Other than writing down what tastes (if any) I get from a blend, is there anything I should be noting in a journal? The idea is to build and train your palate right?
Starting a Tasting Journal: Coupalla Questions
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Mike Zika (sp?), a career data scientist/consumer survey guy, published a thing through the NASPC newsletter which was featured in an early episode of the radio show.
It's a pretty comprehensive list of questions that use already known pipe tobacco qualities to help you both exercise your pallete and narrow your tastes. Like - burleys are known to be on a spectrum of flavors that runs from nutty to chocolatey, which do you taste more of in this blend?
It's a pretty comprehensive list of questions that use already known pipe tobacco qualities to help you both exercise your pallete and narrow your tastes. Like - burleys are known to be on a spectrum of flavors that runs from nutty to chocolatey, which do you taste more of in this blend?
I think this is Mike Zicha’s list that @chilllucky suggested above: https://pipesmagazine.com/Mike-Zicha-Pipe-Tobacco-Evaluation-FormVersion3.pdf
And here is the radio episode:
And here is the radio episode:
Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 443
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 443! Our featured interview tonight is with Mike Zicha. Mike has some of the stereotypical pipe smoker attributes. He is contemplative, analytical, […]
pipesmagazine.com
Great questions get Great answers, thanks for both...I think this is Mike Zicha’s list that @chilllucky suggested above: https://pipesmagazine.com/Mike-Zicha-Pipe-Tobacco-Evaluation-FormVersion3.pdf
And here is the radio episode:
Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 443
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 443! Our featured interview tonight is with Mike Zicha. Mike has some of the stereotypical pipe smoker attributes. He is contemplative, analytical, […]pipesmagazine.com
His approach would be totally useless for my palate. It isn't good at all. And besides I wouldn't waste that amount of time answering questions about pipe tobacco,
Personally, I did find the form somewhere between burdensome and antithetical to the experience I want from smoking. But it's a much better answer to Mike's original question than either you or I dismissively nay-saying his premise.
In the early ’90s, I used to make cigar tasting notes on 8.5" x 11" sheets of paper. I would tape the cigar band on the sheet, and list the size of the cigar. I would list the flavours as I experienced them and as the cigar smoked down, describe the wrapper, what the draw was like, etc. Some changed with every inch, others were the same throughout. I mostly did it to keep track of cigars that I might want to buy again, or compare the “same” cigar from different releases (as they are an organic product, things could differ quite a bit from year to year). You could do something similar with pipe tobacco, list any colour or flavour changes from batch to batch. These days, I don’t bother—many of the samplers I’ve picked up in the last several years haven’t offered anything outstanding. I recently finished my 2022 CIGARfest bundle of sixty-five cigars and it contained only one that I plan on buying by the box. Making notes can be useful, but it can become burdensome and time consuming.
Thanks for the responses guys. I recently had to start from scratch and I want to keep track of everything now.
I have so many open tins that I often go months between bowls of a specific blend. I always remember if I liked it and generally how much I liked it, but usually don’t remember the details. So I think “why I liked / didn’t like” would be a valuable add. I’d also be sure to try in different pipes to see if you have a different reaction, and track that as well
Well it was pretty bad, but at least I have a record now. Tasted like ash and I couldn't keep it lit.
I use a template::
The
<<for each tobacco do>>
<tobacco type and process of manufacture i.e. stoved virginias>
provide (circle one)
citrus? grass? bread? wood? earth? floral? spice? Stewed plum? Sweet? sour? Smokiness? peat? lemon? Sugary? <type of casing flavor>, acidity? Nutty? Fig? Fruit?
<<then develop the narrative>>
toppings or casings noticeable? Change the tobacco in any way? Condiment level or prominent <tobacco type>.
describe any flavors noticed here <chocolate, peach, cherry, etc...>
the nic-hit is <unnoticeable, a bit past middle, mild, strong, better eat first>
the taste and strength are <mild, medium, strong, past the center of mild to medium>
there is <no, some, definitely> chance of bite or harshness
any rough edges noticed?
the tobacco <ribbon, flake, cake, plug> is <dry, moist, not too moist>
the burn is <cool, fast, slow, clean, moderate>
room note is <pleasant, tolerable, short-lived>
the aftertaste is <short-lived, lingering, pleasant>
leaves any dampness or moisture in the bowl? Dottle??
relights? Few, Average, more than average..
All day smoke? Repeatable?
