens to be that you have 5 pipes that don't taste as good as the others and they just happen to be black sandblasts. Like I said, it can happen.
Hope it all works out for you.
I also have other shapes, but I have almost 90% of straight billiards because i really like them.
Also have a meershaum (straight billiard of course
) wich i really like and smoke it very frequenlty."Maybe you've been participating in the same tobacco family for too long and need to change it up."
Maybe. Now I'm smoking only Scaferlati Caporal and crumbled toscano cigars in the pipe. Can't even smoke Virginias now because i find it too sweet wich is crazy since I've consumed pounds and pounds of SG Best Brown.
If you think it's different, it's different. If you think it's same, it's same. It's your nose and taste buds. I never experienced this before, but read similar posts recently. Did you get tested for COVID-19 recently?
I have more black, carved Castello Searock pipes than any other kind. Many are over 50 years old. At no time have they smoked other than great. If this problem continues to affect you I suggest you stop drinking your own bath water.... 
I have some black clay pipes, and I swear they taste different than the white ones...not bad or dulled as you mentioned, just different. I don't know if it's my imagination, but whether it is or not ~ I notice it!
You should try Mixture 79 ~ that doesn't taste bad in any pipe.
Seriously, though: how long have you had them? Maybe you could try acclimating the pipes by smoking a little more frequently for a while?
You should try Mixture 79 ~ that doesn't taste bad in any pipe.
Seriously, though: how long have you had them? Maybe you could try acclimating the pipes by smoking a little more frequently for a while?
You should try smoking the pipes instead of picking the outside of the bowl. I think you'll find the smoking flavors consistent but YMMV. I'd also think the sandblast finish would be tough on your tongue.
@Donb1972 I've never had any black clay pipes; maybe I should put one on my order from Smokingpipes.com!I have some black clay pipes, and I swear they taste different than the white ones...not bad or dulled as you mentioned, just different. I don't know if it's my imagination, but whether it is or not ~ I notice it!
You should try Mixture 79 ~ that doesn't taste bad in any pipe.
Seriously, though: how long have you had them? Maybe you could try acclimating the pipes by smoking a little more frequently for a while?
the fact you're paying that much attention probably is where the whole thing comes from. Basically you're over thinking it. Psychology effects taste as much as any physical effects.
I’m replying to this only so I can get notices when there are more comments. Everything I’ve read so far defies logic and anything resembling scientific reasoning.
My experience is that certain tobacco types and blends smoke better in different shaped bowls, however never experienced the finish of a pipe affecting the flavor of the tobacco.
I guess at some point, if you are completely stumped and don’t smoke those pipes, you can sell them on the forum?
Hope you reach a happy conclusion.
My experience is that certain tobacco types and blends smoke better in different shaped bowls, however never experienced the finish of a pipe affecting the flavor of the tobacco.
I guess at some point, if you are completely stumped and don’t smoke those pipes, you can sell them on the forum?
Hope you reach a happy conclusion.
I predict it will settle out if you keep smoking them. And....
Try smoking blindfolded!
Try smoking blindfolded!
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