Sometimes, I Just Look At A Pipe Wondering What Should Go In.

[bullet08]

Thought about Balkan Supreme. Then I noticed, the chamber isn't all that wide. Thinking VA/Per, but don't have anything opened. Few new jars of Back Down South, but don't want to pop 'em. Might dry some VA, but don't want to wait. Too much first world problems today.

 

[didimauw]

I pick the tobacco I want first, then stick it in whatever pipe I feel like.

 

[olkofri]

I pick the tobacco I want first, then stick it in whatever pipe I feel like.

No effort there for you... it's always Carter Hall!!

 

[Chaukisch]

Brother: Less hassle, more hustle.
The tobac will alway provide good smoke.
So smoke it up aplenty!

 

[didimauw]

No effort there for you... it's always Carter Hall!!

. It's actually been close to a year since I smoked Carter hall! Does that make me a real pipe smoker now?

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

My own pattern of pipe smoking has never had me have the contemplative question you pose…..

My, probably uncommon approach has probably been at least 98% of the time the following:

1. I admit that I am very partial to the OC blends (even though I AM an old codger, I tend to not like calling my blends, “old codger” blends (yes, I can be ornery in that way )).

2. I either fill my pipe 100% with my current OC Blend that I have open in the can….. or I fill my pipe ~75-80% with my current OC Blend.

3. On those occasions I want a “different” flavor….. (the times I have the pipe filled 75-80% with OC)…. then I will reach for whatever handy/interesting pouch of “something else” I have and top off the last 20-25%. This could be an ARO or a VA or whatever the hell else I have in the array of pouches or tins I have.

That is my typical method…. for decades. From reading here, I can tell it is NOT a common approach, but it has always been pleasant for me.

It happened to be the way my dad packed his pipes too…. and it was I guess me learning through observation of him.

I guess this approach is “outside the norm” here…. but some of you might find it enjoyable to try sometime. I have had very, very few bowls of pipe tobacco that did not have as a “base” some OC on the bottom.

 

[mso489]

Sometimes a few minutes of indecision can promote creativity. The Balkan might have done better than expected in that chamber width. You could mix a couple blends, or a blend and a condiment. You could open a new tin.

Or just walk away and let it ride. Something might occur to you.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I often find myself doing this. Morning pipe is a pretty easy decision - usually a VA or VaPer. Night time pipes are the ones I'm more picky about what I smoke, as it's usually the time l branch out or pull things out that I haven't smoked in a while.
First world problems indeed....

 

[cigrmaster]

When I decide to smoke a certain blend, I match it to the pipe it belongs to. It could be a genre specific pipe or a specific blend pipe. Luckily most of my pipes are a group 4-5 and can take a folded and stuffed flake perfectly.
My 2 group 6's need more tobacco so I use either 2013 Capstan Gold Ready Rubbed or a wrap around flake such as Asltleys no 109 or Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake.

 

[Searock Fan]

For me it's easy. Either they smoke English or they smoke everything else.

 

[ashdigger]

I’m just a knuckledragger. I just got back from four days on the road. Over 2,000 miles. I churned through 8 pipes and three blends. Granger, Greenodd and Sutliff Slices. I also had three bowls of Capstan Blue.

Did a pick a pipe that fit my mood and matched my horoscope or lucky numbers.

NOPE.

I grabbed some Pete’s and some Ryan Alden’s and off I went.

I smoke a pipe. I don’t make it an experience. I know. I’m ruining it for all the others.

 

[JimInks]

I'm very picky. It sometimes takes me a few months to make decision on what to smoke in a pipe I haven't smoked before. I need to make the right choice because I never know when I'll use any of those pipes for tobacco reviewing. I dedicate pipes to distinct genres and often, to particular blends, so it occasionally does take some time.

