I've found that lightly smelling the smoke out from the mouth adds tremendous flavors that cannot be matched by retrohaling, for both pipes and cigars. Yet other smokers I've seen whom prefer outdoor smoking don't do it at all (eg. John from Matches860), and I have difficulties doing it outdoors as well as the smoke is immediately dispersed by wind, always feel like I'm missing out on the pleasure. So am I the only one? Do you do it at all?
Smelling the smoke out from your mouth?
- Thread starter myhyeung
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You'd be inhaling the smoke that way, it's called French inhaling. Try the reverse called retrohaling where you let the smoke exit your nose when exhaling.
Yes it's extremely light French inhale, feel like just letting the smoke pass the olfactory receptors, if I actually inhaled to the lungs which accidentally happens from time to time, it results in a cough. I retrohale too but my nostrils will feel coated and the flavors subdued.
Here we call that the Chinese drawback.
I don't because I don't want a brown GT stripe on my blonde moustache.
I don't because I don't want a brown GT stripe on my blonde moustache.
“So am I the only one? Do you do it at all?” - OP
You’re not alone. I think we all begin this way. It does, as you say, offer a different smell/taste than a retrohale or the side stream. Very insightful post.
on edit — Do I still do it? Oh yes from time to time. I’m in the habit of retro automatically. But I enjoy being aware of the side stream too. Sometimes the flavors and smell are very present. But I also agree that there’s a difference between “smelling smoke and inhaling smoke”. You’ll know, as you say, if you’ve inhaled any. Pipe smoke is pungent and not meant to be. Yet some do.
You’re not alone. I think we all begin this way. It does, as you say, offer a different smell/taste than a retrohale or the side stream. Very insightful post.
on edit — Do I still do it? Oh yes from time to time. I’m in the habit of retro automatically. But I enjoy being aware of the side stream too. Sometimes the flavors and smell are very present. But I also agree that there’s a difference between “smelling smoke and inhaling smoke”. You’ll know, as you say, if you’ve inhaled any. Pipe smoke is pungent and not meant to be. Yet some do.
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I do it also. For some reason I've never been able to retrohale even when I smoked cigarettes. Every now and then instead of blowing the smoke out of my mouth I'll just simply open my mouth and let it pour out and give it a light sniff. it does allow me to taste what I'm smoking better.
It's funny that this topic came up today. I just discovered this yesterday driving to work. I did enjoy this, it felt like adding another arrow to the quiver of how to enjoy my pipe.
Isn't this called snorking in pipe terms? There used to be a meme of a guy with a long nose over his pipe chamber with the title snorking on it. I believe mrlowercase made the meme.
Letting smoke drift into my nose from my mouth is my favourite way to taste and smell all the flavours. I’ll do a retrohale too every now and then, but I don’t nearly enjoy that as much. The taste and smell seem to be muted to me in the retrohale.
Ray
I’m on a Pegasus kick of late. Enjoying it right now. There’s just something about it that calls to me. Old time pipey. — it’s what I like about PA and Granger.
OP
Taste and Smell work together. Some have a better ability with one than the other. Any combination that helps you perceive flavor is ok. I’ll just add that we don’t taste or smell with our lungs. It doesn’t take much smoke to taste. Long draws are not necessary. A gentle puff is all that’s required. And you’ll coax more flavor that way.
One way or another, getting the smoke through your schnoz will reveal much more in the way of flavors than you can pick up via mouth alone. About the only advantage of indoor smoking is that you're smelling the smoke, since you're sitting in it. Snorking works well enough for me.
I was surprised so many guys are doing this. I generally can't stand smoke going up my nose.
I don't either, and retrohaling causes me to have all sorts of sinus problems. I can get enough of an idea of the aroma without having to push or pull smoke through my nose. And, I hate getting sinus infections, as they always lead to upper respiratory problems, fast.
Pegasus casted its charm on me after just one bowl. Happy to see your enjoying it.
A month ago I'd have said the same, but now I find I get an intense sensation from retrohaling. I guess I've found a way that works for me.
Snorking is cigar speak for retrohaling.
I suppose so. However, I’ve found that certain cigars will cause the eyes to water. Since I prefer only mild pipe blends, I’m in the habit of an easy, smooth retro —without any nose tingle. Hand me a cigar and I’ll without any thought do the same. If it’s the wrong ? cigar… Wow!
A host handed me one of those tiny anisette flavored Italian cigars — that hurt! Lol
I guess I've built up a tolerance because I smoke strong heavy cigars and let the smoke coming out of my mouth hit my nose for a little sniff every now and then