The
<<for each tobacco do>>
<tobacco type and process of manufacture i.e. stoved virginias>
provide (circle one)
citrus? grass? bread? wood? earth? floral? spice? Stewed plum? Sweet? sour? Smokiness? peat? lemon? Sugary? <type of casing flavor>, acidity? Nutty? Fig? Fruit?
<<then develop the narrative>>
toppings or casings noticeable? Change the tobacco in any way? Condiment level or prominent <tobacco type>.
describe any flavors noticed here <chocolate, peach, cherry, etc...>
the nic-hit is <unnoticeable, a bit past middle, mild, strong, better eat first>
the taste and strength are <mild, medium, strong, past the center of mild to medium>
there is <no, some, definitely> chance of bite or harshness
any rough edges noticed?
the tobacco <ribbon, flake, cake, plug> is <dry, moist, not too moist>
the burn is <cool, fast, slow, clean, moderate>
room note is <pleasant, tolerable, short-lived>
the aftertaste is <short-lived, lingering, pleasant>
leaves any dampness or moisture in the bowl? Dottle??
relights? Few, Average, more than average..
All day smoke? Repeatable?
I've been keeping a cigar journal for years, and have one for my pipe tobacco's as well. A friend of mine had one published and is listed as "The Pipe Smoker's Journal." I've used it, but I found that some sections were too small for all my notes, so I just use my own.
My journal includes the following:
Date:
Time of Smoke:
Activity/Location: (i.e. pipe club meeting, listening to music, going for a walk, etc.)
Who with: (i.e. hanging out with a friend, etc.)
Beverage:
Tobacco:
Purchase Date: (i.e. Age)
Type of Blend: (i.e. straight Virginia, Flake)
Blend Components:
Strength:
Flavor Profile/Tasting Notes:
Pipe: (what pipe was it smoked it)
Additional notes:
Rating: (i.e. 5 stars, out of 100, out of 10, etc. - whatever works for you)
I've found that many things factor into your experience whether it be with cigars or pipes. What activity or you're doing or what location you're at, time of smoke, who you are smoking with, what beverage you pair the smoke with, what pipe you smoke the tobacco with, etc., all play into the enjoyment of the pipe experience. That's why I list those other notes in my journal, because you may find a tobacco more enjoyable in the morning with a coffee, in a meerschaum pipe as compared to smoking it in the evening with a beer and in a briar pipe, etc.
Good luck on your smoking journal.
My journal includes the following:
Date:
Time of Smoke:
Activity/Location: (i.e. pipe club meeting, listening to music, going for a walk, etc.)
Who with: (i.e. hanging out with a friend, etc.)
Beverage:
Tobacco:
Purchase Date: (i.e. Age)
Type of Blend: (i.e. straight Virginia, Flake)
Blend Components:
Strength:
Flavor Profile/Tasting Notes:
Pipe: (what pipe was it smoked it)
Additional notes:
Rating: (i.e. 5 stars, out of 100, out of 10, etc. - whatever works for you)
I've found that many things factor into your experience whether it be with cigars or pipes. What activity or you're doing or what location you're at, time of smoke, who you are smoking with, what beverage you pair the smoke with, what pipe you smoke the tobacco with, etc., all play into the enjoyment of the pipe experience. That's why I list those other notes in my journal, because you may find a tobacco more enjoyable in the morning with a coffee, in a meerschaum pipe as compared to smoking it in the evening with a beer and in a briar pipe, etc.
Good luck on your smoking journal.
@proteus ’s template reminds me of the elementary school tests with the little ovals or rectangles you had to fill in with a No. 2 pencil. You could set up an 8.5" x 11" sheet and photocopy it and just fill in the eggs and write notes. A three hole punch and a binder and you’re good to go!
I have found that what I ate and drank that day can affect the smoke and will definitely be adding that to the template. I drank orange juice every morning after coffee and felt that it might have perked up/ cleansed my palate for a more nuanced taste during the day but it could be wholly psychological YMMV
Well for me at least, pipe smoking is not like riding a bike. I've forgotten the basics and want to start right.
Agreed. I appreciate the effort, but I skip that submission in each article. Everyone views this hobby at different levels, so I get it.
I enjoyed a few pipes with Les Young a few weeks ago, he always has a small notebook, and jots down a few notes everytime he smokes a bowl. He has that kind of analytical mind and the details matter to me. (and, he's the reigning slow smoke champ, so that's working!)