When I decide to smoke, for example, Capstan Blue, that it'll be in a dedicated pipe so I'll get the pure taste of the blend. I find that the most comfortable way of smoking for myself.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

I'm very picky. It sometimes takes me a few months to make decision on what to smoke in a pipe I haven't smoked before. I need to make the right choice because I never know when I'll use any of those pipes for tobacco reviewing. I dedicate pipes to distinct genres and often, to particular blends, so it occasionally does take some time.

When I decide to smoke, for example, Capstan Blue, that it'll be in a dedicated pipe so I'll get the pure taste of the blend. I find that the most comfortable way of smoking for myself.

Out of curiosity, are you a "super taster" with food and/or alcohol as well?

I've been acquainted with a select few super tasters and it is seemingly a blessing and a curse.

 

[JimInks]

Out of curiosity, are you a "super taster" with food and/or alcohol as well?

I've been acquainted with a select few super tasters and it is seemingly a blessing and a curse.

It is a blessing and a curse. I can't eat spicy foods because I have a sensitive palate. I love the smell of spicy curries, etc., but I can't eat them or peppers either. I used to be a restaurant chef when I was paying my way through college, and that experience really helped inform my understanding flavors. As for alcohol, I seldom ever have a drink of any kind, and on the rare occasions I do, it's one social drink with a friend or friends.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

It is a blessing and a curse. I can't eat spicy foods because I have a sensitive palate. I love the smell of spicy curries, etc., but I can't eat them or peppers either. I used to be a restaurant chef when I was paying my way through college, and that experience really helped inform my understanding flavors. As for alcohol, I seldom ever have a drink of any kind, and on the rare occasions I do, it's one social drink with a friend or friends.

Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful response.

I was a line cook for about 18 years (with heightened responsibility in creating specials and menus). I have a heightened palate for foods and flavor balance, but am no super taster. As I age, my stomach no longer enjoys spicy and the tounge tingle is no longer enjoyable.

My tobacco palate is pedestrian, but I'm working on it and understand the focus and sensibility it takes. I have nothing but respect for you.

 

[JimInks]

Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful response.

I was a line cook for about 18 years (with heightened responsibility in creating specials and menus). I have a heightened palate for foods and flavor balance, but am no super taster. As I age, my stomach no longer enjoys spicy and the tounge tingle is no longer enjoyable.

My tobacco palate is pedestrian, but I'm working on it and understand the focus and sensibility it takes. I have nothing but respect for you.

I thank you very much for the kind words. You just made my day, man.

 

[woodsroad]

These pipes should get stuffed with wires, I think.

 

[CosmoKnot509]

Thought about Balkan Supreme. Then I noticed, the chamber isn't all that wide. Thinking VA/Per, but don't have anything opened. Few new jars of Back Down South, but don't want to pop 'em. Might dry some VA, but don't want to wait. Too much first world problems today.

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I just went through this today (thought I was alone) with a new Porto Cervo 122. I had three different unopened tins of different English blends that I wanted to try but couldn’t decide. I went with old faithful Knightcap and was not disappointed.

Whatever choice you made was the right one.

 

[bullet08]

Started drying some Balkan Supreme. Didn't have time to smoke. Save the tobacco in plastic wrap. Checked the tobacco today and it was more dry than how I like English/Balkan blends. Load the pipe and set it aside for smoke. Fell asleep and totally forgot about it. Oh well. I guess I'll try something different this morning.

 

[cigrmaster]

I’m just a knuckledragger. I just got back from four days on the road. Over 2,000 miles. I churned through 8 pipes and three blends. Granger, Greenodd and Sutliff Slices. I also had three bowls of Capstan Blue.

Did a pick a pipe that fit my mood and matched my horoscope or lucky numbers.

NOPE.

I grabbed some Pete’s and some Ryan Alden’s and off I went.

I smoke a pipe. I don’t make it an experience. I know. I’m ruining it for all the others.

Ash, Ash, Ash, what are we going to do with you? Ryan Alden or Petes? They are not in the same universe. I think it is time to come back to the farm for further training. You really are embarrassing the piss out of the whole group. Now get back here before we have to send a black ops team to drag you back.